Curve Alerting System for Oncoming Vehicle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a high probability of accidents at curves due to vehicles encountering each other without visible cues, leading to life-threatening hazards as drivers cannot see approaching vehicles due to obstructions, necessitating an effective method to alert drivers of oncoming vehicles at curves.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize vehicle position information and road data to determine when a vehicle is approaching a curve and alert the driver or other vehicles in advance, using GPS coordinates and road information to estimate potential collision sites and trigger alarms, either through a server or in-vehicle navigation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drivers rely on visual cues to detect oncoming vehicles at curves, then they can identify approaching vehicles, but they cannot see vehicles in time due to obstructions leading to accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident preventionVSAvoidvisibility of oncoming vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of detection devices mounted on vehicles (such as cameras or sensors) and a central processing system that mediates between the vehicles and drivers. The detection devices capture information about oncoming vehicles, the central system processes this data to determine collision risks, and then alerts the drivers. This intermediary system bridges the information gap caused by curve obstructions, allowing drivers to be warned of vehicles they cannot see directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual horn sounding is used to warn of oncoming vehicles at curves, then drivers can be alerted, but the process requires manual intervention and may not be timely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver alertingVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring vehicle positions and trajectories using detection devices and GPS data before vehicles actually reach the curve. The central processing system calculates potential collision risks in advance based on projected paths, and alerts are issued before drivers would need to take manual action. This preliminary detection and calculation eliminates the need for last-minute horn sounding and provides advance warning to drivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If automated detection systems are implemented to identify potential collisions at curves, then timely alerts can be issued, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated detection system is segmented into distinct functional modules: detection devices (cameras, sensors) mounted on individual vehicles, communication modules for data transmission, a central processing system for trajectory calculation and risk assessment, and alert generation components. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or replaced. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating manageable, modular components rather than a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3159867B1A method and apparatus for alerting a target vehicle of another vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3159867B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3159867B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3159867B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for alerting a target vehicle of another vehicle at a curve includes: receiving (201) information on travel position of vehicles; determining (202) a target vehicle about to encounter another vehicle at the curve according to the information on travel position of vehicles and road information; and alerting (203) the target vehicle of the other vehicle at the curve. Accidents involved with countering vehicles can be reduced efficiently according to the present disclosure.