US 8,013,722 B2 · Vehicle obstruction warning system and method

Abstract

A system and method for warning vehicle operators of obstructions are provided. First clearance data of the vehicle, including vehicle height and width, are obtained and stored in memory. An obstruction in the vehicle's path and the travel surface between the vehicle and the obstruction are scanned by a sensor device. Second clearance data of the obstruction, including the height and width of the vehicle passage defined by the obstruction, are determined and are stored in memory. Utilizing a comparison/warning signal generating device, the first and second clearance data are compared, and a warning signal is generated when values of the first clearance data are equal to or greater than corresponding values of the second clearance data. A monitoring device monitors the time period between generation of the warning signal and responsive action by the vehicle operator to avoid a collision. The vehicle is automatically brought to a stop if, upon expiration of a preselected time limit, the vehicle operator has not taken appropriate action.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A vehicle obstruction warning method, comprising the steps of:

obtaining first clearance data of said vehicle, said first clearance data including height and width of said vehicle;
scanning at least one obstruction presented in a path of said vehicle and a travel surface between said vehicle and said at least one obstruction;
determining second clearance data of said at least one obstruction, said second clearance data including at least one of height and width of a vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction;
comparing said first clearance data against said second clearance data;
generating a warning signal when values of said first clearance data are at least one of equal to and greater than corresponding values of said second clearance data, wherein said warning signal is at least one of an optical, acoustic, and haptic signal;
providing a time limit for a vehicle operator to take action responsive to said warning signal to avoid collision with said at least one obstruction;
and
automatically braking said vehicle to a stop on expiration of said time limit when said operator does not take said action.

5 more elements

A vehicle obstruction warning system, comprising:

a sensor device;
a first memory for storing first clearance data of said vehicle including height and width of said vehicle;
a second memory for storing second clearance data of at least one obstruction presented in a path of said vehicle including at least one of height and width of a vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction;
a comparison/warning signal generating device in communication with said first memory and said second memory, said sensor device operative to:
obtain said second clearance data;
compare said first clearance data against said second clearance data;
and
initiate a warning signal when values of said first clearance data are at least one of equal to and greater than corresponding values of said second clearance data, wherein said warning signal is at least one of an optical, acoustic, and haptic warning signal;
and
a monitoring device operative to:
monitor a time period between generation of said warning signal and a responsive action by a vehicle operator to avoid collision with said at least one obstruction;
and
initiate automatic braking of said vehicle to a stop on expiration of a preselected time limit when said operator does not take said responsive action.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle obstruction warning system and method

Life of this patent

Vehicle obstruction warning system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19