Method and system for obstacle detection
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a presence of an object or the distance of the object from an optical device, the method comprising:
- emitting simultaneously a plurality of generally linear beams, where each linear beam comprises a generally spatially continuous line segment of electromagnetic radiation with a transmitted radiation pattern within a defined spatial zone;
collecting an image of the defined spatial zone;
detecting a presence of an object in the collected image based on an observed illumination radiation pattern on an object formed by at least one of the generally linear beams;
estimating a distance between the object and the optical device based on an observed change in one or more positions of the generally linear beams from the transmitted radiation pattern to the observed illumination radiation pattern;
the estimating of the distance is applied to a first zone from the optical device mounted on a vehicle, the first zone beginning at a first distance spaced apart from the vehicle and extending to a second distance spaced apart from the first distance; and
detecting whether an obstacle is present in a second zone closer to the vehicle than the first zone via a transmission of an ultrasonic signal and a receipt of a reflection of the ultrasonic signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for detecting the presence of an object or the distance between the system and an object supports the provision of rapid and reliable obstacle detection. A transmitter emits generally linear beams of electromagnetic radiation with a transmitted radiation pattern within a defined spatial zone. A camera collects an image of the defined spatial zone. A data processor detects a presence of an object in the collected image based on an observed illumination radiation pattern on an object formed by at least one of the generally linear beams. A distance estimator estimates a distance between the object and the optical device based on a change (e.g., an observed shift in one or more positions of generally linear beams) from the transmitted radiation pattern to the observed illumination radiation pattern.
69 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a presence of an object or the distance of the object from an optical device, the method comprising:
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emitting simultaneously a plurality of generally linear beams, where each linear beam comprises a generally spatially continuous line segment of electromagnetic radiation with a transmitted radiation pattern within a defined spatial zone; collecting an image of the defined spatial zone; detecting a presence of an object in the collected image based on an observed illumination radiation pattern on an object formed by at least one of the generally linear beams; estimating a distance between the object and the optical device based on an observed change in one or more positions of the generally linear beams from the transmitted radiation pattern to the observed illumination radiation pattern;
the estimating of the distance is applied to a first zone from the optical device mounted on a vehicle, the first zone beginning at a first distance spaced apart from the vehicle and extending to a second distance spaced apart from the first distance; anddetecting whether an obstacle is present in a second zone closer to the vehicle than the first zone via a transmission of an ultrasonic signal and a receipt of a reflection of the ultrasonic signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for measuring a distance between an optical device and an object, the method comprising:
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emitting simultaneously a plurality of generally linear beams, where each linear beam comprises a generally spatially continuous line segment of electromagnetic radiation at a transmission angle and height above ground with a transmitted radiation pattern within a defined spatial zone; collecting an image of the defined spatial zone;
processing the image to identify pixels associated with the illumination of an object with one of the generally linear beams;determining an observed height of the identified pixels; and determining a distance between the object and the optical device based on a transmission angle, the mounting height above ground of the optical device, and the observed height of the identified pixels, wherein the transmission angle is determined in conformity with minimum vehicle stopping distance plus a safety interval. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An obstacle detection system for detecting the presence of an object or a distance of the object from the system, the obstacle detection system comprising:
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a transmitter for emitting simultaneously a plurality of generally linear beams, where each linear beam comprises a generally spatially continuous line segment of electromagnetic radiation with a transmitted radiation pattern within a defined spatial zone, the transmitter arranged to emit the transmitted radiation pattern in a first zone spaced apart from the transmitter by a first distance or radius; a camera for receiving a reflection of one or more of the linear beams from an object in the defined spatial zone; a data processor for determining at least one of a presence of and a distance of the object from the optical device based on an observed shift in one or more positions of the generally linear beams observable in a detected pattern of the reflection; and a secondary obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle via a transmission of an ultrasonic signal and a receipt of a reflection in a second zone closer to the transmitter than the first zone. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification