Driver warning system
US6587043B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Q9/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved driver warning system that more effectively conveys the urgency of a potentially unsafe condition. The driver warning system detects a distance based parameter, preferably headway time or range rate, between a driver vehicle and a traffic vehicle using various sensors. A controller with a multi-variable table determines the safety status of the driver vehicle relative to the traffic vehicle. The safety status is compared to a plurality of predetermined safety status levels, which correspond to particular alert signal intensities. For example, a first alert signal intensity may be a light flashing at a first rate, and a second alert signal intensity may be the light flashing at a second rate which is greater than the first rate. A safety status level is selected for the current safety status of the driver vehicle. The alert signal, which may be the light mentioned above, is activated at the alert signal intensity for the selected safety status.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.