US 12,265,165 B2
Inter-vehicle signaling for collision avoidance and harm minimization
David E. Newman, Poway, CA (US); and R. Kemp Massengill, Palos Verdes, CA (US)
Filed by David E. Newman, Poway, CA (US); and R. Kemp Massengill, Palos Verdes, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/205,031.
Application 18/205,031 is a continuation of application No. 17/828,145, filed on May 31, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/828,145 is a continuation of application No. 17/505,031, filed on Oct. 19, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/505,031 is a continuation of application No. 17/197,904, filed on Mar. 10, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/197,904 is a continuation of application No. 16/945,826, filed on Aug. 1, 2020, abandoned.
Application 16/945,826 is a continuation of application No. 16/560,355, filed on Sep. 4, 2019, granted, now 10,816,636, issued on Oct. 27, 2020.
Application 16/560,355 is a continuation of application No. 16/390,219, filed on Apr. 22, 2019, granted, now 10,816,635, issued on Oct. 27, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/832,499, filed on Apr. 11, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/782,672, filed on Dec. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0349999 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G01S 5/00 (2006.01); G07C 5/00 (2006.01); G08G 1/16 (2006.01); H04W 4/46 (2018.01)
CPC G01S 5/0072 (2013.01) [G07C 5/008 (2013.01); G08G 1/163 (2013.01); G08G 1/166 (2013.01); H04W 4/46 (2018.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for autonomous vehicles to avoid a collision, the method comprising:
a) detecting, by a first autonomous vehicle, based on sensors mounted in or on the first autonomous vehicle, a second vehicle;
b) determining, by a processor of the first autonomous vehicle, that a collision between the first and second autonomous vehicles is imminent;
c) transmitting, by a transmitter of the first autonomous vehicle, a first wireless message indicating a wireless address of the first autonomous vehicle and requesting assistance from the second autonomous vehicle;
d) emitting, by an emitter of the first autonomous vehicle, a first infrared signal simultaneously with the first wireless message;
e) receiving, by a receiver of the first autonomous vehicle, a second wireless message from the second autonomous vehicle, the second wireless message indicating a wireless address of the second autonomous vehicle;
f) detecting, by one or more infrared detectors in or on the first autonomous vehicle, a second infrared signal emitted by the second autonomous vehicle;
(g) determining, by the one or more infrared detectors in or on the first autonomous vehicle, a direction of arrival of the second infrared signal; and
h) determining, by the processor of the first autonomous vehicle, according to the direction of arrival of the second infrared signal, which particular vehicle, among multiple vehicles proximate to the first autonomous vehicle, is the second autonomous vehicle.