WO2001048726A1 - Following distance warning system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Following distance warning system for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001048726A1
WO2001048726A1 PCT/IB2000/001931 IB0001931W WO0148726A1 WO 2001048726 A1 WO2001048726 A1 WO 2001048726A1 IB 0001931 W IB0001931 W IB 0001931W WO 0148726 A1 WO0148726 A1 WO 0148726A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
distance
processing means
safe control
warning system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2000/001931
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Bertram Poole
Original Assignee
Thomas Bertram Poole
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 Thomas Bertram Poole filed Critical Thomas Bertram Poole
Priority to AU22112/01A priority Critical patent/AU2211201A/en
Publication of WO2001048726A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001048726A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W30/00—Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units, or advanced driver assistance systems for ensuring comfort, stability and safety or drive control systems for propelling or retarding the vehicle
    • B60W30/14—Adaptive cruise control
    • B60W30/16—Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K31/00—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator
    • B60K31/0008—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
    • B60K35/28—
    • 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
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/525—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
    • B60Q1/535—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B60K2360/179—
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W50/00—Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
    • B60W50/08—Interaction between the driver and the control system
    • B60W50/14—Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
    • B60W2050/143—Alarm means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2555/00—Input parameters relating to exterior conditions, not covered by groups B60W2552/00, B60W2554/00
    • B60W2555/20—Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
    • 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
    • G01S2013/93185—Controlling the brakes
    • 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
    • G01S2013/9319—Controlling the accelerator
    • 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
    • G01S2013/9325—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
    • 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

Abstract

A following distance warning system that can be installed in a vehicle, comprises a speedometer (14) for measuring the speed of the vehicle, a radar distance measuring device (16) for measuring the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle travelling ahead of the vehicle in generally the same direction, a light sensitive photodiode (18), a relative humidity sensor (20), a microprocessor (22) and a visual display device (24). The microprocessor receives output signals from the speedometer, the photodiode and the humidity sensor thereby to compute a safe control distance between the vehicles and is operable to compare the safe control distance with the actual distance measured by the distance measuring device. If the actual distance is less than the safe control distance, an unsafe signal is transmitted to the visual display device which is illuminated thereby warning the driver of the vehicle to increase the following distance between the vehicles.

Description

FOLLOWING DISTANCE WARNING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
FIELD OF INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a following distance warning system for a vehicle.
It also relates to a vehicle having the following distance warning system.
It relates further to a method of monitoring the distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle that is travelling in the same direction as the first vehicle, one vehicle following the other.
Any reference hereinafter to a vehicle must be interpreted to mean a motorized land vehicle. SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a following distance warning system for a vehicle, comprising
speed measuring means for measuring the speed of the vehicle;
distance measuring means for measuring the actual distance between the vehicle and another vehicle that is travelling generally in the same direction as the vehicle, one vehicle following the other;
electronic processing means that is connected to the speed measuring means and the distance measuring means and that is operable to compute a safe control distance between the vehicle and said other vehicle for a particular speed at which the vehicle is travelling and to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the distance measuring means with the safe control distance, the processing means being operable to generate an unsafe signal if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance; and
indicating means that is connected to the processing means and that is operable to indicate if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance, in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
The speed measuring means in the form of a speedometer of the vehicle.
The speed measuring means may be in the form of a separate speed measuring device that can be installed in the vehicle.
The distance measuring means may be in the form of a radar distance measuring device.
The indicating means may be in the form of a visual display device for visually displaying information corresponding to said unsafe signal.
In another embodiment, the indicating means may be in the form of an audible alarm that is activated in response to the unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
The warning system may include light sensing means for sensing ambient light levels, the light sensing means being connected to the processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient light levels, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
The warning system may include moisture sensing means for sensing ambient moisture levels, the moisture sensing means being connected to the electronic processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient moisture levels, the electronic processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the moisture sensing means.
In another embodiment of the invention, the warning system may include manual input means that is connected to the electronic processing means, for inputting information on one or more of ambient light levels and ambient moisture levels which may affect the safe control distance, to the electronic processing means, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance according to the inputted information.
The warning system may be adapted for use in measuring the distance between said vehicle and a following vehicle, the indicating means being arranged so as to indicate to the driver of the following vehicle when the following vehicle approaches the vehicle to within a distance that is less than the safe control distance as computed by the processing means. In another embodiment, the warning system may be adapted to measure the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, with the indicating means being arranged to indicate to the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle to within a distance that is less than a safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle having a following distance warning system comprising
speed measuring means for measuring the speed of the vehicle;
distance measuring means for measuring the actual distance between the vehicle and another vehicle that is travelling generally in the same direction as the vehicle, one vehicle following the other;
electronic processing means that is connected to the speed measuring means and the distance measuring means and that is operable to compute a safe control distance between the vehicle and said other vehicle for a particular speed at which the vehicle is travelling and to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the distance measuring means with the safe control distance, the processing means being operable to generate an unsafe signal if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance; and
indicating means that is connected to the processing means and that is operable to indicate if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance, in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
The speed measuring means of the following distance warning system, may be in the form of a speedometer of the vehicle.
The distance measuring means of the following distance warning system, may be in the form of a radar distance measuring device. The indicating means of the following distance warning system, may be in the form of a visual display device for visually displaying information corresponding to said unsafe signal.
In another embodiment, the indicating means of the following distance warning system, may be in the form of an audible alarm that is activated in response to the unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
The following distance warning system may include light sensing means for sensing ambient light levels, the light sensing means being connected to the processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient light levels, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
The following distance warning system may include moisture sensing means for sensing ambient moisture levels, the moisture sensing means being connected to the electronic processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient moisture levels, the electronic processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the light sensing means.
In another embodiment of the invention, the following distance warning system may include manual input means that is connected to the electronic processing means, for inputting information on one or more of ambient light levels and ambient moisture levels which may affect the safe control distance, to the electronic processing means, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance according to the inputted information.
The following distance warning system may be adapted for use in measuring the distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle, the indicating means being arranged so as to indicate to the driver of the following vehicle when the following vehicle approaches to within a distance that is less than the safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
In another embodiment, the following distance warning system may be adapted to measure the distance between a vehicle and a preceding vehicle, with the indicating means being arranged to indicate to the driver when the vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle to within a distance that is less than a safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring the distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle that is travelling in the same direction as the first vehicle, one vehicle following the other, the method including the steps of:
measuring the speed of the first vehicle;
measuring the actual distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
computing by means of processing means, a safe control distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle for particular speeds at which the first vehicle is travelling and comparing the actual distance between the vehicles with the safe control distance; and
indicating if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance.
The method may include measuring ambient light levels by means of light sensing means and adjusting said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
The method may include measuring ambient moisture levels by means of moisture sensing means and adjusting a said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the moisture sensing means.
Further features of a following distance warning system for a vehicle in accordance with the invention, are described hereinafter by way of a non limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a following distance warning system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of two vehicles, illustrating one embodiment of the following distance warning system of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of two vehicles, illustrating another embodiment of the following distance warning system of Figure 1 .
With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a following distance warning system in accordance with the invention, is adapted for use in measuring the distance between a first vehicle 1 0 and preceding vehicle 1 2 that is travelling ahead of the vehicle 1 0 in generally the same direction. The warning system is installed in the vehicle 10.
The warning system comprises a speedometer 1 4 for measuring the speed of the vehicle, a radar distance measuring device 1 6 for measuring the distance between the vehicle 1 0 and the vehicle 1 2, a light sensitive photodiode 1 8, a relative humidity sensor 20, a microprocessor 22 and an indicator device 24.
The speedometer 14, the radar distance measuring device 1 6, the photodiode 1 8, the humidity sensor 20 and the indicator device 24 are connected to the microprocessor 22. The radar distance measuring device 1 6 is mounted to a front end of the vehicle 1 0 and includes a transmitter for transmitting high frequency radio waves which are transmitted in a forward direction towards the vehicle 1 2 from which the radio waves are reflected, and a receiver for receiving the reflected waves. The radar distance measuring device 1 6 is conventional and is operable to measure the distance between the front end of the vehicle 1 0 and the rear end of the vehicle 1 2. The radar distance measuring device is operable to generate an output signal containing information on the distance between the vehicles, and to transmit the signal to the microprocessor 22.
The speedometer 14 is conventional and is installed in the vehicle as a standard component. The speedometer is operable to provide the driver of the vehicle 1 0 with an indication of the speed at which the vehicle is travelling. The speedometer 14 is connected to the microprocessor 22 in an arrangement wherein signals corresponding to changes in the speed of the vehicle 10 are transmitted to the microprocessor.
The microprocessor 22 is operable to compute a safe control distance between the vehicles for particular speeds at which the vehicle 1 0 is travelling and to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the radar distance measuring device 1 6 with the safe control distance.
The light sensitive photodiode 1 8 is operable to sense ambient light levels and is connected to the microprocessor so as to provide an input to the microprocessor on the ambient light levels. The light sensitive photodiode is operable to generate signals corresponding to particular ambient light levels which are then fed into the microprocessor 22. The photodiode will typically be located in the cab of the vehicle 1 0 in a location near to a window of the vehicle, through which ambient light can enter the cab.
The relative humidity sensor 20 is essentially in the form of a capacitor whose capacitance depends on the relative humidity of the environment that it is placed in. The Applicant envisages that a PHILIPS H 1 relative humidity sensor having a capacitance that varies between approximately 1 10 pF (corresponding to 0% relative humidity) and 1 50 pF (corresponding to 1 00% relative humidity) will be used. Output signals of the relative humidity sensor 20 are transmitted to the microprocessor 22.
The microprocessor 22 is operable to adjust the safe control distance computed on the basis of the signal received from the speedometer, so as to take into account ambient light levels and ambient moisture levels detected by the photodiode 1 8 and the relative humidity sensor 20, respectively. In use, a high moisture level is indicative of the presence of water on a road surface along which the vehicle is travelling thereby affecting the breaking distance of the vehicle. Hence, the microprocessor 22 is operable to increase the safe control distance in response to predetermined ambient moisture levels being detected by the relative humidity sensor 20. Similarly, a low ambient light level is indicative of poor driver visibility and the microprocessor 22 is operable to increase the safe control distance in response to predetermined ambient light levels being detected by the light sensitive photodiode 1 8.
The microprocessor 22 is operable to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the radar distance measuring device 1 6 and the safe control distance and if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance, the microprocessor is operable to generate an unsafe signal which is transmitted to the indicator device 24.
The indicator device 24 is mounted in the cab of the vehicle 1 0. The indicator device 24 is in the form of a lamp that is mounted in the cab in a position wherein it is visible to the driver of the vehicle and that is illuminated in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the microprocessor 22. In another embodiment, the indicator device may be in the form of an audible alarm that is mounted in the cab of the vehicle and that is activated in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the microprocessor 22. In yet another embodiment, the indicator device may be in the form of a combination of a lamp and an audible alarm.
In use, the illumination of the lamp 24 serves as a warning to the driver of the vehicle 1 0 that the vehicle is approaching too close to the vehicle 1 2. The driver of the vehicle 10 is thus provided with a warning to slow the vehicle down sufficiently so that the following distance is greater than or equal to the safe control distance.
With reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, the following distance warning system is adapted for use in measuring the distance between a first vehicle 30 and a following vehicle 32 that is travelling in generally the same direction as the vehicle 30. The following distance warning system is substantially equivalent to the following distance warning system as described hereinabove, with a difference being that the radar distance measuring device 1 6 is mounted to a rear end of the first vehicle 30 thereby to measure the distance between the first vehicle 30 and the second vehicle 32.
In this embodiment, the indicator device 24 is in the form of a visual display device that is arranged so as to be visible to a driver of the second vehicle 32 thereby to indicate to the driver when the second vehicle 32 approaches the first vehicle 30 within a distance that is less than the safe control distance as computed by the microprocessor 22. In this instance, the visual display device is in the form of an illuminated sign comprising a panel element having transparent letters spelling out a word(s) such as "TOO CLOSE", "DANGER", etc. which are illuminated by light emitting diodes in the background . As for the visual display device of the previous embodiment, the light emitting diodes of this embodiment are illuminated in response to the transmission of an unsafe signal by the micro processor.
The invention extends to the vehicles 1 0 and 30 including the follow distance warning system as described hereinabove.
The invention extends also to a method of monitoring the following distance between vehicles, as described hereinabove.

Claims

1 . A following distance warning system for a vehicle, comprising
speed measuring means for measuring the speed of the vehicle;
distance measuring means for measuring the actual distance between the vehicle and another vehicle that is travelling generally in the same direction as the vehicle, one vehicle following the other;
electronic processing means that is connected to the speed measuring means and the distance measuring means and that is operable to compute a safe control distance between the vehicle and said other vehicle for a particular speed at which the vehicle is travelling and to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the distance measuring means with the safe control distance, the processing means being operable to generate an unsafe signal if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance; and
indicating means that is connected to the processing means and that is operable to indicate if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance, in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
2. A warning system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the speed measuring means in the form of a speedometer of the vehicle.
3. A warning system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the speed measuring means is in the form of a separate speed measuring device that can be installed in the vehicle.
4. A warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance measuring means is in the form of a radar distance measuring device.
5. A warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicating means is in the form of a visual display device for visually displaying information corresponding to said unsafe signal.
6. A warning system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the indicating means is in the form of an audible alarm which is activated in response to the unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
7. A warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes light sensing means for sensing ambient light levels, the light sensing means being connected to the processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient light levels, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
8. A warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes moisture sensing means for sensing ambient moisture levels, the moisture sensing means being connected to the electronic processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient moisture levels, the electronic processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the moisture sensing means.
9. A warning system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, which includes manual input means that is connected to the electronic processing means, for inputting information on one or more of ambient light levels and ambient moisture levels which may affect the safe control distance, to the electronic processing means, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance according to the inputted information.
0. A warning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is adapted for use in measuring the distance between said vehicle and a following vehicle, the indicating means being arranged so as to indicate to the driver of the following vehicle when the following vehicle approaches the vehicle to within a distance that is less than the safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
1 . A warning system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, which is adapted to measure the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, with the indicating means being arranged to indicate to the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle to within a distance that is less than a safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
2. A vehicle having a following distance warning system comprising
speed measuring means for measuring the speed of the vehicle;
distance measuring means for measuring the actual distance between the vehicle and another vehicle that is travelling generally in the same direction as the vehicle, one vehicle following the other;
electronic processing means that is connected to the speed measuring means and the distance measuring means and that is operable to compute a safe control distance between the vehicle and said other vehicle for a particular speed at which the vehicle is travelling and to compare the actual distance between the vehicles as measured by the distance measuring means with the safe control distance, the processing means being operable to generate an unsafe signal if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance; and indicating means that is connected to the processing means and that is operable to indicate if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance, in response to an unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
1 3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 2, wherein the speed measuring means of the following distance warning system, is in the form of a speedometer of the vehicle.
14. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 2 or Claim 1 3, wherein the distance measuring means of the following distance warning system, is in the form of a radar distance measuring device.
1 5. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 4, wherein the indicating means of the following distance warning system, is in the form of a visual display device for visually displaying information corresponding to said unsafe signal.
1 6. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 4, wherein the indicating means of the following distance warning system, is in the form of an audible alarm that is activated in response to the unsafe signal being generated by the processing means.
7. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 6, wherein the following distance warning system includes light sensing means for sensing ambient light levels, the light sensing means being connected to the processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient light levels, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
8. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 7, wherein the following distance warning system includes moisture sensing means for sensing ambient moisture levels, the moisture sensing means being connected to the electronic processing means to provide an input to the processing means on ambient moisture levels, the electronic processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the light sensing means.
1 9. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 6, wherein the following distance warning system includes manual input means that is connected to the electronic processing means, for inputting information on one or more of ambient light levels and ambient moisture levels which may affect the safe control distance, to the electronic processing means, the processing means being operable to adjust said safe control distance according to the inputted information.
20. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 1 9, wherein the following distance warning system is adapted for use in measuring the distance between the vehicle and a following vehicle, the indicating means being arranged so as to indicate to the driver of the following vehicle when the following vehicle approaches to within a distance that is less than the safe control distance as computed by the processing means.
21 . A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 2 to 1 9, wherein the following distance warning system is adapted to measure the distance between a vehicle and a preceding vehicle, with the indicating means being arranged to indicate to the driver when the vehicle approaches the preceding vehicle to within a distance that is less than a safe control distance as computing by the processing means.
22. A method of monitoring the distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle that is travelling in the same direction as the vehicle, one vehicle following the other, the method including the steps of: measuring the speed of the first vehicle;
measuring the actual distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
computing by means of processing means, a safe control distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle for particular speeds at which the first vehicle is travelling and comparing the actual distance between the vehicles with the safe control distance; and
indicating if the actual distance between the vehicles is less than the safe control distance.
23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, which includes measuring ambient light levels by means of light sensing means and adjusting said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient light levels being detected by the light sensing means.
24. A method as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 23, which includes measuring ambient moisture levels by means of moisture sensing means and adjusting a said safe control distance in response to predetermined changes in ambient moisture levels being detected by the moisture sensing means.
25. A following distance warning system substantially as described in the specification.
26. A following distance warning system substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
27. A vehicle substantially as described in the specification.
28. A vehicle substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
29. A method substantially as described in the specification.
30. A method substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
PCT/IB2000/001931 1999-12-23 2000-12-21 Following distance warning system for a vehicle WO2001048726A1 (en)

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ZA99/7864 1999-12-23
ZA997864 1999-12-23

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2265737A1 (en) * 2004-11-16 2007-02-16 Antonio Camara Hernandez Danger indicator for specifying degree of danger from safe distance has devices that are connected to electronic module, and which execute different actions based on determine rank according to determined safe distance
ES2365007A1 (en) * 2009-09-25 2011-09-20 Universidade Da Coruña Driver information system on the kinetic energy of a vehicle, the distance needed to stop and the safety distance. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
DE102010023195A1 (en) * 2010-06-09 2011-12-15 Gm Global Technology Operations Llc (N.D.Ges.D. Staates Delaware) Display device for motor vehicle to indicate distance to vehicle ahead, is arranged depending on speed of motor vehicle to compare distance with threshold value
CN102756687A (en) * 2011-04-27 2012-10-31 比亚迪股份有限公司 Drive reminding system and method thereof
GB2538049A (en) * 2015-04-15 2016-11-09 Westcotec Ltd Vehicle proximity warning apparatus and systems, and methods of warning of the proximity of two vehicles
CN104925059A (en) * 2015-06-02 2015-09-23 奇瑞汽车股份有限公司 Automatic car-following method and device
CN107924628A (en) * 2015-07-29 2018-04-17 横滨橡胶株式会社 Anti-collision system
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CN108885839A (en) * 2016-03-31 2018-11-23 古河电气工业株式会社 Monitoring arrangement and monitoring method
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CN108725198A (en) * 2018-05-23 2018-11-02 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 A kind of safety assistant driving method, apparatus, electronic equipment
CN108974018A (en) * 2018-08-31 2018-12-11 辽宁工业大学 To anticollision prior-warning device and its monitoring method before a kind of automobile based on machine vision
CN108974018B (en) * 2018-08-31 2023-06-16 辽宁工业大学 Machine vision-based forward anti-collision early warning and monitoring method for automobile

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