Method and apparatus for monitoring vehicle status

• US 7,398,851 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Hiroshi, Harumoto, Satoshi, Yamato, Toshitaka, Maeno, Yoshihiko, Sakiyama, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US11/135,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20050269149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 180/274, 180/282, 280/735, 340/436, 340/437, 340/439, 701/29, 701/30, 701/34, 701/45
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/038 Limiting the input power, torque or speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 Monitoring the functioning of the control system

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring a status of a vehicle, which determines whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status by comparing an impact value detected by a detecting unit that detects an impact on the vehicle with a predetermined threshold value, includes a first determining unit that determines whether the impact value detected is over at least one threshold value from among a plurality of threshold values; and a second determining unit that, when the first determining unit determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value, continues to monitor a status of the vehicle, and determines whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a status of a vehicle, the apparatus determining whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status by comparing an impact value detected by a detecting unit that detects an impact on the vehicle with a predetermined threshold value, the apparatus comprising:

a first determining unit that determines whether the impact value detected is over at least one threshold value from among a plurality of threshold values; and

a second determining unit that, when the first determining unit determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value, starts to continuously monitor a status of the vehicle during driving, and determines whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that controls, when the first determining unit determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating that a mode of the vehicle is in a vehicle-status monitoring mode.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that controls, when the second determining unit makes a determination whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating a result of the determination.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, upon determining that the vehicle is in an abnormal status, the second determining unit restricts a driving of the vehicle for safety.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that controls, when the second determining unit determines that the vehicle is in an abnormal status, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating that a driving of the vehicle should be restricted.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storing unit that stores the impact value detected and driving information on the vehicle; and

a control unit that controls, when the first determining unit determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value or when the second determining unit determines that the vehicle is in an abnormal status, the storing unit to continue to store the impact value and the driving information.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle-status changing unit that changes, when the first determining unit determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value, the status of the vehicle to a status in which the impact value is easily acquired.

8. A method of monitoring a status of a vehicle, the method determining whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status by comparing an impact value detected by a detecting unit that detects an impact on the vehicle with a predetermined threshold value, the method comprising:

a first determining that includes determining whether the impact value detected is over at least one threshold value from among a plurality of threshold values; and

a second determining that includes starting to continuously monitor a status of the vehicle during driving, and determining whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status, when the first determining determines that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling, when it is determined that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value at the first determining, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating that a mode of the vehicle is in a vehicle-status monitoring mode.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling, when a determination whether the vehicle is in an abnormal status is made at the second determining, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating a result of the determination.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second determining further includes, when it is determined that the vehicle is in an abnormal status, restricting a driving of the vehicle for safety.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling, when it is determined that the vehicle is in an abnormal status at the second determining, a predetermined display unit to display a message indicating that a driving of the vehicle should be restricted.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

storing the impact value detected and driving information on the vehicle; and

continuing, when it is determined that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value at the first determining or when it is determined that the vehicle is in an abnormal status at the second determining, to store the impact value and the driving information.

14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising changing unit, when it is determined that the impact value is over the at least one threshold value at the first determining, the status of the vehicle to a status in which the impact value is easily acquired.