Adaptive lighting display for vehicle collision warning

• US 7,432,800 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrum Technologies, LLC (Pratima Instruments, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Matthew R., Harter, Joseph E. Jr., Scharenbroch, Gregory K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US10/886,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20060006988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/904, 340/436, 340/435, 340/815.41, 340/469, 340/470, 340/815.42, 340/932.2, 340/933, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles

Abstract

A warning display system visually warns the driver of a vehicle of an object in a detection zone, such as a blind spot region of the vehicle. The display system includes an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator and a light source disposed behind the imaging medium for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator. An object detection sensor detects an object in a vehicle detection zone. One or more signals are processed to determine an anticipated movement of the vehicle in relation to the object. The system further includes a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving towards the object.

Claims

1. A vehicle blind spot detection and warning system for a vehicle travelling in a designated traffic lane, said system comprising:

a first detector for detecting the presence of an object in a vehicle blind spot detection zone in an adjacent traffic lane;

a second detector for detecting whether the vehicle is anticipated to be moving toward an object in the vehicle blind spot detection zone in response to receipt of at least one input from one or more of vehicle navigation, direction control or indicator control systems;

a warning display carried on a reflective surface of a vehicle sideview mirror for visually alerting a vehicle operator of the detection of an object in the vehicle blind spot detection zone, said warning display comprising a two-way mirror, a diffuser disposed behind said two-way mirror and a variable intensity light source disposed behind said diffuser, said diffuser having an imaging medium configured to define a warning icon; and

a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to substantially extinguish said light source in the absence of an object in said detection zone to substantially obscure said warning icon, and to back illuminate said warning icon at a first, fixed intensity, relatively low illumination level in response to a first input from said first detector and to increase back illumination of the warning icon to a second, fixed intensity, relative high illumination level in response to a second input from said second detector when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving toward the object.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the diffuser, light source, and two-way mirror form a display assembly that is mounted on a vehicle sideview mirror.

3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein the display assembly is mounted to the vehicle sideview mirror via an adhesive.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the warning icon is representative of the object in said vehicle detection zone.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second detector comprises a steering angle sensor for sensing a signal indicative of a steering angle of a vehicle steering system.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second detector comprises a yaw rate sensor for detecting yaw rate of the vehicle.

7. For application in a vehicle traveling in a designated traffic lane, a display system for visually alerting a vehicle operator to both the presence of an object in a vehicle detection zone in an adjacent traffic lane and anticipated departure of said vehicle from said designated traffic lane toward said adjacent traffic lane, said display system comprising:

a warning display adapted to be carried by said vehicle adjacent a sideview mirror, said warning display including a two-way mirror, a diffuser disposed behind said two-way mirror and a variable intensity light source disposed behind said diffuser, said diffuser having an imaging medium configured to define a warning icon;

means for detecting an object in said detection zone and generating a first input signal in response thereto;

means for detecting and anticipating departure of said vehicle from said designated traffic lane and towards said adjacent traffic lane in response to receipt of inputs from one or more of vehicle navigation, direction control or indicator control systems, and generating a second input signal in response thereto; and

a controller operative to receive said first and second signals, to substantially extinguish said light source in the absence of said first signal to substantially obscure said warning icon, to partially energize said light source for fixed intensity, relatively low level back illumination of said warning icon in response to receiving said first signal and in the absence of said second signal, and to fully energize said light source for fixed intensity, relatively high level back illumination of said warning icon in response to receiving both said first and second signals, whereby said warning icon is selectively viewable by the vehicle operator through said two-way mirror.

8. The display system as defined in claim 7, wherein the imaging medium, light source, and two-way mirror form a display assembly that is mounted on said vehicle sideview mirror.

9. The display system as defined in claim 8, wherein the display assembly is mounted to the vehicle sideview mirror via an adhesive.

10. The display system as defined in claim 7, wherein the warning icon is representative of the object in said vehicle detection zone.

11. The display system as defined in claim 7, wherein the second input receives a signal indicative of a steering angle of a vehicle steering system.

12. The display system as defined in claim 7, wherein the second input receives a signal indicative of yaw rate of the vehicle.

13. A blind spot warning system for a vehicle traveling in a designated traffic lane, said system including a warning display removably attachable to a reflective surface of a vehicle sideview mirror for visually alerting a vehicle operator to the presence of an object in a vehicle detection zone in an adjacent traffic lane, said warning system comprising:

a warning display adapted to be carried by said vehicle on the outer surface of an associated sideview mirror, said warning display including a two-way mirror, a diffuser disposed behind said two-way mirror and a variable intensity light source disposed behind said diffuser, said diffuser having an imaging medium configured to define a warning icon, said warning display further including an adhesive layer disposed behind said variable intensity light source whereby said two-way mirror is juxtaposed substantially parallel with said vehicle sideview mirror;

means for detecting an object in said detection zone and generating a first input signal in response thereto;

means for detecting and anticipating departure of said vehicle from said designated traffic lane and towards said adjacent traffic lane in response to receipt of inputs from one or more of vehicle navigation, direction control or indicator signal systems, with respect to said object and generating a second input signal in response thereto; and

a controller operative to receive said first and second signals, to substantially extinguish said light source in the absence of said first signal to substantially obscure said warning icon, to partially energize said light source for fixed intensity, relatively low level back illumination of said warning icon in response to receiving said first signal and in the absence of said second signal, and to fully energize said light source for fixed intensity, relatively high level back illumination of said warning icon in response to receiving both said first and second signals, whereby said warning icon is selectively viewable by the vehicle operator through said two-way mirror.