Lifeform Transmitter Signals for Vehicle Collision Avoidance

Solution Overview

Problem

Current collision avoidance systems in vehicles often fail to accurately detect lifeforms, particularly pedestrians, due to limitations in sensor technologies like cameras, radar, and lidar, which are ineffective in adverse weather conditions and struggle to distinguish between objects, leading to increased pedestrian fatalities and injuries.

Innovation Solution

A lifeform detection system that emits a GPS-like signal when lifeform vitals are detected, allowing vehicles to identify and respond to the presence of lifeforms through a one-way communication device, enhancing the accuracy of collision avoidance systems by providing additional input on lifeform proximity and direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor technologies like cameras, radar, and lidar are used for collision avoidance detection, then the system can detect objects and lifeforms, but the detection accuracy deteriorates in adverse weather conditions and low visibility scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidlifeform detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device worn by lifeforms (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) that actively transmits its location and identity to vehicle collision avoidance systems. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the lifeform and the vehicle's sensors, providing supplemental information that enhances detection reliability and measurement precision in adverse weather conditions where traditional sensors struggle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifeform-worn device continuously transmits location data before any collision risk arises, allowing the vehicle's collision avoidance system to proactively identify and track lifeforms in advance. This preliminary action enables the system to prepare for potential collisions rather than reacting to detected objects, improving both reliability and precision in challenging environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If traditional sensor systems are used without lifeform-specific signals, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to distinguish lifeforms from objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidlifeform identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device worn by lifeforms (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) that actively transmits its location and identity to vehicle collision avoidance systems. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the lifeform and the vehicle's sensors, providing supplemental information that enhances detection reliability and measurement precision in adverse weather conditions where traditional sensors struggle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs signal transmission from lifeform-worn devices that emit identifiable signals (analogous to color changes in optical detection) to distinguish lifeforms from inanimate objects. These transmitted signals provide unique identification characteristics that enable the collision avoidance system to accurately differentiate between lifeforms and other objects in the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If cameras, radar, and lidar are used for detection, then the system can operate in various conditions, but the effectiveness deteriorates when visibility is low or weather is adverse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddetection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device worn by lifeforms (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) that actively transmits its location and identity to vehicle collision avoidance systems. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the lifeform and the vehicle's sensors, providing supplemental information that enhances detection reliability and measurement precision in adverse weather conditions where traditional sensors struggle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifeform-worn device continuously transmits location data before any collision risk arises, allowing the vehicle's collision avoidance system to proactively identify and track lifeforms in advance. This preliminary action enables the system to prepare for potential collisions rather than reacting to detected objects, improving both reliability and precision in challenging environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11738746B2Lifeform transmission system for collision avoidance

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 JEWELL TED

AI summary

A lifeform transmission system is used to locate a lifeform wanting to be identified as a lifeform for collision avoidance. The lifeform transmission system comprises a lifeform vitals detector, a GPS transmitter and various other electrical circuits. The lifeform transmitter is worn on a limb or neck of the lifeform. If the lifeform does not wear a transmitter no signal is emitted. The collision avoidance system is housed inside the vehicle and receives communication from invention. If any lifeform is positioned in the path or approaching the path that the ground vehicle is traveling, the vehicle's collision avoidance system is advised to avoid the collision to enhance the accuracy of the collision avoidance system. This invention complements the existing collision avoidance system and enhances the accuracy of vehicle systems by providing an input from the lifeform, making detection easier.