Collision warning system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collision warning in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- plural optical sensors integral to a moving vehicle, each of the optical sensors enabled and positioned for the detection of visible light magnitudes and infrared light magnitudes and for the creation of corresponding electrical signals, the sensors mounted such that light is received thereby from at least two points, one preceding the other along a line of travel of the vehicle;
a means for discriminating between roadway light reflection changes, and non-roadway light reflection changes and a means for comparing the electrical signals and for generating an alert electrical signal;
a warning alert presentation means enabled for receiving the alert electrical signal and to alert a vehicle operator as to a possible collision.
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Abstract
A collision warning system includes pairs of optical sensors integral to a moving vehicle. Each of the optical sensors of the pairs of said sensors is enabled for the detection of visible light magnitudes and infrared light magnitudes in the external vicinity of the vehicle, and for creating corresponding electrical signals. Temporal changes in the magnitudes of the electrical signals and a probability of a collision with an object external to the vehicle, are determined and a warning signal is generated when collision is possible. Warning information is presented to alert a vehicle operator as to the possible collision. A reference sensor and an object sensor, are enabled for generating the related electrical signals. The reference and object sensors are positioned in such proximity as to determine when a collision object has entered a sensing field of view.
61 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collision warning in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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plural optical sensors integral to a moving vehicle, each of the optical sensors enabled and positioned for the detection of visible light magnitudes and infrared light magnitudes and for the creation of corresponding electrical signals, the sensors mounted such that light is received thereby from at least two points, one preceding the other along a line of travel of the vehicle;
a means for discriminating between roadway light reflection changes, and non-roadway light reflection changes and a means for comparing the electrical signals and for generating an alert electrical signal;
a warning alert presentation means enabled for receiving the alert electrical signal and to alert a vehicle operator as to a possible collision. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification