Method and apparatus for hazard detection and distraction avoidance for a vehicle
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for detecting hazardous conditions during operation of a vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors that monitor a plurality of conditions and transmit condition signals each representing a measure of a condition;
a plurality of rate determination circuits coupled to the sensors that continually receive the condition signals, wherein each rate determination circuit calculates rates of change for the condition, including a baseline rate of change, and outputs a potential hazard value representing a deviation of a rate of change from the baseline rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and
an evaluation circuit that receives the potential hazard value, calculates a new potential hazard value using the potential hazard value and a rate of change for at least one associated condition and determines whether an actual hazard exists by comparing the new potential hazard value with a stored value that corresponds to the condition.
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Abstract
A system for detecting hazardous conditions during operation of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of sensors that monitor a plurality of conditions and transmit condition signals each representing a measure of a condition. A plurality of rate determination circuits is coupled to the sensors and continually receives the condition signals, wherein each rate determination circuit calculates rates of change for the condition, including a baseline rate of change, and outputs a potential hazard value representing a deviation of a rate of change from the baseline rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold value. An evaluation circuit receives the potential hazard value, calculates a new potential hazard value using the potential hazard value and a rate of change for at least one associated condition and determines whether an actual hazard exists by comparing the new potential hazard value with a stored value that corresponds to the condition.
68 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for detecting hazardous conditions during operation of a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors that monitor a plurality of conditions and transmit condition signals each representing a measure of a condition; a plurality of rate determination circuits coupled to the sensors that continually receive the condition signals, wherein each rate determination circuit calculates rates of change for the condition, including a baseline rate of change, and outputs a potential hazard value representing a deviation of a rate of change from the baseline rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and an evaluation circuit that receives the potential hazard value, calculates a new potential hazard value using the potential hazard value and a rate of change for at least one associated condition and determines whether an actual hazard exists by comparing the new potential hazard value with a stored value that corresponds to the condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting and responding to hazards during operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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sensing a plurality of conditions namely; a distance between the vehicle and an exterior object, a distance between the vehicle and a location as indicated by a signal from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite, a condition of a road surface, including a dryness of the road surface and the presence of ice on the road surface, a condition wherein a wheel of the vehicle loses traction on the road surface, an orientation of a steering mechanism of the vehicle with respect to a direction of motion of the vehicle; determining a baseline rate of change for each of the plurality of conditions; detecting a deviation from at least one of the baseline rates of change; determining whether the deviation indicates an actual hazard; and if so, taking a response action associated with the actual hazard. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification