WO2004028886A1

WO2004028886A1 - Constantly watching device and control method for vehicle accident

Info

Publication number: WO2004028886A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hwanmyoung Kim
Original assignee: Hwanmyoung Kim
Priority date: 2002-09-27
Filing date: 2003-09-26
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: AU2003272101A1; KR20040027227A; KR100505195B1

Abstract

This invention is focusing on the watching device and method for vehicle accident. Main function of this system can be divided into 5 basic parts working during vehicle running period with a driver for emergency situation. This system performs synthetically with driver selection function for operation, accident detection function during driving, automatic forwarding function of vehicle accident, vehicle damage detection function during parking or stoppage and warning function for burglary via automatic and manual control. In order to get best performance through detection function during each driving and accident situation regarding driver and vehicle, several devices (sensing, control, driving information, imaging photographing, recording, output and horn part) can be characterized. Basically this system is carried out by panorama control method according to 1 driving cycle of a driver and vehicle using estimation sequence combined with detection function described above.

Description

Title of invention

Constantly watching device and control method for vehicle accident

Technical Field

This invention is focusing on the watching device and method for vehicle accident.

Main function of this system can be divided into 5 basic parts during vehicle running

with a driver for emergency situation. This system is performed synthetically with driver

selection function for operation, accident detection function during driving, automatic

forwarding function of vehicle accident, vehicle damage detection function during

parking or stop and warning function for burglary via automatic and manual control.

Background Art

A lot of vehicle accident detection and warning systems functioning as described

below have been developed.

- For the situation insurance via better accident scene in case of vehicle accident.

- For the damage and burglary during parking and stoppage

- In order to report to the police station and fire station in case of emergency situation.

However conventional systems perform only limited detection function for the specific

driving condition for a driver and vehicle, therefore it is difficult to operate with detection

function except specific condition. Even though there are some differences between

systems, detection function can be classified into 5 main functions as follow.

- Driver selection function for operation, accident detection function during driving,

automatic forwarding function of vehicle accident, vehicle damage detection

function during parking or stoppage and warning function for burglary.

Otherwise it is absolutely needed to perform synthetically with 5 main functions

described above for the every accident situation, so called watching function for vehicle

accident constantly.

In most of systems, the approach, contact and impact signal, acceleration or

deceleration of vehicle speed, braking and on/off state of the minute current from

vehicle body are delivered as input signal from the sensors installed on interior and

exterior part of a vehicle. These input signal are used to keep watch the vehicle during

various driving condition. In order to avoid the system malfunction, control method and

install problem must be resolved. Nevertheless following problems still remain

seriously. - Control error caused by interference between signals.

- System malfunction in case of approach, contact, impact without sensor installed

part.

- When the detected value is below set point.

These are the reasons that the conventional system haven't provided certain concept

and method of called watching function for vehicle accident constantly through the 5

main functions.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of this design is to resolve problems as described above with 5 main

functions (Driver selection function for operation, accident detection function during

driving, automatic forwarding function of vehicle accident, vehicle damage detection

function during parking or stoppage and warning function for burglary) though manual

and automatic control for a driver and every driving condition of a vehicle. Therefore it

can be possible to protect driver or vehicle safety and reduce social losses via better

accident handling.

In order to achieve this purpose through detection function during each driving and

accident situation regarding driver and vehicle, several devices (sensing, control, driving information, imaging photographing, saving, output and horn part) can be

characterized. Basically this system is carried out by panorama control method

according to 1 driving cycle of a driver and vehicle using estimation sequence

combined with 5 main detection functions.

Technical characteristics of this system are as follows

The constantly watching device for vehcle accident comprising:

- Vehicle speed sensor part (10) to detect vehicle driving state with ECM (70) and

vehicle speed with driving information output part (80);

- Ignition switch part (20) to detect on/off signal of vehicle starting with ECM (70);

- Retractor safety belt part (30) to detect impact signal of a deriver with ECM (70)

of vibration sensing sensor part (40);

- Vibration sensing sensor part (40) to detect crash and trouble signal of a vehicle

with ECM (70);

- Steering angle sensor part (50) to detect the state of steering angle change with

ECM (70);

- Selection operating switch (60) to detect manual control signal with ECM (70);

- ECM part (70) impressed with constant power outputs control signal for the device operating using the signal from vehicle speed sensor part(10), ignition

switch part(20), retractor safety belt part(30), vibration sensing sensor part(40),

steering angle sensor part(50) and selection operation switch part (60);

- Driving information output part (80) to output vehicle driving information by

control signal from ECM (70);

- External image photographing part (90) to output external image information by

control signal from ECM (70);

- Saving part (100) to record vehicle driving information and external image

information by control signal from ECM (70);

- Display part (110) for output or forwarding of accident situation and to inform the

vehicle trouble to a driver by control signal from ECM (70);

- Whole device including horn part (120) to make warning sound in accordance

with each situation by control signal from ECM part (70);

- The constantly watching control method for vehicle accident comprising

- Ignition switch on/off test <1^st process>;

- Belt state test after 1^st process (ignition switch: on) < 2^nd process>;

- Temporary recording procedure for vehicle driving information and external image

information after 2^nd process <3^rd process>; - On/off test of the recording button with 3^r process <4^th process>;

- Return procedure to the 3^rd process when 'driver shock state' is detected with NO

signal after 4^th process (Recording button: off) <5^th process>;

- Return procedure to the 1^st process when 'vehicle impact state' is detected with

NO signal after 5^th process (Driver shock state: yes) or 1^st process (Ignition

switch: off) <6^th process>;

- Performing procedure to record accident situation and make warning sound

during specific time after 6^th process (Vehicle impact state: yes) or 4^th process

(Recording button: on) <7^th process>;

- On/off test of output button with 7^th process <8^th process>;

- On/off test of forwarding button after 8^th process (Output button: off) <9^th

process>;

- Return procedure to the 7^th process if steering angle change state is detected

with yes signal after 9^th process (Forwarding button: off) <10^th process>;

- Test procedure whether vehicle stop or not during specific driving time after 10^th

process (Steering angle change: no) <11^m process>;

- Test procedure whether forwarding is released or not during specific driving time

after 11^th process (Driving stoppage state: yes) <12^th process>; - Ending procedure performing output or forwarding of accident situation after 8

process (Output button: on) or 9^th process (Forwarding button: on) or 12^th process

(Forwarding release state: no) <13^th process>;

- Return procedure to the 3^rd process if there is NO signal is detected during

parking or stoppage whether cellular phone is separated or not after 11^th process

(Driving stoppage state: no) <14^th process>;

- Return procedure to the 1^st process making trouble signal of a vehicle after 14^th

process (Cellular phone separation state: yes) <15 process>;

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 Block diagram for the device of this system.

Fig. 2 Flow chart for the control method of this system.

Fig. 3 Illustration represents driver shock situation with operating of the fastened

belt by the retractor safety belt.

Fig. 4 Illustration represents detection method for vehicle crash signal and trouble

signal of the vibration sensing sensor part.

10: Vehicle speed sensor part 20: Ignition switch part 30: Retractor safety belt part 40: Vibration sensing sensor part

50: Steering angle sensor part 60: Selection operation switch part

70: ECM part (Electronic Control Module)

80: Output part for the driving information (81 : Vehicle speed interface, 82: Multi

function switch fuse box)

90: External image photographing part (91-94: CCD camera, 95: Multi flexure, 96: A/D

converter)

100: Saving part (101 : Signal control controller, 102: 1st memory, 103: 2nd memory,

104: ROM)

110: Display part (111 : D/A converter, 112: Screen partition controller, 113: Monitor, 114:

Cellular phone)

120: Horn part

Best Mode for Carring Out the Invention

Working composition of the watching device for vehicle accident constantly through

technical structure is described as follows with Fig. 1-2.

Vehicle speed sensor part (10) detects (S11) the vehicle speed (km/h) with ECM part (70) during driving to estimate driver's safety through vehicle driving state and

records the vehicle speed in the driving information output part to take photograph.

Ignition switch part (20) detects the state of vehicle start on/off with ECM part (70)

so that ECM can estimate vehicle driving situation. Then driving watching process (S3,

S4, S5) and (S1 , S6) are carried out during driving and parking or stoppage

respectively.

Retractor safety belt part (30) detects the state signal of driver's shock when

sudden impact is occurred from the every direction of a vehicle to estimate vehicle

crash situation making triangular belt state locked (S5) for driver's safety. Normal

operation (S2: Fastening of diagonal direction from left top to right bottom) of a belt by

a driver is excepted for detection.

Vibration sensing sensor part (40) detects OP of every vibration value generated

on vehicle body.

If the state signal of driver's shock is detected (S5) from the retractor safety belt

(30) when vehicle crash is occurred during driving watch process (S3, S4, S5) after

ignition switch state is ON (S1). Then the Q of vibration value of vehicle crash is set,

when the OP value is more than the Q value besides the OP value is less than the Q

value, the state signal of vehicle impact is detected with ECM part (70) to estimate vehicle crash accident state (S6). If the R value of vehicle trouble regarding vibration is

set during parking or stoppage watching process (S1 , S6) because ignition switch state

is OFF (S1), when the OP value is more than the R value besides the OP value is less

than the R value, the state signal of vehicle trouble is detected to estimate vehicle

trouble state (S6).

Therefore ECM part (70) can perform by means of estimating vehicle accident

situation with recording process (S7). This includes both the every state of vehicle

crash making driver shock or vehicle crash during driving watch process (S3, S4, S5)

and vehicle trouble state detecting abnormal vibration during parking or stoppage

process (S1 , S6).

The problem (malfunction in case of the accident on the no sensor part) with the

watching device for vehicle accident constantly using impact sensing sensor can be

resolved by using the detection method of vehicle crash state with retract safety belt

part (30) and vibration sensing sensor part (40). Also the device malfunction by

burglary via broken window with conventional burglar warning system estimating door

on/off state without main key can be resolved using the detection method vehicle

trouble state with vibration sensing sensor part (40).

Steering angle sensor part (50) installed on steering shaft detects' Steering angle change during L [sec]' to estimate driver's safety based on driving operation state of a

driver (S10).

Selection operation switch part (60) with recording, output, forwarding, release

forwarding and reset button can output manual control signal to ECM part (70) based

on the driver's selection during driving watch process (S3, S4, S5). => S4, S8, S9

Therefore the driver can make every management (recording, output and

initialization of the system) with regard to vehicle accident in case of slight accident,

witnessing of another accident and getaway car whether vehicle drive or not.

ECM part (70) is impressed the power whether a vehicle is started or not and

output the control • operation signal to the driving information output part (80), external

image photographing part (90), saving part (100), display part (110) and horn part (120)

as operation condition of a driver and vehicle based on the signal 'detected from vehicle

speed sensor part (10), ignition switch part (20), retractor safety belt part (30), vibration

sensing sensor part (40), steering angle sensor part (50) and selection operation switch

part (60). If there is vehicle crash state is estimated (S5, S6) through retractor safety

belt part (30) and vibration sensing sensor part (40) during driving watching process

(S3, S4, S5), ECM send the operation signal to the saving part (100) and horn part

(120) to perform recording process. If there is emergency state of a driver is estimated (S8, S9, S10, S11, S12) through selection operation switch part (60), steering angle

sensor part (50), vehicle speed sensor part (10) after recording process, ECM send the

operation signal to the saving part (100), display part (110), horn part (120) to perform

forwarding process (S13).

Driving information output part (80) work with operation signal from ECM part (70).

It uses the vehicle speed (km/h) detected from vehicle speed sensor (10) through the

vehicle speed interface to perform photographing (S3) for the driving watching process

(S3, S4, S5). Also the control signal (left • right turn, break lamp, backward lamp,

warning lamp and head light) to drive a vehicle by a driver are sent to the driving

information output part (80) through the multifunction switch fuse box (82). Finally

vehicle driving information made as 1 digital signal using both of 2 signal is sent to the

saving part (100).

External image photographing part (90) works with operation signal from ECM part

(70), The CCD cameras (91-94) installed on all direction of the vehicle operate for the

image photographing around of the vehicle to perform the driving watching process

9S3, S4, S5). Then this image signal is made as 1 synchronous signal through multi

flexure, finally the external image information made by A/D converter as digital signal is

sent to the saving part (100). Saving part (100) works with operation signal from ECM part (70). It composes

the driving information from the driving information output part (60) and external image

information from the external image photographing part (90) into the one digital image

signal via signal controller (101) to perform the photographing for the driving watching

process (S3, S4, S5). Then temporary saving function using 1st memory (102) and 2nd

memory (103) is carried out continuously.

At this time, if ECM part (70) outputs the operation signal estimating vehicle crash

state from the retractor safety belt (30) and vibration sensing sensor part (40),

temporary saving function to perform the photographing process is stopped, then the

recording process (S7) saving accident situation in the ROM (104) permanently before

and after accident saved in the 1st memory (102) and 2nd memory (103) is carried out.

If ECM part (70) which detects trouble of a vehicle from vibration sensing sensor

part (40) make driving information part (80), external image photographing part (90)

and saving part (100) to operate, saving part (100) start to perform the recording

process (S7) saving accident scene to the ROM (110) after point of the accident during

watching process for parking and stoppage (S1 , S6).

Display part (110) operates with the signal from ECM part (70). It changes the

digital image signal saved in ROM (104) to analog signal through the A/D converter and makes image divided into four. When the accident scene is need to output and

forward through the monitor (113), it can be possible to analyze the vehicle information

and external image information before and after accident scene.

Therefore when we manage the situation of a vehicle accident, it is possible to be

available accident situation including vehicle driving information. Specially, in case of

emergency situation of a deriver, because of out-of-the-way, it is useful to forward the

accident scene to the police station or fire station by cellular phone and driver can

receive first aid by location tracing method using a artificial satellite.

Also, if there is vehicle trouble after driver who has a cellular phone leaves from

the vehicle, display part (110) send (S15) the signal to the cellular phone so that the

driver can confirm vehicle safety immediately.

Horn part (120) operates with the signal from the ECM part (70). If ECM part (70)

make the operation signal after estimating the accident situation, horn part make the

warning sound after recording process during L (sec) (S7). If ECM part (70) make the

operation signal after estimating the emergency situation of a driver, horn part make

forwarding warning sound during N (sec) to estimate whether releasing of the

forwarding operation or not to the driver (S12). Additionally, there is no description in

fig. 2, display part (110) make warning function directing to separate the cellular phone so it can be carried out to perform watching and warning function during parking and

stoppage.

In case of women driver, they can avoid injury from someone and report the situation

to the police station by making warning sound from the horn part (120) through the

recording button on (S4) of the selection operation switch (60).

Working sequence of the watching device for vehicle accident constantly through

technical structure is described as follows with Fig. 1-2.

ECM part (70) performs with accident watching function and damage or burglary

warning function in case of ignition switch (20) is on and off respectively (S1).

In case of the ignition switch (20) is on, ECM part (70) performs with driving

information part (80), external image photographing part (90) and saving part (100)

operation so that photographing process (S3) which save the image signal to the 1^st

memory (102) and 2^nd signal (103) temporary can work. It also performs driving

watching process estimating recording button state through the selection operation

switch (60) and shock state of a driver through the retractor safety belt (30) (S3, S4,

S5).

In this time, if the recording button of the selection operation switch part (60) is on by

a driver, ECM part (70) stop the photographing process (S3) to record the accident situation. Then . the recording process (S7) saving image information permanently

before and after accident that have been saved in 1^st memory (102) and 2^nd memory

(103) is carried out by saving part (100) and horn part (120) operation. Also, warning

sound is made during L [sec] (S3, S4, S7).

After recording process is finished, accident situation can be sent to the monitor

(113) of the display part (110) by selection operation switch part (60) and forwarded by

cellular phone (114) whether vehicle drive or not (S7, S8, S9, S13). In case of normal

driving condition without driver's selection, ECM part (70) estimates (S8, S9, S10, S11)

through each situation (output • forwarding button state during L [sec]: NO, steering

angle change during L [sec]: NO, vehicle speed [km/h] for driving watching for M [sec]:

NO) and cellular phone state (S14), then perform the driving watching process (S3, S4,

S5) repeatedly.

If shock state signal of a driver from the retractor safety belt (30) and impact state

signal of a vehicle from the vibration sensing sensor (40) are detected simultaneously

during driving, ECM part (70) estimates the vehicle crash state for the accident

watching function. Then driving watching process is stopped and recording process is

performed. Finally warning sound of vehicle accident is made through horn part (120)

during L [sec] (S3, S4, S5, S6, S7). In this time, if the driver loses his (her) consciousness, ECM part (70) estimate the

selection or driving control state of the driver based on situation (output • forwarding

button state during L [sec]: NO, steering angle state during L [sec]: yes) for the

automatic forwarding function of a accident situation. Then after L [sec], ECM part

estimate whether the vehicle drive or not based on situation (vehicle speed [km/h] for

driving watching during M [sec]) through the vehicle speed sensor (10) (S7, S8, S9,

S10, S11). If there is no detection of driver selection ^• driving control and vehicle driving

state during L+M [sec], warning sound for automatic forwarding operation is generated

by horn part (120) to confirm release state for forwarding operation of the driver during

N [sec]. Accident situation can be forwarded (S13) to the police station and fire station

by estimation of emergency state based on the situation (forwarding release button

during N [sec]: NO).

Therefore ECM part (70) performs the automatic recording function to record the

accident scene through the vibration sensing sensor part (40) of the retractor safety

belt part (30) for accident watching function during driving (S5, S6, S7). When the

emergency situation that driver's safety is not confirmed after accident during L+M+N

[sec] is happened, it performs automatic forwarding function of the accident scene (S7,

S8, S9, S10, S11 , S12, S13). When the ignition switch (20) is off, ECM part (70) performs the parking or stoppage

watching process (S1 , S6) through the vibration sensing sensor part (40) for damage

and burglary warning function.

In this time, there is trouble signal (S6) from the vibration sensing sensor part (40),

ECM part (70) operates the driving information output part (80), external image

photographing part (90) and saving part (100). Then it performs the recording process

saving image information in the ROM (104) permanently, make warning sound of the

vehicle accident (S7) and send the trouble signal of the vehicle to the cellular phone of

a driver based on the each condition (output ^• forwarding button state during L [sec]:

NO, steering angle change during L [sec]: yes, vehicle speed state during M [sec]: no

and cellular phone separating state) (S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 , S14, S15). And then

parking or stoppage watching process (S1 , S6) is performed repeatedly.

Therefore ECM part (70) performs damage watching and burglary warning function

without automatic forwarding function during parking or stoppage watching process

(S1 , S6) without driver.

The watching device for vehicle accident constantly consist of simple device and

easy control process to detct every accident situation of a driver and vehicle during

driving can be developed through the Constantly watching device and control method for vehicle accident. Therefore driver can protect himself (herself) and their vehicle.

When the vehicle accident is happened, it is possible to reduce social losses by

decreasing labor expenses of the drivers, police station and insurance company.

Claims

1.

In the watching device for vehicle accident including sensing part, control part,

driving information part, image photographing part, saving part, output part and

horn part, a watching device for vehicle accident comprising:

vehicle speed sensor part (10) to detect the vehicle driving state with ECM part

(70) and vehicle speed with driving information output part (80);

Ignition switch part (20) to detect on/off signal of vehicle starting with ECM (70);

Retractor safety belt part (30) to detect shock signal of a deriver with ECM (70) of

vibration sensing sensor part (40);

Vibration sensing sensor part (40) to detect crash signal and trouble signal of a

vehicle with ECM (70);

Steering angle sensor part (50) to detect the state of steering angle change with

ECM (70);

Selection operating switch (60) to detect manual control signal with ECM (70);

ECM part (70) impressed with constant power outputs control signal for the

device operating using the signal from vehicle speed sensor part(10), ignition

switch part(20), retractor safety belt part(30), vibration sensing sensor part(40), steering angle sensor part(50) and selection operation switch part (60);

- Driving information output part (80) to output vehicle driving information by

control signal from ECM (70);

- Saving part (100) to record vehicle driving information and external image

information by control signal from ECM (70);

vehicle trouble to a driver by control signal from ECM (70);

- Whole device including horn part (120) to make warning sound in accordance

with each situation by control signal from ECM part (70);

The watching device for vehicle accident of claim 1 , driving information output part

(80) is the watching device for vehicle accident consists of the vehicle speed interface

(81) for vehicle speed input; and multi function switch fuse box (82) for signal input of

driving operation.;

The watching device for vehicle accident of claim 1, external image photographing part (90) is the watching device for vehicle accident consists of the CCD camera

(91-94) to take a photograph around the vehicle; multi flexure (95) to make

synchronous signal from multi image signal; and A/D converter (96) to make digital

signal from synchronous signal;

The watching device for vehicle accident of claim 1 , saving part (100) is the watching

device for vehicle accident consists of signal controller (101) to compose ^■ manage

vehicle driving and external image information; 1^st memory (102) and 2^nd memory (103)

to save digital signal temporary; ROM (104) to save digital signal permanently.;

The watching device for vehicle accident of claim 1 , display part (110) is the watching

device for vehicle accident consists of the D/A converter (111) to be signalize with

analog image from digital signal from ROM (104); screen separating controller (112) to

make image with 4 divided part; monitor (113) to output accident situation; and cellular

phone to forward accident situation and notice the vehicle malfunction to a driver;

A watching control method for vehicle accident comprising:

Ignition switch on/off test < 1^st process>; - Belt state test after 1^st process (ignition switch: on) <2^nd process>;

information after 2^nd process <3^rd process>;

- On/off test of the recording button with 3^rd process <4^m process>;

signal after 4^th process (Recording button: off) <5^th process>;

switch: off) <6^th process>;

- Performing procedure to record accident situation and make warning sound

(Recording button: on) <7^th process>;

- On/off test of output button with 7^th process <8 process>;

- On/off test of forwarding button after .8^th process (Output button: off) <9^th

process>;

with yes signal after 9^th process (Forwarding button: off) <10^th process>;

- Test procedure whether vehicle stop of not during specific driving time after 10^th process (Steering angle change: no) <11^th process>;

after 11^th process (Driving stoppage state: yes) <12^th process>;

- Ending procedure performing output or forwarding of accident situation after 8^th

(Forwarding release state: no) <13^th process>;

- Return procedure to the 3^rd process if there is NO signal is detected during

(Driving stoppage state: no) <14 process>;

- Return procedure to the 1^st process making malfunction signal of a vehicle after

14^th process (Cellular phone separation state: yes) <15^t process>;

The watching method for vehicle accident of claim 6, the 1st process include addition

that means warning sound operation process sends the sound to a driver. (If the

ignition switch is on, the sound represents combination of the cellular phone is

generated and the ignition switch is off, the sound represents separation of the cellular

phone.)