Vehicle collision warning system
A first vehicle includes a first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second signals, generating a corrected first vehicle signal, and transmitting the corrected first vehicle signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle signals the likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
This invention relates to vehicle proximity warning systems. It is disclosed in the context of a system for warning vehicles approaching railroad crossings of the proximity of trains. However, it is believed to be useful in other applications as well.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the invention, a first vehicle includes a first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second signals, generating at least one of a corrected first vehicle time, position and velocity signal, and transmitting the corrected first signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and calculating the likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a third device for receiving differential GPS (DGPS) correction signals and retransmitting the DGPS correction signals. The first device receives the DGPS correction signals and combines the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the first signal.
Further according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the second device receives the DGPS correction signals and combines the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the third signal.
Additionally illustratively according to the invention, the first vehicle includes a device for recording the corrected first vehicle signal.
Illustratively according to the invention, the second vehicle includes a device for recording the corrected second vehicle signal.
Further illustratively according to the invention, the second device produces an indication to an occupant in the second vehicle that the it is likely that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
Illustratively according to the invention, the indication is a visual indication.
Illustratively according to the invention, the indication is an audible indication.
Further illustratively according to the invention, the second vehicle includes a display coupled to the second device for indicating at least one of: the location of the first vehicle; the velocity of the first vehicle; the direction of travel of the first vehicle; the location of the second vehicle; the velocity of the second vehicle; and the direction of travel of the second vehicle.
Illustratively according to the invention, the display indicates the current positions of the first and second vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention may best be understood by referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention. In the drawings:
Referring now to
The vehicle/train state can be one of the following: no known train within receiving distance of a receiver in the vehicle; a train has been detected within range of the receiver; the train and vehicle are both approaching the crossing at such a rate that, from their current positions, if they continue there is danger of collision; the train and vehicle are both approaching the crossing at such a rate that, from their current positions, if they continue a collision is practically certain; and, interference is such that no reliable signal can be received from the satellite or train on a timely basis.
Audible 20 or visual 22 indication, or both, of the above states can be provided.
The system 10 is not intended to replace the existing light and crossing gates in place at some crossings.
There are three major communicating components to the system 10. Referring to
Referring back to
Referring back to
Referring again to
It is contemplated that part of the vehicle state that is transmitted will be the vehicle's identity, for example, the VIN number or some other unique identification.
Although the invention has been presented in the context of a system for avoiding collisions between trains and road vehicles, it is clear that the same components can be used on any two or more trains or other vehicles to avoid collisions between them. Each participating vehicle needs both components, the TSRT 24 and the VSR 26. Since the two components 24, 26 share some functionality, integrating them into a single component is a reasonable approach to satisfying their requirements.
Examples of such uses in vehicle-to-vehicle collision avoidance systems include, but are not limited to: use on emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, and other vehicles to warn the other vehicles of the proximity of emergency vehicles; use on two vehicle traveling the same route in the same direction in low visibility conditions, such as fog, rain or snow, to warn of proximity; and for identification of congestion caused by road construction, accidents or the like.
Claims
1. A system for reducing the likelihood of collision between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle including a first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second signals, generating a corrected first vehicle signal, and transmitting the corrected first vehicle signal, the second vehicle including a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle signals the likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
2. The system of claim 1 further including a third device for receiving differential GPS (DGPS) correction signals and retransmitting the DGPS correction signals, the first device receiving the DGPS correction signals and combining the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the at least one of the first time, position and velocity signal.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second device receives the DGPS correction signals and combines the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the at least one of the third time, position and velocity signal.
4. The system of claim 1 further including a third device for receiving differential GPS correction signals and retransmitting the DGPS correction signals, the second device receiving the DGPS correction signals and combining the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the at least one of the third time, position and velocity signal.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein the first vehicle further includes a fourth device for recording the corrected first vehicle signal.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second vehicle further includes a fifth device for recording the corrected second vehicle signal.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the first vehicle further includes a fourth device for recording the corrected second vehicle signal.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first vehicle further includes a fourth device for recording the corrected first vehicle signal.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the second vehicle further includes a fifth device for recording the corrected second vehicle signal.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first vehicle further includes a fourth device for recording the corrected second vehicle signal.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the second device further produces an indication to an occupant in the second vehicle that it is likely that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the indication is a visual indication.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the indication is an audible indication.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the second vehicle includes a display coupled to the second device for indicating at least one of: the location of the first vehicle; the velocity of the first vehicle; the direction of travel of the first vehicle; the location of the second vehicle; the velocity of the second vehicle; and the direction of travel of the second vehicle.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the display indicates the current positions of the first and second vehicles.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 6, 2006
Publication Date: May 3, 2007
Inventors: Dale Oexmann (Terre Haute, IN), Kevin Beto (Redmond, WA), Matthew Lueck (Tulsa, OK), Christopher Maurer (Indianapolis, IN), Shane Stanford (Surfside Beach, SC)
Application Number: 11/634,608
International Classification: B60Q 1/00 (20060101); G08G 1/16 (20060101);