Back-up proximity sensor for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A back-up proximity sensor for a vehicle, the sensor comprising:
- at least one sensor pair, each at least one sensor pair including;
a first passive infrared sensor (PIR), the first PIR having a first field of view and generating a first output signal when a warn body is detected within the first field of view;
a second passive infrared sensor (PIR), the second PIR having a second field of view and generating a second output signal when a warm body is detected within the second field of view, the first PIR and second PIR being arranged substantially vertically with respect to one another, the first PIR and second PIR being angularly directed such that the first field of view and second field of view intersect, the intersection defining a detection zone; and
a detection circuit, the detection circuit being responsive to the first output signal and second output signal of each of the at least one sensor pair and providing a third output signal indicative of a warm body detected in at least one detection zone.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A back-up proximity sensor for a vehicle is formed with an array of sensor pairs. Each sensor pair includes a lower passive infrared sensor (PIR) having a first field of view and an upper PIR having a second field of view. Each lower PIR and upper PIR is vertically mounted with respect to one another. The lower PIR and upper PIR of each sensor pair are angularly directed such that the respective fields of view intersect, thereby establishing a detection zone in a region behind a vehicle. The sensor pairs are arranged in a substantially adjacent, semicircular configuration to provide a continuous area of coverage behind a vehicle. A detection circuit receives output signals from each sensor pair and generates an output signal indicative of a warm body being detected by both the upper and lower sensors in a selected sensor pair, eliminating false alarms generated by warm bodies outside the region of the desired detection zone.
36 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A back-up proximity sensor for a vehicle, the sensor comprising:
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at least one sensor pair, each at least one sensor pair including; a first passive infrared sensor (PIR), the first PIR having a first field of view and generating a first output signal when a warn body is detected within the first field of view; a second passive infrared sensor (PIR), the second PIR having a second field of view and generating a second output signal when a warm body is detected within the second field of view, the first PIR and second PIR being arranged substantially vertically with respect to one another, the first PIR and second PIR being angularly directed such that the first field of view and second field of view intersect, the intersection defining a detection zone; and a detection circuit, the detection circuit being responsive to the first output signal and second output signal of each of the at least one sensor pair and providing a third output signal indicative of a warm body detected in at least one detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A lawn tractor, including a lawn cutting attachment, in combination with a back-up proximity sensor, the back-up proximity sensor comprising:
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a first passive infrared sensor (PIR), the first PIR having a first field of view and generating a first output signal when a warm body is detected within the first field of view; a second passive infrared sensor (PIR), the second PIR having a second field of view and generating a second output signal when a warm body is detected within the second field of view, the first PIR and second PIR being arranged substantially vertically with respect to one another, the first PIR and second PIR being angularly directed such that the first field of view and second field of view intersect, the intersection defining a detection zone; a detection circuit, the detection circuit being responsive to the first output signal and second output signal and providing a third output signal indicative of a warm body being present within the detection zone; and a driver warning system, the driver warning system being responsive to the third output signal and providing an indication to an operator of the vehicle that a warm body has been detected behind the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification