US5502432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of warning rear-end collision
Assignee: Stanley Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-12-10
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2012-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A warning apparatus for warning of possible rear-end collision of a given vehicle having the warning apparatus with another vehicle preceding the given vehicle includes: a computer; a distance sensor for measuring a vehicle-to-vehicle distance to the another preceding vehicle; and a velocity sensor for measuring the velocity of the given vehicle. The computer computes a relative velocity of the given and the another preceding vehicle from a differential of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance and then computes an anticipated rear-end collision time by dividing of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance by the relative velocity of the given vehicle. The computer corrects the anticipated rear-end collision time in response to an acceleration and the relative velocity. The computer produces a warning of signal and an alarm is provided in response to the corrected anticipated rear-end collision time. A method of warning of a possible rear-end collision comprises the step of: detecting a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between a given vehicle and the another vehicle preceding the given vehicle; detecting a velocity of the given vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of the given vehicle with the another vehicle, with an equation: ##EQU1## and producing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Ohmamyuda
- 👤 Shigeru Kimura
- 👤 Toru Tanabe
- 👤 Kazuhisa Iwasaki
- 👤 Takao Seto
- 👤 Hideki Kitamura
- 👤 Yasushi Senoo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93271
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a possible rear-end collision of a given vehicle having the warning apparatus with another vehicle preceding the given vehicle, comprising: a computer; a distance means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle and for sending a distance signal to said computer; a velocity means for determining a velocity of the given vehicle and for sending a velocity signal to said computer; alarm means for receiving a warning signal provided by said computer; said computer computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of the given vehicle with the another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU10## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time as measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), V r is a relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second), and G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; said computer sending said warning signal to said alarm means; and said alarm means providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a possible rear-end collision of a given vehicle having the warning apparatus with another vehicle preceding the given vehicle, comprising: a computer; a distance means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle and for sending a distance signal to said computer; a velocity means for determining a velocity of the given vehicle and for sending a velocity signal to said computer; alarm means for receiving a warning signal provided by said computer; said computer computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of the given vehicle with the another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU10## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time as measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), V r is a relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second), and G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; said computer sending said warning signal to said alarm means; and said alarm means providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
294 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a possible rear-end collision of a given vehicle, having the warning apparatus with another vehicle, preceding the given vehicle comprising: a computer; a distance means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle and for sending a distance signal to said computer; a velocity means for determining a velocity of the given vehicle and for sending a velocity signal to said computer; a braking means for determining a state of a brake of the given vehicle and for sending a braking signal to said computer; an acceleration means for determining a degree of opening of an accelerator of the given vehicle and for sending an acceleration signal to said computer; alarm means for receiving a warning signal from said computer; said computer computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of the given vehicle with the another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU11## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), α is a present state parameter of the given vehicle, V r is a relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second), and G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; said computer sending said warning signal to said alarm means, said computer changing a value of the parameter α in response to a braking signal of the given vehicle and an acceleration signal of the given vehicle; and said alarm means providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
294 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a possible rear-end collision of a given vehicle, having the warning apparatus with another vehicle, preceding the given vehicle comprising: a computer; a distance means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle and for sending a distance signal to said computer; a velocity means for determining a velocity of the given vehicle and for sending a velocity signal to said computer; a braking means for determining a state of a brake of the given vehicle and for sending a braking signal to said computer; an acceleration means for determining a degree of opening of an accelerator of the given vehicle and for sending an acceleration signal to said computer; alarm means for receiving a warning signal from said computer; said computer computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of the given vehicle with the another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU11## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and the another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), α is a present state parameter of the given vehicle, V r is a relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second), and G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; said computer sending said warning signal to said alarm means, said computer changing a value of the parameter α in response to a braking signal of the given vehicle and an acceleration signal of the given vehicle; and said alarm means providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 5
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for warning of a possible rear-end collision between two vehicles, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding said given vehicle; determining a velocity of said given vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of said given vehicle with said another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU12## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time measured in seconds, X is vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and said another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), V r is relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second) and, G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; and producing a warning in response to said computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 6
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for warning of a possible rear-end collision between two vehicles, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding said given vehicle; determining a velocity of said given vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a of said given vehicle with said another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU12## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time measured in seconds, X is vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the given vehicle and said another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle measured in m/s (meters per second), V r is relative velocity measured in m/s (meters per second) and, G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r ; and producing a warning in response to said computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 7
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for warning of a possible rear-end collision between two vehicles, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding said given vehicle; determining a velocity of said given vehicle; determining a state of a brake of said given vehicle; determining a degree of opening of an accelerator of said given vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a between said given and said another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU13## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time as measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle in m/s (meters per second), α is a present state parameter of the given vehicle, V r is a relative velocity in m/s (meters per second) and, G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r , the value of said parameter α depending on a present state of the brake of said given vehicle and a degree of opening of an accelerator of said given vehicle; and providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 8
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for warning of a possible rear-end collision between two vehicles, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding said given vehicle; determining a velocity of said given vehicle; determining a state of a brake of said given vehicle; determining a degree of opening of an accelerator of said given vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time T a between said given and said another vehicle with an equation: ##EQU13## where T a is an anticipated rear-end collision time as measured in seconds, X is a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle measured in meters, T k is a buffer time measured in seconds, V m is a velocity of the given vehicle in m/s (meters per second), α is a present state parameter of the given vehicle, V r is a relative velocity in m/s (meters per second) and, G is an acceleration on relative velocity V r , the value of said parameter α depending on a present state of the brake of said given vehicle and a degree of opening of an accelerator of said given vehicle; and providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time T a .
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for warning of a potentially impending rear-end collision between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding and spaced apart from said given vehicle, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given and said another vehicle; determining a present velocity of said given vehicle; calculating a relative velocity of said given vehicle relative to said another vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time between said given vehicle and said another vehicle, if said calculated relative velocity of said given vehicle to said another vehicle will decrease said distance therebetween; and providing a warning in response to said computed anticipated rear-end collision time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for warning of a potentially impending rear-end collision between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding and spaced apart from said given vehicle, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given and said another vehicle; determining a present velocity of said given vehicle; calculating a relative velocity of said given vehicle relative to said another vehicle; computing an anticipated rear-end collision time between said given vehicle and said another vehicle, if said calculated relative velocity of said given vehicle to said another vehicle will decrease said distance therebetween; and providing a warning in response to said computed anticipated rear-end collision time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance step comprises monitoring said vehicle-to-vehicle distance as said distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle decreases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising: ascertaining a decrease in said distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle; said ascertaining step including adjusting a determination that said distance is decreasing, based upon: a present state of a braking means of said given vehicle; and a present state of an accelerator of said given vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a potentially impending rear-end collision between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding and spaced apart from said given vehicle comprising: means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given and said another vehicle; means for determining a present velocity of said given vehicle; calculating means for calculating a relative velocity of said given vehicle relative to said another vehicle; computing means for computing an anticipated rear-end collision time between said given vehicle and said another vehicle, if said calculated relative velocity of said given vehicle and said another vehicle is decreasing said distance therebetween; and warning means for providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A warning apparatus for warning of a potentially impending rear-end collision between a given vehicle and another vehicle preceding and spaced apart from said given vehicle comprising: means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given and said another vehicle; means for determining a present velocity of said given vehicle; calculating means for calculating a relative velocity of said given vehicle relative to said another vehicle; computing means for computing an anticipated rear-end collision time between said given vehicle and said another vehicle, if said calculated relative velocity of said given vehicle and said another vehicle is decreasing said distance therebetween; and warning means for providing a warning in response to the computed anticipated rear-end collision time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The warning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for determining a vehicle-to-vehicle distance comprises means for monitoring said vehicle-to-vehicle distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
The warning apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: ascertaining means for ascertaining a decrease in said distance between said given vehicle and said another vehicle; said ascertaining means including means for adjusting a determination that said distance is decreasing, based upon a present state of a braking means of said given vehicle and a present state of an accelerator of said given vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |