CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, AND RELATED ALERT DISPLAY METHOD

• US 20100201508A1
• Filed: 02/12/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: BALBALE, UZMAA H., GREEN, CHARLES A.
• Application Number:
  US12/370,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20100201508A1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

A rear cross traffic alert system for a vehicle is utilized to generate and display rear cross traffic warning symbols to the driver during reverse gear maneuvers. The system includes a sensing subsystem configured to monitor for cross traffic behind the vehicle, a processor architecture, and a rear vision display element. The processor architecture is configured to receive sensor data from the sensing subsystem and, when the sensor data indicates a warning condition caused by an object detected by the sensing subsystem, generate image rendering display commands associated with a cross traffic warning symbol. The rear vision display element is configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, render the cross traffic warning symbol in a manner that visually indicates presence of the object.

Claims

1. A method for displaying rear cross traffic alert information on a rear vision display element of a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining sensor data from a rear cross traffic detection system;

determining when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a detected object;

in response to the determining step, displaying a cross traffic warning symbol on the rear vision display element, the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating presence of the detected object.

2. The method of claim 1, the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating an approach direction of the detected object relative to the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step displays an arrow pointing toward the driver side of the vehicle when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a driver-side detected object behind the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step displays an arrow pointing toward the passenger side of the vehicle when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a passenger-side detected object behind the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step displays the cross traffic warning symbol on the driver side of the rear vision display element when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a driver-side detected object behind the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step displays the cross traffic warning symbol on the passenger side of the rear vision display element when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a passenger-side detected object behind the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering on the rear vision display element a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle, wherein the displaying step comprises superimposing the cross traffic warning symbol on the real-time rearward image.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing at least the sensor data to estimate a time-to-collision between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated time; and

modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated time.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing at least the sensor data to estimate a distance-to-collision between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated distance; and

modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated distance.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing at least the sensor data to estimate a potential collision severity between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated severity; and

modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated severity.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating an audible alert when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and the detected object.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a haptic feedback alert when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and the detected object.

13. A rear cross traffic alert system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a sensing subsystem configured to monitor for cross traffic behind the vehicle;

a processor architecture configured to receive sensor data from the sensing subsystem and, when the sensor data indicates a warning condition caused by an object detected by the sensing subsystem, generate image rendering display commands associated with a cross traffic warning symbol; and

a rear vision display element configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, render the cross traffic warning symbol in a manner that visually indicates presence of the object.

14. The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13, wherein the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicates an approach direction of the object relative to the vehicle.

15. The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13, further comprising a rear vision camera configured to capture a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle, wherein the processor architecture is configured to generate the image rendering commands such that the image rendering commands are associated with the real-time rearward image, and wherein the rear vision display element is configured to render the cross traffic warning symbol such that it is superimposed on the real-time rearward image.

16. The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13, wherein the rear vision display element is integrated into a rearview mirror of the vehicle, a side mirror of the vehicle, a video game unit of the vehicle, an audio/visual entertainment unit of the vehicle, a head-up display of the vehicle, a navigation unit of the vehicle, a dashboard display unit of the vehicle, a visor of the vehicle, or a passenger cabin pillar of the vehicle.

17. The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13, further comprising an audio element configured to generate an audible alert when the sensor data indicates the warning condition.

18. The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13, further comprising a haptic feedback element configured to generate a haptic feedback alert when the sensor data indicates the warning condition.

19. A rear vision display element for a vehicle, the rear vision display element having rendered thereon a rear display comprising:

a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle; and

a cross traffic warning symbol superimposed on the real-time rearward image, the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating presence of an object behind and to the side of the vehicle.

20. The rear vision display element of claim 19, wherein the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicates an approach direction of the object relative to the vehicle.