Wearable-Verified Vehicle Collision Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision detection systems in motor vehicles are prone to inaccuracies due to faulty sensors and environmental factors, such as dirt on cameras, leading to incorrect identification of collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines data from onboard vehicle sensors with information from a wearable device worn by an occupant to confirm collision detection, utilizing a differential data analysis module to integrate and validate sensor data for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only onboard vehicle sensors are used for collision detection, then the system structure remains simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to faulty sensors and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple sources including onboard vehicle sensors (accelerometers, impact sensors, cameras, radar) and wearable device sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, heart rate monitors) into a unified collision detection system. This merging of sensor data from different locations and types improves measurement precision by providing redundant and complementary information, allowing the system to cross-validate readings and distinguish true collision events from false positives caused by sensor faults or environmental factors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where sensors serve multiple purposes. For example, accelerometers in the vehicle detect both normal braking and collision impacts, while cameras and radar serve both collision warning and collision detection functions. The wearable device sensors similarly provide both motion detection and physiological monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision across different scenarios without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each sensor contributes to multiple detection objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller or processing system that acts as an intermediary between multiple sensors and the collision detection logic. This intermediary component receives, synchronizes, and analyzes data from various sensors, applying algorithms to determine whether a collision has occurred. By centralizing the data processing function, the system can manage the complexity of multiple sensors through a unified analysis framework rather than requiring separate processing circuits for each sensor, thus improving measurement precision while controlling overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If wearable device data is integrated with vehicle sensor data, then collision detection reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic connection and data integration between the vehicle system and wearable devices. The controller automatically establishes communication with wearable devices when they are present in the vehicle, retrieves sensor data without manual intervention, and integrates it with vehicle sensor readings. The system self-manages the synchronization and calibration of multiple data sources, eliminating the need for users to manually configure connections or adjust settings. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while improving reliability through the integration of additional data sources for more accurate collision detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for using wearable device data and data gathered from a vehicle's onboard sensors to provide a more accurate and/or robust set of information about an accident. In one embodiment, a smartwatch is connected to the CAN bus of a vehicle so that data can be transmitted between the watch and onboard sensors. In one embodiment, onboard vehicle sensors may detect a sudden deceleration indicating that an accident may have occurred. At the same time, data from an occupant of the vehicle can be used to confirm if the occupant experienced a sudden deceleration at the same time, indicating that a crash has occurred.