Automobile unsafe following distance warning system

• US 6,388,580 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rudolph Graham
• Original Assignee: Rudolph Graham
• Inventors: Graham, Rudolph
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/121,358
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/436, 340/435, 340/479, 340/904, 340/933, 340/942, 340/943
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9325 for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

An automobile unsafe following distance warning system, located in an installed vehicle, for assessing whether a safe following distance is present between the installed vehicle and a front vehicle which is traveling immediately in front of the installed vehicle, comprising a sensor unit for determining the distance between the front vehicle and the installed vehicle, and for determining the speed of the installed vehicle. A threshold safe following distance is determined from the measured speed of the installed vehicle. An initial warning light is illuminated to notify the driver that the actual following distance is less than the threshold safe following distance. A severe warning light, a buzzer, and a vibration unit are activated to notify the driver that the actual following distance is much less than the threshold following distance and that a dangerous situation exists.

Claims

1. An automobile unsafe following distance warning system, installed within an installed vehicle, for assessing whether the installed vehicle is at a safe following distance behind a front vehicle, consisting of:

a sensor unit, for determining the actual following distance between the front vehicle and the installed vehicle, and for determining the current speed of the installed vehicle;

a warning unit, located within the automobile, for determining a threshold following distance based upon the current speed of the vehicle;

an initial warning light located on the warning unit, for illuminating to notify the driver that he is traveling at a following distance that is less than the threshold following distance;

a severe warning light, for notifying the driver when the actual following distance is much less than the threshold following distance and that a dangerous situation exists;

a buzzer which is activated when the sever warning light is activated to alert the driver of the dangerous situation; and

a vibration device, located inside the automobile proximal to the driver, for aiding the sever warning light and buzzer in alerting the driver of the dangerous situation

wherein the severe warning light is much greater in illumination intensity than the initial warning light.