Patent ID: 7646290

Claim:
A deceleration warning device for reducing rear-end collisions in road traffic, comprising: a sensor detecting a longitudinal acceleration value; a control device receiving the longitudinal acceleration value, determining an acceleration limit value, and generating a warning signal if the longitudinal acceleration value exceeds the acceleration limit value, the determination of the acceleration limit value based upon a plurality of signals including at least an anti-lock braking system (ABS) signal and a brake pedal position signal, the control device operable in at least the following three levels depending upon detected quality of the plurality of signals: a “Normal function” level when all of the signals are detected to be of high signal quality, the control device generating the warning signal based upon at least the brake pedal signal and the ABS signal, a “Limited function” level when at least one of the signals is detected to be of medium signal quality, the control device generating the warning signal based upon at least the brake pedal signal but not upon the ABS signal, and a “No function” level when at least one on the plurality of signals is detected to be of low signal quality, the control device not generating the warning signal; and a rear warning display device activated by the warning signal.