Object detection by signal field mapping

• US 6,925,755 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2000
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products USA LLC (Intevac)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Kyrtsos, Christos
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US09/628,396
• Time in Patent Office: 1,834 Days
• Field of Search: 49/26, 49/28, 495/06, 200/61, 200/43
• US Class Current: 49/26
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 Systems determining presence of a target

Abstract

An object detection system includes an emitter, a receiver, and a controller adjacent a window assembly which typically includes a moveable glass member and a frame. In operation the emitter transmits the electromagnetic through a defined field adjacent a closure path of a moveable glass member. The controller constructs a map of the signal received by the receiver such that insertion of an object within the defined field produces a variation in the map. The controller halts or reverses the movement of the moveable glass member to prevent trapping the object between the closing moveable glass member and the frame.

Claims

1. An object detection system for a vehicle comprising:

an emitter mounted to transmit a signal within a defined field, said defined field adjacent a closure path of a moveable closure member;

a receiver to receive said signal as transmitted within said defined field; and

a controller in communication with said receiver, said controller operable to construct a map signature of said signal received by said receiver, said map signature having a first graphical shape representative of known obstructions normally within said defined field, said first graphical shape representative of said defined field when said defined field is clear of unknown objects, said controller operable to construct a second graphical shape in response to an unknown object entering within said defined field, variation from said first graphical shape indicative of said unknown object.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter emits an ultrasonic signal.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter emits an electromagnetic signal.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter transmits said signal as a pulse.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said moveable closure member includes a vehicle window.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter is attached to a vehicle window frame.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiver is attached to a vehicle window frame.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said emitter transmits said signal only when said closure member is being closed.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said controller stops movement of said moveable closure member in response to identification of said variation in said defined field.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said first graphical shape is altered as said moveable closure member moves through said defined field.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first graphical shape is altered as said moveable closure member moves through said defined field.

12. A moveable closure assembly comprising:

a moveable closure member moveable through a closure path;

an emitter mounted to transmit a signal within a defined field, said defined field adjacent said closure path;

a receiver to receive said signal as transmitted within said defined field; and

a controller in communication with said receiver, said controller operable to construct a map signature of said signal received by said receiver, said map signature having a first graphical shape representative of known obstructions normally within said defined field such that insertion of an unknown object within said defined field produces a variation from said first graphical shape.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising an actuator to move said window glass through said closure path.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said controller is in communication with said actuator and said emitter, said emitter transmitting said signal only when said closure member is being moved in a first direction.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said controller is in communication with said actuator and said emitter, said controller operable to stop said actuator in response to identification of said variation in said map.

16. A method of detecting an object in a moveable closure path comprising the steps of:

(1) transmitting a signal within a defined field, said defined field adjacent a closure path of a moveable closure member;

(2) receiving said signal as transmitted within said defined field;

(3) mapping said signal received in said step (2) as a first graphical shape representative of known obstructions normally within said defined field; and

(4) identifying a variation in said graphical shape of said step (3).

17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of reversing movement of said moveable closure member in response to said variation in said signal.

18. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said step (1) includes transmitting said signal only when said moveable closure member is being closed.

19. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said step (1) includes transmitting said signal as a pulse.

20. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of altering said first graphical shape in response to said moveable closure member moving through said defined field.