GB2340646A - Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver - Google Patents

Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2340646A
GB2340646A GB9817709A GB9817709A GB2340646A GB 2340646 A GB2340646 A GB 2340646A GB 9817709 A GB9817709 A GB 9817709A GB 9817709 A GB9817709 A GB 9817709A GB 2340646 A GB2340646 A GB 2340646A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
driver
vehicle
braking distance
distance
warning system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9817709A
Other versions
GB9817709D0 (en
Inventor
Nicholas Francis Barrow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9817709A priority Critical patent/GB2340646A/en
Publication of GB9817709D0 publication Critical patent/GB9817709D0/en
Publication of GB2340646A publication Critical patent/GB2340646A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B60Q9/008—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for anti-collision purposes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/166—Anti-collision systems for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/932—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9322—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles using additional data, e.g. driver condition, road state or weather data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93271—Sensor installation details in the front of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems

Abstract

A safe braking distance warning system and method is disclosed comprising means, eg by radar emitting unit 40, for determining the distance from a first vehicle being operated by the user to a second preceding vehicle in the direction of travel. The system further comprises means to assess the status of the driver and to continually correlate the speed of the users vehicle, as determined by sensor 50, and the status of the driver, as determined by moistness of hands or pupil dilation, to calculate a safe braking distance, and correlate the safe braking distance with the distance to the preceding vehicle to activate an alarm if the safe braking distance is greater than the actual distance determined. There is further disclosed a method to take account, in the distance calculation, of the driver reactions determined while the vehicle is stationary, and further to disallow movement of the vehicle if the driver reactions are unacceptable.

Description

2340646 VEHICLE BRAIC[NG DISTANCE SYSTEM The present invention concerns a
vehicle braking distance warning system.
Drivers of vehicles are nowadays making journeys at greater speeds and under a wider range of conditions than previously. Traffic density on roads, particularly on motorways, has increased greatly over the past few years and it is not uncommon for vehicles to be bunched up whilst travelling at high speeds, which in the event of driver error can prove catastrophic. Vehicles are stated as having a minimum braking distance in dry and wet conditions. However, this braking distance varies depending on road conditions, atmospheric conditions, the state of the vehicle and the state of the driver.
1, L It is already known for vehicles to have proximity alarms which detect the distance to the nearest vehicle and alert the driver if for example he is about to reverse into another vehicle.
However, such systems do not take into consideration the effects of the state of the driver upon the braking distance and so are unable to accurately warn of unsafe or inadequate braking distances.
The present invention overcomes the prior art disadvantages and provides a new and improved braking distance warning system.
According to the present invention there is provided a braking distance warning system comprising means for determining the distance from a first vehicle being driven by a driver to the next vehicle in the direction of travel, means for determining the status of the driver, the system continually correlating the speed of the first vehicle and the status of the driver to calculate a safe braking distance for the first vehicle, and correlating the safe braking distance with the distance to the next vehicle to activate an alarm if the safe braking distance is greater than that to the next vehicle.
By using the status of the driver to determine the safe braking distance, allowance can be made for tired or fatigued drivers.
The status of the driver may be detem-iined by measuring the degree of moistness of his hands and/or by measuring the extent of pupil dilation.
Moistness of hands can be detected by measuring the conductivity of the palm and this can be achieved by passing a current between two electrodes contacted by the driver's hand. For example the electrodes could be located on a vehicle steering wheel. It has previously been shown that the extent of fatigue of a person correlates to the moistness of their hands, and so this can be used as an effective measure of driver fatigue.
It has also been shown previously that pupil dilation correlates with a person's level of fatigue or tiredness. Devices which are capable of determining pupil dilation are known from the prior art and may be used in the present invention,
Thus by measuring speed and driver status a safe vehicle braking distance, which can be substantially affected by driver fatigue and which may in fact be greater than that normally recommended, may be readily determined and an alarm activated as and when necessary.
The distance to the next vehicle may be determined using for example a radar device in the first vehicle. Such radar devices are well known and readily available.
The calculation of braking distance may also be supplemented by information on the temperature outside of the first vehicle, on the wetness of the road surface or of any rainfall, or on the weight being carried by the vehicle. Also used may be information on e.g. the age, weight or sex of the driver.
The alarm may for example be an acoustic warning. Alternatively or additionally it could be a visual warning.
Also provided according to the present invention is a method for warning a driver of a first vehicle of an unsafe braking distance to the next vehicle in the direction of travel, comprising determining the speed of travel of the first vehicle and the status of the driver, correlating said speed and status to calculate a safe braking distance for the first vehicle, and correlating the safe braking distance with the distance to the next vehicle and activating an alarm if the safe braking distance is greater than that to the next vehicle.
As well as using pupil dilation and moistness of hands to determine driver status on a continual basis, the initial status of the driver may be determined by testing the driver's reactions when the first vehicle is stationary. For example, the driver could be instructed to depress the brake pedal when a visual sign is activated or when an acoustic signal is heard. Such information could also be correlated with data on pupil dilation and/or hand moistness to standardise the weightings given to pupil dilation and hand moistness.
If such an initial testing of driver reactions were to show that a driver had unacceptably (i.e. dangerously) slow responses then the engine could be automatically switched off or release of a handbrake disabled.
The invention will be further apparent by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows a braking distance warning system according to the present invention. Car 10 is driven by driver 20 who holds steering wheel 30 having steering wheel electrodes 3 1. Radar 40 determines the distance to the next vehicle (not shown) in front of car 10. Speed detector 50 determines the speed of travel of car 10. Temperature sensor 60 determines the ambient temperature outside of car 10. Moisture detector 70 is mounted on the windscreen (not shown) of car 10 and detects moisture (e.g. rainfall or spray) on the windscreen.
When driver 20 fust activates the ignition system 80 of car 10, control device 90 initiates a driver responsiveness test. Instructions are provided to driver 20 through speaker 100 to depress brake pedal 110 as soon as possible after an acoustic tone is heard or dashboard light 120 is seen to be lit. Control device 90 calculates the results of the test to confirm that driver 20 has adequate responses to drive car 10. If driver 20 does not have adequate responses then ignition system 80 us disabled until it is turned off and restarted and another test undertaken.
If driver 20 passes the test then results are correlated with driver hand moistness detected by steering wheel electrodes 3 1 and driver pupil dilation determined by driver pupil dilation detector 130 to standardise driver hand moistness and pupil dilation with responsiveness.
Car 10 can then be driven by driver 20. Whilst it is being driven, control device 90 continually correlates the input from radar 40, speed detector 50, temperature detector 60, moisture detector 70, steering wheel electrodes 3 1 and driver pupil dilation detector 130 to calculate a safe braking distance and if is greater than the distance to the next vehicle ahead (not shown) an audible alarm is sounded by speaker 100.
It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof

Claims (10)

1. A braking distance warning system comprising means for determining the distance from a first vehicle being driven by a user to the next vehicle in the direction of travel, means for determining the status of the user, the system continually correlating the speed of the first vehicle and the status of the driver to calculate a safe braking Istance for the first vehicle, and correlating the safe braking distance with the distance to the next vehicle to activate an alarm if the safe braking distance is greater than that to the next vehicle.
2. A braking distance warning system according to claim 1, status of the driver being detennined by measuring the degree of moistness of the driver's hands.
3. A braking distance warning system according to claim 1, status of the driver being determined by measuring the extent of the driver's pupil dilation.
4. A braking distance warning system according to any one of the preceding claims, said calculation of a safe braking distance also taking into account at least one of the group comprising information on the temperature outside of the first vehicle, information on the wetness of the road surface or of any rainfall, and information on the weight being carried by the vehicle.
5. A braking distance warning system according to any one of the preceding claims, said calculation of a safe braking distance also taking into account at least one of the group comprising information on the the age, weight and sex of the driver.
6. A braking distance warning system according to any one of the preceding claims, said alarm comprisigng an acoustic alarm.
7. A braking distance warning system according to any one of the preceding claims, said alarm comprisigng a visual warning.
8. A method for warning a driver of a first vehicle of an unsafe braking distance to the next vehicle in the direction of travel, comprising determining the speed of travel of the first vehicle and the status of the driver, correlating said speed and status to calculate a safe braking distance for the first vehicle, and correlating the safe braking distance with the distance to the next vehicle and activating an alarm if the safe braking distance is greater than that to the next vehicle.
9. A method accordin to claim 8, said safe braking distance calculation taking c, onto consideration the reactions of the driver determined while the vehicle is stationary.
c 11 - c -1
10. A method according to claim 9, comprising preventing the car from being moved if the driver's reactions are determined to be unacceptable.
GB9817709A 1998-08-14 1998-08-14 Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver Withdrawn GB2340646A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9817709A GB2340646A (en) 1998-08-14 1998-08-14 Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9817709A GB2340646A (en) 1998-08-14 1998-08-14 Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9817709D0 GB9817709D0 (en) 1998-10-07
GB2340646A true GB2340646A (en) 2000-02-23

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Family Applications (1)

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GB9817709A Withdrawn GB2340646A (en) 1998-08-14 1998-08-14 Vehicle braking distance warning system incorporating assessment of driver

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GB (1) GB2340646A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7054723B2 (en) * 2002-03-22 2006-05-30 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Information presentation controlling apparatus and method based on driver's mental fatigue
EP2486516A4 (en) * 2009-10-07 2018-03-28 iOnRoad Technologies Ltd. Automatic content analysis method and system
FR3057097A1 (en) * 2016-09-28 2018-04-06 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh DEVICE FOR ASSISTING THE DRIVING OF A VEHICLE BY DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING THE TOTAL STOP DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE
US10147004B2 (en) 2011-05-03 2018-12-04 Ionroad Technologies Ltd. Automatic image content analysis method and system

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4168499A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-09-18 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Anti-collision radar system provided with circuitry for monitoring driver's
EP0549909A2 (en) * 1991-12-03 1993-07-07 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Warning apparatus for a vehicle
WO1993024894A1 (en) * 1992-06-04 1993-12-09 Mor, Yitzchak Anti-collision system for vehicles
WO1995005649A1 (en) * 1993-08-13 1995-02-23 Vorad Safety Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining driver fitness in real time
EP0677799A2 (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle travel aiding device
US5594412A (en) * 1993-11-17 1997-01-14 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Warning system for vehicles

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4168499A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-09-18 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Anti-collision radar system provided with circuitry for monitoring driver's
EP0549909A2 (en) * 1991-12-03 1993-07-07 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Warning apparatus for a vehicle
WO1993024894A1 (en) * 1992-06-04 1993-12-09 Mor, Yitzchak Anti-collision system for vehicles
WO1995005649A1 (en) * 1993-08-13 1995-02-23 Vorad Safety Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining driver fitness in real time
US5594412A (en) * 1993-11-17 1997-01-14 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Warning system for vehicles
EP0677799A2 (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle travel aiding device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7054723B2 (en) * 2002-03-22 2006-05-30 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Information presentation controlling apparatus and method based on driver's mental fatigue
EP2486516A4 (en) * 2009-10-07 2018-03-28 iOnRoad Technologies Ltd. Automatic content analysis method and system
US9970774B2 (en) 2009-10-07 2018-05-15 Ionroad Technologies Ltd. Automatic content analysis method and system
US10147004B2 (en) 2011-05-03 2018-12-04 Ionroad Technologies Ltd. Automatic image content analysis method and system
FR3057097A1 (en) * 2016-09-28 2018-04-06 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh DEVICE FOR ASSISTING THE DRIVING OF A VEHICLE BY DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING THE TOTAL STOP DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9817709D0 (en) 1998-10-07

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