Parking aid for use in a motor vehicle

• US 6,995,687 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Heller, Uwe, Witzke, Michael, Lang, Heinrich, Emmert, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US10/147,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/425.5, 340/431, 340/434, 340/435, 340/436, 340/539.1, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking

Abstract

A maneuvering aid for a vehicle is provided which has a detector and an information provider in wireless communication with each other. The detector and the information provider are synchronized upon the start of the vehicle, a reversing operation or the like to monitor the area about the vehicle and alert a driver of the vehicle of an obstacle near the vehicle. The detector is portable for use with multiple trailers that are attachable to the vehicle such that the information provider and detector remain in wireless communication.

Claims

1. A maneuvering aid for a driver of a vehicle, the maneuvering aid comprising:

a detector affixable to the vehicle, the detector configured to monitor an area about the vehicle and generate a signal responsive to an object located in the monitored area;

an information provider disposed in the vehicle apart from the detector in wireless communication with the detector, the detector configured to wirelessly transmit the signal to the information provider, the information provider configured to communicate the signal to the driver;

wherein,

the information provider is configured to automatically control a first part of the detector, the controlled first part configured to automatically adjust a second part of the detector to monitor the detected object.

2. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the detector is portable and removably affixed to the vehicle.

3. The maneuvering aid of claim 2, wherein the detector is removably affixed to a rear of the vehicle.

4. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the detector is a sensor apparatus and a control apparatus, the control apparatus configured to adjust the sensor apparatus to detect the object.

5. The maneuvering aid of claim 4, wherein the sensor apparatus is selected from the group consisting of an image sensor, a radar apparatus, an ultrasonic device, an infrared device, and combinations thereof.

6. The maneuvering aid of claim 5, wherein the image sensor is a video camera.

7. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the signal is communicated by the information provider to the driver visually.

8. The maneuvering aid of claim 7, wherein the signal is communicated as an image.

9. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the signal is communicated by the information provider to the driver acoustically.

10. The maneuvering aid of claim 9, wherein the signal is communicated as a verbal warning.

11. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the information provider is an image display apparatus configured for displaying to the driver a visual image corresponding to the object.

12. The maneuvering aid of claim 11, wherein the image display apparatus is integrated in a rearview mirror of the vehicle.

13. The maneuvering aid of claim 11, wherein the image display apparatus is integrated proximate the driver.

14. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a cab and a trailer releasably connected to the cab, the information provider disposed about the cab, the detector releasably disposed about the trailer such that the detector can be removed to a replacement trailer for further wireless communications with the information provider when the trailer is replaced by the replacement trailer.

15. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the information provider is in radio communication with the detector.

16. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the information provider is in analog communication with the detector.

17. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the information provider is digitally interfaced with the detector.

18. The maneuvering aid of claim 17, wherein the digitally interfaced information provider and detector are in cordless telecommunication.

19. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, further comprising a recognition signal configured to establish synchronous communication between the information provider and the detector.

20. The maneuvering aid of claim 19, wherein the recognition signal is wirelessly transmitted between the information provider and the detector when the vehicle is driven in reverse.

21. The maneuvering aid of claim 20, wherein an activated reverse light of the vehicle transmits a reverse signal to the detector, the detector configured to initiate the recognition signal to the information provider.

22. The maneuvering aid of claim 19, wherein the recognition signal is transmitted between the information provider and the detector when the vehicle is started.

23. The maneuvering aid of claim 22, wherein a starter of the vehicle transmits an ignition signal to the detector, the detector configured to initiate the recognition signal to the information provider.

24. The maneuvering aid of claim 22, wherein an electronic component senses an ignition signal, the electronic component configured to transmit the ignition signal to one of the detector and the information provider to synchronize recognition between the detector and the information provider.

25. The maneuvering aid of claim 1, wherein the information provider is configured to control the detector.

26. The maneuvering aid of claim 25, wherein the information provider is configured to be manually programmed by the driver to control of the detector.

27. A parking aid for a vehicle comprising:

a detector releasably attached to the vehicle, the detector having a sensor and a control apparatus, the sensor configured to monitor an area about the vehicle, the control apparatus configured to adjust a field of view of the sensor such that the sensor detects an object in the area proximate the vehicle; and

an information provider in synchronous, two-way communication with the detector, the information provider disposed in the vehicle and configured to wirelessly receive a signal of the detected object from the sensor and communicate the signal to a driver of the vehicle.

28. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the sensor is an imaging sensor.

29. The parking aid of claim 27 wherein the sensor is a radar.

30. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic apparatus.

31. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the information provider is a visual display device, the visual display device disposed in a field of regard of the driver.

32. The parking aid of claim 31, wherein the visual display device further comprises a programmable portion, the programmable portion configured to send commands to the control apparatus to adjust the sensor.

33. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the detector and the information provider are cordlessly portable.

34. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the detector and the information provider are synchronized by an electronic event about the vehicle.

35. The parking aid of claim 34, wherein the information provider automatically controls the detector subsequent to the electronic event.

36. The parking aid of claim 34, wherein the electronic event is transmitted by two-way radio.

37. The parking aid of claim 34, wherein the electronic event is an ignition of the vehicle.

38. The parking aid of claim 34, wherein the electronic event is an energization of a vehicle light.

39. The parking aid of claim 38, wherein the vehicle light is selected from the group consisting of a headlight, a reverse light, and combinations thereof.

40. The parking aid of claim 27, wherein the sensor is a plurality of sensors.

41. A parking aid for a vehicle comprising:

a portable sensor and control apparatus releasably attached to the vehicle, a control portion configured to control a sensor portion of the portable sensor and control apparatus to monitor an area proximate the vehicle; and

an alert system located about the vehicle apart from the portable sensor and control apparatus, the alert system disposed in a field of view of a driver of the vehicle and configured to wirelessly receive a signal of a detected object from the sensor portion, the alert system configured to alert the driver of the detected object and automatically wirelessly adjust the sensor portion via the control portion to further monitor the detected object.

42. The parking aid of claim 41, wherein the alert system is configured to be manually controlled by the driver.

43. The parking aid of claim 41, wherein the portable sensor and control apparatus and the alert system are synchronized on a wireless communication circuit upon occurrence of an electronic vehicle event.

44. The parking aid of claim 43, wherein the electronic vehicle event is selected from the group consisting of an ignition, an energization of a vehicle light, a gear change, and combinations thereof.