Proximity Signal for Quiet Cars (14-Apr-2006)
Cars are moving towards hybrid and electric solutions. These technologies have many advantages, but one is a mixed blessing: they tend to run much more quietly (sometimes silently) than traditional vehicles. This is good for the driver and passengers, but can be dangerous for pedestrians, particularly those who may have visual disabilities or blindness. One solution would be to add a chirper or other noise-making device to such vehicles; this could be distracting or annoying to car users, other drivers, people on sidewalks and in nearby structures. A need exists, therefore, for a mechanism to selectively provide a proximity warning to a pedestrian who is potentially at risk while minimizing negative affects on others. Two primary methods are disclosed: a method in which the vehicle initiates the signal and a method in which the pedestrian initiates the signal. Also disclosed is the combination of both methods used simultaneously.
Proximity Signal for Quiet Cars
In the first method the quiet vehicle includes a simple radio circuit which creates a modulated, low-power signal of known strength whenever it is in motion. Modulated onto this signal is information on the speed of the vehicle. The pedestrian wears a receiving device that senses the signals created by such vehicles. Known methods to measure the relative power of the received signal vs. a known reference may be used to estimate the distance from between the sender and receiver. Processing is performed at the receiving device to determine whether the location of the receiver is at risk based on the indicated speed, distance, and relative direction of the vehicle. When a risk is determined several warning methods may be used to alert the user, the nature and intensity of these warnings may reflect the nature and severity of the risk.
In the second method the pedestrian utilizes a mechanism to signal his presence to the quiet vehicle; this mechanism may be active (ie. RF transmission via Bluetooth or other technology) or passive (ie. RFID tag). The vehicle includes a mechanism to detect the presence of a nearby pedestrian using one of these mechanisms; again, processing is performed (this time by the vehicle) to determine whether the location of the receiver is at risk based on the indicated speed, distance, and relative direction of the vehicle. When a risk is determined the vehicle may sound...
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