Automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning system

• US 7,209,050 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: James John Iii Corcoran
• Inventors: Corcoran, James John III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US10/908,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20060244632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 340901-903, 340435-437, 340/453, 340/467, 340/469, 340/568.1, 340/572.9, 701300-302, 701 70- 98, 180271-278, 280/734, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/902
• 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: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2754/10 Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered

Abstract

An integrated system for automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning for vehicles operating on any highway or road system globally. The system may be used to not only illuminate the brake lights on the following vehicle but also to begin the application of braking pressure as a result of analysis of the speed of the vehicle. The system includes an RFID transponder (either active or passive) located in the rear and front of the vehicle with discrete recognition capability as to vehicle proximity and resulting action to be taken as a result of driver action. On the vehicle either the brake lights will be illuminated ahead of any actual driver action; an initial application of brake pressure as a result of receiving a signal from the vehicle in front, the pressure which is determined by analysis of the current speed of the vehicle or the system will provide additional warning through brake light illumination to the following vehicle with similar equipment and cruise control will be disengaged. The system can be retrofitted into existing vehicles to provide, at a minimum, brake light illumination indicating an action being taken somewhere ahead of your vehicle. The system thereby warns and prevents serious rear-end collisions at highway speeds especially where vehicle size mismatch contributes to the inability of the following driver to see activity in front of the car in front of him.

Claims

1. An integrated system for automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning system for vehicles, said system comprising:

an automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning system having a RFID transponder located on a first vehicle to enable communications to a receiving vehicle with an RFID transponder and receiver installed;

wherein the first vehicle provides a communication signal indicating a braking action being taken by the first vehicle;

wherein the RFID transponder of a first vehicle is electrically connected to the braking system of the first vehicle and provides an indication of braking activity through a signal to the receiving vehicle with an RFID transponder and receiver through the similar illumination of brake lights;

a means for electrically connecting to an existing brake system in order to analyze the speed and have the brake system apply the brakes prior to a driver taking action and also disconnect the cruise control;

a means to electrically connect to an existing brake light system on the first and receiving vehicles;

a means to allow the driver of the receiving vehicle to apply brake pressure from an existing pressure application initially applied by a signal and speed analysis of the system;

a means to distinguish a difference through either discrete frequency or identification as to whether the system is providing the signal from the first vehicle'"'"'s transponder for purposes of brake light illumination or receiving the signal at the receiving vehicle.

2. A process for automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning system comprising:

a RFID transponder system located on one or more of a leading and trailing vehicle that electrically connects with the a brake and brake lighting system a speedometer system and a cruise control system;

wherein said process allows the illumination of the brake lighting system prior to driver action on trailing vehicles that are following leading vehicles during highway traffic patterns;

electrically connecting to the brake and brake lighting system of trailing and leading vehicles including the brake lights and the speedometer system;

providing an early warning brake light to a trailing vehicle equipped with an RFID transponder and receiver enabling the trailing driver'"'"'vehicle to be aware of braking activity on the leading vehicle;

providing a an electrical connection to the brake and brake lighting system on the trailing vehicle in order to begin early application of brake pressure to prevent rear-end collisions;

providing an electrical connection to a speedometer system on the trailing vehicle in order to analyze the amount of brake pressure to be applied as a result of receiving a signal from the RFID transponder on said leading vehicle.