Rear collision warning system

• US 20030141966A1
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary Steven, Prasad, Priyaranjan, Miller, Ronald Hugh
• Granted Patent: US 6,831,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

A rear collision warning system (10) for a target vehicle (17) and an approaching vehicle (18) is provided. The rear collision warning system (10) includes a first transmitter (54) located on the approaching vehicle (18) and directed at the target vehicle (17). The first transmitter (54) generates a vehicle information signal. A first indicator (16) located on the target vehicle (17). A first receiver (50) electrically coupled to the first indicator (16) receives the vehicle information signal and transmits a warning signal to the approaching vehicle (18) when the vehicle information signal is above a predetermined magnitude. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Claims

1. A rear collision warning system for a target vehicle and an approaching vehicle comprising:

a first transmitter located on the approaching vehicle and directed at the target vehicle, said first transmitter generating a vehicle information signal;

a first indicator located on the target vehicle; and

a first receiver electrically coupled to said first indicator, said first receiver receiving said vehicle information signal and transmitting a warning signal to the approaching vehicle when said vehicle information signal is above a predetermined magnitude.

2. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a first controller electrically coupled to said first receiver and said first indicator, said first controller receiving said vehicle information signal and transmitting said warning signal to said first indicator when said vehicle information signal is above said predetermined magnitude.

3. A system as in claim 2 further comprising said first controller determining relative velocity of the approaching vehicle relative to velocity of the target vehicle and signaling said first indicator in response to said relative velocity of the approaching vehicle.

4. A system as in claim 2 further comprising said first controller determining proximity of the approaching vehicle relative to the target vehicle and signaling said first indicator in response to said determined proximity.

5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said proximity comprises the relative position of said approaching vehicle to said target vehicle and distance between the target vehicle and the approaching vehicle.

6. A system as in claim 2 further comprising said first controller determining direction of travel for said approaching vehicle relative to said target vehicle and signaling said first indicator in response to said determined direction of travel.

7. A system as in claim 2 further comprising:

said first controller determining time to impact between the target vehicle and the approaching vehicle in response to relative proximity of the target vehicle and the relative velocity of the target vehicle; and

said first controller warning said approaching vehicle in response to said time to impact.

8. A system as in claim 2 further comprising:

said first controller determining time to impact between the target vehicle and the approaching vehicle in response to relative proximity of the target vehicle and the relative velocity of the target vehicle; and

said first controller warning said target vehicle in response to said time to impact.

9. A system as in claim 2 further comprising:

a second transmitter located on the target vehicle and electrically coupled to said first controller;

a second indicator located on the approaching vehicle;

a second receiver electrically coupled to said indicator; and

a second controller electrically coupled to said first transmitter, said second indicator, and said second receiver, said second controller in response to receiving said warning signal from said first controller via said second transmitter and said second receiver signaling said second indicator.

10. A system as in claim 9 further comprising said second controller in response to said warning signal enacting a countermeasure, within the approaching vehicle, selected from the group consisting of:

activating brakes, inhibiting fuel consumption, retracting seat belts, adjusting seat positioning, and downshifting a transmission.

11. A system as in claim 2 further comprising said first controller in response to said warning signal enacting a countermeasure, within the target vehicle, selected from the group consisting of:

activating brakes, inhibiting fuel consumption, retracting seat belts, adjusting seat positioning, and downshifting a transmission.

12. A system as in claim 2 further comprising a wireless communication system for receiving and transmitting proximity, velocity, and direction of travel data, said wireless communication system selected from the following group consisting of:

a Bluetooth wireless communication system, a 802.11A wireless communication system, a 802.11B wireless communication system, and a satellite wireless communication system.

13. A system as in claim 2 further comprising said second controller signaling said second indicator in response to relative approaching vehicle proximity, velocity, or direction of travel.

14. A method of preventing a rear collision between an approaching vehicle and a target vehicle, said method comprising:

detecting the approaching vehicle;

determining the proximity of the approaching vehicle relative to the target vehicle; and

warning the approaching vehicle from the target vehicle of a potential collision with the target vehicle via a wireless communication system.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein determining the proximity of the approaching vehicle comprises:

determining position of the approaching vehicle relative to the target vehicle; and

determining distance between the target vehicle and the approaching vehicle.

16. A method as in claim 14 further comprising determining velocity of the approaching vehicle relative to the velocity of the target vehicle.

17. A method as in claim 16 further comprising determining time to impact between the target vehicle and the approaching vehicle in response to said determined proximity of the approaching vehicle and said velocity of the approaching vehicle.

18. A method as in claim 16 further comprising continuously monitoring said proximity of the approaching vehicle and said velocity of the approaching vehicle relative to the target vehicle.

19. A method as in claim 14 wherein warning the approaching vehicle comprises warning the approaching vehicle when said determined time to impact is less than a predetermined duration.

20. A method as in claim 14 wherein warning the approaching vehicle comprises flashing lights in the direction of the approaching vehicle from the target vehicle.

21. A method as in claim 14 further comprising warning the target vehicle of a potential collision.

22. A method as in claim 14 further comprising enacting a countermeasure in the target vehicle.

23. A method as in claim 14 further comprising enacting a countermeasure in the approaching vehicle.