Vehicular Crash Notification System

• US 20080195261A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,102,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01327 : Angular velocity or angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 : using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 : in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/10 : using transmission of interrupted, pulse modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurement G01S13/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/58 : Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 : Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/10 : using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurement G01S15/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/582 : using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves and based upon the Doppler effect resulting from movement of targets
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/86 : Combinations of sonar systems with lidar systems; Combinations of sonar systems with systems not using wave reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/10 : using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/58 : Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 : Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 : for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration

Abstract

Arrangement for a vehicle including a sensor system arranged on the vehicle for sensing an event requiring an emergency response, a location determining device for determining the location of the vehicle, a communication device arranged on the vehicle for automatically communicating to a remote location when an event has occurred that the event has occurred and providing the remote location with the determined location of the vehicle, and a power source for providing power for the sensor system, the location determining device and the communication device. The communication device communicates to the remote location upon occurrence of the event. The location determining device may be arranged partially or entirely on the vehicle or elsewhere. The remote location may be an emergency response center which can direct aid to the vehicle'"'"'s location.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor system arranged on the vehicle for sensing an event requiring an emergency response;

a location determining device for determining the location of the vehicle;

a communication device arranged on the vehicle for automatically communicating to a remote location when an event has occurred that the event has occurred and providing the remote location with the determined location of the vehicle; and

a power source for providing power for said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device,

whereby said communication device communicates to the remote location upon occurrence of the event.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises a manually operated switch which enables an occupant of the vehicle to initiate a communication to the remote location via said communications device.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a fire sensor and a smoke detector.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises a crash or collision sensor arranged to detect a crash involving the vehicle possibly requiring deployment of an occupant protection device, said communications device being structured and arranged to transmit a signal indicative of deployment of the occupant protection device when the occupant protection device is deployed.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said sensor system comprises a sound sensor or microphone arranged to receive and interpret vocal commands or to sense and recognize the sound associated with the deployment of an occupant protection device or a crash involving the vehicle.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said location determining device comprises at least one of a GPS receiver, a DGPS receiver, a Galileo receiver and a GLONASS receiver.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said communication device is structured and arranged to transmit location-related information to the remote location.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said communication device is structured and arranged to transmit waves toward a satellite.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said communication device comprises a cell phone, DSRC, other ground-based cellular communication device or internet communication device.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said communication device is structured and arranged to periodically or on demand transmit information related to a condition of at least one of said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device.

12. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said communication device is structured and arranged to provide reception of informational and controlling requests from a remote location.

13. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an onboard electric power device, energy harvesting device or solar energy collection device separate from said power source and functioning as a substitute for said power source in the event of a problem with said power source, said onboard electric power source, energy harvesting device or solar energy collection device being coupled to said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device.

14. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting messages containing quantitative data of an event and/or degree of danger of the event and/or information related to the condition of at least one occupant after the event.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a sensor system arranged on the vehicle for sensing an event requiring an emergency response or a reaction of the vehicle to such an event;

a location determining device for determining the location of the vehicle;

a communication device arranged on the vehicle for communicating to a remote location that an event has occurred and the determined location of the vehicle; and

a power source for powering said sensor system, said location determining device and said communications device, said power source comprising a battery having a life exceeding 2 years under normal operation,

said communication device being arranged to be responsive to a signal generated from a location apart from the vehicle in order to cause said communication device to communicate the determined location of the vehicle to the remote location,

whereby between the periodic communications of the operational status of the apparatus, said communication device only communicates to the remote location upon occurrence of an event.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said communication device is further arranged to be responsive to the signal to cause said communication device to communicate the operational status of said sensor system and said location determining device.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising:

a structure; and

a housing having an interior space and being mounted on said structure, said sensor system, said communication device and said location determining device being arranged in said interior space of said housing.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a deployable occupant protection apparatus, said sensor system being arranged to sense deployment of said occupant protection apparatus.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said communication device comprises a first automatic communication part arranged to automatically communicate to the remote location that the event has occurred and the location of the vehicle and to periodically communicate that said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device are operational, and a second manual communication part arranged to enable a vehicle occupant to initiate communications with the remote location.

20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said communication device is arranged to periodically communicate data relating to performance and operation of said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device.

21. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a detection device for detecting ignition of an engine of the vehicle, said communication device being coupled to said detection device and being structured and arranged to communicate information about said sensor system, said location determining device and said communication device upon detection of ignition of the engine whereby the period of the communication of such information varies depending on when the engine is initiated.