Object detection system, apparatus, and method
First Claim
12. A vehicle bumper system configured to detect objects proximate to the bumper, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors positioned in the bumper so that a facing of the sensor is oriented in a direction to emit energy into an area adjacent to the bumper, wherein the sensors are coupled to the bumper by fasteners integrally coupled to the bumper;
a processing circuit positioned on a tray, the tray being coupled to a portion of the bumper so that the processing circuit may be electrically coupled to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the tray is configured to protect the processing circuit from environmental elements; and
one or more alerting devices electrically coupled to the processing circuit and configured to alert the driver of the vehicle when activated by the processing circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting objects in the path of a vehicle includes a number of sensors, such as ultrasonic transducers, configured to emit and receive signals. The sensors are positioned in a bumper, a valance that couples to a bumper, or a similar device located near the rear of the vehicle so that the sensors emit signals in an area adjacent to the rear of the vehicle. A processing unit is positioned within a tray or similar device that mounts to the bumper, valance, etc. to create an essentially closed space to protect the processing unit from moisture and debris. The processing unit is electrically coupled to each sensor and is configured to output an alert signal to one or more alerting devices when an obstacle is detected by one or more of the sensors.
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Citations
26 Claims
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12. A vehicle bumper system configured to detect objects proximate to the bumper, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors positioned in the bumper so that a facing of the sensor is oriented in a direction to emit energy into an area adjacent to the bumper, wherein the sensors are coupled to the bumper by fasteners integrally coupled to the bumper;
a processing circuit positioned on a tray, the tray being coupled to a portion of the bumper so that the processing circuit may be electrically coupled to each of the plurality of sensors, wherein the tray is configured to protect the processing circuit from environmental elements; and
one or more alerting devices electrically coupled to the processing circuit and configured to alert the driver of the vehicle when activated by the processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for detecting obstacles within a rear moving path of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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energizing a processing circuit positioned within an essentially closed space in a bumper;
energizing a plurality of sensing devices positioned in the bumper and positioned so that a facing of each sensing device is oriented toward an area behind the vehicle;
emitting wireless energy signals from each of the sensing devices into an area in the rear moving path of the vehicle;
receiving reflected wireless energy signals when the wireless energy signals impact an obstacle within the rear moving path of the vehicle and travel back to one or more of the plurality of sensing devices;
receiving indication at the processing circuit that one or more sensing devices has received reflected wireless energy signals; and
transmitting an output signal from the processing circuit to one or more alerting devices in the vehicle to indicate detection of an obstacle in the rear moving path of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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23-1. The method of claim 21, wherein the closed space is formed by the bumper and a tray detachably fastenable to the bumper to permit access to the processing circuit.
Specification