Obstacle detection system for vehicles moving in reverse
First Claim
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1. An obstacle detection system for a vehicle moving in reverse for warning a driver of obstacles in a detection area to the rear of the vehicle, said detection system comprising:
- an angled, stepped sensor cluster adapted to be attached to the rear of the vehicle, said sensor cluster comprising an array of signal transmitting means for transmitting signals from the rear of the vehicle and an array of signal receiving means for receiving return signals deflected from a target object located in the detection area;
detection means coupled to said transmitting means and said receiving means for detecting the presence of a target object in the detection area iteratively, said detection means comprisingmulti-target screening means for screening return signals and determining one which corresponds to a closest target object,calculating means for calculating the distance from the rear of the vehicle to the closest target object,memory means for storing a first threshold value corresponding to a minimum distance allowed between an obstacle in the detection area and the rear of the vehicle,first comparator means for comparing the calculated distance to the first threshold distance and generating a first output signal if the calculated distance is less than the first threshold distance; and
indication means coupled to said detection means and responsive to the first output signal for indicating to the driver to activate the brakes and stop the vehicle or signaling directly to the brake system to activate the brakes.
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Abstract
An electronic obstacle detection system for guiding and warning a motorist of obstacles in the detection area while backing-up. The main components of the system include a pair of sensor clusters to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle, a pair of exterior visual indicators, and an audio-visual indicator located in the vehicle. Each of the sensor clusters are encased in a housing having angled, stepped portions configured to provide complete area coverage of transmitted and received signals.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An obstacle detection system for a vehicle moving in reverse for warning a driver of obstacles in a detection area to the rear of the vehicle, said detection system comprising:
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an angled, stepped sensor cluster adapted to be attached to the rear of the vehicle, said sensor cluster comprising an array of signal transmitting means for transmitting signals from the rear of the vehicle and an array of signal receiving means for receiving return signals deflected from a target object located in the detection area; detection means coupled to said transmitting means and said receiving means for detecting the presence of a target object in the detection area iteratively, said detection means comprising multi-target screening means for screening return signals and determining one which corresponds to a closest target object, calculating means for calculating the distance from the rear of the vehicle to the closest target object, memory means for storing a first threshold value corresponding to a minimum distance allowed between an obstacle in the detection area and the rear of the vehicle, first comparator means for comparing the calculated distance to the first threshold distance and generating a first output signal if the calculated distance is less than the first threshold distance; and indication means coupled to said detection means and responsive to the first output signal for indicating to the driver to activate the brakes and stop the vehicle or signaling directly to the brake system to activate the brakes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A signal transmitting and receiving apparatus for use with an obstacle detection system for a vehicle moving in reverse and adapted to be operatively coupled to a computer and an output indicator, said apparatus comprising:
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a sensor cluster including an array of signal transmitters and an array of signal receivers adapted to be connected to the computer; and a housing comprising a plurality of stepped portions oriented angularly with respect to one another and a vehicle mount portion for mounting to the rear of the vehicle, said transmitters and said receivers of said sensor cluster disposed in said stepped portions of said housing so as to provide an angular area of signal transmitting and receiving coverage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification