CONTEXT-AWARE COLLISON DEVICES AND COLLISON AVOIDANCE SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME
First Claim
1. ) A collision avoidance device comprising:
- a) a processing unit;
b) a transceiver comprising an antenna, the transceiver being in communication with the processing unit and being capable of establishing wireless communications with other collision avoidance devices in communication range to transmit and/or receive proximity warnings;
c) a user interface in communication with the processing unit;
d) at least one context awareness mechanism in communication with the processing unit, the at least one context awareness mechanism being configured to detect a context in which the collision avoidance device is and to transmit data related to the detected context to the processing unit;
wherein the processing unit is operable to
1) disable the transmission of proximity warnings to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is non-hazardous,
2) cause the transmission of regular proximity warnings to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is hazardous, or
3) cause the transmission of critical proximity warnings, different from regular proximity warnings, to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is critically hazardous.wherein the collision avoidance device being integrated into a cap lamp
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Personnel and vehicle collision avoidance devices configured to be used in collision avoidance systems are disclosed. The collision avoidance devices are configured to be aware of the context (e.g. position, location, state, status, etc.) in which the person or vehicle is. This awareness allows the devices to avoid transmitting non-hazardous proximity warnings when the context does not warrant the transmission of proximity warnings, and to transmit special critical proximity warnings when the context warrants the transmission of such proximity warnings. To detect the context, the devices comprise one or more context-awareness mechanisms (e.g. user input interfaces, sensors, infra-red receivers, etc.), each of which being capable of detecting one or more particular contexts. A collision avoidance system comprising these personnel and vehicle collision avoidance devices is also presented.
121 Citations
43 Claims
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1. ) A collision avoidance device comprising:
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a) a processing unit; b) a transceiver comprising an antenna, the transceiver being in communication with the processing unit and being capable of establishing wireless communications with other collision avoidance devices in communication range to transmit and/or receive proximity warnings; c) a user interface in communication with the processing unit; d) at least one context awareness mechanism in communication with the processing unit, the at least one context awareness mechanism being configured to detect a context in which the collision avoidance device is and to transmit data related to the detected context to the processing unit; wherein the processing unit is operable to
1) disable the transmission of proximity warnings to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is non-hazardous,
2) cause the transmission of regular proximity warnings to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is hazardous, or
3) cause the transmission of critical proximity warnings, different from regular proximity warnings, to at least some devices if the processing unit determines that the detected context is critically hazardous.wherein the collision avoidance device being integrated into a cap lamp - View Dependent Claims (7, 10, 11, 14)
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2. ) (canceled)
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15. ) (canceled)
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16. ) A collision avoidance system comprising a plurality of collision avoidance devices mounted to vehicles, persons, and obstacles, the obstacle collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to vehicle collision avoidance devices in communication range, the personnel collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to vehicle collision avoidance devices in communication range, and the vehicle collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to other vehicle collision avoidance devices and to personnel collision avoidance devices in communication range;
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wherein each of the vehicle and personnel collision avoidance devices comprises at least one context awareness mechanism configured to detect a context in which the collision avoidance device is; and wherein each of the vehicle and personnel collision avoidance devices is operable to
1) disable the transmission of proximity warnings if the collision avoidance device determines that the detected context is non-hazardous,
2) cause the transmission of regular proximity warnings if the collision avoidance device determines that the detected context is hazardous, or
3) cause the transmission of critical proximity warnings, different from regular proximity warnings, if the collision avoidance device determines that the detected context is critically hazardous.wherein the personnel collision avoidance devices are respectively integrated into cap lamps. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27)
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19. ) (canceled)
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25. ) (canceled)
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28. ) (canceled)
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29. ) A method to control the transmission of proximity warnings between collision avoidance devices, the collision avoidance devices comprising vehicle collision avoidance devices, personnel collision avoidance devices, and obstacle collision avoidance devices, the obstacle collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to vehicle collision avoidance devices in communication range, the personnel collision avoidance devices being respectively integrated into cap lamps, the personnel collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to vehicle collision avoidance devices in communication range, and the vehicle collision avoidance devices being configured to transmit proximity warnings to other vehicle collision avoidance devices and to personnel collision avoidance devices in communication range, the vehicle and personnel collision avoidance devices each comprising at least one context awareness mechanism, the method comprising, for each of the vehicle and personnel collision avoidance devices:
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a) detecting, with the at least one context awareness mechanism, if the device is in a non-hazardous context, in a hazardous context, or in a critically hazardous context; b) as a function of the detected context, disabling the transmission of proximity warnings if the detected context is non-hazardous, transmitting proximity warnings if the detected context is hazardous, or transmitting critical proximity warnings if the detected context is critically hazardous. c) repeating steps a) and b). - View Dependent Claims (30, 32, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43)
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31. ) (canceled)
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36. ) (canceled)
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37. ) (canceled)
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40. ) (canceled)
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41. ) (canceled)
Specification