Relative Distence Between Vehicles (e.g., Collision Alert) Patents (Class 340/903)
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Patent number: 8742946Abstract: A traffic preemption system comprising an intersection control module, an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and a remotely located electronic device comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage. The system further comprises a cable coupling the intersection controller, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device, the cable comprising a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device, a ground wire, and a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Tomar Electronics, Inc.Inventors: David G. Worthy, Timothy A. Geiger
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Patent number: 8738319Abstract: A sensor system for a host vehicle may detect whether another in-path vehicle is turning. The sensor system may include a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. Signals may be emitted by the transmitter over a detection area. The emitted signals may reflect off an object vehicle in the detection area and be received by the receiver. The receiver may include a number of channels, each corresponding to a different region of the detection area. The sensor system may determine whether the in-path vehicle is turning and in what direction based on the reflected signals received at each channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
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Patent number: 8737690Abstract: A method and a system for determining a parking angle violation includes receiving video data from a sequence of frames taken from an image capture device monitoring a parking area. The method further includes determining a first line in a current frame where the line represents a nominal orientation of the parking area. The method includes detecting a presence of a vehicle in the parking area. The method includes determining a second line in the frame where the line represents the orientation of the detected vehicle. The method further includes computing an angle between the first and second lines. The method includes determining whether the detected vehicle is violating a parking regulation based on the computed angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Orhan Bulan, Robert P. Loce, Edgar A. Bernal, Yao Rong Wang, Graham S. Pennington
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Patent number: 8731815Abstract: Holistic cybernetic vehicle control enables the results of machine sensing and decision making to be communicated to a vehicle operator through the various senses of the operator. By providing machine advice to the operator through various vehicle functions and by integrating the machine advice with what the operator senses and perceives, holistic cybernetic control can result in much better and safer vehicle operation. The invention integrates human and machine vehicle control action to improve vehicle operation and, particularly, to avoid collision events.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventor: Charles Arnold Cummings
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Patent number: 8723686Abstract: A method of managing an aircraft in flight may include electronically monitoring for a presence of a threat object along a flight path of the aircraft and at a destination airport of the aircraft, and electronically generating an alert when the presence of the threat object is detected. The alert may include information enabling air traffic control (ATC), flight dispatch, and a pilot of the aircraft to make a collaborative flight path correction decision that may prevent the aircraft from being affected by the threat object.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Gregory D. Murray, Kirschen A. Seah, Alan E. Siniff
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Patent number: 8723660Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual-vision driving safety warning device and a method thereof. The device of the present invention comprises an image capture unit, an image processing unit, a vehicle status sensing unit, a warning judgment logic, and at least one warning unit. The image capture unit includes at least two image capture devices installed in a user's vehicle and capturing the images of the front traffic environment. The image processing unit processes the images and uses the vehicle status signals detected by the vehicle status sensing unit to calculate the distance between the user's vehicle and a front vehicle in the image. The warning judgment logic sends out a control signal when the user's vehicle deviates from a driving lane or approaches a front vehicle too much. The warning unit receives the control signal and sends out a warning signal, such as a sound or a flash, to remind the driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Automotive Research & Test CenterInventors: Yu-Sung Chen, Yi-Feng Su, Chia-Tseng Chen
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Patent number: 8717192Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Navteq B.V.Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
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Patent number: 8718917Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining a relative position between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle using an indirect assisting entity technique. A GPS position of the host vehicle and a remote vehicle are obtained. A number of common satellites providing GPS data to the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are determined. An indirect-assisting entity is identified having a common number of satellites in communication between the host vehicle and remote vehicle, respectively, which is greater than the number of common satellites between host vehicle and the remote vehicle. A relative position is determined between the host vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity, and the remote vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity. A position of the host vehicle relative to the remote vehicle is determined as a function of the determined position of the host vehicle and remote vehicle relative to the indirect-assisting entity.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Chaminda Basnayake
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Patent number: 8718919Abstract: A method and an apparatus for lane recognition for a vehicle that is equipped with an adaptive distance and speed control system are provided, the adaptive distance and speed controller having conveyed to it, using an object detection system, the relative speed of detected objects, a variable for determining the lateral offset of the detected objects with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, and the speed of the host vehicle. From the relative speed of the objects and the host-vehicle speed, a determination is made as to whether an object is oncoming, stationary, or moving in the same direction as the host vehicle. In combination with the calculated lateral offset of the detected object with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, the number of lanes present and the lane currently being traveled in by the host vehicle are determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thilo Leineweber, Werner Urban, Ruediger-Walter Henn, Goetz Braeuchle, Martin Heinebrodt
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Patent number: 8712660Abstract: In a method for maintaining a driver-independent braking intervention in a motor vehicle after a collision accelerator operation by the driver is detected; it is ascertained whether an engine torque influence via the accelerator can in fact be carried out; and when it is ascertained that the engine torque influence cannot be carried out, the driver-independent braking intervention is not broken off.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ferah Cetinkaya
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Patent number: 8712676Abstract: Probe data is analyzed to derive Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) and an Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) for each road segment or link in a digital map network. The Longitudinal Speed Profiles (LSPs) profiles are calculated during defined time spans whereas the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) is based on the LSP for the time span corresponding only to free flow traffic conditions. All of the LSPs can used to create a respective energy cost for each time span, or only the OLSP (18) can be used (or alternatively the RRDSL 16 or LRRDSL 17) to calculate an energy cost for the free flow conditions only. The energy cost can be used to predict the energy required by a vehicle to traverse the link. Navigation software can use the energy cost to plan the most energy efficient route between two locations in the digital map. Sensory signals can be activated if a driver strays from the Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (18) to achieve extremely high levels of energy efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.Inventors: Volker Hiestermann, Robert Joannes Van Essen, Edwin Bastiaensen, Stephen T'Siobbel
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Patent number: 8706392Abstract: A collision determination ECU (1) includes: a first information generation section (101) that acquires time information from a timer (4) every predetermined time period PA, and associates own vehicle time information representing an own vehicle time, which is the acquired time information, with own vehicle identification information, to thereby generate first output information; a transmission control section (102) that transmits the generated first output information by broadcasting; a reception control section (103) that receives own vehicle time information representing an own vehicle time and own vehicle identification information, which are included in first output information from an other vehicle VCB, as other vehicle time information representing an other vehicle time and other vehicle identification information, respectively; a reception time acquisition section (104) that acquires reception time information representing a reception time from the timer (4), when the first output information is receivType: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shin Koike
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Patent number: 8704679Abstract: A packet processing framework is provided for a vehicle-to-vehicle communication packet processing system. The framework includes a neighborhood vehicle tracking module for tracking neighboring vehicles relative to a host vehicle. The neighborhood vehicle tracking module assigns a priority level of neighboring vehicles relative to a host vehicle. An adaptive security processing module regulates messages streamed to the neighboring vehicle tracker module that are in accordance with the priorities set forth by the neighborhood vehicle tracking module. The adaptive security processing module selects security modes and schedules messages streamed to the neighborhood vehicle tracking module as a function of priorities set forth by the neighborhood vehicle tracking module, a communication reliability of the transmitting neighboring vehicle, and a likelihood that a message from the neighboring vehicle is genuine as determined by the adaptive security processing module.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aravind V. Iyer, Aditya R Karnik, Bhargav R. Bellur
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Patent number: 8700306Abstract: Autonomous collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed. Systems illustratively include a detect and track module, an inertial navigation system, and an auto avoidance module. The detect and track module senses a potential object of collision and generates a moving object track for the potential object of collision. The inertial navigation system provides information indicative of a position and a velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module receives the moving object track for the potential object of collision and the information indicative of the position and the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module utilizes the information to generate a guidance maneuver that facilitates the unmanned aerial vehicle avoiding the potential object of collision.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems Inc.Inventors: Davis S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Craig S. Askew
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Patent number: 8700258Abstract: A park assist system for providing guidance to park a vehicle into a parking area is disclosed. The park assist system includes an imaging device, at least one indicator, and a control module. The imaging device acquires image data representative of a field of view (FOV). The indicator provides feedback to guide the vehicle into the parking area. The control module is in communication with the imaging device and the at least one indicator. The control module includes control logic for monitoring image data representative of the viewable area. The control module includes control logic for determining if a specific predetermined object is located within the FOV. The specific predetermined object indicates the presence of the parking area. The control module includes control logic for activating the at least one indicator to provide feedback regarding the parking area.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Edward D. Tate, Jr., Alan G. Holmes, Hsiu-Pang Chan, Donald Eng, Fred W. Huntzicker
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Publication number: 20140085106Abstract: A vehicle proximity warning system includes a first device carried by a first vehicle and comprising a first transceiver and a first warning device, and a second device carried by a second vehicle and comprising a second transceiver and a second warning device. The first device determines proximity of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle and generates a warning signal with the first warning device when the proximity is within a first predetermined distance. The second device determines proximity of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle and generates a warning signal with the second warning device when the proximity is within a second predetermined distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Checkers Industrial Products, LLCInventors: Scott Clifford, Steven N.D. Brundula
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Patent number: 8682004Abstract: In a vehicle-to-vehicle network, a driver may listen to audio generated by other drivers participating in the network. The usability of the audio is enhanced by determining the relative positions of the providing and the receiving vehicles and then distributing received audio to specific speakers in the audio system of the receiving vehicle to create an impression that the sound originates from a source on the line between the two vehicles. The audio distributed to different speakers in the vehicle changes as the relative positions of the two vehicles changes. Volume changes and Doppler effects can be added to the audio if the two vehicles are converging or diverging.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Travis M. Grigsby, William Wood Harter, Jr., Steven Michael Miller, Theodore Spencer Tederoff
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Patent number: 8680978Abstract: A method for displaying a warning message in a first vehicle, includes transmitting from a second vehicle a warning and position data relating to a position of the second vehicle to the first vehicle, wherein if, after reception of the warning and of the position data by the first vehicle, it is concluded on the basis of the received position data that the second vehicle can be seen by a driver of the first vehicle in a region of a head-up display of the first vehicle, the warning message is displayed in such a way that the second vehicle is characterized visually for the driver of the first vehicle in the head-up display of the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Yiwen Yang, Lutz Bersiner, Mario Mueller-Frahm, Moez Selem, Peter Vogel, Gerrit De Boer, Andreas Engelsberg, Holger Modler
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Patent number: 8681016Abstract: A method for assisting a driver driving a vehicle, and a driver assistance system for assisting a driver driving a vehicle are described, wherein detection of a blind spot situation wherein another vehicle is located in a blind spot area of the driver's vehicle is performed, and information indicating that a blind spot situation is present is output to the driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Charles Lee, Jaime Camhi, Annie Lien, Marco Lobato
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Patent number: 8676443Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling inter-vehicle distance. The system includes a front sensor, a side and rear sensor, an inter-vehicle distance controlling unit, and a steering controlling unit. The front sensor obtains information relating to a preceding vehicle. The side and rear sensor obtains information relating to vehicles in right and left lanes. The inter-vehicle distance controlling unit determines an avoidance direction for a lane change from data detected by the side and rear sensor when it is determined from data detected by the front sensor that a front end collision is unavoidable through just brake input. The steering controlling unit receives information relating to the avoidance direction determined by the inter-vehicle distance controlling unit and applies a steering force to a steering device to guide a driver to a lane in the determined avoidance direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Sang Wook Han, Joon Sang Jo
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Patent number: 8669854Abstract: Described herein is a method for determining and signalling to a driver of a motor vehicle a condition of danger deriving from a potential collision of the motor vehicle itself with an obstacle. The method is able to: determine a path of travel of the motor vehicle along a stretch of road; define an area of detection of the obstacles in the stretch of road; detect the obstacles present in the area of detection in such a way as to generate a list of possible obstacles that might be hit; identify, from among the possible obstacles detected, a main obstacle; determine a level of risk associated to a condition of impact of the motor vehicle with the main obstacle detected; and finally generate a signal or alarm message regarding the level of risk determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per AzioniInventors: Carlo D'Ambrosio, Andrea Ghiro
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Patent number: 8666117Abstract: A method for determining a parking violation includes receiving video data as a sequence of frames provided by a camera. The method includes defining a location of an exclusion zone in the video data. The method includes detecting a vehicle located in the defined exclusion zone. The detecting includes determining a background in an initial frame of the video data and determining a background in a select frame by applying a predetermined updating process. The detecting includes subtracting the background of the select frame from the initial frame to obtain an image difference. The detecting includes classifying the pixels in the image difference as foreground or background pixels and classifying the pixels in the foreground image as vehicle or non-vehicle pixels. The method includes determining a duration that the detected vehicle is in the exclusion zone based on a number of the sequence of frames including the detected vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Orhan Bulan, Yao Rong Wang, Robert P. Loce, Edgar A. Bernal, Zhigang Fan, Graham S. Pennington, David P. Cummins
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Patent number: 8665080Abstract: Disclosed is a driving assistance apparatus for assisting a driving operation by outputting a reverse sound at the time of a reversing maneuver of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an information acquisition unit for acquiring driving assistance information including a vehicle condition and a vehicle surrounding condition, a reverse sound management unit for managing reverse sounds belonging in a musical scale including the reverse sound as the tonic note thereof as musical scale reverse sounds, an output reverse sound determination unit for determining a sequence of musical scale in the form of temporal sequence corresponding to the driving assistance information, and a reverse sound output control unit configured to select from the reverse sounds managed by the reverse sound management unit and output to a speaker reverse sounds suitable for the sequence of the musical scale determined by the reverse sound determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Nagamine, Kazuya Watanabe, Koichiro Honda
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Patent number: 8665112Abstract: The present invention provides a message broadcast system and method for vehicular network. The system comprises a positioning device, a transmitting device and a processing device. The positioning device positions a location data of a vehicle. The transmitting device transmits a first packet to a neighbor vehicle. The processing device is coupled to the positioning device and transmitting device. The processing device determines the transmitting device transmits a second packet to the neighbor vehicle when the vehicle is in a section of crossroads. The processing device determines whether the vehicle is in a section of crossroads or a road section according to a third packet periodically transmitted from the neighbor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Lien-Wu Chen, Yu-Chee Tseng
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Patent number: 8659408Abstract: A system and method to provide a notification to an operator of a vehicle that an object is proximate to the vehicle. Data from a visible light camera and a multiple zone temperature sensor are combined or fused to determine which regions of a display should be highlighted in order to help the vehicle operator better notice or discern an object shown on a display. The region or area of the display highlighted is determined by displaying a highlighted area or icon on the display corresponding to an area where objects detected on image data maps of hue and/or saturation and/or intensity data from the camera intersect with objects detected on a temperature data map from the temperature sensor. Misalignment between the camera and the temperature sensor may be tolerated by expanding the object detected on the various maps in order to increase the probability of an intersection occurring.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Taylor, Jeremy S. Greene
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Patent number: 8660778Abstract: A running plan creating apparatus for creating a running plan including position information of a vehicle at each time comprises road information acquiring means for acquiring road information concerning a running path for the vehicle to run, action predicting means for predicting positions and speeds of other vehicles running about the vehicle at each time by utilizing the road information, characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information in each of the other vehicles, risk degree estimating means for estimating respective degrees of risk of the other vehicles by utilizing the characteristic information, risk degree distribution setting means for setting a risk degree distribution at each time on the running path by utilizing the road information and the positions and degrees of risk of the other vehicles, and running plan creating means for creating the running plan of the vehicle by utilizing the risk degree distribution.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Taguchi
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Patent number: 8655543Abstract: A vehicle on-board unit communicates with vehicles to increase the accuracy of lane centerline determination. The on-board unit includes a communication system and a controller. The controller has a vehicle path history generating component, a lane centerline determining component, and a message processing component. The vehicle path history generating section generates a host vehicle path history data. The lane centerline determining section receives a preceding vehicle message including at least a preceding vehicle centerline data from the communication system and determines a host vehicle lane centerline data indicative of a centerline of the lane based on the host vehicle path history data and the preceding vehicle centerline data. The message processing component produces a host vehicle message including the host vehicle lane centerline data, the communication system being configured to broadcast the host vehicle message.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Steve Tengler, Ronald Heft
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Patent number: 8648702Abstract: An object detection system of a vehicle includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor that receives a reflected object detection signal at a second time based on an object detection signal transmitted at a first time. An image sensor generates an image signal including an image of a detected object. The image sensor is distinct from and adjacent to the TOF sensor. A TOF control module generates distance data based on the first time and the second time and determines whether at least a portion of a detected object is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. An image control module generates image data based on the image signal. A detection control module correlates the distance data with the image data to generate a warning indicator when at least a portion of the detected object is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventor: Silviu Pala
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Patent number: 8649964Abstract: An other vehicle information providing device, can be configured to assign priority to a plurality of other vehicle information inputted to the own vehicle and provides other vehicle information having high priority. The other vehicle information providing device includes a priority memory means for storing priority information. An information switching index value calculation means which predicts future priority after a lapse of a predetermined period based on the stored priority information, which can include latest priority and priority previous to the latest priority, and calculates an information switching index value based on the latest priority, the priority previous to the latest priority, the priority before the priority previous to the latest priority and the future priority. An information providing means provides other vehicle information based on the information switching index value.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tokujiro Kizaki
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Patent number: 8643505Abstract: A host vehicle includes a cruise control system and an externally perceivable indicating device. The cruise control system is configured to selectively synchronize speed control of the host vehicle with at least one other vehicle. The cruise control system includes a relative position detecting device configured to determine position of the at least one second vehicle relative to the host vehicle, a vehicle speed control device, and a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device. The externally perceivable indicating device is configured to provide an indication of the operating status of the cruise control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuda, Ronald Heft
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Patent number: 8645053Abstract: The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Autotalks Ltd.Inventor: Onn Haran
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Publication number: 20140032053Abstract: A collision warning system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The collision warning system includes a first mode and a second mode. The system operates in the first mode when there is line of sight with a target vehicle. The system operates in the second mode where there is no line of sight with the target vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Yutaka Mochizuki, Radovan Miucic
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Patent number: 8639437Abstract: The present invention discloses a back-propagating intersection collision avoidance (ICA) system for preventing two or more vehicles from colliding at an intersection. The ICA system can calculate predicted positions of the two or more vehicles in the near future, and both the current and future positions can be broadcast to surrounding vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communication. For each vehicle, a set of states, for example position, speed, acceleration, and the like, where a collision is imminent can be identified using state information for a local vehicle, a remote vehicle, and a known collision zone for the intersection. If the current states of the vehicles are determined to be in danger of entering the collision zone, the ICA system can control the vehicles to perform evasive driving maneuvers and/or alert the drivers.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Lorenzo Caminiti, Evan Quisenberry, Christopher Peplin, Domitilla Del Vecchio, Rajeev Verma
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Patent number: 8638237Abstract: A vehicle awareness system for alerting the driver of a motor vehicle the approaching from the rear side of a motorcycle, and for reporting to the rider of the motorcycle that the driver of the motor vehicle has been alerted. The system comprises (a) a motorcycle unit, located on the motorcycle, for transmitting signals toward the traveling lane of that motorcycle; (b) a car unit, located in the motor vehicle, for receiving signals transmitted from the motorcycle unit, and accordingly supplying one or more output signals indicative of the approach of the motorcycle; (c) first warning means, activated by the output signals, for alerting the driver of the motor vehicle regarding the approach of the motorcycle from the rear side; and (d) second warning means, activated by the same output signals, for signaling the driver of the motorcycle that the first warning means are active.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Janus Interface Ltd.Inventors: Gabi Charlie Robaz, Avner Ben-Zaken
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Patent number: 8635013Abstract: A cooperative event location system is provided having a first system in a first vehicle and a second system. The first system includes a first event detection component to detect an occurrence of an event, a first measurement component to determine a distance traveled from the event, a first processing component coupled to the event detection component and the measurement component to prepare an event message, and a first short-range communication component coupled to the processing component and configured to transmit the event message to the second system remote from the first system. The second system includes a second short-range communication component to receive the event message, a satellite navigation component to provide location information, and a processing component coupled to the second communication component and the satellite navigation component to determine in latitude and longitude coordinates a location of the event.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Saverio Zuccotti, Mario Gambera
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Patent number: 8633832Abstract: In a vehicle obstacle detecting apparatus having a radar that transmits a laser beam in front of the vehicle to scan in different detection regions in a horizontal direction parallel to a road and receives reflection waves reflected from an object successively, it is determined whether a high reflection wave such as that reflected from delineator installed on the road at regular intervals exists in the received reflection waves in the detection regions, and if not, an obstacle such as a human being is detected from a low reflection wave. On the other hand, when the high reflection wave exists, the obstacle is detected from a second reflection wave.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Koike
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Patent number: 8618952Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20130342368Abstract: Method and apparatus whereby one or more vehicle nodes are configured for use in a vehicular communications network which provides for exchange of data between a plurality of vehicle nodes and a plurality of stationary nodes, where each stationary node comprises a computing unit operable to broadcast periodic announcements of services, and to receive identity messages from the vehicle node on at least one common IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) channel. Preferably, each stationary node is configured to provide for exchange of data with the plurality of vehicle nodes, where each vehicle node comprises at least one on-board computing unit which is operable to broadcast identity messages to and to receive service announcements from the stationary node on the at least one common IEEE 802.11 MAC channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventor: Martin D. NATHANSON
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Patent number: 8615357Abstract: A method for assisting a user of a vehicle, in which driving-condition variables (v, a, q, ?, n) are sensed or ascertained via sensors of the vehicle, and a camera of the vehicle covers a coverage area of a road scene at least in front of the vehicle and outputs image signals. Based on the image signals, it is determined whether a further vehicle which is outputting blinking signals is in the coverage area. As a function of the ascertained driving-condition variables (v, a, q, ?, n) of the vehicle and as a function of the determination as to whether other vehicles are indicating a change of direction, information signals, particularly warning signals, are able to be output to the user and/or an automatic driver-assistance control is able to be implemented in which control signals for interventions in a vehicle control for a longitudinal control and/or lateral control, especially a distance control, are output.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Stephan Simon
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Patent number: 8612132Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting potential collisions by an aircraft are disclosed. A set of points may be detected by one or more sensors of the aircraft. The set of points may be transformed based on the speed of the aircraft relative to a speed threshold. A potential collision may be detected based on whether a transformed point is within a protective envelope relative to the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Collins FranceInventors: Michaël Oberti, Elias Bitar, Jean-François Neu-Faber
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Patent number: 8610595Abstract: The vehicle U-turn safety alert system is a system for alerting a driver of a vehicle whether it is safe or unsafe to make a U-turn driving maneuver. The system incorporates an electronic system that measures the distance away and speed of an approaching vehicle. The system functions to calculate the time it would take for the approaching vehicle to reach the turning vehicle and displays this time as a digital readout. Visual and audible alerts inform the driver as to whether the U-turn maneuver can be safely accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventor: Salmaan F. F. M. S. Aleteeby
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Patent number: 8606479Abstract: When a preceding vehicle moves away during follow-up running control, it is determined whether or not a forward obstacle is recognized. When a forward obstacle is recognized, it is determined whether or not the forward obstacle satisfies any of obstacle specifying conditions corresponding to a plurality of preset types. A basic threshold value set corresponding to the satisfied type is corrected by three correction values so as to set first to third estimated-collision-time determining values. The estimated-collision-time determining values are compared with an estimated collision time of a subject vehicle with respect to the forward obstacle, and acceleration control on the subject vehicle is limited stepwise in accordance with the comparison values.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 8606539Abstract: A radar (peripheral object observation device) repeatedly observes a relative position of an object relative to the moving object, which is located in the vicinity of a moving object. A stationary object identification unit (stationary object determination unit) determines whether or not the object the relative positions of which have been observed by the radar is still. A road approximate curve temporary computation unit (object correlation unit) determines a plurality of the relative positions of an identical object observed by the radar from among the relative positions observed by the radar. A road approximate curve main computation unit (approximate curve computation unit) computes an approximate curve that approximates the configuration of a road on which the moving object is located, based on a result of the determination by the stationary object identification unit and a result of the determination by the road approximate curve computation unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yuki Takabayashi, Takashi Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Kameda, Yasushi Obata
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Patent number: 8604967Abstract: A safe driving providing system for supporting a safe driving of a vehicle includes: a radar for transmitting a signal of a predetermined frequency bandwidth to a plurality of vehicles, analyzing signals provided by the vehicles, calculating location information and distance information of the vehicles, and finding inter-vehicle distance information of the vehicles based on the location information and the distance information; and a controller for receiving operation speed information from a vehicle information terminal device installed in each vehicle, determining driving safety of the plurality of vehicles based on the received operation speed information and inter-vehicle distance information provided by the radar, and transmitting a warning message for safe driving to the vehicle information terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Hyun Seo Oh, Hyun Kyun Choi, Hyun Suk Kim, Jong-Hyun Park, Sung Won Sohn, Sangwoo Lee, Woong Cho
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Patent number: 8599005Abstract: A method for making it possible to set the link between all the types of vehicles and roads with the rolling limits on the roadway is described. This setting can be established from the existing road data bases and from the characteristics of the known vehicles. This method is capable of determining the vehicle rolling limits. A device which can be fitted on any vehicle and capable of implementing the method according to the invention is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: NODBOXInventors: Thierry Fargas, Dominique Clarac
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Patent number: 8599038Abstract: A vehicular wireless communication apparatus is disposed in a subject vehicle to establish vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the subject vehicle and other vehicles having the apparatus. The apparatus of the subject vehicle receives sensor state information from an immediate following vehicle. Based on the sensor state information, the apparatus of the subject vehicle controls a transmission cycle of the information transmitted. A longer interval is selected when the immediate following vehicle has a range sensor and the range sensor successfully detects an obstacle in front of it. A standard interval, shorter than the longer interval, is selected when the immediate following vehicle does not have the range sensor or when the immediate following vehicle has the range sensor but the range sensor failed to detect the obstacle. Therefore, the transmission cycle is dependent upon the need of the information while preventing congestion of information transmission.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Takahisa Yamashiro
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Patent number: 8599002Abstract: A speedometer gauge mounted on the rear of a vehicle or trailer that continuously and accurately displays a vehicle's speed in real time by utilizing a pattern of lights that illuminate sequentially in such a fashion as to exhibit to the traffic following, the speed of the vehicle, rate of deceleration or acceleration, and to indicate that the vehicle is stopped, in a panic stop, parked, standing, “riding the brake” or “riding the turn indicator” mode. A video game comprising the use of a speedlight.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Inventor: Edward Sekol
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Patent number: 8601281Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing with a security device, a secure first computation device, a second computation device and a sensor element. The sensor apparatus detects a temperature in the housing, to activate the first computation device only when the detected temperature is in a predefined temperature range, to determine a session key by the first computation device and to store the session key in a second memory of the second computation device, to deactivate the first computation device after the session key has been stored, to determine data on the basis of a sensor signal detected using the sensor element and to encrypt and/or sign the data by the second computation device on the basis of the session key.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Horst Plankenhorn, Gunnar Schmidt
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Patent number: 8593271Abstract: A method is provided for the avoidance or at least mitigation of a collision between a first vehicle driving in a first lane and a second vehicle driving in a second lane when the second vehicle changes lane from the second lane o to the first lane. The method includes, but is not limited to the following steps. An impending lane change of the second vehicle from the second lane to the first lane is determined, a first distance of the second vehicle from the first vehicle and a first position of the second vehicle are determined. Furthermore, the determined first distance d1 of the second vehicle from the first vehicle is then compared with a first predetermined threshold value. The first predetermined threshold value is direction-dependent and the determined first distance of the second vehicle from the first vehicle is compared with the first predetermined threshold value in the direction of the determined first position of the second vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Karl-Heinz Amann
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Patent number: 8593300Abstract: A vehicle approach warning system is disclosed. The vehicle approach warning system includes: an in-vehicle communication apparatus to be mounted to a vehicle, the in-vehicle communication apparatus being configured to wirelessly transmit vehicle travel data to surroundings of the vehicle; and a portable warning terminal to be carried by a pedestrian, the portable warning terminal being configured to give, in response to receiving the vehicle travel data wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle communication apparatus, a warning about approach of the vehicle to the pedestrian in a way other than auditory stimulation if electric field strength at a time of receiving the vehicle travel data is larger than a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiromitsu Ooshima, Satoshi Nakamura