METHOD FOR MIGRATING RADAR SENSOR LIMITATIONS WITH VIDEO CAMERA INPUT FOR ACTIVE BRAKING FOR PEDESTRIANS
First Claim
1. A method of operating a pedestrian collision avoidance system on a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing a surrounding area of the vehicle with a radar sensor and a video camera;
sending radar information from the radar sensor and video information from the video camera to an electronic control unit;
detecting an object in the video information with the electronic control unit;
classifying the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database;
determining, with the electronic control unit, a distance between, based on the radar information, an object classified as a pedestrian and the vehicle;
determining, with the electronic control unit, a characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database;
storing the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian in memory;
when the object classified as a pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, determining, with the electronic control unit, an updated distance to the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian;
determining, with the electronic control unit, whether a potential for collision between the vehicle and the object classified as a pedestrian is present based in part on the distance to the object classified as a pedestrian; and
when the potential for collision is present, activating an automatic vehicle response.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pedestrian collision avoidance system for a vehicle including a radar sensor, a video camera, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU detects an object in the video information and classifies the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database. The ECU determines a distance to the pedestrian based on the radar information and determines a characteristic of the pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database. When the pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, the ECU determines an updated distance to the pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the pedestrian. The ECU determines whether a potential for collision exists between the vehicle and the pedestrian based in part on the distance to the pedestrian, and when the potential for collision is present, the ECU activates an automatic vehicle response.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a pedestrian collision avoidance system on a vehicle, the method comprising:
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sensing a surrounding area of the vehicle with a radar sensor and a video camera; sending radar information from the radar sensor and video information from the video camera to an electronic control unit; detecting an object in the video information with the electronic control unit; classifying the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database; determining, with the electronic control unit, a distance between, based on the radar information, an object classified as a pedestrian and the vehicle; determining, with the electronic control unit, a characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database; storing the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian in memory; when the object classified as a pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, determining, with the electronic control unit, an updated distance to the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian; determining, with the electronic control unit, whether a potential for collision between the vehicle and the object classified as a pedestrian is present based in part on the distance to the object classified as a pedestrian; and when the potential for collision is present, activating an automatic vehicle response. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pedestrian collision avoidance system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a radar sensor positioned on the vehicle; a video camera positioned on the vehicle; an electronic control unit, electrically connected to the radar sensor and the video camera, the electronic control unit configured to sense a surrounding area of the vehicle with the radar sensor and the video camera; receive radar information from the radar sensor and video information from the video camera; detect an object in the video information; classify the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database; determine a distance between, based on the radar information, an object classified as a pedestrian and the vehicle; determine a characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database; store the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian in memory; when the object classified as a pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, determining an updated distance to the object classified as a pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the object classified as a pedestrian; determine whether a potential for collision between the vehicle and the object classified as a pedestrian is present based in part on the distance to the object classified as a pedestrian; and when the potential for collision is present, activate an automatic vehicle response. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification