Vehicle Collision Warning via Mobile Device Signal Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collisions between vehicles and other road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists, often occur in urban traffic situations due to the difficulty in visually checking adjacent road spaces, especially when using side mirrors, which create blind spots.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing mobile electronic devices carried by road users to broadcast identification data, allowing a vehicle's receiving unit to calculate their position and determine collision risks, triggering warnings if necessary, without requiring expensive radar units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If side mirrors are used to check adjacent road space, then the driver can observe some area, but dead angle regions remain undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile electronic devices as intermediary objects that road users carry. These devices broadcast identification data that the vehicle's receiving unit can detect, serving as a mediator between the road user and the vehicle's detection system, eliminating the need for complex mirror arrangements to cover blind spots
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic detection system. Instead of using optical reflections from mirrors to detect road users, the system uses electronic signal transmission and reception through mobile devices, substituting a mechanical/optical approach with an electronic one
2Reliability
If radar units are installed to detect road users, then collision detection capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by utilizing mobile electronic devices that road users already carry and that automatically broadcast their identification data. The system does not require additional expensive detection equipment on the road user side, as the mobile devices themselves provide the detection function through their existing communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive mobile electronic devices that are already ubiquitous among road users. These devices serve as temporary, disposable detection nodes that can be replaced or updated without significant cost, contrasting with expensive, permanent radar installations
3Reliability
If the vehicle continuously monitors all surrounding areas, then collision risk detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring by having the receiving unit check for broadcasted identification data at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains collision detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring of all surrounding areas
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents collisions by reliably detecting potential hazards and alerting drivers, leveraging omnipresent mobile devices for efficient and cost-effective collision avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
receiving identification data from the mobile electronic device at a receiving unit of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
calculating a position of the mobile electronic device based on a signal strength of the signal carrying the received identification data
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for preventing a collision of a vehicle with another road user carrying a mobile electronic device. The method comprises receiving identification data from the mobile electronic device at a receiving unit of the vehicle. Thereafter, a position of the mobile electronic device is calculated based on a signal strength of the signal carrying the received identification data. Subsequently, a collision risk of the road user carrying the mobile electronic device and the vehicle is determined. If a collision risk is determined, a warning activity for a user of the vehicle is triggered. The disclosure additionally relates to a collision warning system comprising a receiving unit for receiving identification data from a mobile electronic device and a data processing device. The data processing device is communicatively coupled to the receiving unit. Moreover, the data processing device comprises means for calculating a position of the mobile electronic device, for determining the collision risk, and for triggering a warning activity for a user of the vehicle. Furthermore, a vehicle having such a collision warning system is presented.