U.S. patent application number 09/788778 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for vehicle collision warning system.
Invention is credited to Beto, Kevin R., Lueck, Matthew W., Maurer, Christopher W., Oexmann, Dale F., Stanford, Shane B..
Application Number | 20020161524 09/788778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26879474 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020161524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oexmann, Dale F. ; et
al. |
October 31, 2002 |
Vehicle collision warning system
Abstract
A first vehicle includes a first device for receiving global
positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a
first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS
signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and
velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle,
comparing the first and second signals, generating a corrected
first vehicle signal, and transmitting the corrected first vehicle
signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS
signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and
velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one
of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the
second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating
a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first
signal, and calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle
signals the likelihood that the positions of the first and second
vehicles will coincide at some time.
Inventors: |
Oexmann, Dale F.; (Terre
Haute, IN) ; Beto, Kevin R.; (Redmond, WA) ;
Lueck, Matthew W.; (Tulsa, OK) ; Maurer, Christopher
W.; (Indianapolis, IN) ; Stanford, Shane B.;
(Surfside Beach, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barnes & Thornburg
11 S. Meridian Street
Indianapolis
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
26879474 |
Appl. No.: |
09/788778 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60183726 |
Feb 20, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/301 ;
340/435; 340/988; 701/472 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 13/931 20130101;
G01S 19/14 20130101; G01S 2013/9316 20200101; G01S 2013/932
20200101; B61L 29/24 20130101; G01S 2205/002 20130101; B61L 29/00
20130101; G08G 1/163 20130101; G01S 19/51 20130101; B61L 2205/04
20130101; G08G 1/164 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/301 ;
701/214; 340/435; 340/988 |
International
Class: |
G01S 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for reducing the likelihood of collision between a
first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle including a
first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals,
generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity
signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one
of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the
motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second
signals, generating a corrected first vehicle signal, and
transmitting the corrected first vehicle signal, the second vehicle
including a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at
least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the
received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time,
position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle,
comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected
second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and
calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle signals the
likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will
coincide at some time.
2. The system of claim 1 further including a third device for
receiving differential GPS (DGPS) correction signals and
retransmitting the DGPS correction signals, the first device
receiving the DGPS correction signals and combining the DGPS
correction signals with the GPS signals to generate the at least
one of the first time, position and velocity signal.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second device receives the
DGPS correction signals and combines the DGPS correction signals
with the GPS signals to generate the at least one of the third
time, position and velocity signal.
4. The system of claim 1 further including a third device for
receiving differential GPS correction signals and retransmitting
the DGPS correction signals, the second device receiving the DGPS
correction signals and combining the DGPS correction signals with
the GPS signals to generate the at least one of the third time,
position and velocity signal.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein the first vehicle further includes
a fourth device for recording the corrected first vehicle
signal.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second vehicle further
includes a fifth device for recording the corrected second vehicle
signal.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the first vehicle further includes
a fourth device for recording the corrected second vehicle
signal.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first vehicle further includes
a fourth device for recording the corrected first vehicle
signal.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the second vehicle further
includes a fifth device for recording the corrected second vehicle
signal.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first vehicle further
includes a fourth device for recording the corrected second vehicle
signal.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the second device further
produces an indication to an occupant in the second vehicle that it
is likely that the positions of the first and second vehicles will
coincide at some time.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the indication is a visual
indication.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the indication is an audible
indication.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the second vehicle includes a
display coupled to the second device for indicating at least one
of: the location of the first vehicle; the velocity of the first
vehicle; the direction of travel of the first vehicle; the location
of the second vehicle; the velocity of the second vehicle; and the
direction of travel of the second vehicle.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the display indicates the
current positions of the first and second vehicles.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to vehicle proximity warning systems.
It is disclosed in the context of a system for warning vehicles
approaching railroad crossings of the proximity of trains. However,
it is believed to be useful in other applications as well.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0002] According to the invention, a first vehicle includes a first
device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals,
generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity
signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one
of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the
motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second
signals, generating at least one of a corrected first vehicle time,
position and velocity signal, and transmitting the corrected first
signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS
signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and
velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one
of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the
second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating
a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first
signal, and calculating the likelihood that the positions of the
first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.
[0003] According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention,
the system further includes a third device for receiving
differential GPS (DGPS) correction signals and retransmitting the
DGPS correction signals. The first device receives the DGPS
correction signals and combines the DGPS correction signals with
the GPS signals to generate the first signal.
[0004] Further according to an illustrative embodiment of the
invention, the second device receives the DGPS correction signals
and combines the DGPS correction signals with the GPS signals to
generate the third signal.
[0005] Additionally illustratively according to the invention, the
first vehicle includes a device for recording the corrected first
vehicle signal.
[0006] Illustratively according to the invention, the second
vehicle includes a device for recording the corrected second
vehicle signal.
[0007] Further illustratively according to the invention, the
second device produces an indication to an occupant in the second
vehicle that the it is likely that the positions of the first and
second vehicles will coincide at some time.
[0008] Illustratively according to the invention, the indication is
a visual indication.
[0009] Illustratively according to the invention, the indication is
an audible indication.
[0010] Further illustratively according to the invention, the
second vehicle includes a display coupled to the second device for
indicating at least one of: the location of the first vehicle; the
velocity of the first vehicle; the direction of travel of the first
vehicle; the location of the second vehicle; the velocity of the
second vehicle; and the direction of travel of the second
vehicle.
[0011] Illustratively according to the invention, the display
indicates the current positions of the first and second
vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention may best be understood by referring to the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings which
illustrate the invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a partly block and partly flow diagram
for a component constructed according to the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a partly block and partly flow diagram
for a component constructed according to the invention; and,
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a partly block and partly flow diagram
for a component constructed according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 provides a warning to
vehicles traveling toward a railroad crossing of impending danger
from a train either blocking the crossing or close enough to the
crossing that there is a danger of collision. The positions, speeds
and directions of travel of both the vehicle and train are
determined using Global Positioning System (GPS) signals 12 and
corrections from Differential Global Positioning Satellite (DGPS)
signals 14 are used to calculate the distance between the two
vehicles as well as project their arrival at the crossing. This
information is further compared and corrected 16 by calculated
position and velocity, using data 18 from accelerometer sensors on
the vehicle and train.
[0017] The vehicle/train state can be one of the following: no
known train within receiving distance of a receiver in the vehicle;
a train has been detected within range of the receiver; the train
and vehicle are both approaching the crossing at such a rate that,
from their current positions, if they continue there is danger of
collision; the train and vehicle are both approaching the crossing
at such a rate that, from their current positions, if they continue
a collision is practically certain; and, interference is such that
no reliable signal can be received from the satellite or train on a
timely basis.
[0018] Audible 20 or visual 22 indication, or both, of the above
states can be provided.
[0019] The system 10 is not intended to replace the existing light
and crossing gates in place at some crossings.
[0020] There are three major communicating components to the system
10. Referring to FIG. 1, the first is a Train
Sensor/Receiver/Transmitter (TSRT) 24. One of these will be placed
on a car or engine at each end of the train. Referring to FIG. 2,
the second component is a Vehicle Sensor/Receiver (VSR) 26. One of
these will be placed on each road vehicle. Referring to FIG. 3, the
optional third component is a Ground-Based Differential Correction
Receiver/Transmitter (GBDCR) 28. These will be positioned so that
at any time each train and vehicle will be close enough to at least
one, so that the train and vehicle can receive the correction
signal.
[0021] Referring back to FIG. 1, the the TSRT 24 receives GPS
satellite signals 12, receives differential GPS correction 14 when
the GPS signal is scrambled, and calculates 16 at least one of, and
illustratively all of, time, position and velocity based on this
input. The TSRT 24 maintains a separate time and/or position and/or
velocity based on a processor time and an onboard signal 18 from an
accelerometer, compares and computes 16 a corrected time and/or
position and/or velocity based on both. The TSRT 24 further records
30 the current state, time and/or position and/or velocity to a
black box for a permanent log on the train and vehicle. The TSRT 24
also broadcasts 32 a transmission, for example, a digital
transmission, of this state to be received and processed by any
vehicle equipped with a VSR 26.
[0022] Referring back to FIG. 2, the VSR 26 receives GPS satellite
signals 12, receives differential GPS correction 14 when the GPS
signal is scrambled, and calculates 16 time and/or position and/or
velocity based on this input. The VSR 26 maintains a separate time
and/or position and/or velocity based on a processor time and an
onboard signal from an accelerometer 18. The VSR 26 compares and
computes 16 a corrected time and/or position and/or velocity based
on both the GPS-calculated time and the onboard accelerometer
18-based time. The VSR 26 records 30 the current state, time and/or
position and/or velocity to a black box for a permanent log. The
VSR 26 determines the current status, vehicle time and/or position
and/or velocity, and the train time and/or position and/or
velocity. The VSR 26 maintains this vehicle/train state on its
system bus 34 in order to provide to warning devices the
information needed to provide the appropriate warning. The VSR 26
maintains the current train state and vehicle state on the system
bus 34 to be used by a display 36 processor. The display 36
processor presents a map with the surrounding roadway, train track
and intersection, marking the current position(s) of train(s)
and/or vehicle(s). It should be understood that many road vehicles
are already equipped with GPS receivers. In such cases, all that
would need to be provided is an output from the existing GPS
receiver to the VSR 26.
[0023] Referring again to FIG. 3, if the GPS signal is scrambled,
the GBDCR 28 receives differential correction signals 40 from the
satellite, and relays corrections 14 to all trains and vehicles
equipped with a TSRT 24 or VSR 26 by broadcast.
[0024] It is contemplated that part of the vehicle state that is
transmitted will be the vehicle's identity, for example, the VIN
number or some other unique identification.
[0025] Although the invention has been presented in the context of
a system for avoiding collisions between trains and road vehicles,
it is clear that the same components can be used on any two or more
trains or other vehicles to avoid collisions between them. Each
participating vehicle needs both components, the TSRT 24 and the
VSR 26. Since the two components 24, 26 share some functionality,
integrating them into a single component is a reasonable approach
to satisfying their requirements.
[0026] Examples of such uses in vehicle-to-vehicle collision
avoidance systems include, but are not limited to: use on emergency
vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, and other vehicles to
warn the other vehicles of the proximity of emergency vehicles; use
on two vehicle traveling the same route in the same direction in
low visibility conditions, such as fog, rain or snow, to warn of
proximity; and for identification of congestion caused by road
construction, accidents or the like.
* * * * *