Method and system for warning a driver of a vehicle about potential obstacles behind the vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of warning a driver of a subject vehicle about a potential obstacle crossing behind said subject vehicle, comprising the steps:
- a) with at least one sensor mounted on said subject vehicle, detecting a potential obstacle in a detection region extending behind and beside said subject vehicle, and producing sensor data representative of said potential obstacle detected by said at least one sensor;
b) in an evaluation arrangement mounted in said subject vehicle, evaluating said sensor data, and from said sensor data determining a relative position and a relative speed of said potential obstacle relative to said subject vehicle;
c) in said evaluation arrangement, determining, from said relative position and said relative speed, a probability that said potential obstacle will enter a critical zone encompassing said subject vehicle and extending a predetermined distance behind said subject vehicle;
d) in said evaluation arrangement, comparing said probability to a probability threshold, and generating a warning signal if said probability exceeds said probability threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system produce a warning signal to warn a driver of a vehicle about a potential obstacle crossing behind the vehicle, for example as the vehicle is backing out of a parking space. The system and method use a sensor to detect, monitor and track the position and velocity of a potential obstacle relative to the subject vehicle, in a detection space behind and to the sides of the vehicle, preferably to predict the probability that the trajectory of the potential obstacle will intersect with the trajectory of the subject vehicle at a critical time.
20 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method of warning a driver of a subject vehicle about a potential obstacle crossing behind said subject vehicle, comprising the steps:
-
a) with at least one sensor mounted on said subject vehicle, detecting a potential obstacle in a detection region extending behind and beside said subject vehicle, and producing sensor data representative of said potential obstacle detected by said at least one sensor; b) in an evaluation arrangement mounted in said subject vehicle, evaluating said sensor data, and from said sensor data determining a relative position and a relative speed of said potential obstacle relative to said subject vehicle; c) in said evaluation arrangement, determining, from said relative position and said relative speed, a probability that said potential obstacle will enter a critical zone encompassing said subject vehicle and extending a predetermined distance behind said subject vehicle; d) in said evaluation arrangement, comparing said probability to a probability threshold, and generating a warning signal if said probability exceeds said probability threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of warning a driver of a subject vehicle about a potential obstacle crossing behind said subject vehicle, comprising the steps:
-
a) while said subject vehicle is moving in a rearward direction, with a sensor mounted on said subject vehicle detecting a potential obstacle in a detection region extending behind and beside said subject vehicle, and producing sensor data representative of said potential obstacle detected by said sensor; b) in an evaluation arrangement mounted in said subject vehicle, evaluating said sensor data to determine a relative distance and a relative detected angle of said potential obstacle relative to said sensor mounted on said subject vehicle; c) in said evaluation arrangement, monitoring a first progression of said relative distance over time and a second progression of said relative detected angle over time; d) in said evaluation arrangement, determining from said first progression and said second progression a probability that said potential obstacle will intersect a critical zone encompassing said subject vehicle and extending a predetermined distance behind said subject vehicle; and e) in said evaluation arrangement, comparing said probability to a probability threshold, and generating a warning signal if said probability exceeds said probability threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification