GB2528477A

GB2528477A - Accident severity estimator for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2528477A
Application number: GB1413043.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Javier Castellano
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2014-07-23
Publication date: 2016-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-23
Also published as: GB2528477B; GB201413043D0

Abstract

An accident reporting apparatus and method for a vehicle, the apparatus being configured to detect and report vehicle accidents, the apparatus comprising; an accident detection unit 3 configured to detect an accident, an injury prediction unit 7a or a vehicle structural status prediction unit 7b, both configured to receive information from the accident detection unit indicating that an accident has been detected and predict the injuries and vehicle damage which may have occurred, and a communication unit 17 configured to receive the prediction of injuries and damage which may have occurred from the injury prediction and structural state prediction units and to transmit information indicating that an accident has been detected and the injury and damage predictions to a receiver R, such as an emergency service dispatch centre. An occupant evaluation unit 9 may be provided to supply data to the prediction unit 7a including the number of passengers, characteristics of the occupants such as weight or adult or child. Both internal and external cameras 11 may be used by the prediction units and also an other-party identification unit configured to collect information regarding third-parties involved in the accident.

Description

Accident Severity Estimator For A Vehicle [001] The present disclosure relates to a system for estimating the severity of a vehicle accident, and in particular, but not exclusively, for estimating the severity of a vehicle accident and providing relevant information to an external receiver, for example an emergency service. The system may be configured to estimate the severity of an accident using estimates of one or more contributing factors, including the speed of the vehicle, maximum acceleration or deceleration, degree of vehicle deformation, airbag deployment, final vehicle orientation (in 3 spatial dimensions), the presence of fuel, fire or explosions, amount of variation in vehicle orientation, amount of variation in vehicle location, number of occupants, location of occupants in vehicle, location of vehicle deformation relative to occupant location, physical attributes of occupants (age, pre-existing conditions, etc.), whether seatbelts were being used by all occupants, readout from pedestrian impact detection sensors, or any other relevant factors.

Background

[002] In the event of a vehicle accident, a response is often required to assist persons involved in the accident. This response typically involves emergency services assistance. The emergency services in this instance may include ambulance or other medical services, fire services, police services, hazardous material containment services, coast guard services, lifeboat services, etc. Often one or more of the people involved in the accident is able to promptly contact the required emergency services, or third parties not directly involved in the accident but who witness the accident may contact the emergency services. However, if a serious accident occurs in a quiet or remote area, the person or people involved in the accident may not be able to promptly contact the emergency services, and there may be no third party witnesses in the area to contact the emergency services.

[003] If required emergency services are not contacted promptly, this may impair the medical prospects for the person or people involved in the accident. In extreme cases, the difference between prompt contact of the emergency services and delayed or no contact may determine whether or not a person involved in the accident survives injuries incurred in the accident or not.

[004] It is therefore a useful safety measure to equip a vehicle with a system to detect when an accident has occurred and report the occurrence of an accident to an external receiver. What constitutes a suitable external receiver is determined by the nature of the vehicle in which the system is installed. For example, if the vehicle in question is a ship, the coast guard may be an appropriate external receiver, whereas if the vehicle in question is a car, a police, fire or ambulance service may be an appropriate external receiver. A dedicated receiving station or call centre may also be used to act as an external receiver, receiving contacts from vehicle systems and contacting emergency services as judged appropriate at the receiving station.

[005] The problem with existing systems for detecting accidents is that they typically only communicate that an accident has taken place and the location of the accident. Existing systems do not communicate the nature or severity of the accident; important information which would often be provided by a third party observer and may be used to determine exactly what response is appropriate for an accident. This may lead to response resources being misallocated, and to delays in the arrival of equipment and personnel suitable for responding to a particular accident.

Statement Of Invention

[006] According to an example of the present disclosure there is provided an accident reporting apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus being configured to detect and report vehicle accidents, the apparatus comprising; an accident detection unit configured to detect an accident, a prediction unit configured to receive notification from the accident detection unit indicating that an accident has been detected, and predict the initial consequences of the accident, and a communication unit configured to receive the prediction from the prediction unit and to transmit information indicating that an accident has been detected and predicted initial consequences to a receiver.

[007] The present disclosure provides a system which evaluates the nature of an accident and uses this information to predict the type of injuries a vehicle occupant may have suffered. This information is passed on to the receiver, allowing better evaluation of what resources should be used in responding to the accident. For example, if the system is installed in a car, and the car is involved in a serious road accident which involves the car rolling onto its roof, the present disclosure aims to detect that the car has rolled onto its roof. The present disclosure could then communicate to the receiver that, for example, head injuries are likely to have been sustained, and the response team could be structured to involve personnel with experience of dealing with head injuries.

[008] Alternatively or additionally, the system may be configured to evaluate the nature of the accident and use this information to predict the status of the vehicle following the accident. Again, this information is passed on to the receiver, allowing responders to better evaluate what resources should be used in responding to the accident. For example, where a boat having the system sinks, this would suggest that underwater equipment may be required to reach the vehicle, and the response team could include vehicles having suitable underwater equipment and personnel with underwater experience.

[009] By the above configuration, the response to the accident may be better tailored, enabling both more efficient use of response resources and improved survival and recovery prospects for the person or people involved in the accident, and also the vehicles involved in the accident.

[0010] The prediction unit may comprise an injury prediction unit configured to predict injuries which may have occurred, for example to occupants of the vehicle or occupants of another vehicle or other road users (e.g. pedestrians, cyclists). The communication unit may be configured to transmit information indicating the predicted injuries to the receiver.

[0011] The prediction unit may be configured to predict a structural state of the vehicle, for example, whether the roof of the vehicle has been compressed, windows broken, doors jammed, bonnet crumpled or any other structural state.

[0012] The prediction unit may comprise a vehicle status prediction unit configured to predict the status of the vehicle comprising the apparatus following the detection of an accident. The communication unit may be configured to transmit information indicating the prediction of vehicle status to the receiver.

[0013] The apparatus may comprise one or a plurality of sensors. The sensors may comprise one or more of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location sensors, airbag deployment sensors, vehicle deformation sensors, orientation sensors, heat sensors, pedestrian impact sensors, seatbelt tension sensors, seatbelt connection sensors, child seat sensors, optical sensors, strain sensors, fuel sensors and/or any other type of sensor.

[0014] The injury prediction unit may be configured to detect the number of occupants in the vehicle, and to use this information when predicting injuries which may have occurred.

[0015] The apparatus may comprise an occupant evaluation unit configured to receive data including the number of occupants from the injury prediction unit, and to evaluate the characteristics of the occupants based on the received data, and the injury prediction unit may be configured to receive the evaluated characteristics of the occupants from the occupant evaluation unit and to use this information when estimating injuries which may have occurred. The occupant evaluation unit may estimate at least one of the weight of an occupant, whether an occupant is a child and/or whether the occupant is in a front or rear facing seat. The occupant evaluation unit may be configured such that users may enter data about occupants into the system.

[0016) The apparatus may be configured to receive data from existing vehicle systems, and/or may comprise dedicated sensors.

[0017] The communication unit may be configured to transmit at least one of the location of the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle colour, the orientation of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number and the registered owner of the vehicle.

[0018] The apparatus may comprise one or more cameras and at least one of the accident detection unit, injury prediction unit and a other party information collection unit may use the recordings from the cameras.

[0019] The apparatus may comprise a other party information collection unit configured such that, when an accident is detected by the accident detection unit, the other party information collection unit collects information about bodies other than the vehicle comprising the apparatus that are involved in the accident, wherein the cameras may collect information to be used by the other party information collection unit.

[0020] The receiver may an emergency response receiver For example, the receiver may be one or more of a call receiving centre, a medical service, a law enforcement service, a fire service, a lifeboat service, a coastguard service, an air control service or any other suitable receiver. The vehicle may be a car, truck, van, motorbike, quad bike, bus, motorboat, sailboat, ship, aeroplane, helicopter, dirigible, train, or any other

suitable vehicle.

[0021] According to a further example of the present disclosure there is provided an accident reporting method for detecting and reporting vehicle accidents, the method comprising the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting the initial consequences of the accident, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the initial consequences to an external receiver.

[0022] The prediction may comprise a prediction of injuries which may have occurred. The prediction may comprise a prediction of the status of the vehicle following the detection of an accident.

[0023] According to a further example of the present disclosure there is provided a computer readable medium comprising software which, when processed by a suitable system, causes said system to execute the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting the initial consequences of the accident, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the initial consequences to an external receiver.

[0024] The prediction may comprise a prediction of injuries which may have occurred. The prediction may comprise a prediction of the status of the vehicle following the detection of an accident.

Description of Figures

[0025] For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how the disclosure may be carried into effect, reference is made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0026] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle comprising an accident reporting apparatus according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2A is a schematic illustration showing potential locations for various sensors according to example of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 28 is a further schematic illustration showing potential locations for various sensors according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3A is a diagram showing a plan view of potential impact points for a vehicle equipped with the system of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 38 is a diagram showing a side view of potential impact points for a vehicle equipped with the system of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the present disclosure for a system that is installed in a car involved in an accident.

Detailed Description

[0032] A vehicle 1 comprising an accident reporting apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure is shown in figure 1. The example of the apparatus shown in figure 1 comprises various additional features which are not essential to the operation of the apparatus. The scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0033] The apparatus shown in figure 1 comprises an accident detection unit 3. The accident detection unit 3 may receive inputs from one or more separate sensors 5.

Alternatively, the accident detection unit 3 may itself be configured to identify indicators suggesting that an accident has taken place. The accident detection unit 3 may be configured such that when an indicator suggesting an accident has occurred is detected, the indicator either being detected by the accident detection unit 3 itself or by a sensor 5, the accident detection unit 3 may apply a threshold to the indicator to determine more accurately if an accident has occurred. That is, when an indicator of an accident is detected, the accident detection unit 3 may evaluate the reliability of the indicator. In cases where the indicator is above a preset threshold, the accident

S

detection unit 3 may report the detection of an accident. Where the indicator is below a threshold, no accident is reported. Alternatively or additionally, the accident detection unit 3 may cross check indicators. That is, the accident detection unit 3 may compare indicators, which are either identified by the accident detection unit 3 or by sensors 5, to determine if an accident is occurring. Simultaneous identification of accident indicators by a set number of sensors 5, and/or by the accident detection unit, may be used as a criterion for reporting the detection of an accident.

[0034] The accident detection unit 3 may be a stand alone unit, or may be incorporated within a single unit comprising other components of the accident reporting apparatus. If sufficient hardware is already present in the vehicle 1 in which the accident reporting apparatus is to be installed, the accident detection unit 3 may be a software unit which is uploaded to existing vehicle systems and which operates using existing sensors 5i.

[0035] When the accident detection unit 3 detects that an accident has occurred, a notification is sent to a prediction unit 7. The prediction unit 7 receives the notification from the accident detection unit 3, and predicts the consequences of the detected accident, The initial consequences of the accident are consequences which may require attention in the short term (that is, within minutes, hours or days, such as a vehicle occupant having a broken leg) rather than the longer term (that is, within years, such as the redesigning of a junction to avoid future accidents). The initial consequences may comprise potential injuries to occupants of the vehicle 1 fitted with the apparatus, potential injuries to occupants of other vehicles involved in the accident or to pedestrians involved in the accident, potential damage to the vehicle 1 fitted with the apparatus, and potential damage to other vehicles involved in the accident or to other objects or structures involved in the accident (surrounding buildings, bridges, street furniture, etc.).

[0036] The prediction unit 7 may comprise units configured to predict specific types of consequences. The prediction unit 7 may comprise an injury prediction unit 7a, which is configured to predict injuries which may have occurred to the occupants of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed as a result of the detected accident.

The prediction unit 7 may additionally or alternatively comprise a vehicle status prediction unit 7b, which is configured to predict the status, for example; structural status, of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed following the accident. In order to accurately predict consequences, the prediction unit 7 may receive additional information beyond a simple notification of an accident. This additional information may be provided by the accident detection unit 3, which may send data indicating that an accident has occurred (said data either being identified by the accident detection unit 3 or by a sensor 5 connected to the accident detection unit 3) to the prediction unit 7. Additionaily or alternatively, the prediction unit 7 may receive data directly from the sensors 5.

[0037] Various types of sensors 5 may provide inputs to the accident detection unit 3, the prediction unit 7 and other components within the accident reporting apparatus.

The various types of sensor may include but are not limited to accelerometers SA, pressure sensors 5B, location sensors SC, airbag deployment sensors 5D, vehicle deformation sensors SE, orientation sensors SF, heat sensors 5G, pedestrian impact sensors 5H, seatbelt connection sensors SI, seatbelt tension sensors 5J, child seat sensors 5K, optical sensors 5L, strain sensors SM, and fuel sensors SN. Further, the sensors may be existing sensors Si, which have been installed in the vehicle for other purposes (for example, as part of an electronic stability control system or a navigation system), or may be dedicated sensors Sii installed in the vehicle as part of the accident reporting apparatus. For example, the apparatus may include a sensor 5Gii which monitors the temperature within the cabin of the vehicle (and is therefore useful in detecting the presence of fire) and which is installed for the dedicated use of the accident reporting apparatus.

[0038] The various types of sensors 5 may help to detect accidents, and may also be used to judge both the severity of accidents and the likely initial consequences of the accidents. Examples of the uses of some of the sensors 5 with which the apparatus may be equipped are discussed below. Of course, various other sensors 5 which are not specifically discussed may also provide useful information to the system.

Potential locations of the various types of sensors 5 discussed are shown in Figure 2.

The locations shown in Figure 2 are illustrative examples only; of course sensors may be included in locations other than those shown in Figure 2.

[0039] Accelerometers SA may be one of the most useful types of sensor 5 for the apparatus. Rapid changes in the velocity of a vehicle are often indicative of an accident. For the avoidance of doubt, all references to velocities and accelerations are taken with respect to the ground beneath a vehicle, the ground being taken to be stationary. The acceleration may be in any direction, depending on the nature of the accident in which the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed is involved. For example, if the vehicle I in which the apparatus is installed hits an object or another vehicle from behind, the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed will experience negative acceleration, also known as deceleration, in the vehicles direction of travel.

By contrast, if the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed is itself hit from behind by another vehicle travelling at high speed, the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed will experience positive acceleration in the direction of travel. Also, impacts to the sides of a vehicle, that is impacts from objects having a velocity component perpendicular to the primary direction of travel of the vehicle, may cause rapid lateral acceleration. Accelerometers may also be configured to detect pitch, roll and yaw of vehicles. For vehicles configured to move in a vertical direction, such as helicopters, rapid acceleration in the vertical axis of movement may also be indicative of an accident.

[0040] Ideally, the accident detection unit 3 should discriminate between acceleration generated by accidents and acceleration generated by the normal motion of the vehicle. Calibrated acceleration thresholds may be used to avoid incorrect accident detection. Further, the acceleration thresholds may be adjusted during and according to the operation of the vehicle. For example, if an accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle will accelerate and the acceleration threshold may be increased to a value higher than an anticipated acceleration for the vehicle under normal conditions. By contrast, if the acceleration pedal is not depressed, the acceleration threshold may be sent to a lower value. A similar adjustment to the acceleration thresholds may be applied if a brake pedal is depressed, for example, if the brake pedal is applied heavily, a large deceleration will be anticipated and the acceleration threshold may be adjusted accordingly.

[0041] Accelerometers 5A are frequently used in vehicles. As an example of this, cars having electronic stability managements systems typically use accelerometers 5A to measure lateral acceleration when cornering. These existing sensors SAi may be utilised by the accident reporting apparatus, avoiding the need to provide additional dedicated sensors 5AU. Data from the accelerometers 5A may be used by the prediction unit to predict the acceleration experienced by the vehicle occupants or other persons and the likely resulting injuries, and/or to predict the likely damage to the vehicle resulting from the acceleration and the injuries likely to have been sustained due to such damage.

[0042] Pressure sensors 5B may also be used by the present system. Many vehicles utilise pressure sensors to trigger safety measures in the event of an impact. For example, it is becoming more common for cars to have safety measures to reduce injuries to pedestrians in the event of a collision. These safety measures may include pressure sensors in the front bumper of the car, which are used to trigger an exterior front airbag to protect a pedestrian in the event of a collision. Data from these sensors may also be used by the prediction unit 7. Further, though airbags may greatly reduce the risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants during collisions, some injuries may occur despite airbag deployment. The force of the impact of an occupant onto an airbag may determine if such injuries occur. This force may be monitored using a pressure sensor 5B feeding data back to the prediction unit 7. Pressure sensors may be used to determine if a collision has resulted in an explosion. Also, a series of pressure sensors 58 located throughout a vehicle may be used to determine an impact point. This may have important implications for determining the s nature of likely injuries, as is discussed below with reference to Figures 3A and 38.

[0043] Location sensors 5C may include systems such as GPS receivers, which determine location based on external signals. Other systems based on transmission of signals may also be used. Location sensors 5C have obvious benefits in terms of identifying the location of a vehicle following a collision, such that responders may easily locate the vehicle. This is of particular importance if the crash occurs in a remote location. However, location sensors 5C may also be used to provide additional useful information. For example, if the apparatus is installed in an aeroplane and the aeroplane is identified as having crashed in a polar location, this information could suggest that low temperature related injuries (such as frostbite) may be a concern.

[0044] Airbag deployment sensors SD indicate the deployment of airbags. Airbag systems are generally calibrated so as to only activate in the event of a moderate to severe collision, so the deployment of an airbag may be a strong indication that the occupants of a vehicle will require assistance. As discussed above, pedestrian airbags are becoming more common; deployment of a pedestrian airbag is an indicator that assistance may be required for a pedestrian.

[0045] Vehicle deformation sensors SE may include pressure sensors, as discussed above. Deformation of the vehicle may lead to the vehicle structure impacting upon the vehicle occupants, resulting in (for example) crushing type injuries. Therefore, vehicle deformation sensors SE may provide valuable information relating to the type of injuries which may be expected as a result of a particular impact. The vehicle deformation sensors 5E may also provide data which may be used by the prediction unit to predict the structural state of the vehicle, for example, whether it is likely that the doors are jammed shut, the windows have broken, and/or any other structural state.

[0046] The orientation of a vehicle with respect to the ground may be determined using an orientation sensor SF. Variation in vehicle orientation may be indicative of serious accidents (for example, a car rolling over), and may also be quite useful in determining the type of injuries that may be expected. If a car has rolled over, it is quite likely that an occupant of the car will have suffered head or neck injuries.

Similarly, if a car suffers an impact strong enough to tilt the car onto its side, this suggests that the impact may well have caused serious deformation of the car (particularly near the location of the impact) and that crushing injuries may have resulted.

[0047] Heat or temperature sensors 5G may be used to detect if a collision has resulted in fire. If a fire has started after a collision, this may lead to high temperature S injuries (such as burns) for vehicle occupants. Also, melting of vehicle components may increase the difficulty in extracting an occupant from a vehicle.

[0048] Pedestrian impact sensors 5H may include pressure sensors 5B as discussed above. Other types of pedestrian impact sensors may also be used, such as sensors based on reflected radiation (for example, RADAR sensors). While pedestrian impacts will typically not cause major injuries for the occupants of a vehicle, the pedestrian themselves may be quite severely injured and require urgent medical assistance. Pedestrian impact sensors 5H which discriminate between different impact points for the pedestrian may be used to more accurately predict the nature and severity of pedestrian injuries. In collisions between pedestrians and cars, the most severe pedestrian injuries typically result from impacts of the head onto the windscreen support pillars or upper sections of the car bonnet. Sensors monitoring these areas may therefore be used to predict if serious pedestrian injuries are more likely.

[0049] Seatbelt connection sensors SI may be used to indicate if a seatbelt is in use.

The sensor may be a simple binary check of whether the tongue of the belt has been inserted into the corresponding buckle, or a more involved check which also establishes if the seat is occupied. The number of occupied seats in a vehicle has a strong bearing on the number of predicted casualties in the event of a collision. Also, establishing the location of occupants in a vehicle relative any impact points on the vehicle may help to predict likely injuries. For example, if an object impacts the side of a vehicle next to a seat containing an occupant, that occupant may well have impact injuries particularly down the side of their body closest to the impact point. A further occupant located in a seat some distance from the impact point may have escaped serious injury. Also, if sensors indicate that a seat is occupied but that the seatbelt is not fastened at the time of a collision, this indicates that serious injuries such as head and upper torso injuries are quite likely.

[0050] Seatbelt tension sensors 5J may be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, seatbelt connection sensors SI. The sensors may be used to establish if a seat is occupied, and may also be used to estimate characteristics of the occupant. For example the degree to which a seatbelt is extended may be used to approximately estimate the mass of an occupant. Also, the amount of tension applied to a seatbelt during a collision may be used to estimate the nature of injures the occupant of the seat having the seatbelt in question, and also other occupant of the vehicle, may have suffered. As an example of this, the tension in the seatbelt may indicate that the occupant of the seat may have suffered broken ribs (due to the force applied by the seatbelt to the chest of the occupant).

[0051) Child seat sensors 5K may be used to determine if a child seat has been fitted in a vehicle. In the event that a child seat has been fitted, this may be indicative that the vehicle contains a child. Injured children typically require specialist medical care (paediatric care), so the presence of a child seat may help those responding to an accident to bring the correct equipment and personnel.

[0052] Optical sensors SL may be used to determine distances and speeds of impacts. As an example of this, many cars have rear parking sensors which may be used to indicate the distance between the rear of the car and objects positioned behind the car. These sensors may also be used to estimate impact velocities relative to the car. Other optical sensors may be used to detect pedestrian impacts, as discussed above. Still further optical sensors may be used to determine if smoke or other particulate suspensions or airborne substances are increasing the opacity of the air in or around the vehicle.

[0053] Strain gauge sensors SM may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the vehicle deformation sensors 5E mentioned above to monitor the degree to which the structure of a vehicle is deformed as a result of an impact. The seatbelt tension sensors SJ mentioned above may also comprise strain gauge sensors, which may also be used to monitor the degree to which a seatbelt has been stretched during an accident.

[0054] Fuel sensors SN may be used to detect if fuel has been released from a storage tank by an accident, for example, if a vehicle fuel tank has ruptured and is spilling petrol. The presence of released fuel may be a fire and/or explosion risk, or the fuel itself may present a danger (for example, the fuel may be poisonous). The presence of released fuel may therefore be an indicator that specialist personnel or equipment, such as breathing equipment, may be required.

[0055] The prediction unit 7 may also receive data from, and send data to, an occupant evaluation unit 9. The occupant evaluation unit may be configured to receive data (via the prediction unit 7) on the number of occupants, enabling the occupant evaluation unit 9 to predict the number of casualties that may be present in the event of a collision. The occupant evaluation unit may also receive further information on the characteristics of the vehicle occupants, based on the information made available to the prediction unit 7 from the various sensors 5. For example, the occupant evaluation unit could use information relating to the mass of the vehicle occupants when evaluating the occupants. Other useful information could include the approximate age of the occupants, any existing injuries, any conditions making an occupant particularly susceptible to injuries, and so on. In addition to, or as an alternative to, receiving information originating from sensors 5, the occupant evaluation unit 9 may also be configured to allow users to directly input information (for example, occupant ages, weights, heights) into the unit. Once the occupant evaluation unit 9 has evaluated characteristics of the vehicle occupants, this information may then be passed back to the prediction unit 7 for use in predicting injuries. The occupant evaluation unit 9 may be incorporated within the prediction unit 7, or may be a separate unit.

[0056J Several of the units within the accident reporting apparatus may also receive data from cameras 11. The units which may receive data from cameras include the accident detection unit 3, the prediction unit 7, the occupant evaluation unit 9, etc. The cameras 11 may be directed towards the interior or exterior of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed, depending on the purpose of the cameras 11. The cameras 11 may be used to estimate mass of vehicle occupants, whether seats are occupied, whether seatbelts are being used, etc. Cameras 11 directed toward the exterior of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed may be used to obtain information about other parties involved in a collision; such information may be of particular use to the other party information collection unit 13, which is discussed below. The cameras 11 may also be used to capture images in and around the vehicle I in which the apparatus is installed after a collision, the images may be used by responders to analyse the required response to a collision. As is the case with the sensors 5 discussed above, the cameras 11 may be installed specifically for use with the accident reporting apparatus, or existing cameras 11 may be used. For example, data from rear facing parking cameras may be used.

[00571 The prediction unit 7 may also receive information from a other party information collection unit 13, to be used in predicting both injuries and vehicle status.

The other party information collection unit 13 may receive information from cameras 11. This information may include the nature of a vehicle other than the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed is involved, for example, if the vehicle is a car or a lorry. The other vehicle information unit 13 may also analyse images from before and after a collision and estimate how damaged the other vehicle is, which may in turn allow an estimate of the injuries which occupants of the other vehicle may have sustained. The other vehicle information unit 13 may also retrieve identifying information about the other vehicle (type of vehicle including make and model, colour of vehicle, registration number, etc.) if this information may be derived from images provided by cameras 11. If available, this information may be used to help responders locate the accident site, and may also be of use in subsequent legal proceedings.

[00581 The prediction unit 7 may also send data to a storage unit 15. The storage unit may be part of the accident reporting apparatus. The storage unit may comprise any suitable storage medium, for example, a solid state drive, an optical disk based drive, etc. Alternatively, the storage unit 15 may be separate from the accident reporting apparatus, and information may be sent remotely (for example, by wireless transmission) from the apparatus to the storage unit 15. The storage unit 15 may store any information passing through the prediction unit 7, including information from sensors 5 or cameras 11 and information from the accident detection unit 3, occupant evaluation unit 9 and other party information collection unit 13. This data may be of particular use when analysing the causes of, and consequences of, a collision after the event. An analysis of the causes of and consequences of a collision may be of use for prevention of future collisions, minimisation of the consequences of future collisions and as evidence in insurance claims or other legal action which may take place as a result of a collision. The data from the storage device may be periodically retrieved, by automatic download or manually triggered download, and may be retrieved in the event of a collision. The data may be sent wirelessly or through a wired connection to an external receiving device, which may or may not be located at the external receiver R. [0059] The predication unit 7 may be configured to communicate with the external receiver R using a communication unit 17. The communication unit 17 is typically configured to communicate with the external receiver R using wireless transmissions, though other communication methods may be used. The communication unit 17 may incorporate other communication systems present in the vehicle, or may be entirely separate from any other communication systems (if other communication systems are present in the vehicle).

[0060] The communications from the prediction unit to the external receiver R may include a notification that an accident has taken place, information allowing the vehicle (and possibly also the vehicle occupants) to be identified and location information for the current position of the vehicle (and possibly also the location of the accident, if this differs from the current vehicle location).

[0061] The communications may also include predictions of injuries which may have occurred to persons involved in the accident (either occupants of the vehicle fitted with the accident reporting apparatus or other people). The predictions may include physical details of all the people involved in the accident, or details of only the people predicted to have injuries, or only the people predicted to have injuries of a certain degree of seriousness. For example, the communication may include a full physical profile of a person predicted to have a crushed chest cavity and a punctured lung, but fewer details of a person predicted to have a bruised leg. The predictions may range s from simple numbers of people involved to detailed physical profiles of the people.

Other available information about the accident, for example the acceleration experienced, the presence of fire or hazardous chemicals, may also be included in the communications.

[0062] The communications may also include details of the status of the vehicle in which the system is fitted, and also other vehicles involved in the accident. For example the communication could include a prediction that a vehicle door may have been deformed by the accident and may no longer be accessible. The communication may also include a specific orientation of the vehicle, for example, that the vehicle is resting on one side or on its roof (rather than on wheels). Other relevant vehicle information, such as the fact that the vehicle is predicted to be on fire or on the verge of exploding, may also be included in the communication.

[0063] Figures 3A and 3B show examples of potential impact points on a vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed. This is discussed in greater detail below.

[0064] Figures 3A and 3B provide top and side views respectively of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed. The Figures show a total of 8 potential impact points numbered Xl to X8. The impact points may be detected using the sensors 5 as discussed above.

[0065] The locations of impacts upon the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed may have a major bearing on the nature of the injuries suffered by the vehicle occupants, particularly for certain types of injuries. For example, an impact in the region of impact point X2 could result in whiplash' type injuries (that is, injuries resulting from cervical acceleration-deceleration), whereas this is less likely (though still possible) for impacts in the region of impact point X8.

[0066] The location of impact points in conjunction with the locations of vehicle occupants may also have an influence on the injuries sustained by vehicle occupants. As an example of this, if an impact occurs at impact pointX4, an occupant located in position Yl is far more likely to sustain crushing type injuries, due in pad to potential deformation of the vehicle 1 in which the apparatus is installed in the vicinity of the impact point X4, than a person located in position Y2.

[0067] The characteristics of an occupant in conjunction with the location of impact points may also have an influence on the injuries sustained by an occupant. As a general example of this, elderly people tend to be frailer than younger people and, if subjected to a given impact, may be more likely to sustain a broken bone than a younger person subjected to the same impact. In a more specific example, if a vehicle I in which the apparatus is installed sustains an impact in the vicinity of impact point X7, a taller person may be more likely to sustain a head injury than a S shorter person as a result of the proximity of the roof of the vehicle to the head of the taller person.

[0068] The locations of impact points may also be used to estimate the path of a vehicle following an impact. For example, sequential impacts on points Xi, X7, X2 and X8 could indicate that the vehicle is rolling. All of the information that can be derived from the locations of impact points may be used by the prediction unit 7, and may be included in the communication to the receiver R if relevant.

[0069] The flowchart in Figure 4 gives a series of steps through the reporting of an accident by an example of the system.

[0070] With reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4, and also the diagram of is impact points shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the following text describes an example of an accident. The numerals SO to 58 refer to the steps shown in the flowchart of Figure 4: SO -The system has been installed in a car, there is a person (the driver) sitting in position Vi, and a passenger sitting in position Y2.

Si -The car is stationary at a quiet road junction, then it is hit in the vicinity of impact point X2 (from behind) by another car. The force of the impact causes the car having the system installed in it to rapidly accelerate forwards.

S2 -The rapid acceleration is detected by accelerometers 5Ai, which are present in the car for use by a suspension system. The acceleration is in excess of the threshold for the stationary car, and is therefore recorded as a potential indicator of an accident. Simultaneously, the deformation of the car in the vicinity of impact point X2 is detected by a dedicated strain sensor 5MH. The readings from the sensors 5 are passed on to the accident detection unit 3.

S3 -The readings from the two sensors 5 are received by the accident detection unit 3, as indicators that an accident has occurred. The accident detection unit 3 evaluates the indicators and determines that an accident has indeed taken place. The accident detection unit 3 then sends a notification to the prediction unit 7.

S4 -The prediction unit 7 receives the notification from the accident detection unit 3. The prediction unit 7 then collates data from the accident detection unit 3, as well as the occupant evaluation unit 9, the other party information collection unit 13, cameras ii and various sensors 5.

From the other party information collection unit 13 the prediction unit 7 receives information that the cause of the impact in the vicinity of impact point X2 is another car, as well as the registration number of the other car and an image of the car. This information is collected by the other party information collection unit 13 using a camera 11. The other party information collection unit 13 analyses the images from the camera 11 and determines that there is one occupant in the other car.

From a seatbelt connection sensor 5W, the prediction unit 7 receives information that there is an occupant in position Vi wearing a seatbelt. The prediction unit 7 is also notified by an airbag deployment sensor 5Di that the airbag in front of position Vi has been deployed. The prediction unit 7 also receives a notification from the seatbelt tension sensor 5JU of the degree of tension in the seatbelt worn by the person in seat Vi. The prediction unit 7 is notified by the occupant evaluation unit 9 that there is a person in the seat at position Vi, and that the weight of the person in position Yl indicates that the person is an adult.

The prediction unit 7 is also notified by the occupant evaluation unit 9 that there is a person in the seat in position Y2, and that the weight of the person indicates that the person is an adult. The prediction unit 7 then checks the information from the seatbelt connection sensor 5lii for position Y2, and also the seatbelt tension sensor 5JH and determines that the person in position Y2 was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The prediction unit 7 is also notified by a pressure sensor 56U in the rear of the seat in front of position Y2 that an impact into the back of the seat has been detected. The prediction unit 7 determines that this impact is probably the person in position Y2 hitting the rear of the seat in front of that person.

The prediction unit is further notified by a heat sensor 5Gi that there is no suggestion that the vehicle having the system is on fire, and by a fuel sensor 5Ni that there is no suggestion that fuel has been spilt from the vehicle having the system.

S5 -The prediction unit 7 then predicts the status of the people and vehicles involved in the accident.

The injury prediction unit 7a predicts that the person in position Yl may be suffering from mild whiplash and facial bruising, and also predicts that the person detected (by the other party information collection unit 13) in the other car involved in the accident may have similar injuries. The injury prediction unit further predicts that the person in the seat in position Y2 may have suffered broken arms and a broken nose. The prediction of the injuries for the person in seat V2 are more serious than those for the person in seat Yl because the person in seat Y2 was not using a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

The vehicle status prediction unit 7b predicts that neither of the vehicles involved in the collision is on fire. Based on the detected deformation, the vehicle status prediction unit Tb predicts that the deformation of the vehicles will be comparatively minor, and that specialist equipment and personnel will not be required to gain access to the vehicles involved in the collision.

S6 -The prediction unit 7 sends notification of the accident, including the injury prediction and the vehicle status prediction, to the communication unit 17, along with the registration numbers of both vehicles involved in the collision (as obtained for the other vehicle by the other party information collection unit 13, and as provided by the vehicle status prediction unit 7b for the vehicle having the system) and the location of the accident (obtained from a location sensor 5Ci by the prediction unit 7). All of this information is also sent to the storage unit 15, along with as images recorded around the time of the accident by various cameras 11 around the vehicle.

57-The communication unit 17 transmits the information listed above to the receiver R, in this case a dispatch centre. The staff in the dispatch centre evaluate the information provided by the system and determine that, due to the location of the accident and the predicted injuries and vehicle status, an appropriate response is an ambulance, and also a police vehicle to manage the situation.

S8 -The response vehicles are dispatched to the accident scene.

[0071] In another example of an accident, the vehicle may roll off a road. The accident detection unit 3 may determine that an accident has occurred by virtue of data from sensors 5, for example accelerometers SA, strain sensors SM and/or any other sensor. The prediction unit 7 may then predict that the occupants are likely to have sustained head injuries and/or that the vehicle doors are likely to be jammed shut. This data may be transmitted to the receiver R, for example an emergency services call centre, and it may be determined that a specialist medical team and associated equipment is required in view of the likely head injuries, and that specialist cutting equipment is also required to allow the vehicle occupant(s) to be removed (in view of the prediction that the vehicle doors are likely to be jammed). Accordingly, an ambulance with a doctor and a fire engine with cutting equipment may be dispatched.

[0072] As will be appreciated, the above examples are both hypothetical and illustrative only. Different accidents involving different vehicles, impact points. etc. would produce different injury and vehicle status predictions.

[0073] It wifi be appreciated by those skilled ri the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and alternative examples could be constructed without deviation from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is S defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An accident reporting apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus being configured to detect and report vehicle accidents, the apparatus comprising; an accident detection unit configured to detect an accident; a prediction unit configured to receive notification from the accident detection unit indicating that an accident has been detected, the prediction unit being further configured to predict a structural state of a vehicle and/or any injuries which may have occurred; and a communication unit configured to receive the prediction of the vehicle structural state and/or injuries which may have occurred from the prediction unit; the communication unit being further configured to transmit information indicating that an accident has been detected and the predicted vehicle structural state and/or predicted injuries to a receiver.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a vehicle status prediction unit configured to predict the status of the vehicle following the detection of an accident, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive the prediction of the vehicle status, and to transmit the prediction of the vehicle status to the receiver.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, comprising one or a plurality of sensors, the sensors comprising one or more of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location sensors, airbag deployment sensors, vehicle deformation sensors, orientation sensors, heat sensors, pedestrian impact sensors, seatbelt tension sensors, seatbelt connection sensors, child seat sensors, optical sensors, strain sensors and/or fuel sensors.
4. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the prediction unit is configured to detect the number and/or location of occupants in the vehicle, and to use this information when predicting injuries which may have occurred.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising an occupant evaluation unit configured to receive data including the number of occupants from the injury prediction unit, and to evaluate the characteristics of the occupants based on the received data, and wherein the injury prediction unit is configured to receive the evaluated characteristics of the occupants from the occupant evaluation unit and to use this information when estimating injuries which may have occurred.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the occupant evaluation unit estimates at least one of the weight of an occupant, whether an occupant is a child and/or whether the occupant is in a front or rear facing seat.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the occupant evaluation unit is configured to allow users to enter data about occupants into the system.
8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, configured to receive data from existing vehicle systems, and/or wherein the apparatus comprises dedicated sensors.
9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit at least one of the location of the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle colour, the orientation of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number and the registered owner of the vehicle.
10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus comprises one or more cameras and wherein at least one of the accident detection unit, injury prediction unit and a other party information collection unit use the recordings from the cameras.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising the other party information collection unit configured such that, when an accident is detected by the accident detection unit, the other party information collection unit collects information about bodies other than the vehicle comprising the apparatus that are involved in the accident, wherein the cameras collect information to be used by the other party information collection unit.
12. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver is an emergency response receiver.
13. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, comprising a storage unit configured to store some or all of the data generated by the system.
14. A vehicle comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13.
15. An accident reporting method for detecting and reporting vehicle accidents, the method comprising the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting a structural state of a vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the structural state of the vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred to an external receiver.
16. A computer readable medium comprising software which, when processed by a suitable system, causes said system to execute the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting a structural state of a vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the structural state of the vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred to an external receiver.
17. An apparatus as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.
18. A method as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.
19. A computer readable medium comprising software which, when processed by a suitable system, causes said system to execute steps as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMS1. An accident reporting apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus being configured to detect and report vehicle accidents, the apparatus comprising; an accident detection unit configured to detect an accident; a prediction unit configured to receive notification from the accident detection unit indicating that an accident has been detected, the prediction unit being further configured to predict a structural state of a vehicle and/or any injuries which may have occurred; and a communication unit configured to receive the prediction of the vehicle structural state and/or injuries which may have occurred from the prediction unit; the communication unit being further configured to transmit information indicating that an accident has been detected and the predicted vehicle structural state and/or predicted injuries to a receiver; wherein the apparatus comprises one or more cameras; wherein the apparatus further comprises an other party information collection UD unit configured such that, when an accident is detected by the accident detection unit, the other party information collection unit collects information about bodies C\I other than the vehicle comprising the apparatus that are involved in the accident, o wherein the cameras collect information to be used by the other party information collection unit. (42. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a vehicle status prediction unit configured to predict the status of the vehicle following the detection of an accident, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive the prediction of the vehicle status, and to transmit the prediction of the vehicle status to the receiver.3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, comprising one or a plurality of sensors, the sensors comprising one or more of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location sensors, airbag deployment sensors, vehicle deformation sensors, orientation sensors, heat sensors, pedestrian impact sensors, seatbelt tension sensors, seatbelt connection sensors, child seat sensors, optical sensors, strain sensors and/or fuel sensors.4. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the prediction unit is configured to detect the number and/or location of occupants in the vehicle, and to use this information when predicting injuries which may have occurred.5, The apparatus of claim 4, comprising an occupant evaluation unit configured to receive data including the number of occupants from the injury prediction unit, and to evaluate the characteristics of the occupants based on the received data, and wherein the injury prediction unit is configured to receive the evaluated characteristics of the occupants from the occupant evaluation unit and to use this information when estimating injuries which may have occurred.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the occupant evaluation unit estimates at least one of the weight of an occupant, whether an occupant is a child and/or whether the occupant is in a front or rear facing seat.7. The apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the occupant evaluation unit is configured UD to allow users to enter data about occupants into the system.8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, configured to receive data from existing vehicle systems, and/or wherein the apparatus comprises dedicated sensors.NC'J 9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit at least one of the location of the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle colour, the orientation of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number and the registered owner of the vehicle.10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the accident detection unit, and the prediction unit use the recordings from the cameras.Ii. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver is an emergency response receiver.12. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, comprising a storage unit configured to store some or all of the data generated by the system.13. A vehicle comprising the apparatus of any of claims ito 12.14. An accident repoftng method for detecting and reporting vehide accidents, the method comprising the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting a structural state of a vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the structural state of the vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred to an external receiver.15. A computer readable medium comprising software which, when processed by a suitable system, causes said system to execute the steps of; detecting an accident, predicting a structural state of a vehicle and/or injuries which may have occurred, and transmitting information indicating that an accident has been detected and a prediction of the structural state of the vehicle and/or injuries which may have IC) occurred to an external receiver.C"J 16. An apparatus as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.N17. A method as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.18. A computer readable medium comprising software which, when processed by a suitable system, causes said system to execute steps as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to one or more of the accompanying figures.