Method and apparatus for automatic vehicle event detection, characterization and reporting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for detecting a vehicle crash event comprising steps of:
- (a) measuring vehicle acceleration values;
(b) calculating average acceleration values over varying length windows of time from the measured acceleration values;
(c) comparing average acceleration values to a first threshold; and
(d) calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold;
(e) whereby a start of a vehicle crash event is detected when a delta velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatic vehicle event detection, characterization and reporting. A processor processes accelerometer data from a vehicle over varying length windows of time to detect and characterize vehicle events such as crashes. The processed data is compared to thresholds to detect and characterize events. Such events are then reported to a dispatch center using wireless communications and providing vehicle location information. The dispatch center contacts the public safety answering point(s) necessary to provide services to the vehicle.
166 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting a vehicle crash event comprising steps of:
-
(a) measuring vehicle acceleration values; (b) calculating average acceleration values over varying length windows of time from the measured acceleration values; (c) comparing average acceleration values to a first threshold; and (d) calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; (e) whereby a start of a vehicle crash event is detected when a delta velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for processing acceleration measurements to detect a threshold condition comprising the steps of:
-
(a) measuring acceleration values; (b) calculating an average acceleration value over a first length window of time of the acceleration values; (c) comparing the average acceleration value to a first threshold; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) using a second length window of time; and (e) calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; (f) whereby a start of an event is detected when any of the delta velocity values exceeds a velocity threshold.
-
-
16. A method for detecting a crash event comprising the steps of:
-
measuring acceleration values at a plurality of points in time; calculating average acceleration values from the measured acceleration values over varying length windows of time; comparing the average acceleration values to a first threshold; and calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values if an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; whereby a start of an event is detected when any of the delta velocity values exceeds a velocity threshold; and an end of the event is detected when a plurality of consecutive acceleration data values returns to a value less than a second threshold.
-
-
17. An apparatus for detecting a vehicle crash event comprising:
-
an accelerometer measuring acceleration and producing acceleration values; a processor connected to receive acceleration values, said processor calculating average acceleration values over varying length windows of time from the acceleration values; wherein the processor compares the average acceleration values to a first threshold; wherein the processor determines delta velocity values from the average acceleration values when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; and wherein the processor detects a start of a vehicle crash event when a delta velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold.
-
-
18. An apparatus for detecting a vehicle crash event comprising:
-
means for measuring acceleration and for producing acceleration values; a first means for calculating average acceleration values over varying length windows of time from the acceleration values; a second means for comparing the average acceleration values to a first threshold; and a third means for calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; whereby a start of a vehicle crash event is detected when a delta velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold.
-
-
19. A method for detecting a vehicle crash event comprising steps of:
-
(a) measuring vehicle acceleration values; (b) calculating average acceleration values from the measured acceleration values; (c) comparing average acceleration values to a first threshold; (d) calculating a principal direction of force when an average acceleration value exceeds the first threshold; (e) selecting a velocity threshold based upon the principal direction of force; and (f) calculating delta velocity values from the average acceleration values; (g) whereby a start of a vehicle crash event is detected when a delta velocity value exceeds the velocity threshold. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification