Multi-sensor system

• US 20030201929A1
• Filed: 04/24/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eagle Harbor Holdings, L.L.C., AutoBrilliance, LLC (Jeffrey M. Gross)
• Original Assignee: Medius Inc
• Inventors: Olson, Tracey, Lutter, Robert Pierce Pierce
• Granted Patent: US 6,771,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/726 Multiple target tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems

Abstract

A multi-sensor system includes multiple sensors that are integrated onto the same substrate forming a unitary multi-sensor platform that provides a known consistent physical relationship between the multiple sensors. A processor can also be integrated onto the substrate so that data from the multiple sensors can be processed locally by the multi-sensor system.

Claims

1. A multi-sensor system, comprising:

multiple sensors for detecting objects or impact conditions around a vehicle; and

a substrate providing a common mounting base for the multiple sensors.

2. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is made from a material resistant to dimensional changes due to temperature.

3. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is made from invar or a steel material.

4. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the multiple sensors are rigidly mounted to the substrate prior to the substrate being installed in the vehicle.

5. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 including a processor mounted to the substrate and electrically coupled to the multiple sensors.

6. A multi-sensor system according to claim 5 wherein the processor collelates data from the multiple sensors and converts the correlated data for detected objects into track files.

7. A multi-sensor system according to claim 6 wherein the processor transfers the track files to another multi-sensor system that has an adjacent sensed region when detected objects move into the adjacent sensed region.

8. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 wherein a first one of the sensors is a video camera and a second one of the sensors is a radar or lidar module.

9. A multi-sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the multiple sensors have coinsident scan paths so that correlation of measurements for the multiple sensors do not have to be transformed into common coordinates.

10. A method for sensing events on a vehicle, comprising:

installing a first sensor on a platform;

installing a second sensor on the same platform; and

installing the platform on the vehicle.

11. A method according to claim 10 including correlating data from the first sensor and second sensor to identify and track objects around the vehicle.

12. A method according to claim 11 including locating a processor on the platform and using the processor to correlate the data from the first sensor and the second sensor.

13. A method according to claim 12 including using the processor to generate track files that include position, speed, acceleration, range, angle, and heading of the identified objects.

14. A method according to claim 13 including notifying a central controller when the track files identify an object within a selected range of the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 13 including exchanging the track files with other platforms on the vehicle that contain multiple sensors, each platform generating its own track files for objects detected around the vehicle.

16. A method according to claim 10 wherein the platform is a substrate and including integrally fabricating the first and second sensor onto the substrate so that the first and second sensors and the substrate coexist in a same integrated circuit.

17. A method of manufacturing a multi-sensor system, comprising:

integrating multiple sensors onto a substrate so that the multiple sensors have a preset nonmovable orientation with respect to each other; and

using the substrate as a mounting platform for attaching the sensors to a vehicle.

18. A method according to claim 17 including using a material for the substrate that is resistant to expansion or contraction during changes in temperature.

19. A method according to claim 18 including using invar for the substrate.

20. A method according to claim 17 including integrating a first video sensor and a second radar or lidar sensor onto the substrate.