Imminent collision warning system and method

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,735, filed Apr. 29, 2004. The disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein its entirety where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features, and/or technical background, and priority is asserted from each.

The invention is generally related to automatic sensing devices. In particular, the invention is related to a system and method for automatically sensing the distance between objects that are converging to or diverging from each other. More specifically, the present invention involves a system and a method that provide both audible and visual warning of an imminent impact of a moving object with an individual using a personal device.

Present state of the art provides numerous devices and methods for locating, tracking and monitoring the movement of objects in relation to each other. These devices range from determining the relative trajectories of subatomic particles to the plotting the relationship between global positioning satellites to traffic collision avoidance systems used in aviation, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,296, U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,295, U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,752, U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,674 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,855, which are incorporated herein in their entirety. However, they are usually complicated and cumbersome to be useful in ordinary daily endeavors.

Monitoring and tracking a moving object is important in many applications. In certain applications, it is desirable to have a tracking device not only to locate the position of the object but also to monitor the movement of the object in real time without any significant delay.

For example, many tracking devices have been developed recently to locate objects that are not in close proximity. Many scanning devices scan for remote objects using radio frequency technology. Any of a number of techniques for locating objects can be readily adapted to locate moving objects. While these devices fulfill their respective particular objectives and requirements, the prior art does not suggest the novel imminent collision warning system disclosed herein.

The present invention advantageously uses state of the art electronic devices in new ways to improve the safety of individuals in their mobile lives. The electronic devices are easily portable and mobile, such as cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA) and mobile computers. The present invention provides a system that recognizes any one of these popular devices, hereafter referred to as client devices, as carried by individuals or other objects, from a distance in such a manner that when the closure rate of the recognizing safety device and the client device exceed a predetermined set of criteria, the system automatically warns audibly and visually, preferably both parties, of the impending closure, to enable action to be taken to possibly avoid a collision. The system is flexible to meet the needs of the operators of vehicles using the present invention in that a main controller of the system can be configured to set different sizes of safety zones that would set off an alarm when violated, or that the running condition of the engine of the vehicle can be monitored, and also appropriate authorities automatically informed of an event that may require immediate assistance.

An embodiment of the present invention involves an Imminent collision warning system comprising a safety device, the safety device further comprising a main controller, and a display controller. A plurality of client devices communicate with the main controller. Another set of monitoring devices are also capable of communicating with the main controller and the plurality of client devices. The main controller keeps track of the proximity of the plurality of client devices, including other safety devices, and issues timely warnings of an impending collision between the safety device and the plurality of client devices.

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for: determining the distance between the moving and stationary and/or moving object; using a communication device to transmit a rate of change of the distance between the moving and stationary and/or moving object. The system further provides sensing: the presence of objects in the pedestrian crossing; the presence of objects in the intended path of a vehicle; the movement of objects in an incorrect direction; the movement of objects in an incorrect location; the passing of moving objects through a traffic control device; determining whether the velocity of the vehicle exceeds zero velocity (in any direction); informing the objects if the velocity of the approaching vehicle is greater than zero. The system also provides sensing whether the said objects are not following the appropriate control functions of the traffic control devices; and uses emergency designations for reporting the impending collision.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for monitoring and supplying a warning of an impending collision between a moving and a stationary and/or moving object. The method provides sensing the presence of an object in the path of a vehicle whether stationary or moving; determining the distance of separation between the vehicle and the said object, determining that the vehicle is moving along a collision path; determining the speed of reduction of distance between the vehicle and said object, the distance approaching a defined zone; generating a warning to an operator of the vehicle as well as to the object on a collision course; sensing an impending event, including an accident; summoning appropriate authorities, including police to the event; and summoning immediate emergency care.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(a) depicts an exemplary lateral view of an imminent collision warning system with an arrangement to ensure wireless communications among it\'s components, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(b) an exemplary systematic diagram of communication interface between ICWS modules, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(c) is a flowchart of an exemplary process, in which an ICWS interacts with a intelligent monitoring device (IMD), according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(d) is a flowchart of an exemplary process, in which an ICWS interacts with an automobile registry communication system (ARCS), according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) depicts an exemplary functional block diagram of an ICWS, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

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Previous Patent Application:
Motor vehicle having a rear-end impact warning device
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System for enabling the functionality of a sequence control system stored in a controller of a motor vehicle
Industry Class:
Communications: electrical

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