Technique for maintaining a separation between a vehicle and a detectable object

• US 6,975,932 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2003
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Auto Director Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M.
• Application Number:
  US10/664,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/93, 701/96, 701/116, 701/117, 340/901, 340/903, 340/435, 340/436
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.

Claims

1. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including a display element, the method comprising:

providing at least one indicator on the display element;

allowing a manipulation of the indicator on the display element to adjust a first distance relative to a reference distance to define a second distance, the first distance being established by a user of the system, the manipulation of the indicator being restricted from effecting an adjustment of the first distance to be less than zero, resulting in the second distance exceeding the reference distance by the first distance, the reference distance being a function of at least a current speed of the vehicle

determining whether a separation between the vehicle and a detectable object outside the vehicle is maintained at at least the second distance; and

providing an alert when it is determined that the separation of at least the second distance is not maintained.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second distance is measured from the front of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second distance is measured from the back of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second distance is measured from a side of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the detectable object includes a second vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator is manipulatable by dragging the indicator on the display element.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating the detectable object on the display element.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reference distance is also a function of a current speed of a detectable object outside the vehicle.

9. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including a display element, the method comprising:

providing at least one indicator on the display element;

allowing a manipulation of the indicator to define, on the display element, a first zone surrounding the vehicle, the manipulation of the indicator being restricted from defining the first zone to be smaller than a second zone whose area is a function of at least a current speed of the vehicle, at least a length of the first zone relative to a length of the second zone being established by a user of the system;

determining whether a detectable object outside the vehicle is infringing upon the first zone; and

providing an alert when it is determined that a detectable object outside the vehicle is infringing upon the first zone.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the detectable object includes a second vehicle.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the indicator is manipulatable by dragging the indicator on the display element.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating the detectable object on the display element.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the area is also a function of a current speed of a detectable object outside the vehicle.

14. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a display element, at least one indicator being provided on the display element;

an interface for allowing a manipulation of the indicator on the display element to adjust a first distance relative to a reference distance to define a second distance, the first distance being established by a user of the system, the manipulation of the indicator being restricted from effecting an adjustment of the first distance to be less than zero, resulting in the second distance exceeding the reference distance by the first distance, the reference distance being a function of at least a current speed of the vehicle;

a processor for determining whether a separation between the vehicle and a detectable object outside the vehicle is maintained at at least the second distance; and

an output device for providing an alert when it is determined that the separation of at least the second distance is not maintained.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the second distance is measured from the front of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the second distance is measured from the back of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the second distance is measured from a side of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the detectable object includes a second vehicle.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the indicator is manipulatable by dragging the indicator on the display element.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the detectable object is indicated on the display element.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein the reference distance is also a function of a current speed of a detectable object outside the vehicle.

22. A system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a display element, at least one indicator being provided on the display element;

an interface for allowing a manipulation of the indicator to define, on the display element, a first zone surrounding the vehicle, the manipulation of the indicator being restricted from defining the first zone to be smaller than a second zone whose area is a function of at least a current speed of the vehicle, at least a length of the first zone relative to a length of the second zone being established by a user of the system;

a processor for determining whether a detectable object outside the vehicle is infringing upon the first zone; and

an output device for providing an alert when it is determined that a detectable object outside the vehicle is infringing upon the first zone.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the detectable object includes a second vehicle.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the indicator is manipulatable by dragging the indicator on the display element.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the detectable object is indicated on the display element.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the area is also a function of a current speed of a detectable object outside the vehicle.