Vehicle Warning System for Vulnerable Road Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warning systems for vehicles do not effectively alert other drivers to potentially dangerous situations involving vulnerable road users, such as children getting in or out of personal vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas like schools, where they may be overlooked.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow personal vehicle drivers to activate a warning function using a hazard flasher input, transmitting location information via wireless communication when a passenger door is open, and automatically activating the warning in designated waiting areas, using V2X communication protocols to alert nearby vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If warning signals are transmitted continuously, then other drivers are constantly alerted, but energy consumption increases and causes distraction to the vehicle operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting warning signals only during specific periods when vulnerable road users are present (e.g., during school hours at designated areas) rather than continuously. The control module activates the warning function based on temporal conditions, sending signals only when needed, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining warning effectiveness during critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting warning signals only in specific locations (designated waiting areas near schools) rather than everywhere. The control module determines the vehicle's location and activates the warning function only when the vehicle is within predefined geographic boundaries, ensuring energy-efficient operation while providing targeted warnings where vulnerable road users are most likely to be present.
2Reliability
If warning function is activated in all areas, then vulnerable road users are protected everywhere, but false alarms increase and driver attention is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting the warning function to specific designated waiting areas with predefined geographic boundaries. The control module checks whether the vehicle is within these boundaries before activating warnings, ensuring that alerts are only generated in locations where vulnerable road users are expected to be present, thereby eliminating false alarms in areas without such users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining geographic boundaries of designated waiting areas before operation. The system has the area coordinates stored in advance, allowing the control module to quickly determine whether the vehicle is within the warning zone without real-time analysis, thus reducing processing time and avoiding false alarms through pre-established criteria.
3Ease of operation
If manual activation is required, then driver control is maintained, but response time increases when danger is imminent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the driver manually activate the warning function in advance before entering the designated waiting area. The system provides a window of opportunity for activation before the vehicle reaches the critical zone, allowing the driver to prepare the warning system without rushing, thus balancing driver control with adequate response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by providing visual or auditory signals to the driver indicating when the vehicle is approaching or has entered the designated waiting area. The control module monitors vehicle position relative to the predefined boundaries and gives feedback to the driver, enabling timely manual activation of the warning function while maintaining driver awareness and control.
4Loss of time
If automatic activation is implemented, then response time is reduced, but driver control and awareness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle position relative to designated waiting areas and providing real-time feedback to the driver through visual or auditory signals. The control module compares current location with predefined boundaries and informs the driver of the warning zone status, maintaining driver awareness while enabling rapid automatic activation when conditions are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic detection and activation of the warning function based on vehicle location and predefined criteria. The control module autonomously determines when the vehicle is within a designated waiting area and activates the warning signals without requiring continuous driver intervention, thus reducing response time while maintaining driver control through prior manual activation requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods and computer programs for providing information related to a location of a vehicle and for providing location information related to one or more waiting vehicles. The information related to the location indicates, that the vehicle is a personal vehicle waiting for a passenger to get into or to get out of the vehicle. The method for providing information related to a location of a vehicle comprises determining (110) an activation status of a warning function of the vehicle, wherein the warning function comprises an active state and an inactive state. The warning function being set to an active state indicates that the vehicle is waiting for a passenger to get into or to get out of the vehicle. The method further comprises determining (120) the location of the vehicle. The method further comprises transmitting (130) the information related to the location of the vehicle if the warning function is active.