Road monitoring device
First Claim
1. A road monitoring device on board a vehicle, comprising:
- at least one sensor facing a driving surface, said at least one sensor capable of scanning said driving surface and detecting changes on said driving surface scanned while the vehicle is in motion;
a telescopic sight protection unit encompassing said at least one sensor in a tight compartment and including a transparent window separating said at least one sensor from the external surroundings, said transparent window positioned such that said at least one sensor will work correctly in the event that at least one of water being splashed and dust being deposited on sad transparent window, wherein said telescopic sight protection unit protects said at least one sensor from external ambient conditions,said at least one sensor comprising at least one transmitter capable of transmitting infra-red frequency waves not affected by ambient light towards said driving surface and at least one infra-red signal receiver capturing waves emanating from the corresponding at last one transmitter and reflecting off of said driving surface;
a signaling system capable of indicating driving surface changes; and
an electronic unit capable of operating said signaling system using information obtained from said at least one sensor, said electronic unit being capable of making an initial adjustment of a sensor sensitivity threshold, taking account of the wave lengths chosen in the infra-red frequency range thus allowing for sensitivity to foreign objects, and said electronic unit being capable of making telescopic sight adjustments to define or increase the useful field of said at least one sensor,wherein foreign objects including sand, grass, snow, ice layers, hard shoulders, center strips and guard rails may be detected and said signaling system may warn a vehicle driver of driving surface conditions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for improving vehicle driving safety and comfort is disclosed. The main road sign information encountered during a journey is transmitted to the vehicle, the position of the vehicle on the driving surface is continuously monitored, and the road surface is checked for the presence of foreign matter such as mud, snow, ice, etc. A set of transmitting-receiving sensors (C1, C2) suitably arranged on the vehicle and facing the driving surface continuously observes changes in the reflective properties of the observed areas within the sensitivity range thereof. Markings defining lanes and shoulders lined with grassy, gravelly or sandy areas are sensed by the sensors (C1, C2) as soon as the vehicle approaches or drives over them. The signals from the sensors (C1, C2) are processed by an electronic unit (1) controlling an on-board signalling system (2) linked to an alarm system (3) for warning the driver of road hazards and possible unsafe driving (straying off-course, speeding, etc.). By reacting instantly, the driver thus informed can avoid a potential accident.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A road monitoring device on board a vehicle, comprising:
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at least one sensor facing a driving surface, said at least one sensor capable of scanning said driving surface and detecting changes on said driving surface scanned while the vehicle is in motion; a telescopic sight protection unit encompassing said at least one sensor in a tight compartment and including a transparent window separating said at least one sensor from the external surroundings, said transparent window positioned such that said at least one sensor will work correctly in the event that at least one of water being splashed and dust being deposited on sad transparent window, wherein said telescopic sight protection unit protects said at least one sensor from external ambient conditions, said at least one sensor comprising at least one transmitter capable of transmitting infra-red frequency waves not affected by ambient light towards said driving surface and at least one infra-red signal receiver capturing waves emanating from the corresponding at last one transmitter and reflecting off of said driving surface; a signaling system capable of indicating driving surface changes; and an electronic unit capable of operating said signaling system using information obtained from said at least one sensor, said electronic unit being capable of making an initial adjustment of a sensor sensitivity threshold, taking account of the wave lengths chosen in the infra-red frequency range thus allowing for sensitivity to foreign objects, and said electronic unit being capable of making telescopic sight adjustments to define or increase the useful field of said at least one sensor, wherein foreign objects including sand, grass, snow, ice layers, hard shoulders, center strips and guard rails may be detected and said signaling system may warn a vehicle driver of driving surface conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification