Method and apparatus for transferring information between vehicles

US 20020198660A1
Filed: 06/26/2001
Published: 12/26/2002
Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An inter-vehicle communication system, comprising:

a local sensor in a local vehicle for gathering sensor data around the first vehicle;

a transmitter in the vehicle for transmitting the gathered sensor data;

a receiver in the local vehicle for receiving sensor data from other vehicles; and

a processor for displaying the sensor information gathered from both the local sensor and from the other vehicles.

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Abstract

Sensor data is generated for areas around a vehicle. Any objects detected in the sensor data are identified and a kinematic state for the object determined. The kinematic states for the detected objects are compared with the kinematic state of the vehicle. If it is likely that a collision will occur between the detected objects and the local vehicle, a warning is automatically generated to notify the vehicle operator of the impending collision. The sensor data and kinematic state of the vehicle can be transmitted to other vehicles so that the other vehicles are also notified of possible collision conditions.

146 Citations

30 Claims

1. An inter-vehicle communication system, comprising:
- a local sensor in a local vehicle for gathering sensor data around the first vehicle;
  
  a transmitter in the vehicle for transmitting the gathered sensor data;
  
  a receiver in the local vehicle for receiving sensor data from other vehicles; and
  
  a processor for displaying the sensor information gathered from both the local sensor and from the other vehicles.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 2. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 1 wherein the processor detects different objects in the sensor data.
  - 3. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 2 wherein the processor generates a warning signal according to how close the detected objects are from the local vehicle.
  - 4. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 3 wherein the processor generates a steering queue showing what direction the local vehicle should travel to avoid the detected objects.
  - 5. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 3 wherein the processor identifies how kinematic states for objects detected in the sensor information.
  - 6. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 5 including a GPS receiver that receives location data for the local vehicle, the processor using the location data to determine a kinematic state for the local vehicle.
  - 7. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 6 wherein the processor compares the kinematic state of the local vehicle with the kinematic states of the detected objects and generates a collision warning signal according to the comparison.
  - 8. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 1 wherein the processor transmits kinematic state data for both the local vehicle and for any objects detected in the sensor data to the other vehicles.
  - 9. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 8 wherein the kinematic state data includes both a direction and speed of both the local vehicle and any objects identified in the sensor information.
  - 10. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 1 wherein the receiver receives sensor information from a first vehicle and then relays that sensor information to a second vehicle.
  - 11. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 1 wherein the processor broadcasts an emergency notification signal to the other vehicles.
  - 12. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 11 wherein the emergency notification signal includes an airbag deployment indication.
  - 13. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 1 including multiple sensors for sensing objects both on the sides and in front of the local vehicle.
  - 14. An inter-vehicle communication system according to claim 13 including infrared sensors for generating sensor information around a local perimeter of the local vehicle and a radar sensor for generating sensor data outside of the local perimeter.
  - 16. A method according to claim 15 including generating sensor data in front, in back and on sides of the vehicle and identifying any objects that may be approaching the local vehicle from the front, back, or the sides.
  - 17. A method according to claim 15 including displaying identified objects that come within a preselected perimeter of the local vehicle.
  - 18. A method according to claim 17 including identifying a distance to impact between the identified objects and the local vehicle.
  - 19. A method according to claim 17 including identifying where the identified objects are located in relationship to the local vehicle.
  - 20. A method according to claim 15 including receiving the kinematic state of another vehicle and displaying the kinematic state of the local vehicle in relation to the other vehicle.
  - 21. A method according to claim 15 including:
    - generating sensing data in an area around a first vehicle;
      
      detecting an object in the sensing data;
      
      determining kinematic state for the detected object;
      
      determining kinematic state for the first vehicle;
      
      transmitting the kinematic state for the first vehicle and the object to an intermediary vehicle;
      
      determining kinematic state for the intermediary vehicle;
      
      transmitting the kinematic state for the object, the first vehicle and the intermediary vehicle from the intermediary vehicle to the local vehicle; and
      
      displaying the kinematic state for the object, the first vehicle and the second vehicle in relation to the kinematic state of the local vehicle.
  - 22. A method according to claim 15 including receiving an emergency signal from a first vehicle that includes a kinematic state of the first vehicle and a danger indication signal and displaying the kinematic state and danger indication signal in the local vehicle.
  - 23. A method according to claim 22 including automatically slowing down or stopping the local vehicle according to the emergency signal.
  - 24. A method according to claim 15 including automatically transmitting a warning signal to other vehicles when an emergency condition occurs.
  - 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the emergency condition comprises activation of a collision air bag.
  - 26. A method according to claim 15 including:
    - receiving road condition data and an identifier identifying where the road condition is located; and
      
      displaying the location of the road condition on an electronic map.
  - 27. A method according to claim 26 including transmitting the road condition data from the location where the road condition is located.
  - 28. A method according to claim 27 including locating road condition transmitters along sides of the road that identify a geographical location and detect icy road conditions and transmitting geographical location and the icy road conditions in the road condition data.
  - 29. A method according to claim 15 including generating a steering queue that provides a direction for the local vehicle to move to avoid the detected object.
  - 30. A method according to claim 15 including identifying a distance to impact of the local vehicle with the detected object.

15. A method for detecting objects, comprising:
- generating sensor data for areas around a local vehicle;
  
  identifying an object in the sensor data;
  
  determining a kinematic state for the object identified in the sensor data;
  
  determining a kinematic state for the local vehicle;
  
  comparing the kinematic state of the object with the kinematic state of the vehicle; and
  
  generating a warning indication when the comparison indicates a possible collision between the identified object and the local vehicle.

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Current Assignee
Eagle Harbor Holdings, L.L.C., AutoBrilliance, LLC (Jeffrey M. Gross)
Original Assignee
Medius Inc
Inventors
Preston, Dan Alan, Lutter, Robert Pierce

Granted Patent

US 6,615,137 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

701/301
CPC Class Codes

G08G 1/0965   responding to signals from ...

G08G 1/162   event-triggered

G08G 1/164   Centralised systems, e.g. e...

Method and apparatus for transferring information between vehicles

First Claim

6 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

146 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

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Method and apparatus for transferring information between vehicles

First Claim

6 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

146 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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