AU2020202753A1

AU2020202753A1 - Vehicle proximity detection system

Info

Publication number: AU2020202753A1
Application number: AU2020202753A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Pettersen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-26
Filing date: 2020-04-24
Publication date: 2020-11-12

Abstract

The invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for detecting and reporting a proximity violation between a vehicle (4) and a following vehicle. The system includes a cloud computing service and a vehicle proximity device (3) configured to be installed on the vehicle. Figure 3 1/8 6 C8 GNSS4GIIOTEdge Device -vidao fies withmweltiaste C 1-d5vie V deo files with rnetadeata PolenlialviolatioiiReoruds 9LIDAR ditne_-lSmlomue (Laserrangefinde) dseo Salomue videoEnforcement HD Cameras (2)7Celerie (Vdeocapable) 5 ~~FIG.I1" ) 5 0 3Ismti(13 Car Frnnt(1:():3N 9 IA pf Side Left Side Right -~ Rear(13 12 (1:2) 0 0 0 0 0 ci L ic All units in mitlimetres FIG. 2

Description

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VEHICLE PROXIMITY DETECTION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to road safety systems. In particular, the present invention relates to systems for detecting and reporting vehicles travelling too close together. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] A significant cause of motor vehicle accidents involving two vehicles is the situation where a following vehicle travels too close to a preceding vehicle for the road conditions, resulting in a rear-end collision.

[0004] The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States indicates that almost 30 percent of all motor vehicle crashes are rear-end collisions, with rear-end collisions making up 5% of fatal crashes in the United States. (See National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts 2005, 2007, P. 54. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.qov/Pubs/810631.pdf).

[0005] The two-second rule is a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe trailing distance at any speed. (See "The two-second rule". Road Safety Authority (Government of Ireland). Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2019). The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle. It is intended for automobiles, although its general principle applies to other types of vehicles. Some areas recommend a three second rule instead of a two-second rule to give an additional buffer. This additional buffer may also apply during various weather conditions, for example in wet weather.

[0006] Currently, drivers must manually estimate the distance between their vehicle and the preceding vehicle. One method of estimation is for a driver to observe when the preceding vehicle passes a fixed landmark and for the driver to count sequentially from the number one until their vehicle also passes the landmark. The result provides an estimated number of seconds between the two vehicles and the driver can then adjust accordingly. However, this method provides an estimated distance only and the accuracy is dependent upon the ability of the driver to estimate a one second length of time. In addition, it does not provide continuous information to the driver regarding the estimated distance between the vehicles. This requires the driver to concentrate, albeit momentarily, on a fixed landmark which is not relevant to the route they are driving or the traffic around them. Finally, a driver may be aware of the two second rule but unlikely to comply with it, unless they perceive that the rule will be enforced and that there is a high likelihood they will be caught if breaching the rule.

[0007] US705750 describes a system to detect an unsafe following distance and to alert the driver of the following vehicle via a dashboard audible visual alert. This system provides a personal alert to the following driver only. There is no visibility for the driver in front of the potentially unsafe situation behind them, namely that they may have a car collide into them from the rear. There is also no collation of data relating to vehicles travelling too close together. Such collation of data could be used to implement and review initiatives to reduce rear collisions or to provide penalties to driverwho consistently driver at an unsafe following distance.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle proximity system comprising: a cloud computing service configured to accept a report of a vehicle proximity violation; a vehicle proximity device configured to be installed on a vehicle, the device comprising: at least one sensor configured to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; a satellite navigation device configured to determine a velocity of the vehicle; a processor configured to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles; and thereafter to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and an edge device configured to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to the cloud computing service.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle proximity device configured to be installed on a vehicle, the device comprising: at least one sensor configured to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; a camera or cameras capable of capturing high definition video; a satellite navigation device configured to determine a velocity of the vehicle; a processor configured to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles; and thereafter to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and an edge device configured to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to a cloud computing service.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising a vehicle proximity device according to the second aspect installed thereon.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a vehicle proximity application for installation on a vehicle equipped with at least one sensor, a satellite navigation device, a processor, and an edge device, wherein the vehicle proximity application is operable to: instruct the at least one sensor to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; and instruct the satellite navigation device to determine a velocity of the vehicle; and thereafter instruct the processor to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles, and to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and instruct the edge device to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to a cloud computing service.

[0013] Preferably, the satellite navigation device is also configured to determine at least one of a location of the vehicle, the time, and the date.

[0014] The device is preferably configured to be mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The device is preferably in the form of a vehicle number plate frame. The device is preferably able to be mounted around the rear number plate. Preferably, power is provided to the device from a circuit used for illuminating the number plate. Advantageously, mounting the device on the rear number plate can provide a visible deterrent to the following vehicle driver.

[0015] Preferably, the distance sensor is a camera. Preferably the camera is orientated to face opposite a direction of travel of the vehicle. Alternatively, the sensor is a laser rangefinder (LIDAR). Preferably, the satellite navigation device is a global positioning system device. Preferably, the edge device is a 4G/loT edge device.

[0016] Preferably, the processor runs an algorithm which continuously monitors the speed of the vehicle and monitors the distance between the rear of the vehicle and any following vehicle.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting a vehicle proximity violation; the method comprising the steps of: a) determining the velocity of a first vehicle; b) while the velocity is above a pre-determined velocity value, measuring the distance between the first vehicle and a following vehicle; and c) where the measured distance is below a specified distance value for the duration of a first pre-defined period of time, defining a proximity violation.

[0018] The method preferably includes the further steps of: d) calculating the distance between the first vehicle and the following vehicle during a second pre-defined period of time; e) if the calculated distance is below the specified distance value for the duration of the second pre-defined period of time, reporting the proximity violation. f) otherwise, repeating the steps of the method starting with step a).

[0019] Preferably, the pre-determined velocity value is between 0 and 50km/hr. Preferably, the pre-determined velocity value is 30km/hr. However, it will be appreciated that the pre-determined velocity may be any value.

[0020] Preferably, the first pre-defined period of time is 5 seconds. Preferably, the second pre-defined period of time is 10 seconds. However, it will be appreciated that these time periods may be of any duration.

[0021] Preferably, when a proximity violation is defined, the method includes the further step of c') recording the details of the violation. Preferably, this includes taking a video recording of the following vehicle. Preferably, the video is recorded for the duration of the second pre-defined period of time. Alternatively, recording the details may include taking a photo of the following vehicle or its license plate. The recording step c') may also include recording at least one of: the velocity of the first vehicle; the distance between the vehicles; the location of the vehicles; the time of day. The information may be recorded continuously for the duration of the second pre-defined period of time.

[0022] Preferably, reporting the proximity violation includes transferring recorded details of the violation to a cloud computing service. Preferably, the report is made via an 4G/IoT network. Upon receiving the reported violation, the cloud servers may be configured to process the recorded details, preferably to identify the following vehicle.

[0023] In preferred embodiments, the system or device can be configured to provide an alert to the driver of the preceding vehicle upon detection of a proximity. This alerts the driver of the preceding vehicle to a potential safety hazard due to another vehicle following too close behind. The driver of the preceding vehicle can take evasive manoeuvring steps.

[0024] It will be understood that all aspects of the invention may be configured to instead determine the distance between a first vehicle and a vehicle in front of the first vehicle. In this configuration, the invention can be used to determine if the first vehicle is following too close behind and thus committing a vehicle proximity violation.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the words "comprise", "comprising" and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

[0026] The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

[0027] Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term 'about'.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the components of the system;

[0030] Figure 2 shows perspective, front, rear, left, and right views of a preferred embodiment of the device;

[0031] Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2 mounted on a vehicle;

[0032] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the method of an embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing an update to the device software;

[0034] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the method steps when a proximity violation occurs;

[0035] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the method steps to report a proximity violation;

[0036] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the method steps that occur at the cloud service; and

[0037] Figure 9 is a system component diagram of a suitable hardware configuration with CPU, storage and specified peripheral devices.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Referring initially to Figure 1, the vehicle proximity system 1 includes a cloud computing service 2 and a vehicle proximity device 3 configured to be installed on a vehicle 4. The vehicle proximity device 3 includes a pair of sensors, in the form of high definition rear-facing cameras 5, a satellite navigation device in the form of GPS device 6, a processor 7, and a 4G/oT edge device 8. May also include a laser rangefinder (LIDAR) 9.

[0039] As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the vehicle proximity device 3 is configured to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle, and, as shown, is preferably in the form of a vehicle number plate frame 10. The frame 10 is mounted around the rear number plate 11 of vehicle 4, as shown in Figure 3. In this configuration, power is provided to the device 3 from a circuit (not shown) used for illuminating the number plate 11. Advantageously, mounting the device 3 around the rear number plate 11 can provide a visible deterrent to the following vehicle driver. The intention of many road safety initiatives is to influence vehicle operator behaviour rather than apply penalties. In an alternative embodiment, the components of the vehicle proximity device may be integrated into the vehicle.

[0040] Referring to Figures 4 to 8, in use, the GPS device 6 is used to determine the velocity of the vehicle 4. Preferably, the processor is configured to run an algorithm to continuously monitor the velocity of the vehicle 4. If the velocity is below a pre-determined velocity value, for example 30km per hour, the processor does not define proximity violations.

[0041] Whenever the velocity is greater than the pre-determined velocity value, for example 30km/hr, one or both of the rear-facing cameras 5 is used to calculate the distance between the vehicle 4 and a following vehicle (not shown). The distance is calculated using the images from the rear-facing cameras and a stereoscopic range finding algorithm.

[0042] The two-second (or three-second) rule provides an acceptable distance for a following car, dependent upon the velocity of travel. If the calculated distance is closer than the acceptable distance for the duration of a first pre-defined period, for example five seconds, a proximity violation is defined, and the violation is recorded. To record the violation, the processor 7 causes video from at least one of the rear-facing cameras 5 to be recorded for the duration of a second pre-defined period, for example ten seconds. The recording may also include collecting information about the licence plate of the following vehicle, the velocity of travel, the distance between the vehicles, the location of the vehicles, and the time of day.

[0043] If the calculated distance is closer than the acceptable distance for the entire duration of the first and second periods together, the violation is reported. If the violation does not extend for the duration of the first and second periods together, the violation is not reported. The processor continues to monitor the velocity of the vehicle and the distance of the following vehicle.

[0044] Reporting the incident involves the processor 7 running an algorithm to add metadata containing GPS coordinates, time of day and a unique device identifier to the video file. The video file is then transferred via the 4G/oT network connection 8 to the cloud computing service 2. Security is maintained using SSL/TLS protocols. If the 4G/oT connection is unavailable due to network coverage issues, the transfer may be delayed until the connection is restored.

[0045] On receiving a report, the cloud service 2 may further process the metadata attached to the file including translating the GPS coordinates to identify the road or highway involved. It may also analyse the video file to identify the license plate details and colour/model of the following vehicle. This information may be provided to the relevant authorities for action.

[0046] Figure 9 shows an exemplary component diagram of the system 1, including a suitable hardware configuration with CPU, storage, and specified peripheral devices, such as two cameras, and an optional range finder.

[0047] Advantageously, every vehicle equipped with the proximity device 3 becomes a mobile detection and reporting station. Beyond the equipment and associated service costing, the solution is highly scalable versus the cost of deploying additional human enforcement resources in the form of highway patrol.

[0048] Importantly, to ensure privacy of personal data, the system is configured so that the driver of the vehicle is unable to access the information recorded by the device 3. Additionally, the driver does not control when a recording is taken. Rather, the decision is made by the device to start and stop recording when relevant criteria is met by the driven and following vehicle.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, a software only solution is disclosed. Here, a vehicle equipped by the manufacturer with satellite navigation, for example GNSS, an edge device, and a rear facing sensor such as a camera, could be retrofit with a software application added to its management computer to perform the detection and reporting function described above. In particular autonomous and partially autonomous vehicles are equipped with powerful onboard processors quite capable of implementing such a scheme.

[0050] Here, operation of the application would instruct the rear facing camera of the vehicle to determine a distance between the vehicle 4 and a following vehicle (not shown), and instruct the satellite navigation device to determine a velocity of the vehicle. Thereafter, the application could instruct the processor to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles, and determine whether a proximity violation has occurred. Any vehicle proximity violation is then transmitted by the edge device to a cloud computing service 2.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the equipment built in to the vehicle could provide the velocity of the vehicle or, alternatively, validate the determined velocity.

[0052] Finally, it will be understood that all aspects of the invention may be configured to determine the distance between the first vehicle and a vehicle in front of the first vehicle. In this configuration, the invention can be used to determine if the first vehicle is following too close behind and thus committing a vehicle proximity violation. The invention could be configured to provide a warning alert to the driver of the first vehicle to allow an opportunity for the driver to self-correct and increase the distance between the vehicles.

[0053] The invention advantageously aids the detection of hazardous situations involving tailgating to the preceding vehicle. This invention implements a method for autonomous detection, recording and reporting of two-second rule violation.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the invention advantageously detects a vehicle following another vehicle at an unsafe distance.

[0055] In preferred embodiments, the system or device can be configured to provide an alert to the driver of the preceding vehicle upon detection of a proximity. This alerts the driver of the preceding vehicle to a potential safety hazard due to another vehicle following too close behind. The driver of the preceding vehicle can take evasive manoeuvring steps.

[0056] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments detailed herein, other embodiments can achieve the same or similar results. Variations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and the invention is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle proximity device configured to be installed on a vehicle, the device comprising: at least one sensor configured to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; a satellite navigation device configured to determine a velocity of the vehicle; a processor configured to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles; and thereafter to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and an edge device configured to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to a cloud computing service.

2. A vehicle proximity device according to claim 1, wherein the satellite navigation device is configured to also determine at least one of a location of the vehicle, a time of day, and a current date.

3. A vehicle proximity device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processor continuously monitors the determined velocity and the determined distance.

4. A vehicle comprising a vehicle proximity device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 installed thereon.

5. A vehicle proximity system comprising: a cloud computing service configured to accept a report of a vehicle proximity violation; a vehicle proximity device configured to be installed on a vehicle, the device comprising: at least one sensor configured to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; a satellite navigation device configured to determine a velocity of the vehicle; a processor configured to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles; and thereafter to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and an edge device configured to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to the cloud computing service.

6. A vehicle proximity application for installation on a vehicle equipped with at least one sensor, a satellite navigation device, a processor, and an edge device, wherein the vehicle proximity application is operable to: instruct the at least one sensor to determine a distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle; and instruct the satellite navigation device to determine a velocity of the vehicle; and thereafter instruct the processor to receive the determined vehicle velocity and the determined distance between the vehicles, and to determine whether a proximity violation has occurred; and instruct the edge device to transmit a report of any vehicle proximity violation to a cloud computing service.

7. A method for detecting a vehicle proximity violation; the method comprising the steps of: a) determining the velocity of a first vehicle; b) while the velocity is above a pre-determined velocity value, measuring the distance between the first vehicle and a following vehicle; and c) where the measured distance is below a specified distance value for the duration of a first pre-defined period of time, defining a proximity violation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pre-determined velocity value is between 0 and 50km/hr.

9. The method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the first pre-defined period of time is 5 seconds.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein when a proximity violation is defined, the method includes the further step of c') recording the details of the violation.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, comprising the further steps of: d) calculating the distance between the first vehicle and the following vehicle during a second pre-defined period of time; e) if the calculated distance is below the specified distance value for the duration of the second pre-defined period of time, reporting the proximity violation; f) otherwise, repeating the steps of the method starting with step a).

12. The method according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 10, wherein reporting the proximity violation includes transferring recorded details of the violation to a cloud computing service.

13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the second pre-defined period of time is 10 seconds.