System to avoid the collision of a vehicle with animals

• US 7,098,775 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cefla Societa' Cooperativa
• Original Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Inventors: Perlo, Piero, Grasso, Valentina, Valerio, Federica
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van T.
• Application Number:
  US10/502,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20050116828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/904, 340/937, 340/436, 340/384.1, 340/384.2, 701/213, 701/301, 702/142, 702/143, 348/113, 348/115
• US Class Current: 340/384.2
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/18 using ultrasonic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A system and a method avoids the collision of a vehicle with animals tending to cross the road before the moving vehicle. Such system comprises a visual system directly actuating a RF emitter, or more RF emitters, emitting directional sound waves with a frequency above 25,000 Hz. Sound waves are directed frontally though with a frequency decreasing from the center of the roadway towards the road edge, so as to lead the animal to move towards the road edge.

Claims

1. On-board system to be installed on a vehicle, avoiding collisions of said vehicles with animals tending to suddenly cross the road before the vehicle, wherein said system comprises a visual system detecting the presence of one or more animals near the vehicle, an electronic control system receiving an output signal from said visual system and subsequently activating an actuating signal, and eventually means emitting directional high-frequency sound waves emitting with a frequency above 25,000 Hz, which is activated by said actuating signal so as to lead away the animal or animals whose presence has been detected,

and wherein the emitting means directs sound waves in a frontal direction, though with a frequency degree decreasing from the center of the roadway towards the road edge, so as to lead the animal away.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said visual system is equipped both with means for day operation and with means for operation in low visibility conditions, for instance at night.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein said means for day operation consist of a camera equipped with a sensor based on CCD or CMOS technology.

4. System according to claim 2, wherein said means for operation in low visibility conditions consist of a CMOS camera equipped with an infrared sensor associated with a system chosen among:

a lighting device based on a matrix of emitting LEDs, a system consisting of projectors with visible filter, a system consisting of heat cameras, a system consisting of matrixes of resistive bolometers, a matrix of thermoelectric sensors.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein said lighting device is based on a matrix of emitting LEDs with a wavelength of about 900 nm.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid electronic control means are programmed so as to:

detect the animal'"'"'s presence on the basis of its figure as detected by the visual system, carrying out a screening of the various shapes and figures it meets.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control system is connected to a display on the vehicle instrument panel, so as to emit an optical/sound signal informing the driver about the dangerous situation occurring.