Patent EP0210079A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0210079A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag deployment radar
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-07-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A Doppler radar system for a vehicle providing driver warning, vehicle brake application and air bag deployment. The system produces voltage level inputs directed to the distance and approach rate to an object, vehicle speed and driving monitor inputs, such as steering angles, turning rates, braking, and acceleration/deacceleration. These voltages are properly weighted as to their importance. These weighted instantaneous input voltages are summed. The summed voltage is then compared with a predetermined voltage level dividing safe and danger zones. If the summed level falls within the safe zone, the radar system produces no output signals. If the summed voltage level falls within the danger zone, the radar system produces audio warning signals and if impact with an object is eminent vehicle braking signals are then produced. The invention further includes an air bag deployment feature. A vehicle air bag is deployed when the vehicle speed exceeds a pre-determined value and the distance to impact is within a predetermined distance. The air bag deployment and audio and braking functions are independent.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:25
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G01S13/58; G01S2013/93185; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9322; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93271
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An automotive vehicle radar comprising: a transmitter for transmitting radar signals of a selected beam'width in a selected direction relative to the position of said vehicle; a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from certain objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of different and distant voltage level signals therefrom; vehicle means for producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from different vehicle conditions; summing means for summing together the plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from said receiver and vehicle means and producing a summed signal voltage therefrom; a first predetermined voltage level signal; and comparator means for comparing said summed signal voltage and said first predetermined voltage signal and producing a first command signal when said summed signal voltage exceeds said first predetermined voltage level signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An automotive vehicle radar comprising: a transmitter for transmitting radar signals of a selected beam'width in a selected direction relative to the position of said vehicle; a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from certain objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of different and distant voltage level signals therefrom; vehicle means for producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from different vehicle conditions; summing means for summing together the plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from said receiver and vehicle means and producing a summed signal voltage therefrom; a first predetermined voltage level signal; and comparator means for comparing said summed signal voltage and said first predetermined voltage signal and producing a first command signal when said summed signal voltage exceeds said first predetermined voltage level signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising; a second summing means for summing together said different and distinct voltage level signals from said receiver and producing a second summed voltage signal therefrom; a second predetermined voltage level signal; a second comparator means for comparing said second summed signal and said different and distinct voltage level signals and purchasing a second command signal when said second predetermined voltage level signal is exceeded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second predetermined voltage level wherein said comparator means produces a second command signal when said second predetermined voltage signal is exceeded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising operator means for producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage signals for providing additional inputs'to said summing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising distance rejection means for limiting the range of receiver produced plurality of different and distinct voltage level signal to a predetermined distance from said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the receiver produced plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals represent the distance between said vehicle and said certain objects and the rate of change of that distance therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicle means for producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals comprise inputs related to vehicle ground speed, turning angle and centrifugal force related thereto, vehicle braking and vehicle acceleration and deacceleration conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the vehicle ground speed voltage level signal is provided by a vehicle speed sensing circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the turning angle voltage signal is provided by a turning switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the turning centrifugal force voltage level is provided by a pendulum activated switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the vehicle braking voltage level signal is provided by the vehicle brake lamp switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first command signal operates the vehicle brakes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said vehicle brakes are applied at approximately 35% of their braking capability.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
.14. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first command signal operates audio warning devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said audio warning devices comprise at least two audio means producing different frequency output signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first command signal operates vehicle operator visual warning means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 16, wherein said vehicle operates visual warning means comprise a plurality of different colored indicator lamps.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention is as defined in claim 1 wherein ' said receiver produced plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals each have a separate preselected range of voltage levels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
Tne invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined voltage signal is one unit of D.C. voltage and said different and distinct voltage level signals comprise vehicle ground speed voltage level signals in the range of 0 to 0.2286 units relating directly to speeds of 0 to 72.5 miles per hour, approaching rate between said vehicle and a certain object having a voltage level range from 0 to 0.525 units related directly to 0 to 220 feet and a vehicle safe distance from said certain object having voltage level signal ranging from 1 unit to 0 units from 0 to 220 feet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 19 wherein said one unit is equal to substantially 4 volts D.C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined voltage level signal can be adjusted upwardly by the vehicle operator depending on vehicle conditions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
An automotive vehicle radar comprising: a transmitter for transmitting radar signals in a selected direction relative to said vehicle; a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from certain objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals therefrom; summing means for summing together the plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from said receiver and producing a summed signal voltage level 'therefrom; a predetermined voltage level signal; and comparator means for comparing said summed signal voltage level with said predetermined voltage level signal and producing a command signal when said summed signal voltage level exceeds said predetermined voltage signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
An automotive vehicle radar comprising: a transmitter for transmitting radar signals in a selected direction relative to said vehicle; a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from certain objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals therefrom; summing means for summing together the plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals from said receiver and producing a summed signal voltage level 'therefrom; a predetermined voltage level signal; and comparator means for comparing said summed signal voltage level with said predetermined voltage level signal and producing a command signal when said summed signal voltage level exceeds said predetermined voltage signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 wherein when said summed signal voltage level is below a predetermined level said command signal is inhibited.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising an antenna, directional coupler and a load, said directional coupler is interposed between said transmitter, receiver, antenna and load, the transmitted signal from said transmitter is directed into said antenna and said load and the signal received from said antenna is directed into said receiver and said load.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein approximately 98 percent of said transmitted signal is directed to said load and approximately 2 percent of said transmitted signal is directed to said antenna.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 25 wherein substantially all of the signal received by said antennas is directed to said receiver with a small portion directed
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein the transmitter output signal level is approximately 100 milli watts.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 27 wherein approximately ninety-eight milli watts are directed into said load and approximately 2 milli watts are directed into said antenna.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said plurality of different and distinct voltage level signals represent the distance between said vehicle and certain objects and the rate of change of that distance therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said antenna is shock mounted to improve signal-to-noise ratio.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising memory means for maintaining the last received plurality of different and distinct voltages from said receiver for a predetermined length of time during loss of received signals by said receiver.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 further comprising memory means for maintaining the last received plurality of different and distinct voltages from said receiver for a predetermined length of time during loss of received signals by said receiver.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for energizing and deenergizing said comparator means producing said second command signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 33 wherein said means for energizing and deenergizing said comparator means is controlled by vehicle speed and the rate of decreasing distance between the vehicle and certain objects.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for disregarding signals reflected from certain objects when said objects are increasing their distance from said vehicle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 35 wherein said means for disregarding signals comprises a directional doppler means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 additionally comprising means for energizing and deenergizing said command signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 37 wherein said means for energizing and deenergizing said command signal is controlled by vehicle speed and rate of decreasing distance between the vehicle and a certain object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 further comprising means for disregarding signals relected from certain objects when said objects are increasing their distance from said vehicle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 39 wherein said means for disregarding signals comprises a directional doppler means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 31 wherein said memory means comprises a log amplifier circuit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 32 wherein said memory means comprises a log amplifier circuit.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitter and receiver comprise dual diplex modulator and demodulator circuits.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 wherein said transmitter and receiver comprise dual diplex modulator and demodulator circuits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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