COLLISION AVOIDANCE SIGNAL

• US 20130093582A1
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Walsh, James D., Dunst, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,050,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• 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: B60W 2554/801 Lateral distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A vehicle collision avoidance signaling method and system are disclosed. The collision signal captures the attention of a distracted driver for the driver to brake appropriately. The vehicle collision warning signal and lighting system automatically alerts an approaching driver of a stopped or slowed vehicle via a strobe or flashing lighting system. An onboard driver is also alerted to the approaching vehicle. Rear vehicle sensors can sense vehicles approaching from the rear and determine the distance, velocity, and the deceleration of the approaching vehicle. A processor processes the signal and integrates with the onboard vehicle'"'"'s speedometer signal and braking system. If the approaching car'"'"'s rate of closure is determined to be extreme compared to the vehicle'"'"'s location, a bright strobe signal along with the brake signal would be automatically given. The intensity of the strobe warning can be determined by the rate and distance at which a vehicle is approaching.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

collecting vehicle data for a first vehicle approaching a second vehicle;

analyzing said vehicle data to determine if said first vehicle can stop before colliding with said second vehicle; and

issuing an automatic strobe light warning of varying intensity to alert a driver of said first vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at a high rate of speed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing said first vehicle approaching a slowed or stopped said second vehicle via a rear vehicle sensor associated with said second vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said vehicle data comprises at least one distance of said first vehicle from said second vehicle, velocity of said first vehicle, deceleration of said first vehicle, velocity of said second vehicle, and deceleration of said second vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

activating said automatic strobe light warning and an automatic reactive system to control operation of said second vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at said high rate of speed or preparing to change lanes in dose proximity to said second vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatic strobe light warning operates independently of a driver of said second vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

varying an intensity of said automatic strobe signal when a driver of said second vehicle depresses a brake pedal of said second vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

varying an intensity of said automatic strobe light signal when said first vehicle approaches said second vehicle at an increased rate of speed and shorter distance.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing an additional warning with said automatic strobe light signal, said additional warning comprising at least one of actuating a horn of said second vehicle, controlling a brake of said second vehicle, controlling a steering of said second vehicle, and adjusting a speed of said second vehicle.

9. A system comprising:

a processor;

a data bus coupled to said processor; and

a computer-usable tangible storage device storing computer program code, said computer program code comprising program instructions executable by said processor, said program instructions comprising;

program instructions to collect vehicle data for a first vehicle approaching a second vehicle;

program instructions to analyze said vehicle data to determine if said first vehicle can stop before colliding with said second vehicle; and

program instructions to issue an automatic strobe light warning of varying intensity to alert a driver of said first vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at a high rate of speed.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to sense said first vehicle approaching a slowed or stopped said second vehicle via a rear vehicle sensor associated with said second vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said vehicle data comprises at least one distance of said first vehicle from said second vehicle, velocity of said first vehicle, deceleration of said first vehicle, velocity of said second vehicle, and deceleration of said second vehicle.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to activate said automatic strobe light warning and an automatic reactive system to control operation of said second vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at said high rate of speed or preparing to change lanes in close proximity to said second vehicle.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said automatic strobe light warning operates independently of a driver of said second vehicle.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to vary an intensity of said automatic strobe signal when a driver of said second vehicle depresses a brake pedal of said second vehicle.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to vary an intensity of said automatic strobe light signal when said first vehicle approaches said second vehicle at an increased rate of speed and shorter distance.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to issue an additional warning with said automatic strobe light signal, said additional warning comprising at least one of actuating a horn of said second vehicle, controlling a brake of said second vehicle, controlling a steering of said second vehicle, and adjusting a speed of said second vehicle.

17. A computer-usable tangible storage device storing computer program code, said computer program code comprising program instructions executable by a processor, said program instructions comprising:

program instructions to collect vehicle data for a first vehicle approaching a second vehicle, said vehicle data can comprise at least one distance of said first vehicle from said second vehicle, velocity of said first vehicle, deceleration of said first vehicle, velocity of said second vehicle, and deceleration of said second vehicle;

program instructions to analyze said vehicle data to determine if said first vehicle can stop before colliding with said second vehicle; and

program instructions to issue an automatic strobe light warning of varying intensity to alert a driver of said first vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at a high rate of speed.

18. The computer-usable tangible storage device of claim 17, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to sense said first vehicle approaching a slowed or stopped said second vehicle via a rear vehicle sensor associated with said second vehicle.

19. The computer-usable tangible storage device of claim 17, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to activate said automatic strobe light warning and an automatic reactive system to control operation of said second vehicle if said analyzed data indicates that said first vehicle is approaching said second vehicle at said high rate of speed or preparing to change lanes in close proximity to said second vehicle.

20. The computer-usable tangible storage device of claim 17, wherein said program instructions further comprise:

program instructions to vary an intensity of said automatic strobe signal when a driver of said second vehicle depresses a brake pedal of said second vehicle;

program instructions to vary an intensity of said automatic strobe light signal when said first vehicle approaches said second vehicle at an increased rate of speed and shorter distance; and

program instructions to vary an intensity of said onboard driver warning system to indicate rear approaching vehicles.