Collision avoidance system for vehicle
First Claim
1. A collision avoidance system suitable for use in a vehicle, said collision avoidance system comprising:
- a forward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said collision avoidance system, said forward-viewing camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle;
the field of view of said forward-viewing camera encompassing (i) a traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward-viewing camera;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
a rearward-viewing camera disposed at the equipped vehicle, said rearward-viewing camera having a field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle;
the field of view of said rearward-viewing camera encompassing (i) the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
an image processor operable to process image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present rearward of the equipped vehicle;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in;
wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by a detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; and
wherein, responsive to the determined imminence of a rear impact to the equipped vehicle by the detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in, said collision avoidance system controls a steering system of the equipped vehicle to move the equipped vehicle to the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collision avoidance system for use in a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera and a rearward-viewing camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle and in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and in an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in. Responsive to image processing of image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera, the system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by another vehicle and the system controls a steering system to move the equipped vehicle to the adjacent traffic lane provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A collision avoidance system suitable for use in a vehicle, said collision avoidance system comprising:
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a forward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said collision avoidance system, said forward-viewing camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said forward-viewing camera encompassing (i) a traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; a rearward-viewing camera disposed at the equipped vehicle, said rearward-viewing camera having a field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said rearward-viewing camera encompassing (i) the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by a detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; and wherein, responsive to the determined imminence of a rear impact to the equipped vehicle by the detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in, said collision avoidance system controls a steering system of the equipped vehicle to move the equipped vehicle to the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A collision avoidance system suitable for use in a vehicle, said collision avoidance system comprising:
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a forward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said collision avoidance system, said forward-viewing camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said forward-viewing camera encompassing (i) a traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; a rearward-viewing camera disposed at the equipped vehicle, said rearward-viewing camera having a field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said rearward-viewing camera encompassing (i) the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by a detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; and wherein, responsive to the determined imminence of a rear impact to the equipped vehicle by the detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in, said collision avoidance system determines an evasive path and controls a steering system of the equipped vehicle to move the equipped vehicle along the evasive path into the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A collision avoidance system suitable for use in a vehicle, said collision avoidance system comprising:
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a forward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle equipped with said collision avoidance system, said forward-viewing camera having a field of view forward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said forward-viewing camera encompassing (i) a traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) an adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present ahead of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; a rearward-viewing camera disposed at the equipped vehicle, said rearward-viewing camera having a field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; the field of view of said rearward-viewing camera encompassing (i) the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in and (ii) the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; an image processor operable to process image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system detects the presence of vehicles present rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system is operable to determine a detected vehicle to be present in the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to image processing by said image processor of image data captured by said rearward-viewing camera, said collision avoidance system determines imminence of a rear impact with the equipped vehicle by a detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in; wherein, responsive to the determined imminence of a rear impact to the equipped vehicle by the detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in, said collision avoidance system controls a steering system of the equipped vehicle to move the equipped vehicle to the adjacent traffic lane that is adjacent to the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in provided the portion of that adjacent lane the equipped vehicle is to move to is unoccupied by a vehicle ahead of, adjacent to or behind the equipped vehicle; and wherein the equipped vehicle and the detected vehicle present in the traffic lane the equipped vehicle is driving in communicate with each other via a telematics system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification