Automotive lane changing aid indicator

• US 6,657,581 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Radar Systems, Inc. (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Woodington, Walter Gordon, Russell, Mark E., Delcheccolo, Michael Joseph, Van Rees, H. Barteld, Lippert, Delbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDREA, BRIAN K
• Application Number:
  US09/930,874
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 342/70, 342/71, 342/72, 180/167, 180/169, 356/3-1-
• US Class Current: 342/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/08 Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/081 using distance control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/088 using transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/10 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4043 Lateral speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/803 Relative lateral speed
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/282 using a frequency modulated carrier wave G01S13/286 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/343 using sawtooth modulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/346 using noise modulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/48 using multiple beams at emission or reception
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/58 Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/584 adapted for simultaneous range and velocity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/726 Multiple target tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/0245 Radar with phased array antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 : Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 : in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 : in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 : on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 : in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 : Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/038 : Feedthrough nulling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/04 : Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/06 : Cathode-ray tube displays or other two dimensional or three-dimensional displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/288 : Coherent receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/352 : Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/354 : Extracting wanted echo-signals Doppler systems G01S13/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/356 : involving particularities of FFT processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 : of parts of a radar system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4008 : of transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4021 : of receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 : particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3258 : using the gutter of the vehicle; Means for clamping a whip aerial on the edge of a part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 : side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 : formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 : Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 : Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/18 : the slot being backed by, or formed in boundary wall of, a resonant cavity longitudinally slotted cylinder H01Q13/12 ; Open cavity antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0043 : Slotted waveguides combination with horns H01Q13/0233
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0075 : Stripline fed arrays H01Q21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 : Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 : Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 : varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/40 : with phasing matrix

Abstract

There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED. Thus, the driver of a host vehicle can easily determine the presence and position of an overtaking vehicle in an adjacent lane relative to his or her own from the position of the illuminated LED or LEDs in the array, and can also determine the closing speed of the overtaking vehicle from the rapidity of the transition of LEDs in the array being illuminated. In a preferred embodiment, the arrays are affixed to the outside mirrors in a vertical columnar configuration.

Claims

1. A device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a multibeam radar system having a transmit/receive module mounted on a side surface of said vehicle to provide a plurality of antenna beams with each of the antenna beams pointing in one of a plurality of discrete angular sectors emanating from the side surface of said vehicle, wherein in response to the presence of an obstacle in one of the plurality of antenna beams, the multibeam radar system provides a corresponding one of a plurality of sector signals signifying the presence of an obstacle within the corresponding discrete angular sector; and

an equal number of indicators as the plurality of antenna beams, each of said indicators responsive to a predetermined one of the plurality of sector signals and each of said indicator adapted to provide a visual indication of the presence of an obstacle within a corresponding discrete angular sector.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multibeam radar system scans at least four equiangular beams.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multibeam radar system scans over a range of between 90 and 180 degrees.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transmit/receive module is positioned toward the rear of said vehicle.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multibeam radar system scans a first beam toward a rearward position relative to said vehicle, each subsequent beam toward a more forward position relative to said vehicle than the previous beam and a final beam toward a most forward position relative to said vehicle.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multibeam radar system is programmable to limit the range of detection by each individual beam.

7. The device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said multibeam radar system is programmed to detect obstacles only in a highway lane adjacent said side surface of said vehicle.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said indicators comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

9. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said indicators are positioned on an outside mirror of said vehicle, said outside mirror being located on the same side of said vehicle as said transmit/receive module.

10. The device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said indicators are configured in a vertical column, the bottommost indicator being responsive to obstacle detection by said first beam, each subsequent indicator above said bottommost indicator being responsive to obstacle detection by said subsequent beams, and the topmost indicator being responsive to obstacle detection by said final beam.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein said indicators are configured in an array that meaningfully displays a transition of an obstacle from one of said sectors to another.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein said indicators are configured in an array that can be controlled to enable each of said indicators to illuminate to provide the visual indication of the presence of the obstacle within the corresponding sector and to turn off to provide the visual indication of the transition of the obstacle from the corresponding sector.

11. A device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a first multibeam radar system having a first transmit/receive module mounted on a left side surface of said vehicle, said first radar system to provide a plurality of beams at discrete angular sectors along the left side of said vehicle, said first radar system to provide a first plurality of signals signifying the presence of an obstacle within a corresponding sector;

an equal number of lefthand indicators as the first plurality of signals, each of said indicators being coupled, respectively, to receive one of said first signals, each lefthand indicator to provide a visual indication of the presence of an obstacle within a corresponding sector at the left side of said vehicle, said lefthand indicators being configured in a first array that meaningfully displays a transition of an obstacle from one of said sectors along the left side of said vehicle to another;

a second multibeam radar system having a second transmit/receive module mounted on a right side surface of said vehicle, said second radar system to provide a plurality of beams at discrete angular sectors along the right side of said vehicle, said second radar system to provide a second plurality of signals signifying the presence of an obstacle within a corresponding sector; and

an equal number of righthand indicators as the second plurality of signals, each of said indicators being coupled, respectively, to receive one of said second. signals, each righthand indicator to provide a visual indication of the presence of an obstacle within a corresponding sector at the right side of said vehicle, said righthand indicators being configured in a second array that meaningfully displays a transition of an obstacle from one of said sectors along the right side of said vehicle to another.

12. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first and second multibeam radar systems each scan at least four equiangular beams over a range of between 90 to 180 degrees.

13. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first and second transmit/receive modules are positioned toward the rear of said vehicle.

14. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first and second multibeam radar systems each scan a first beam toward a rearward position relative to said vehicle, each subsequent beam toward a more forward position relative to said vehicle than the previous beam and a final beam toward a most forward position relative to said vehicle.

15. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first and second multibeam radar systems are each programmable to limit the range of detection by each individual beam.

16. The device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said first and second transmit/receive modules of said multibeam radar systems are each programmed to detect obstacles only in a highway lane adjacent said left and right side surface, respectively, of said vehicle.

17. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said lefthand and righthand indicators comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

18. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said lefthand indicators are positioned on a lefthand outside mirror of said vehicle, and said righthand indicators are positioned on a righthand outside mirror of said.

19. The device in accordance with claim 14, wherein said lefthand and righthand indicators are configured in lefthand and righthand vertical columns, respectively, the bottommost indicator of each column being responsive to obstacle detection by said first beam, each subsequent indicator of each column above said bottommost indicator being responsive to obstacle detection by said subsequent beams, and the topmost indicator of each column being responsive to obstacle detection by said final beam.

23. The device of claim 11, wherein angular movement of said obstacle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by actuation of said plurality of lefthand indicators.

24. The device of claim 11, wherein angular movement of said obstacle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by illuminating each of said lefthand indicators to provide the visual indication of the presence of the obstacle within the corresponding sector and by turning off each of said lefthand indicators to provide the visual indication of the transition of the obstacle from the corresponding sector.

25. The device of claim 11, wherein angular movement of said obstacle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by actuation of said plurality of righthand indicators.

26. The device of claim 11, wherein angular movement of said obstacle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by illuminating each of said righthand indicators to provide the visual indication of the presence of the obstacle within the corresponding sector and by turning off each of said righthand indicators to provide the visual indication of the transition of the obstacle from the corresponding sector.

20. An automotive device to provide a driver of a host vehicle with an indication of the position and closing speed of an overtaking vehicle in an adjacent highway lane, comprising:

a first multibeam radar system having a first transmit/receive module mounted on a left side surface of said host vehicle toward the rear of said host vehicle, said first radar system to provide at least four beams at equal angular sectors along the left side of said host vehicle, said first radar system to provide an equal number of first signals as the number of beams of said first radar system, said first signals signifying the presence of said overtaking vehicle within a corresponding sector in the leftthand adjacent highway lane;

an equal number of indicators as the number of beams of said first radar system, said indicators being affixed to a lefthand outside mirror of said host vehicle, each lefthand indicator being coupled, respectively, to receive one of said first signals, each lefthand indicator to provide an indication of the presence of an overtaking vehicle within a corresponding sector in the lefthand adjacent highway lane, said lefthand indicators being configured in a column that meaningfully displays a transition of said overtaking vehicle from one of said sectors in the lefthand adjacent highway lane to another;

a second multibeam radar system having a second transmit/receive module mounted on a right side surface of said host vehicle toward the rear of said host vehicle, said second radar system to provide at least four beams at equal angular sectors along the right side of said host vehicle, said second radar system to provide an equal number of second signals as the number of beams of said second radar system, said second signals signifying the presence of said overtaking vehicle within a corresponding sector in the righthand adjacent highway lane; and

an equal number of indicators as the number of beams of said second radar system, said indicators being affixed to a righthand outside mirror of said host vehicle, each righthand indicator being coupled, respectively, to receive one of said second signals, each righthand indicator to provide an indication of the presence of an overtaking vehicle within a corresponding sector in the righthand adjacent highway lane, said righthand indicators being configured in a column that meaningfully displays a transition of said overtaking vehicle from one of said sectors in the righthand adjacent highway lane to another.

27. The automotive device of claim 20, wherein angular movement of said overtaking vehicle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by actuation of said indicators affixed to said lefthand outside mirror of said host vehicle.

28. The automotive device of claim 20, wherein angular movement of said overtaking vehicle relative to said first multibeam radar system is indicated by illuminating each of said lefthand indicators to indicate the presence of said overtaking vehicle within the corresponding sector and by turning off each of said lefthand indicators to indicate a transition of the vehicle from the corresponding discrete angular sector.

29. The automotive device of claim 20, wherein angular movement of said overtaking vehicle relative to said second multibeam radar system is indicated by actuation of said indicators affixed to said righthand outside mirror of said host vehicle.

30. The automotive device of claim 20, wherein angular movement of said overtaking vehicle relative to said second multibeam radar system is indicated by illuminating each of said righthand indicators to indicate the presence of said overtaking vehicle within the corresponding sector and by turning off each of said righthand indicators to indicate a transition of the vehicle from the corresponding discrete angular sector.

31. The automotive device of claim 20, wherein the indicators include LEDs.