Vehicle Collision Avoidance System

• US 20160229396A1
• Filed: 02/08/2016
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ai Incorprated
• Original Assignee: Ai Incorprated
• Inventors: Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Ali
• Granted Patent: US 9,714,033 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/54 Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2422/95 Measuring the same parameter at multiple locations of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/80 Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• 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 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle collision avoidance system that utilizes signal emitters and receivers positioned around the periphery of vehicles to detect nearby vehicles. Upon detection of a nearby vehicle, the system may execute any of a variety of predefined responses based on the distance from the local vehicle to the detected nearby vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for vehicles to avoid collisions with other vehicles comprising:

emitting signals from a plurality of signal emitters positioned around the periphery of a vehicle such that signals are emitted within a predetermined range;

receiving one or more inbound signals emitted from other vehicles with one or more signal receivers positioned around the periphery of a vehicle;

determining a distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle upon receipt of the one or more inbound signals at substantially the location or locations of the one or more receivers that received the one or more inbound signals; and

,

executing any of a variety of predefined collision avoidance actions, separately or in combination, based on the determined distance or distances from the local vehicle to said first obstacle.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said signals are any of:

laser light beams, infrared light beams, radio waves, and ultrasound waves.

3. The method of claim 1 in which said predefined collision avoidance actions include any of:

countersteering, applying a haptic alert, emitting a sound alert, displaying a visual alert, reducing speed, and increasing speed.

4. The method of claim 3 in which countersteering comprises:

in a first step, determining whether said distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle is less than a predetermined threshold;

in a second step, if said distance is less than said predetermined threshold, determining a second distance to a nearest obstacle on the side of the vehicle opposite of the side on which said first obstacle was detected; and

,

in a third step, if said second distance is greater than a predetermined threshold, adjusting the steering position of the local vehicle a predetermined amount, in a direction opposite of the side on which said inbound signal or signals were received, for a predetermined length of time.

5. A system for avoiding vehicular collisions comprising:

a plurality of signal emitters positioned around the periphery of a vehicle such that signals may be emitted within a predetermined range;

a plurality of signal receivers positioned around the periphery of a vehicle such that inbound signals emitted from other vehicles within a predetermined field may be received;

a means for determining a distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle around the periphery of the local vehicle; and

,

one or more predefined collision avoidance actions corresponding to one or more vehicle to obstacle distance thresholds;

whereby, upon receipt of one or more inbound signals, the system;

determines the distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle at substantially the location or locations of the one or more receivers that received the one or more inbound signals; and

executes the one or more collision avoidance actions corresponding to the distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle.

6. The system of claim 5 in which said signals are any of:

laser light beams, infrared light beams, radio waves, and ultrasound waves.

7. The system of claim 5 in which said predefined collision avoidance actions include any of:

countersteering, applying a haptic alert, emitting a sound alert, displaying a visual alert, reducing speed, and increasing speed.

8. The system of claim 7 in which countersteering comprises:

in a first step, determining whether the distance from the local vehicle to a first obstacle is less than a predetermined threshold;

in a second step, if said distance is less than said predetermined threshold, determining a second distance to a nearest obstacle on the side of the vehicle opposite of the side on which said first obstacle was detected; and

,

in a third step, if said second distance is greater than a predetermined threshold, adjusting the steering position of the local vehicle a predetermined amount, in a direction opposite of the side on which said inbound signal or signals were received, for a predetermined length of time.