Radar collison warning system for rooftop mounted cargo

• US 20080077327A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amanda B. Harris, Steven Massey Harris
• Original Assignee: Amanda B. Harris, Steven Massey Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Amanda B., Harris, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,877,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/08 responsive to conditions relating to the cargo, e.g. overload
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

Rooftop cargo racks, otherwise simply known as roof-racks, provide an option for transporting cargo that does not use space inside a vehicle. However, despite the usefulness of roof-racks, once cargo is secured to a roof-rack on a vehicle there is the added potential for a collision between the cargo and some overhead obstruction—such as, for example only, a garage door, over-hanging sign, public parking structures, and tree branch. Previous collision avoidance systems that employ either ultrasonic acoustic or Doppler-based radar systems are poorly suited for detecting the potential of a collision between rooftop mounted cargo and an overhead obstruction. By contrast, aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing the risk of a collision between rooftop mounted cargo and overhead obstructions by providing a more suitable radar-based means for detecting overhead obstructions and warning drivers and, if present, passengers in vehicles when there is a risk of a collision.

Claims

1. A radar-based collision warning system for determining when there 10 is a risk of a potential collision between an overhead obstruction and cargo mounted on a roof of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a radar-based detector including a forward radar sensor, mountable on a front portion of a vehicle, the forward radar sensor operable to emit electromagnetic pulses and receive subsequent pulse reflections in a specifically shaped first antenna beam pattern so as to gather information about the presence or absence of objects within the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern, the first antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle; and

a user interface unit connectable to the radar-based detector for receiving at least some of the information gathered by the radar-based detector, the user interface unit including an alarm unit and a computer program product including computer usable program code for determining the risk of collision between an object and cargo mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the computer usable program code including program instructions for;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern; and

warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the user interface further comprises an alternate display for providing another link between a user and the system,

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer program product further comprises a portion of memory.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer program product includes the operability to perform the functions of a local modem providing connectivity between the user interface unit and at least one component of the radar-based detector.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the local modem includes 15 at least one of a simple wire connection, an optical fibre modem, a wireless modem, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an Ethernet modem, in order to establish a data link with at least one component of the radar-based detector.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the user interface unit further comprises a drive/engine sensor for providing a signal indicative as to 20 whether or not the engine of the vehicle is running, and wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for:

processing the signal from the drive/engine sensor to determine whether or not the vehicle is not running; and

placing the collision avoidance system in a stand-by mode in order 25 to save power when it is determined that the vehicle is not running.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the user interface unit further comprises a magnetron sensor for providing a signal indicative as to whether or not the vehicle is moving, and wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for:

processing the signal from the magnetron sensor to determine whether or not the vehicle is moving; and

placing the collision avoidance system in a stand-by mode in order to save power when it is determined that the vehicle is not moving.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the forward radar sensor is 10 further operable to emit electromagnetic pulses and receive subsequent pulse reflections in a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern so as to gather information about the presence or absence of objects within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, where the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle and any object in said space is in a driver'"'"'s forward line of sight;

and

wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to 20 determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

not warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by 25 the first antenna beam pattern.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radar-based detector further comprises:

a cargo radar sensor operable to emit electromagnetic pulses and receive subsequent pulse reflections in a specifically shaped second antenna 5 beam pattern so as to gather information about the presence or absence of objects within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, where the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle where cargo may be mounted; and

wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if cargo is mounted on the roof of the vehicle; and

placing the collision avoidance system in a stand-by mode in order 15 to save power when it is determined that cargo has not been mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radar-based detector further comprises:

a rear radar sensor operable to emit electromagnetic pulses and 20 receive subsequent pulse reflections in a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern so as to gather information about the presence or absence of objects within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, where the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a rear portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle; and

wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the rear radar sensor is further operable to emit electromagnetic pulses and receive subsequent pulse reflections in a specifically shaped third antenna beam pattern so as to gather information about the presence or absence of objects within the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern, where the third antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle and any object in said space is in a driver'"'"'s rear line of sight;

and

wherein the computer usable program code also includes program instructions for;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the third antenna beam 20 pattern; and

not warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.

12. A method for determining a risk of a potential collision between an object and cargo mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the method comprising:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped first antenna beam pattern, wherein the first antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle;

receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern;

processing the reflections to determine if an object is within the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern; and

warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped 15 second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle and any object in said space is in a driver'"'"'s forward line of sight;

receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from 20 the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

not warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern.

14. A method according to claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle where cargo may be mounted;

receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from 10 the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if cargo is mounted on the roof of the vehicle; and

placing the collision avoidance system in a stand-by mode in order to save power when it is determined that cargo has not been mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a rear portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with 20 the roof of the vehicle;

receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

warning a user that a risk of potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.

16. A method according to claim 15 further comprising:

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped third antenna beam pattern, wherein the third antenna beam pattern is defined as a rear portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern; and

;

Not warning a user that a risk of potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.

17. A kit of parts comprising:

A computer program product including computer usable program code for determining the risk of collision between an object and cargo mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the computer usable program code including program instructions for;

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped first antenna beam pattern, wherein the first antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern; and

Warning a user that a risk of potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 17, wherein the computer usable program code further includes program instructions for:

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle and any object in said space is in a driver'"'"'s forward line of sight;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

Not warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by the first antenna beam pattern.

19. A kit of parts according to claim 17, wherein the computer usable program code further includes program instructions for:

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle where cargo may be mounted;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if cargo is mounted on the roof of the vehicle; and

Placing the collision avoidance system in a stand-by mode in order to save power when it is determined that cargo has not been mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 17, wherein the computer usable program code further includes program instructions for:

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped second antenna beam pattern, wherein the second antenna beam pattern is defined as a rear portion of the space above a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern; and

Warning a user that a risk of a potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.

21. A kit of parts according to claim 20, wherein the computer usable program code further includes program instructions for:

Transmitting electromagnetic pulses using a specifically shaped third antenna beam pattern, wherein the third antenna beam pattern is defined as a rear portion of the space below a plane approximately coplanar with the roof of the vehicle;

Receiving reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses from the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern;

Processing the information gathered by the radar-based detector to determine if an object is within the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern; and

Not warning a user that a risk of potential collision is present when an object is determined to be in the space covered by the third antenna beam pattern, irrespective of whether or not the object is also in the space covered by the second antenna beam pattern.