System for providing advanced warning and road user information

• US 6,525,656 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Hahn, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/834,251
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/464, 340/435, 340/436, 340/580, 340/583, 340/903, 340/905, 340/471, 340/929, 340/552, 340/554, 340/902, 434/307.R, 369/1, 369/4
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for providing advanced warning or advanced information of other road users via a vehicle, which includes an optical signal device for detection of other road users, with a sensor for automatic recognition of situations, which may possibly require an advanced warning or advanced information for other road users. When such a situation is recognized, the signal device is activated at least once for a short duration, of which the duration is below the conscious detection threshold and above the subconscious detection threshold of the road user.

Claims

1. A system for providing advanced warning or advanced information to road users via an optical signal device,

wherein the signal device is activated at least one time for a short duration, and

wherein the duration of activation is so selected, that it is below the threshold of consciousness and above the subconscious of threshold of recognition of the road user.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system utilizes a sensor for automatic recognition of situations, in which an advanced warning or advanced information for other road users would be useful.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following devices:

a sensor for detecting the speed of another vehicle or road user,

a sensor for detecting the operation of a vehicle brake,

a sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle in which it is located,

a sensor for detecting the acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle in which it is located,

a sensor for detecting the distance to and/or speed of preceding and/or following vehicles from the vehicle in which it is located,

a sensor for detecting warning signals of preceding vehicles,

a sensor for detecting road signs or illuminated signs,

a sensor for detecting other road users and their interaction with the traffic.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the signal device is activated for a predetermined duration, after a situation has been recognized, of which road users should be warned or for which they should be informed.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the signal device is activated for approximately ten to fifty milliseconds long.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein the signal device is activated for approximately twenty to thirty milliseconds long.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the signal device includes one or more light emitting electronic components.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said light emitting electronic components are light emitting diodes.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system can be deactivated.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the deactivation of the system can be manually undertaken by a vehicle operator or a vehicle occupant.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the deactivation of the system can be undertaken by a sensor measuring the light condition in the environment of the vehicle.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the optical signal device can be selectively adjusted.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment of the system can be manually undertaken by a vehicle operator or a vehicle occupant.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment of the system can be undertaken by a sensor measuring the light condition in the environment of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle including a system for providing advanced warning or advanced information to other road users via an optical signal device,

wherein the signal device is visible to other road users,

wherein the signal device is activated at least one time for a short duration, and

wherein the duration of activation is so selected, that it is below the threshold of consciousness and above the subconscious of threshold of recognition of the road user.

16. A traffic light signal including a system for providing advanced warning to road users,

wherein the traffic light signal is activated at least one time for a short duration, and

wherein the duration of activation is so selected, that it is below the threshold of consciousness and above the subconscious of threshold of recognition of the road user.

17. A traffic light signal as in claim 16, wherein said traffic light signal is activated at least once for a short duration prior to the occurrence of a change in the traffic signal.

18. A traffic light signal as in claim 16, further including a sensor for detecting the presence of a pedestrian crossing the road when the traffic light is green,

wherein said traffic light signal is activated at least once to provide a supplemental signal having a short duration upon detection of a pedestrian crossing the road when the traffic light is green.

19. A system for providing advanced warning of an event to road users via an optical signal device,

said system receiving input from at least one sensor which input is a predictor that said event may occur,

said system activating said optical signal device at least one time for a short duration in response to said sensor input to provide an advanced warning optical signal, wherein the duration of said advanced warning optical signal is so selected, that it is below the conscious threshold of recognition and above the subconscious threshold of recognition of the road user being warned,

said system subsequently providing an actual warning optical signal upon the actual occurrence of said event, said actual warning optical signal having a duration above the conscious threshold of recognition of the road user being warned.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein said actual warning signal is a signal selected from the group consisting of a traffic light, an electrical traffic information sign, a brake light, a flashing light, a fog lamp, a rear fog lamp, and a turn signal.

21. A system for providing an advanced warning of an event outside a vehicle to an operator of the vehicle via an optical signal device,

said system receiving input from at least one sensor which input is a predictor that said event may occur,

said system activating said optical signal device at least one time for a short duration in response to said sensor input to provide an advanced warning optical signal to said operator of said vehicle, wherein the duration of said advanced warning optical signal is so selected, that it is below the conscious threshold of recognition and above the subconscious threshold of recognition of said vehicle operator,

said system providing a actual warning optical signal upon the actual occurrence of said event, said actual warning optical signal having a duration above the conscious threshold of recognition.

22. A system as in claim 21, wherein said sensor and said optical signal device are installed in the vehicle of the vehicle operator, wherein said optical signal is displayed to the vehicle operator, and wherein said event is a deceleration of a preceding vehicle.

23. A system as in claim 21, wherein said sensor and said optical signal device are installed in a preceding vehicle, wherein said optical signal is displayed to the vehicle operator following said preceding vehicle, and wherein said event is a deceleration of said preceding vehicle.