SECURITY SYSTEM AND A METHOD TO DERIVE A SECURITY SIGNAL

• US 20090157264A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents SARL
• Inventors: Wagner, Daniel, Linsenmaier, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera

Abstract

This invention relates to a security system for vehicles that have a side-looking pre-crash sensor for anticipating impact by a closing object, such as another motor vehicle, from a direction that is non-parallel to the direction of travel of the host vehicle. Such a system employs optical recognition for acquiring closing objects and for easing classification of the objects. The invention relates further to a method to derive a signal used for example to activate a side air back or to be used and further security systems of a vehicle.

Claims

1. Security system for automotive use with at least one video sensor positioned at the side of a vehicle, with at least one controller for video frame analysis, with a software module to run a software and a connector to the vehicle electric and communication system, characterized in that the video sensor has a view of at least ±

75 degrees from the axis perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis, and the software module provides a security signal if a side impact is expected using a two level optical object recognition mode.

2. Security system according claim 1 installed in a rear view mirror wherein the video sensor for side impact sensing is positioned in an exterior rear view mirror.

3. Security system according claim 1 installed in a rear view mirror wherein the video sensor for side impact sensing is including a storage mean.

4. Security system according claim 2 installed in a rear view mirror wherein the video sensor is positioned at the remote end of the rear view mirror.

5. Security system according claim 1 installed in a rear view mirror wherein the at least one controller and the software module is positioned in the rear view mirror.

6. Method to derive a security signal for a vehicle with the following steps

Receiving optical video signals via a video sensor, having a view of at least ±

75 degrees from the axis perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis

Analyzing the video frames to define dangerous objects by object recognition in a first decision level

Selecting the dangerous objects

Comparing the dangerous objects in successive video frames to define velocity and direction of object as decision parameters

Classifying the objects using the parameters of the previous step in a second decision level

Providing a security signal in case of expected side impact for use in vehicle safety system

7. Method according claim 6 further including the step

Using the security signal for exploding a side air-back.

8. Method according claim 6 further including the step

Using further sensing signals to verify the danger situation and to improve the decision by further parameter sets.

9. Method according claim 6 further including the step

Using the security signal for other vehicle security functions.

10. Method according claim 6 wherein a video frame signal is stored in a storage mean.