Object discriminating system for vehicles

• US 20050017859A1
• Filed: 05/24/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Mekhaiel, Moheb, Dickmann, Juergen
• Application Number:
  US10/852,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017859A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/12 using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples

Abstract

The invention concerns an object recognition system for vehicles, which is particularly suited, for identifying unprotected traffic participants such as for example bicyclists or pedestrians. For this a combination (1) of thermopiles (2) is proposed, of which the detection realm or range cover the essential ahead of or as the case may be behind the vehicle. By detection of the thermal radiation emitted by objects an analysis of the detected signals in an evaluation unit (5) the system is capable of discriminating persons from other objects. In combination with driving parameters such as for example speed and steering wheel angle, the system can recognize in timely manner an imminent collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist and initiate appropriate measures.

Claims

1-13. -13. (Cancelled)

24. A vehicle-based system for identification of humans in traffic, comprising

sensors (2) which react to sources of thermal energy,

means (3) for amplification of the signals supplied by the sensors,

means (5) for evaluation of the signals supplied by the sensors,

wherein the sensors are thermopiles.

25. The vehicle-based system as in claim 24, wherein said thermopiles are adapted to discriminate the thermal signature of a bicyclist or pedestrian in road traffic from other objects, to the extent that the temperatures of other object are lower or higher.

26. The vehicle-based system as in claim 24, wherein said thermopiles are sensitive to infrared wavelengths in the range of between 8 and 14 μ

m.