4279 results about "Warning system" patented technology

System and method for preventing vehicle accidents in which the absolute position of the vehicle is determined, e.g., using a satellite-based positioning system such as GPS, and the location of the vehicle relative to the edges of the roadway is then determined based on the absolute position of the vehicle and stored data relating to edges of roadways on which the vehicle may travel. A system or component within the vehicle is initiated, e.g., an alarm or warning system, or the operation of a system or component is affected, e.g., an automatic guidance system, if the location of the vehicle approaches close to an edge of the roadway or intersects with an edge of the roadway.

A warning system (12) for a source vehicle (10) is illustrated. A camera (20) generates a plurality of images. A controller (30) is coupled to an indicator (36). The controller (30) generates a size signal and position signal for a rear-approaching vehicle. The controller (30) activates an indicator when a rear-approaching vehicle enters a blind spot (14) in response to the size signal and position signal.

A pedestrian warning or alert system and method are disclosed. The warning system is mounted on an electric vehicle. The warning system includes a front speaker system, a rear speaker system, a front pedestrian detector, a rear pedestrian detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU) electronically coupled to the front speaker system, the rear speaker system, the front pedestrian detector, and the rear pedestrian detector. The ECU commands the front speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the front pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object and commands the rear speaker system to emit a warning sound based on the rear pedestrian detector detecting a pedestrian-shaped object. The ECU is coupled to a microphone, the signal of which is used to estimate an ambient noise level. The intensity and frequency of the warning sound commanded from the front and / or rear speaker system is based on the ambient noise level.

A flow cytometer (20) capable of utilizing an imaging system including a sensor (88) to determine various properties of the flow cytometer (20). Importantly, the imaging allows for determination of a drop delay time (154). Other characteristics that can be determined include at least the width of the stream, pressure of the stream, effect of charged droplets on other droplets (44), trajectory of the stream, resonant frequency, wavelengths, change in position of droplet break-off point (150), and others. An automatic warning system (180) can be used to alert an operator of an anomaly during setup or during normal operation. Furthermore, a mechanical interrupter can be used to shield a sort result from contamination by an incorrectly functioning stream. The cytometer (20) also allows for the disablement of the sort, particularly the charging and deflection systems. In addition, a more accurate system for detecting the speed of the stream can be used. The imaging system including a sensor (88) can allow for the removal of background noise and the monitoring of a change in a stream characteristic.

A host vehicle system includes a blind-spot warning system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a blind-spot. The system includes a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, magneto-resistive sensors receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.

A radar system is described for use in vehicular applications. The radar system is particularly suited to backup warning systems and lane-change warning systems. The radar minimizes many of the problems found in the prior art by providing programmable delays and programmable gain. The radar uses a range search algorithm to detect and sort targets at various ranges within the field of view of the radar. Each target range corresponds to a particular delay and gain setting. The radar searches for targets at the various ranges by running a target search algorithm. For each target range, the search algorithm causes the proper time delay and gain setting. Targets within the selected range are detected and catalogued. Speed of the targets is obtained through Doppler processing. A display is used to warn the driver of the vehicle of the presence of targets at the various ranges. The warning may be visual and / or audible. When used in a lane-change system, issuance of an audible warning is based on the speed of the vehicle.

A pedestrian warning system includes a sensing device that is provided on the vehicle for detecting a pedestrian within a predetermined zone around the vehicle. A warning device on the vehicle generates a warning signal perceived by the pedestrian outside the vehicle indicating a presence of the vehicle. A speed sensor senses a speed of the vehicle. A controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicating the detection of the pedestrian within the predetermined zone. The controller determines whether the speed of the vehicle is within a predetermine speed range. The controller actuates the warning device for warning the pedestrian of the close proximity to the vehicle in response to determining the vehicle traveling at a respective speed is within the predetermined speed range and detecting the presence of the pedestrian within the predetermined zone.

A vehicle warning system for use in conjunction with road signs proximate a roadway and that are visible by passing motorists. The system has two assemblies, one on each side of a roadway and associated with a road sign. Each assembly has a power source, one or more lights that when lit project light that is visible to a passing motorist, a controller, a light activation device, and a wireless transceiver. Operation of the light activation device of a first of the assemblies causes the wireless transceiver of the first assembly to send a signal to the wireless transceiver of the second assembly, and both controllers to temporarily connect one or more lights of each assembly to the power source for the assembly, to light the one or more lights and thus project light that is visible to the motorist from both sides of the roadway.

A bed exit and patient detection system especially adapted for use in the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital or other healthcare facility as part of a vital signs monitoring and remote warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in the patient's bed in a series of rectangular strips or zones that run laterally across the bed in the area of the patient's mid-back, hips and mid-legs, respectively. Each zone contains a plurality of sensors, arranged symmetrically about the centerline of the bed, with the corresponding sensors on opposite sides of the centerline in each zone being connected in parallel. The sensors are connected to a processor with multiple input channels that continuously monitors the sensor states to determine, from the pattern of sensor states observed, whether the patient is in bed, out of bed or is actively attempting to ext the bed at the sides or foot of the bed. At least three different sets of bed exit logic rules are available for user selection to configure the system for high, medium or low sensitivity, or bed exit privileges, for any particular patient. In some embodiments, the system also is capable of detecting when a patient is attempting to assume certain prohibited in-bed positions, such as sitting positions or slumping positions. An alarm in the form of a pre-recorded voice announcement or an alarm over a pre-existing nurse call system is provided when the sensor states are indicative of an out-of-bed or an exiting bed condition, or other prohibited in-bed positions, for a predetermined minimum period of time.

A vehicle warning system is responsive to vehicle speed and position as determined by GPS or other location based system information to alert a vehicle operator of potentially unsafe conditions when either exceeding the speed limit on a given road segment or when approaching coordinates of a designated location alert point. The system comprises a portable device, a simple device personalization process using a single physical data communications interface to a local computing device connected to the Internet, and a remote server with a segmented database that provides access to common data services, positional data updates, and device personalization functionality.

An emergency vehicle warning device and a vehicle warning system method for notifying a person (and plural) in a moving vehicle (and plural), an approaching emergency vehicle (and plural), including a transmitter for transmitting an emergency signal from an emergency vehicle and a receiver embedded in a siren and light vehicle warning device located near or attached to a traffic signal, and the receiving vehicle warning devise emits lights and loud siren sounds, which alert driver(s) of moving vehicle(s) and pedestrian(s), that the emergency vehicle(s) are approaching a nearby intersection; and the Emergency vehicle warning system comprising a transmitting means located in an emergency vehicle for transmitting an emergency signal indicating that the emergency vehicle(s) are approaching the intersection that is activated or starts and continues signaling when emergency vehicle(s) are on the move nearby in emergency conditions, a receiving means located in a siren and light vehicle warning device, such device located near or attached to a traffic signaling device or light, such receiving means for receiving the emergency signal from the transmitting means, and an alert means triggered by the receiving means to alert the driver of the moving vehicle(s) that the emergency vehicle(s) are approaching.

The present invention is directed to a train detection system for detecting the velocity, presence, and direction of a railroad car which may be utilized in existing railroad crossing installations. The train detection system is suitable for self-testing of its components and if an anomaly has been detected, the train detection system is capable of placing the system in a fail-safe state. The train detection system of the present invention is also capable of constant communication between the sensor of said system and the implementing device of the train detection system via a wireless link.

A failure detection and warning system for monitoring a medical device wherein the system includes means structured to passively or actively detect faults occurring in the medical device being monitored, and wherein the fault includes an unprogrammed and / or undesired shut off of the medical device being monitored or an unprogrammed and / or undesired shut-off of the output of the medical device being monitored by the system.

A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the presence of a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. The lights are activated by the pedestrian, either by manual switch or by a sensor, before he enters the crosswalk. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the pedestrian may have entered the crosswalk, and that caution should be exercised.

A method for providing a forward collision warning using a camera mountable in a motor vehicle. The method acquires multiple image frames at known time intervals. A patch may be selected in at least one of the image frames. Optical flow may be tracked between the image frames of multiple image points of the patch. Based on the fit of the image points to a model, a time-to collision (TTC) may be determined if a collision is expected. The image points may be fit to a road surface model and a portion of the image points is modeled to be imaged from a road surface. A collision is not expected based on the fir of the image points to the road surface model.

A head-worn computer including a see-through display includes a positional sensor system adapted to provide position feedback indicative of an alignment of the see-through display with a forward facing view through a windshield of a vehicle, a communication system adapted to connect the head-worn computer with a vehicle warning system, and a processor adapted to cause the head-worn computer to produce tactile feedback when the positional sensor system indicates that the see-through display is not aligned with the forward facing view and the vehicle warning system produces a warning signal.

An on-board vehicle warning system includes a vehicle location detecting section, a traffic regulation retrieving section, an incoming message receiving section, a vehicle information detecting section, a potential violation alerting section. The traffic regulation retrieving section is configured to retrieve information relating to a local traffic regulation corresponding to the location of the host vehicle from traffic regulation data including traffic regulations relating to a plurality of jurisdictions. The potential violation alerting section is configured to determine a potential traffic violation based on the intersection information and the vehicle travel information, and to selectively produce a driver notification to a driver of the host vehicle based upon a determination of the potential traffic violation according to the local traffic regulation corresponding to the location of the host vehicle.

A GPS / IMU safety sensor platform is proposed, consisting of data fusion Processors, GNSS Signal Acquisition and Tracking Processors, MEMS IMU sensors, one or multiple accelerometers able to provide orientation information, optional V2V communication modules, and optional V2I communication modules. The data fusion processors provide interface ports to GNSS / IMU processors, odometers, video (Visual / Infrared) cameras installed in the vehicle, V2V relative positioning sensors (laser, radar or any other distance measuring), and V2V and V2I communication modules. The data fusion processors are interfaced to a driver warning system and optionally to the vehicle controls for providing safety warning messages to drivers, or for automatic control the vehicle for preventing and reducing accidents.

The invention disclosed provides a driver monitoring and scoring system that detects and alerts the driver of erratic movements in order to redirect the attention of the driver so the driver can correct the poor driving. The system has the capability to record the instances of driving behavior and report them either immediately via a wireless network or from stored memory. The invention also displays a scoring system where the driver loses points for erratic driving and gains points for problem free driving. The system can maintain a list of high scores sorted by driver such that the driver can strive for higher scores resulting in better driving habits. The system can be used in the vehicle of the general public or in specific cases such as monitoring of drunk driving repeat offenders or in commercial vehicles such as school buses and public transportation.

A vehicle encroachment warning system comprising at least one rearward oriented sensing circuit for identifying a positional relationship and velocity of an approaching object. The sensing circuit can be a digital image capturing system, such as video. The system integrates a controller functioning as a user interface. The controller provides alerts and other various information to the user. The controller maintains a history of metrics throughout the period of use. An application enabled on a Smartphone can be used as the controller. Features of the Smartphone enhance the system, enabling communication between the system and vehicles in the proximity, automatic dialing to e-911 or others upon sudden motions (such as an impact), etc. The system can employ a single stage sensing system, such as a computer vision analysis or a two stage, using video analysis, then transitioning to a higher resolution system, such as radar.

A method of processing information in a tire pressure monitoring system includes the steps of: establishing a reference temperature; determining a pressure warning threshold at the reference temperature; measuring gauge pressure and gauge temperature within a tire cavity; correcting the gauge pressure to a filtered pressure value at the reference temperature using the Ideal Gas Law; and comparing the filtered pressure value against the pressure warning threshold to determine the necessity for a warning signal. In an advanced form of the invention, the method includes determining a pressure leak rate; predicting the time interval that the filtered pressure value will cross the pressure warning threshold at the leak rate and generating progressive warnings to the driver over the time interval. Fuzzy logic is used to quantify the probability of a warning state for each data point, allow for measurement error; and report the state of maximum probability to minimize the occurrence of false warning. A warning utility function is derived based upon a combination of the filtered pressure and leak rate.

A networked system of addressable alarms notifies citizens of conditions within a community, A control center is communicably linked via the network to alarm devices such as smoke detectors in controlled environments such as buildings in order to alert citizens of conditions outside of the controlled environment, which may be situations requiring an emergency response. The alarm devices may also be capable of sending local status information (e.g., fire alarms, security alarms, etc.) to the control center so that the control center can respond as necessary to any local emergencies.

A warning system (20) includes a central control unit (CCU), and a plurality of local units (LU) connected to the central control unit (CCU). Each local unit (LU) includes a plurality of input trips (An), such as smoke detector, an earthquake detector, and gas detector, and a plurality of programmable responses, such as a bypass relay (C), a message delivered by a record / playback unit (D), an emergency light (E), and a strobe light (F). The input trips (An) also include a disconnect trip (A1), which is activated by a detector input signal (DI) sent from the central control unit (CCU), and indicates that the central control unit (CCU) has malfunctioned. The programmable responses include a warning output signal (WO) which is sent from the local unit (LU) to the central control unit (CCU) to indicate the presence of a local emergency at the local unit (LU).

A computer-implemented method, system, and program includes a behavior processing system for capturing a three-dimensional movement of a monitored user within a particular environment monitored by a supervising user, wherein the three-dimensional movement is determined by using at least one image capture device aimed at the monitored user. The behavior processing system identifies a three-dimensional object properties stream using the captured movement. The behavior processing system identifies a particular defined adverse behavior of the monitored user represented by the three-dimensional object properties stream by comparing the identified three-dimensional object properties stream with multiple adverse behavior definitions. In response to identifying the particular defined adverse behavior from among the multiple adverse behavior definitions, the behavior processing system triggers a warning system to notify the supervising user about the particular defined adverse behavior of the monitored user through an output interface only detectable by the supervising user.

The invention relates to a dam safety intelligent monitoring and pre-warning system based on full life circle and a method thereof, and belongs to the intelligent monitoring and pre-warning field of hydraulic and hydro-power engineering safety. By taking the full life circle of a high arch dam as a main line, a three-dimensional digital technology as a foundation and a building information model as a core, a full dam information model (DIM) including an overall three-dimensional structure of high arch dam concrete and foundation and construction process information are established, and an intelligent technology is applied by an intelligent high arch dam construction information platform for quality management and dynamic analysis control based on DIM development, so that the high arch dam construction such as application of essential data in the design period, full-process monitoring in the construction period and all-around monitoring and safety assessment and pre-warning analysis evaluation in the operation and management period of the high arch dam is realized, refine management and control on the high arch dam are realized, a foundation is provided for the safety management of the high arch dam, and safe operation in the whole life circle of the high arch dam is guaranteed.

There is provided a bed exit warning system for use in monitoring a user on a bed that comprises one or more sensors for measuring one or more physiological characteristics of the user and for producing corresponding signals indicative of the one or more physiological characteristics; and a processor adapted to monitor the corresponding signals and to determine the likelihood that the user is about to get out of the bed from changes in the one or more physiological characteristics.

A black ice detection system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having a forward field of view in a direction of forward travel of the vehicle and a control operable to process images captured by the imaging sensor and operable to detect and discern black ice on a surface in front of the vehicle in response to the image processing.

This invention provides a system to detect in real time the condition of jackknifing tendency during vehicle-trailer backing up, and to provide steering direction assistance. The system utilizes rates of change of a vehicle-trailer articulation angle to determine a critical articulation angle.