EXTERNAL VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20170088045A1
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Bezzina, Bradley M.
• Application Number:
  US14/870,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20170088045A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/02 Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/02 using reflection of acoustic waves G01S15/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/02 Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves G01S17/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A method of operating a vehicle includes driving the vehicle in a direction of travel along a route. An object detection system of the vehicle senses an object disposed on the route and in the direction of travel of the vehicle. When the vehicle is within a pre-defined distance or travel time of the object, a warning system of the vehicle is automatically engaged by the object detection system to alert the object to the presence of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the object.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

sensing an object in a position likely to intersect a travel route of the vehicle with an object detection system of the vehicle; and

automatically engaging a warning system of the vehicle with the object detection system to alert the object to the presence of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the object.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein automatically engaging the warning system is further defined as automatically engaging the warning system when the vehicle travels to within a pre-defined distance of the object.

3. The method set forth in claim 2 wherein the pre-defined distance varies with a speed of the vehicle.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein automatically engaging the warning system is further defined as automatically engaging the warning system when the object detection system determines that an estimated period of time until the vehicle contacts the object is equal to or less than a pre-defined time period.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein the pre-defined time period varies with a speed of the vehicle.

6. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising identifying the sensed object.

7. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein identifying the sensed object includes classifying the sensed object into one of a plurality of different object classifications, wherein the object classifications include at least one of a human object, an animal object, or a vehicular object.

8. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein automatically engaging the warning system includes selecting a preferred warning scheme based on the object classification of the identified object.

9. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising detecting a direction of movement of the object relative to the travel route of the vehicle.

10. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein automatically engaging the warning system includes selecting a preferred warning scheme based on the determined direction of movement of the vehicle.

11. The method set forth in claim 9 further comprising comparing the direction of movement of the object to the direction of travel of the vehicle, with the object detection system, to identify a potential contact between the object and the vehicle.

12. The method set forth in claim 11 further comprising continuously calculating an estimated period of time until the vehicle contacts the object as the vehicle approaches the object, when the object detection system identifies a potential contact between the object and the vehicle.

13. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising sensing a speed of the vehicle in the direction of travel on the route of the vehicle.

14. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the object detection system includes a vehicle controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which are recorded computer-executable instructions, including an external warning module operable to:

receive data from at least one proximity sensor on the vehicle;

identify the object disposed on the route and in the direction of travel of the vehicle from the data received from the at least one proximity sensor;

classify the identified object into one of a plurality of different object classifications;

select a preferred warning scheme based on the object classification of the identified object; and

engage the warning system to execute the preferred warning scheme.

15. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes at least one proximity sensor including one of a camera, a short range radar system, a long range radar system, a lidar system, or an ultrasonic system.

16. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the warning system of the vehicle includes at least one of an audio system operable to emit an audio signal external to the vehicle, or a visual system operable to emit a visual signal external to the vehicle.

17. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein automatically engaging the warning system includes executing a warning scheme that incrementally increases in intensity as the vehicle nears the object.

18. A vehicle comprising:

at least one proximity sensor operable to sense data related to an object disposed in a direction of travel of the vehicle as the vehicle moves along a route;

a warning system operable to emit a signal external to the vehicle;

an object detection system coupled to the at least one proximity sensor and the warning system, the object detection system including;

a vehicle controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which are recorded computer-executable instructions, including an external warning module operable to;

receive data from the at least one proximity sensor on the vehicle;

identify the object disposed on the route and in the direction of travel of the vehicle from the data received from the at least one proximity sensor;

determine that the object and the vehicle may contact each other if each continue along a current route at a current speed;

classify the identified object into one of a plurality of different object classifications;

select a preferred warning scheme based on the object classification of the identified object; and

communicate a control signal to the warning system to engage the warning system and execute the preferred warning scheme to alert the object to the presence of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the object.

19. The vehicle set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one proximity sensor includes one of a camera, a short range radar system, a long range radar system, a lidar system, or an ultrasonic system.

20. The vehicle set forth in claim 18 wherein the warning system includes at least one of an audio system operable to emit audio signal external to the vehicle, or a visual system operable to emit a visual signal external to the vehicle.