U.S. patent application number 10/064281 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for crash notification system for an automotive vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aulakh, Gunpreet, Bridgeman, Judy Kimberly, Cuddihy, Mark A., Helmke, James W., Perry, Frank.
Application Number | 20040000992 10/064281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27658629 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040000992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cuddihy, Mark A. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2004 |
Crash notification system for an automotive vehicle
Abstract
A crash notification system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10)
is used to communicate with a communication network (22) and
ultimately to a response center (24). The system (12) within
vehicle (10) includes an occupant sensor (30) that generates an
occupant sensor status signal. A crash sensor (34) generates a
crash signal in response to a crash. A controller (14) is coupled
to the occupant sensor (30) and the crash sensor (34). The
controller (14) generates a communication signal that corresponds
to the occupant sensor status signal and the crash status
signal.
Inventors: |
Cuddihy, Mark A.; (New
Boston, MI) ; Perry, Frank; (Brownstown, MI) ;
Aulakh, Gunpreet; (Livonia, MI) ; Bridgeman, Judy
Kimberly; (Detroit, MI) ; Helmke, James W.;
(Highland, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN G. MIERZWA
ARTZ & ARTZ, P.C.
28333 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 250
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48034
US
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
Inc.
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
27658629 |
Appl. No.: |
10/064281 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/436 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/016
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/436 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 001/00 |
Claims
1. A crash notification system interfacing coupled to a
communication network comprising: an occupant sensor generating a
occupant sensor status signal; a crash sensor generating a crash
signal; and a controller coupled to the occupant sensor and the
crash sensor, said controller generating a communication signal
corresponding to said occupant sensor status signal and said crash
status signal.
2. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
occupant sensor comprises a front seat occupant sensor.
3. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
occupant sensor comprises a rear seat occupant sensor.
4. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
occupant sensor comprises a front seat occupant sensor and a rear
seat occupant sensor.
5. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 further
comprising a seat belt switch generating a seat belt status signal,
said controller generating a communication signal corresponding to
said occupant sensor status signal, said crash status signal and
said seat belt status signal.
6. A crash notification system as recited in claim 5 wherein said
seat belt switch comprises a front seat belt switch generating a
front seat belt status signal.
7. A crash notification system as recited in claim 5 wherein said
seat belt switch comprises a rear seat belt switch generating a
rear seat belt status signal.
8. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
seat belt switch comprises a front seat belt switch generating a
front seat belt status signal and a rear seat belt switch
generating a rear seat belt status signal, said controller
generating a communication signal corresponding to said occupant
sensor status signal, said rear seat belt status signal, said front
seat belt status signal and said crash status signal.
9. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a front crash sensor generating a front
crash signal.
10. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a side crash sensor generating a side crash
signal.
11. A crash notification system as recited in claim 1 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a front crash sensor generating a front
crash signal and a side crash sensor generating a side crash
signal, said controller generating a communication signal
corresponding to said occupant sensor status signal and said front
crash status signal and said side crash status signal.
12. A crash notification system for an automotive vehicle coupled
to a communication network comprising: a front occupant sensor
generating a front occupant sensor status signal; a rear occupant
sensor generating a rear occupant sensor status signal; a seat belt
switch sensor generating a seat belt status signal; a crash sensor
generating a crash signal; and a controller coupled to the front
occupant sensor, the rear occupant sensor, the seat belt switch and
the crash sensor, said controller generating a communication signal
corresponding to said front occupant sensor status signal, said
rear occupant sensor status signal and said crash status
signal.
13. A crash notification system as recited in claim 12 wherein said
seat belt switch comprises a front seat belt switch generating a
front seat belt status signal and a rear seat belt switch
generating a rear seat belt status signal, said controller
generating a communication signal corresponding to said front
occupant sensor status signal, said rear occupant sensor status
signal, said rear seat belt status signal, said front seat belt
status signal and said crash status signal.
14. A crash notification system as recited in claim 12 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a front crash sensor generating a front
crash signal.
15. A crash notification system as recited in claim 12 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a side crash sensor generating a side crash
signal.
16. A crash notification system as recited in claim 12 wherein said
crash sensor comprises a front crash sensor generating a front
crash signal and a side crash sensor generating a side crash
signal, said controller generating a communication signal
corresponding to said front occupant sensor status signal, said
rear occupant sensor status signal, said front crash status signal
and said side crash status signal.
17. A method of operating a crash notification system comprising:
generating a occupant sensor status signal; generating a crash
signal; and generating a communication signal as a function of said
occupant sensor status signal and said crash status signal; and
coupling the communication signal to a communication network.
18. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising determining
a severity signal from the communication signals wherein when a
severity signal is below a first threshold, deploying no
response.
19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein when a severity signal
is above a second threshold, deploying a high level response.
20. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein when a severity signal
is between said first and second thresholds, deploying a low level
response.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to crash sensing
systems for automotive vehicles, and more particularly, to a crash
notification system that notifies a response center to the severity
and the number of occupants in the vehicle. Accident sensing
systems typically use accelerometers to determine which safety
devices to deploy. For example, a front accelerometer determines
the deceleration of the vehicle. The restraints module deploys the
front airbag in response to the deceleration being severe or above
a predetermined amount. The deceleration corresponds to a crash
impact on the front of the vehicle. Side airbag sensors operate in
a similar manner in that a laterally mounted acceleration sensor
measures the side deceleration on the vehicle due to a crash.
Telematics systems are currently offered by various automakers.
Such systems typically contact a response center in response to the
deployment of the airbags. The response center then notifies the
police that some type of accident has occurred. Such a system,
however, does not provide an indication to the severity of the
crash. U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,598 uses a telematics system to generate
a signal corresponding to the severity of the crash. The system
uses a shock sensor to determine the amount of shock after the
airbag deployment. One problem with such a system is that an
inadequate response may be provided if several passengers are
within the vehicle. That is, too few emergency vehicles and
personnel may be initially dispatched to the accident scene.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a crash notification
system that provides an indication not only to the severity, but to
the number of occupants of the vehicle so that adequate personnel
may be dispatched to the scene.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention provides a crash notification system
that provides an indication as to the number of occupants of the
vehicle. The crash notification system interfaces with a
communication network. The crash notification system includes an
occupant sensor that generates an occupant sensor status signal and
a crash sensor generating a crash signal. A controller is coupled
to the occupant sensor and a crash sensor. The controller generates
a communication signal corresponding to the occupant sensor status
signal and the crash status signal. Based upon the communication
signal, a response center that is also coupled to the communication
network may provide an appropriate response.
[0003] In a further aspect of the invention, a method for crash
notification comprises generating an occupant sensor status signal;
generating a crash signal; and generating a communication signal as
a function of said occupant sensor status signal and said crash
status signal; and coupling the communication signal to a
communication network.
[0004] One advantage of the invention is that the severity level
may be judged to merely send a tow truck upon a minor accident and
can send the adequate number of emergency personnel should a more
severe accident occur with several occupants.
[0005] Other advantages and features of the present invention will
become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of
the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the
attached drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a crash notification
system according to the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating
the crash notification system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] The following description is generated by way of example.
Those skilled in the art will recognize various alternative
embodiments and permutations of the present invention.
[0009] Referring now to FIG. 1, an automotive vehicle 10 is
illustrated having a crash notification system 12 according to the
present invention. Crash notification system 12 has a controller
14. Controller 14 is preferably microprocessor-based and has a
memory, I/O ports, and a CPU. Controller 14 may be a central
controller within the vehicle or may be a plurality of separate
controllers that communicate. For example, controller 14 may have a
telematics control unit 16 and a restraints control module 18. More
modules may be used such as a separate module for the rear seat
sensors.
[0010] Telematics control unit 16 is coupled to a global
positioning system (GPS) antenna 20. GPS antenna 20 receives
signals from location satellites so that telematics control unit 16
can determine the position of the vehicle 10. Telematics control
unit 16 also generates communication signals to a communication
network 22.
[0011] Communication network 22 may, for example, be a cellular
phone network or a satellite communication network. Communication
network 22 generates communication signals to a response center 24.
Response center 24 may then dispatch appropriate emergency
personnel or other assistance as will be further described below.
Communications may also be provided to the vehicle occupants from
response center 24 through communication network 22. Thus, a
two-way communication may be had.
[0012] Restraints control module 18 is coupled to occupant sensors
30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D (collectively referred to as occupant
sensors 30). Occupant sensors 30 may be one of a variety of types
of occupant sensors including a weight-based sensor, an infrared,
ultrasonic, or other types of sensors that sense the presence of a
person within a seating position of the vehicle. Preferably, an
occupant sensor is provided for each seating position. Occupant
sensor 30A is positioned at the driver's seat. Occupant sensor 30B
is positioned at the passenger front seat. Occupant sensors 30C and
30D are illustrated in the rear position. Although only two rear
occupant sensors 30C and 30D are illustrated, various numbers of
rear occupant sensors may be employed depending on the type of
vehicle. For example, three occupant sensors may be provided across
the rear seat. Also, several rows of seating positions and thus
several rows of occupant sensors may be provided in the seats of
full-size vans, mini-vans, sport utility vehicles, and station
wagons. The occupant sensors generate an occupant sensor status
signal that corresponds to the presence of an occupant in the
various seating positions.
[0013] Restraints control module 18 may also be coupled to a
plurality of seat belt switches 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D
(collectively referred to as seat belt switch 32.) Seat belt
switches 32 generate a seat belt status signal corresponding to the
buckle or unbuckled state of the seat belts in the various
positions. Preferably, each of the seating positions has a seat
belt switch. As illustrated, seat belt switch 32A corresponds to
the driver seat belt switch. Seat belt switch 32B corresponds to
the front passenger seat, seat belt switches 32C and 32D correspond
to the rear seat belt switches.
[0014] Restraints control module 18 is also coupled to a front
crash sensor 34 and side crash sensors 36A and 36B. Both front
crash sensor and side crash sensors 36A and 36B are preferably
accelerometer-based. The crash sensors thus generate a crash signal
corresponding to a crash in the particular part of the vehicle in
which the sensors are located. In response to a severe crash
signal, front airbags 38A and/or 38B may be deployed. Likewise,
when a severe side crash signal is generated from side sensors 36A
and/or 36B, side airbags 40A and/or 40B may be deployed.
[0015] Based on this information the controller 14 may generate a
communication signal to communication network 22 in response to the
occupant sensor status signal, and the crash status signal. As
well, the seat belt status signal may also be used to form the
communication signal. In response to the communication signal, the
response center 24 may be used to deploy the appropriate emergency
level response.
[0016] Other sensors 42 may also be used by controller 14. For
example, other sensors 42 may include the speed of impact, various
accelerations, and the like. The direction of impact may also be
determined but may be based on the input from crash sensors 34,
36A, and 36B.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the method for operating the crash
notification system is described. In step 60, the various dynamic
vehicle conditions are sensed. These may include the vehicle speed
and the accelerations (decelerations) in the various directions
provided by the crash sensors. The presence of the occupants in the
different positions is determined in step 62. In step 64 the seat
belt status for the occupant positions is also determined by
monitoring the seat belt switches 32. The crash severity may be
determined in step 66. When the crash is a minor crash and thus
below a first threshold in step 67, the system recycles to block
60. No emergency response is needed in this situation. In step 67
if the severity is not below a first threshold, step 68 is
executed. Appropriate restraints may be deployed in step 68 in
response to the crash severity.
[0018] Once a crash has occurred, the vehicle location may be
sensed in step 70. The vehicle may constantly monitor vehicle
locations such as before step 67 but this information is not needed
until after a crash. In step 72 the data from steps 60-70 may be
transmitted to a response center through the communication network.
For example, the occupant status signal, the crash signals from one
or more of the crash sensors may be used to form the communication
signal. In addition, the seat belt status signal may also be
included in forming the seat belt status signal. Preferably, the
seat belt status signals and the occupant status signals from the
front and rear seating positions are used in the formation of the
communication word.
[0019] In step 74 the response center transmits the data to an
emergency service provider. The emergency service provider
determines what type of emergency response personnel to send based
on the communication signal and the data therein. If the crash is
not above a second threshold or not severe in step 76 then the
crash requires a low level emergency response. For example, a tow
truck or repair vehicle may be automatically dispatched to the
accident scene based on the GPS information in step 78.
[0020] In step 76 when the severity is above a second threshold, a
high level emergency response is deployed. In step 80, a high level
emergency response corresponding to the number of potentially
injured occupants may be deployed. In addition, the communication
signal may include the number of occupants in the vehicle and the
number of occupants that were belted using the seat belt status
sensor. This information may be included in each transmission
regardless of whether they are used. The acceleration of the front
and side airbags may also be used to determine the severity of the
crash.
[0021] It should also be noted the severity signal may be generated
at the vehicle and included in the communication signal.
[0022] As can be seen, the present invention filters out nuisance
emergency dispatches through the telematics control unit by
establishing various thresholds of severity. Advantageously, the
appropriate level of response corresponding to the number of
occupants may thus be deployed.
[0023] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments
will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended
that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended
claims.
* * * * *