Blind spot warning system for an automotive vehicle

• US 20040085196A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Ronald Hugh, Tascillo, Anya Lynn
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. a warning system for a subject vehicle proximate a rear approaching vehicle comprising:

a camera generating a plurality of images;

an indicator;

a controller coupled to the indicator receiving the plurality of images, said controller generating a size and position signal for the plurality rear approaching vehicle, said controller activating an indicator when a rear approach vehicle enters a blind spot as determined in response to said size and position signal.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said camera has a rear field of view adjacent to the blind spot.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a low light camera.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a fuzzy neural network for classifying the object in response to the size and position signal.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a rear-facing camera.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said rear-facing camera is mounted to a rear panel of the subject vehicle.

7. A warning system for a blind spot of an automotive vehicle thereof comprising:

a camera generating a plurality of images;

an indicator; and

a controller coupled to the indicator receiving the plurality of images, said controller generating a size, a position and a track for a rear approaching vehicle, said controller activating an indicator when a rear approach vehicle enters a blind spot as determined in response to said size, track and position.

8. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said camera has a rear field of view adjacent to the blind spot.

9. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said camera comprises a low light camera.

10. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said controller comprises a fuzzy neural network for classifying the object in response to the size and position signal.

11. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said camera comprises a rear-facing camera.

12. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said rear-facing camera is mounted to a rear panel.

13. A method of warning of a vehicle within a blind spot comprising:

generating a plurality of images of an object;

determining a size and a position of the object from the images;

determining a transition of the object into the blind spot; and

generating a warning when the object enters the blind spot.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 further comprising determining a trajectory from the plurality of images of the object.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein generating a plurality of images comprises generating a plurality of images from a camera.

16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said camera comprises a low light camera.

17. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said camera comprises a rear-facing camera.

18. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein generating a warning comprises generating an audible warning.

19. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein generating a warning comprises generating a visual warning.