Multipurpose vision sensor system

• US 6,958,683 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Mills, Aaron L., Engelman, Gerald H., Xu, Liwen, Beydoun, Samir Mohamad
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/605,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/435, 340/901, 340/903, 340/905, 340/467, 382/103, 382/106, 382/107, 382/174, 701/301, 701/302, 701/45, 701/23
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/08 Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/089 using optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

A multipurpose sensing system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes an optic (14) that is directed at multiple viewing areas (18). A vision sensor (16) is coupled to the optic (14) and generates multiple object detection signals corresponding to the viewing areas (18). A controller (22) is coupled to the vision sensor (16) and generates multiple safety system signals in response to the object detection signals.

Claims

1. A multipurpose sensing system for a vehicle comprising:

at least one optic directed at and non-fiber optically monitoring a plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas;

a single vision sensor coupled to said at least one optic and generating a plurality of object detection signals corresponding to said plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas; and

a controller coupled to said vision sensor and generating a plurality of safety system signals in response to said plurality of object detection signals.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vision sensor generates a first object detection signal and a second object detection signal and wherein said controller generates a first safety system signal in response to said first object detection signal and a second safety system signal in response to said second object detection signal.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one optic comprises:

a first focal point that corresponds to objects on the vehicle; and

a second focal point that corresponds to objects external to the vehicle.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein said first focal point corresponds to moisture on a vehicle window.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one optic comprises:

a first focal point that corresponds to objects within the vehicle; and

a second focal point that corresponds to objects external to the vehicle.

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said first focal point corresponds to vehicle occupants within the vehicle.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vision sensor is selected from a camera, a charged coupled device, an infrared detector, and at least one photodiode.

8. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a signal processor receiving and formatting said plurality of object detection signals for reception by said controller.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vision sensor generates said plurality of object detection signals simultaneously.

10. A system as in claim 1 wherein the system is configured as to be mounted within an overhead console.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller performs sensing system operations selected from at least one of adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping control, lane-departure control, window clearing control, collision avoidance control, and countermeasure control in response to said plurality of object detection signals.

12. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller determines occupant characteristics in response to said plurality of object detection signals.

13. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller determines existence of a child safety seat in response to said plurality of object detection signals.

14. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a reflective device, said vision sensor generating at least one object detection signal in response to at least a portion of a view from said reflective device.

15. A system as in claim 12 wherein said reflective device is a mirror.

16. A method of performing a plurality of sensing system operations within a vehicle comprising:

monitoring a plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas via a non-multi conduit transmission medium;

generating a plurality of object detection signals from a single vision sensor corresponding to said plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas;

generating a plurality of safety system signals in response to said plurality of object detection signals; and

performing the plurality of sensing system operations in response to said plurality of safety system signals.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein monitoring a plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas comprises monitoring a first viewing area on the vehicle and a second viewing area external to the vehicle.

18. A method as in claim 16 wherein monitoring a plurality of separate non-adjacent viewing areas comprises monitoring a first viewing area internal to the vehicle and a second viewing area external to the vehicle.

19. A method as in claim 16 wherein generating a plurality of object detection signals comprises generating at least one object detection signal in response to at least a portion of a view from a reflective device.

20. A multipurpose sensing system for a vehicle comprising:

a multi-focal lens having a first focal point corresponding to a first viewing area and a second focal point corresponding to a second viewing area;

a reflective device directed at said second viewing area;

a vision sensor coupled to said multi-focal lens and generating a first object detection signal with respect to said first viewing area and a second object detection signal with respect to said second viewing area as is reflected from said reflective device; and

a controller coupled to said vision sensor and generating a first safety system signal in response to said first object detection signal and a second safety system signal in response to said second object detection signal.