Warning apparatus for a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A warning apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
- obstacle sensing means for measuring a separation distance between a vehicle and an obstacle located in front of the vehicle;
driver condition sensing means for sensing whether the driver is manipulating an accessory of the vehicle;
an alarm; and
a controller connected to said obstacle sensing means, said driver condition sensing means, and said alarm, comprising setting means for setting a distance value for safe vehicle separation, said setting means responsive to the driver condition sensing means to reduce said threshold distance value whenever an accessory is being manipulated, and warning generating means for controlling the alarm to generate a warning for the driver when the separation distance sensed by the obstacle sensing means is below said threshold distance value.
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Abstract
A warning apparatus for a vehicle generates a warning for a driver of the vehicle when the separation between the vehicle and an obstacle located in front of the vehicle falls below a prescribed value. The prescribed value is varied in accordance with changes in the physical or mental state of the driver of the vehicle, environmental conditions, or the driving characteristics of the driver and thereby adjust to changes in the driver'"'"'s reaction time and the stopping distance of the vehicle.
125 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A warning apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
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obstacle sensing means for measuring a separation distance between a vehicle and an obstacle located in front of the vehicle; driver condition sensing means for sensing whether the driver is manipulating an accessory of the vehicle; an alarm; and a controller connected to said obstacle sensing means, said driver condition sensing means, and said alarm, comprising setting means for setting a distance value for safe vehicle separation, said setting means responsive to the driver condition sensing means to reduce said threshold distance value whenever an accessory is being manipulated, and warning generating means for controlling the alarm to generate a warning for the driver when the separation distance sensed by the obstacle sensing means is below said threshold distance value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A warning apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
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obstacle sensing means for measuring a separation distance between a vehicle and an obstacle; driving performance determining means for determining when the driver is manipulating an accessory of the vehicle; weather condition sensing means for sensing a weather condition of a vehicle environment; an alarm; and a controller connected to said obstacle sensing means, said driving performance determining means, said weather condition sensing means, and said alarm, comprising setting means for setting a distance value for safe vehicle separation and varying said distance value in response to said driving performance determining means and said weather condition sensing means, and warning generating means for controlling the alarm to generate a warning for the driver when a separation distance sensed by the obstacle sensing means is below said distance value for safe vehicle separation.
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Specification