WO1995028694A1 - Alarm device - Google Patents

Alarm device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995028694A1
WO1995028694A1 PCT/NO1995/000062 NO9500062W WO9528694A1 WO 1995028694 A1 WO1995028694 A1 WO 1995028694A1 NO 9500062 W NO9500062 W NO 9500062W WO 9528694 A1 WO9528694 A1 WO 9528694A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
vehicle driving
signal
alarm device
picture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO1995/000062
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Arvid Ystad
Original Assignee
Arvid Ystad
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arvid Ystad filed Critical Arvid Ystad
Priority to AU23759/95A priority Critical patent/AU2375995A/en
Publication of WO1995028694A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995028694A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
    • G01S11/12—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B60Q9/008—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for anti-collision purposes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
    • G01P3/00—Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds
    • G01P3/36—Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01P3/38—Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light using photographic means

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a device adapted to altert automobile drivers when a potential danger exists for 5 collision with the vehicle in front.
  • Such known systems are designed based on different types of transmitters and receivers, especially constructed according to the radar principle, by transmitting beams of any kind are and measuring and interpreting the time elapsed to the s receipt of the reflection of the same beams.
  • Electromagnetic beams of different types like radar, lasers, as well as ultrasounds, can be used.
  • the drivers attention must be consentrated on the 5 driving action and on the traffic situation in such a way that a possible additional monitoring of the distance to the automobile in front will rather distress the driver than increase his attention.
  • the background for the present invention is the number of accidents occuring caused by inattention by the drivers. Approximately one out of five accidents are caused by collisions from behind.
  • the present invention is however related to an alarm device for automobile drivers, to raise his attention when dangerous situations occur in relation to a vehicle driving in front.
  • figure .1 scematically a traffic situation and how this is registred by an optical monitoring device
  • figure 2 shows how the microprocessor theorethically evaluates the traffic situation represented by the shade from the vehicle in front in a coordination system
  • figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of the device according to the invention.
  • An optical registration device 1 is mounted in a convenient place at the front of a vehicle, for example at the interior of the windshield, on the front wing or in connection with the vehicle front lights, for monitoring the traffic situation in front of the vehicle.
  • An imaginary picture with a coordination system 4 is created in connection with a microprosessor.
  • the coordination system 4 is devided into areas defined as more or less dangerous, respectively that situations occuring in these areas are defined as more or less dangerous. Accordingly the microprosessor 2 shall not give any warning signal to the alarm device 3 that a signal shal be given to the driver if an automobile comprising an alarm device is overhauling another automobile, nor shall automobiles coming in the other s direction cause signals from the alarm device 3.
  • a characteristic registration object can for instance be chosen the shade from a vehicle on the ground, the shade of the lower part of a vehicle, a characteristic image of a car from behind, for example the horisontal lower suface of a vehicle o havingvertical limitations defined by the wheels, or a horisontal contrast area which is typical for an automobile as seen from behind.
  • the picture is monitored by the s microprosessor 2, even when the picture in the imaginary coordiation system 4 is moving to the right or left in curves or the picture is moving up or down by driving across bumps or dips and even so when the size of the characteristic picture increases or decreases.
  • alarm Only when the image becomes larger and exceeds a preset dimension in the area for dangerous situations, alarm will be activated so that the driver will be alerted in the situation.
  • the speed of the own vehicle is also decicive for when alarm shall be given.
  • Alarm is given by sound, preferably however by sound in combination with light.
  • the alarm device 3 is connected to the microprosessor and secured in a convenient place in the vehicle.
  • the traffic situation is registred periodically and with a high frequence, for instance up to 60 times per second and o with continuous evaluation in the microprosessor 2 of the last registred traffic picture compared previous pictures.
  • the device according to the present invention may be constructed in different versions.
  • the simplest version be equipped with a battery or it can be connected to the 5 vehicles power supply.
  • the device furthermore can be connected to the automobile in such a way that the speed is registred thereby to be utilised for evaluation in the microprosessor 2.
  • a swich or the like possibly can be installed so that the driver can choose the evaluation in the microprosessor according to the situation when driving on a motorway, country road or in city traffic.
  • the alarm device also may be equipped with a swich or a sensor ensuring that the device will not continue to give alarm based on situations which by the driver is not considered to be dangerous or such situations already observed by the driver. Such signals can be restrained completely or the device can be reset so that the alarm in such situations is activated at a later stage, and if desired even at an earlier stage, for possible future situations.
  • the microprosessor 2 is such programmed that an imaginary picture of the traffic situation in front is created in the coordiation system 4.
  • the programming of the microprosessor 2 ensures that the alarm is not activated from shades on the road, passing vehicles, windshield wipers (if the registration device 1 is mounted inside the windshield), etc.
  • the microprosessor "locks" to this picture and monitors this picture until it disappears. Alarm is given only if and when the characteristical features obtain a during a preset periode of time assume a preset minimum size.
  • a connection between the alarm device and the rear breaking lights of the vehicle may be established, in such a way that the lights are activated simultaneously with the alarm therby also to give an early warning to drivers of following vehicles.

Abstract

Method of warning an automobile driver in case of danger of a collision with the vehicle driving in front when the distance to the vehicle in front decreases quicker than a preset limit, by optically sensing, registrating and monitoring a characteristic part image of a vehicle driving in front, such as the shade of the vehicle on the street body, a characteristic picture of the rear part of a vehicle, a horizontal line along the vehicle underside, or such; transmitting the optically registered data to data in a microprocessor, monitoring the movements of the part image up, down, to both sides and diminishing and increasing the size of same; and by transmitting a signal to an alarm device if the part image picture becomes larger than a certain minimum size and at a preset speed. A device for warning an automobile driver comprising a microprocessor being adapted to receive signals from an optical registration unit directed towards the traffic situation in front, the microprocessor being adapted to recognize a characteristic image of a vehicle driving in front, the microprocessor being adapted to transmit a signal to an alarm device if the size of the picture increases from a preset minimum size at a preset minimum speed and the alarm device thereby transmitting a signal to the driver of the vehicle.

Description

Alarm device
The present invention is related to a device adapted to altert automobile drivers when a potential danger exists for 5 collision with the vehicle in front.
As a large number of automobile accidents are caused by collisions into the rear part of the car driving in front there has been presented a number of different alarm devices for monitoring the distance to the automobile in front or in general o to objects which appear in the driving direction of a vehicle.
Such known systems are designed based on different types of transmitters and receivers, especially constructed according to the radar principle, by transmitting beams of any kind are and measuring and interpreting the time elapsed to the s receipt of the reflection of the same beams. Electromagnetic beams of different types like radar, lasers, as well as ultrasounds, can be used.
A large number of the prevailing solutions are, however, based on constant monitoring. Display screens for such o monitoring may be mounted on or near the windshield of the vehicle. Even if such display devices of this kind are easily readable, they demand a constant or at least periodically attention of the driver. Should there be any way by which the drivers attention could be maintained, it should rather be 5 directed directly to the traffic situation.
Known alarm devices often based on the radar principle often are heavy and expensive. Furthermore they consume rather much electric current and often give false signals caused by reflections from passing vehicles or objects adjacent the road, o it is however substantial to underline that the drivers attention must be directed to the traffic situation in front of the vehicle as well as backwards and transversally to the vehicle.
The drivers attention must be consentrated on the 5 driving action and on the traffic situation in such a way that a possible additional monitoring of the distance to the automobile in front will rather distress the driver than increase his attention.
The background for the present invention is the number of accidents occuring caused by inattention by the drivers. Approximately one out of five accidents are caused by collisions from behind.
From prior art the following publications are referred to WO 89 /11139, EP 0 498 416, US 4 779 095, US 5 023 712 og US 5 195 144.
The present invention is however related to an alarm device for automobile drivers, to raise his attention when dangerous situations occur in relation to a vehicle driving in front.
When the device is installed in an automobile, it thereby is ensured that the drivers attention is the traffic situation. An alarm transmitting sound signals calls on the drivers attention in dangerous situations. Even in situations where the driver is attentive to the traffic situation, it nevertheless is suitable that an alarm device giving alert in dangerous situations, as this will enhance the drivers attention. Above all, it is important to ensure that the drivers attention is alerted in situations where he is inattentive or when a possible dangerous situation seems to develop.
This is obtained by the method and the device according to the present invention as defined by the features of the claims.
The drawing discloses in figure .1 scematically a traffic situation and how this is registred by an optical monitoring device, figure 2 shows how the microprocessor theorethically evaluates the traffic situation represented by the shade from the vehicle in front in a coordination system and figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of the device according to the invention.
An optical registration device 1, is mounted in a convenient place at the front of a vehicle, for example at the interior of the windshield, on the front wing or in connection with the vehicle front lights, for monitoring the traffic situation in front of the vehicle. An imaginary picture with a coordination system 4 is created in connection with a microprosessor. The coordination system 4 is devided into areas defined as more or less dangerous, respectively that situations occuring in these areas are defined as more or less dangerous. Accordingly the microprosessor 2 shall not give any warning signal to the alarm device 3 that a signal shal be given to the driver if an automobile comprising an alarm device is overhauling another automobile, nor shall automobiles coming in the other s direction cause signals from the alarm device 3.
A characteristic registration object can for instance be chosen the shade from a vehicle on the ground, the shade of the lower part of a vehicle, a characteristic image of a car from behind, for example the horisontal lower suface of a vehicle o havingvertical limitations defined by the wheels, or a horisontal contrast area which is typical for an automobile as seen from behind.
When the optical registration device 1 has registred such a charactreristic image, the picture is monitored by the s microprosessor 2, even when the picture in the imaginary coordiation system 4 is moving to the right or left in curves or the picture is moving up or down by driving across bumps or dips and even so when the size of the characteristic picture increases or decreases. o Only when the image becomes larger and exceeds a preset dimension in the area for dangerous situations, alarm will be activated so that the driver will be alerted in the situation. The speed of the own vehicle is also decicive for when alarm shall be given. = Alarm is given by sound, preferably however by sound in combination with light. The alarm device 3 is connected to the microprosessor and secured in a convenient place in the vehicle.
The traffic situation is registred periodically and with a high frequence, for instance up to 60 times per second and o with continuous evaluation in the microprosessor 2 of the last registred traffic picture compared previous pictures.
The device according to the present invention may be constructed in different versions. For example can the simplest version be equipped with a battery or it can be connected to the 5 vehicles power supply. The device furthermore can be connected to the automobile in such a way that the speed is registred thereby to be utilised for evaluation in the microprosessor 2. A swich or the like possibly can be installed so that the driver can choose the evaluation in the microprosessor according to the situation when driving on a motorway, country road or in city traffic.
Suitably the alarm device also may be equipped with a swich or a sensor ensuring that the device will not continue to give alarm based on situations which by the driver is not considered to be dangerous or such situations already observed by the driver. Such signals can be restrained completely or the device can be reset so that the alarm in such situations is activated at a later stage, and if desired even at an earlier stage, for possible future situations.
The microprosessor 2 is such programmed that an imaginary picture of the traffic situation in front is created in the coordiation system 4. The programming of the microprosessor 2 ensures that the alarm is not activated from shades on the road, passing vehicles, windshield wipers (if the registration device 1 is mounted inside the windshield), etc. When a characteristic pattern of a vehicle driving in front is observed and registred, the microprosessor "locks" to this picture and monitors this picture until it disappears. Alarm is given only if and when the characteristical features obtain a during a preset periode of time assume a preset minimum size.
In a further developed embodiment a connection between the alarm device and the rear breaking lights of the vehicle may be established, in such a way that the lights are activated simultaneously with the alarm therby also to give an early warning to drivers of following vehicles.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i s
1. Method of warning an automobile driver in case of danger of a collision with the vehicle driving in front when the distance to the vehicle in front decreses quicker than a preset limit, CHARACTERIZED IN optically to sense, registrate and monitor a characteristic part image of a vehicle driving in front, such as the shade of the vehicle on the street body, a characteristic picture of the rear part of a vehicle, a horisontal line along the vehicle underside or such, to transmit the optically registered data to data in a microprosessor, to monitor the movements of the part image up, down, to both sides and diminishing and increasing the size of same, and to transmit a signal to an alarm device if the part image picture becomes larger from a certain minimum size and at a preset speed.
2. A device for warning an automobile driver in case of danger of collision with a vehicle driving in front occurs, the vehicle driving in front thereby being monitored optically, CHARACTERIZED IN a microprosessor being adapted to receive signals from an optical registration unit directed towards the traffic situation in front, the microprosessor being adapted to recognize a characteristic image of a vehicle driving in front, the microprosessor being adapted to transmit a signal to an alarm device if the size of the picture increases from a preset minimum size at a preset minimum speed and the alarm device thereby transmitting a signal to the driver of the vehicle.
3. A device according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED IN the signal being a sound signal and/or a light signal.
4. A device according to claims 2-3, CHARACTERIZED IN the alarm device activating the rear break lights of the vehicle when alarm is given.
5. A device according to claims 2-4, CHARACTERIZED IN the characteristical image being the shade on the ground of the vehicle driving in front.
6. A device according to claims 2-4, CHARACTERIZED IN the characteristical image being the contour of the vehicle driving in front.
7. A device according to claims 5-6, CHARACTERIZED I the characteristic picture also including reflexes from the vehicle driving in front.
PCT/NO1995/000062 1994-04-15 1995-04-10 Alarm device WO1995028694A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU23759/95A AU2375995A (en) 1994-04-15 1995-04-10 Alarm device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO941385A NO941385L (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 A signaling device
NO941385 1994-04-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995028694A1 true WO1995028694A1 (en) 1995-10-26

Family

ID=19897021

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO1995/000062 WO1995028694A1 (en) 1994-04-15 1995-04-10 Alarm device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2375995A (en)
NO (1) NO941385L (en)
WO (1) WO1995028694A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2462698A (en) * 2008-08-22 2010-02-24 Shih-Hsiung Li A vehicle video warning device with multiple cameras.

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4257703A (en) * 1979-03-15 1981-03-24 The Bendix Corporation Collision avoidance using optical pattern growth rate
US4872051A (en) * 1987-10-01 1989-10-03 Environmental Research Institute Of Michigan Collision avoidance alarm system
EP0501345A2 (en) * 1991-02-26 1992-09-02 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Motor car traveling control device
US5195144A (en) * 1988-11-15 1993-03-16 Thomson-Csf Process for estimating the distance between a stationary object and a moving vehicle and device for using this process

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4257703A (en) * 1979-03-15 1981-03-24 The Bendix Corporation Collision avoidance using optical pattern growth rate
US4872051A (en) * 1987-10-01 1989-10-03 Environmental Research Institute Of Michigan Collision avoidance alarm system
US5195144A (en) * 1988-11-15 1993-03-16 Thomson-Csf Process for estimating the distance between a stationary object and a moving vehicle and device for using this process
EP0501345A2 (en) * 1991-02-26 1992-09-02 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Motor car traveling control device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2462698A (en) * 2008-08-22 2010-02-24 Shih-Hsiung Li A vehicle video warning device with multiple cameras.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2375995A (en) 1995-11-10
NO941385D0 (en) 1994-04-15
NO941385L (en) 1995-10-16

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