Communications: electrical – External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm – Transmitter in another vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-06-05
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
Transmitter in another vehicle
C340S933000, C340S935000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243025
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moving body detection system for detecting moving bodies by exchanging signals between the moving bodies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a moving body detection system for detecting moving bodies such as vehicles, pedestrians, etc.
2. Description of Related Art
Various methods have been used in the related art for detecting other approaching vehicles and other moving bodies while driving.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 2 (1990)-216600, a receiving device provided in a vehicle carries out monitoring as the vehicle progresses. An alarm is generated and the presence of a moving body made known as a result of the receiving device receiving an alarm signal transmitted by a transmission device provided on another moving body.
However, since the number of moving bodies that may cause the alarm is unknown, when only one vehicle is confirmed by sight, it is difficult notice the presence of other vehicles. Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 7(1995)-225274, confirmation is displayed as a result of discerning whether or not one or a plurality of moving bodies exist within a prescribed distance by comparing intervals of rises of consecutive pulses occurring in a receive signal within a reference period.
However, the device only determines whether one or a plurality of moving bodies is present and it is not possible to notice configurations such as the arrangement of the moving bodies when a plurality of moving bodies are present. It is more convenient for the driver of the vehicle to determine how the opposing moving bodies are arranged, rather than just receiving information regarding whether one or a plurality of moving bodies are present.
Furthermore, even if a plurality of opposing moving bodies are detected, the distance to all of the opposing moving bodies cannot be measured at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to resolve these problems, it is the object of the present invention to provide a moving body detection system capable of measuring distances to a plurality of opposing moving bodies.
In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a moving body detection system for detecting moving bodies by transmitting and receiving signals between the moving bodies. Each moving body transmits an ID code capable of identifying the moving body itself as a fixed output ID code signal for a fixed period. A detection side moving body receives the ID code signal for the same transmission period as the ID code signal based on changes in driving conditions, discriminates the received ID signal, and prioritizes each ID code based on the discrimination results. The detection side moving body then transmits a detection signal with the ID code and the ID code of the detection side moving body itself added at prescribed time intervals in ID code order. A non-detection side moving body receives the detection signal and transmits a response signal with its own ID code and the ID code of the detection side moving body added if the ID code added to the detection signal is the same as its own ID code. The detection side moving body then receives the response signal and measures the distance to the non-detection side moving body having the ID code for the same response signal.
The detection side moving body discerns the ID code received under receiving conditions having the same transmission period as the ID code signal and decides an order for the ID codes. The detection side moving body then transmits a detection signal with the ID code and the ID code of the detection side moving body itself added at prescribed time intervals in order from the first ID code. The non-detection side moving body having the first ID code then responds to the transmission of the initial detection signal, and the distance to the same non-detection side moving body is measured. The non-detection side moving body having a second ID code responds to the transmission of a second detection signal and the distance to the same non-detection side moving body is measured. In this manner, the distances to a plurality of non-detection side moving bodies can be sequentially measured.
The driver of the detection side moving body can therefore confirm the arrangement of the opposing non-detection side moving bodies.
In a second aspect of the first embodiment present invention, the detection side moving body receives the ID code, discerns the signal receiving power of the ID code signal and decides an order for the ID codes according to the strength of the signal receiving power.
Since the ID code signals are transmitted at fixed outputs, the ID code signal receiving power received by the detection side moving body is larger for closer non-detection side moving bodies.
Furthermore, the distance to non-detection side moving bodies is measured, the closest non-detection side moving body being measured first, by deciding the ID code order according to the strength of the signal receiving power. The distance to close opposing moving bodies can therefore be determined quickly.
In a third aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention, the detection side moving body receives the ID code signal within a prescribed period of time based on changes in driving conditions where a indicator switch is operated in order to make a turn from a current lane of travel to another direction.
In the case of making a turn from the current lane of travel to another direction, and in particular when making a turn across an opposite lane, it is necessary to detect moving bodies approaching head on in the opposite lane. By adopting ID code signal receiving conditions based upon the operation of an indicator lever when making a turn, which operates an indicator switch, the ID code signal of a non-detection side moving body can be received only when necessary. Furthermore, a detection signal is transmitted, opposing moving bodies are sequentially detected and distances can be measured only when necessary.
In addition, in order to achieve the aforementioned object, a second embodiment of the present invention provides a moving body detection system for detecting moving bodies by transmitting and receiving signals between the moving bodies. Each moving body transmits an ID code capable of identifying the moving body itself. A detection side moving body receives the ID code signal based on changes in driving conditions and discriminates the received ID code signal. The detection side moving body then transmits a detection signal with the ID code and the ID code of the detection side moving body itself added thereto. A non-detection side moving body receives the detection signal and transmits a response signal with its own ID code and the ID code of the detection side moving body added if the ID code added to the detection signal is the same as its own ID code. The detection side moving body then receives the response signal and measures the distance to the non-detection side moving body having the ID code.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5581249 (1996-12-01), Yoshida
patent: 5710556 (1998-01-01), Nishimura et al.
patent: 5952940 (1999-09-01), Matsumoto
patent: 6054936 (2000-04-01), Yamagata et al.
patent: 2216600 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 7225274 (1995-08-01), None
Kushida Kazumitsu
Tabata Hajime
Yamagata Tetsuo
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Lefkowitz Edward
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