Collision warning system and method

• US 20040254728A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Vladimir Poropat
• Original Assignee: George Vladimir Poropat
• Inventors: Poropat, George Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US10/492,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20040254728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/18 wherein range gates are used
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/933 of aircraft or spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to a system for and a method of providing a collision warning to an operator of a vehicle. The disclosed system, which is operable in accordance with the disclosed method, includes a range gated visual imaging means and a processing means. The imaging means is operable to acquire a visual image of an object located within a detection zone whose location relative to the vehicle is known. The processing means is operable to process the image to determine the location of the object relative to the vehicle, determine whether the vehicle might collide with the object, and warn the operator if it is determined that the vehicle might collide with the object.

Claims

1. A system for providing a collision warning to an operator of a vehicle, the system including a range gated visual imaging means operable to acquire a visual image of an object located within a detection zone whose location relative to the vehicle is known, and a processing means operable to process the image to determine the location of the object relative to the vehicle, determine whether the vehicle might collide with the object, and warn the operator if it is determined that the vehicle might collide with the object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging means is operable to maintain the detection zone at a constant location relative to the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging means is operable to vary the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied in response to acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied such that the detection zone is moved away from the vehicle in response to acceleration of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied such that the detection zone is moved towards the vehicle in response to deceleration of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied in response to manoeuvres which are being or are to be performed by the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging means is operable to vary the size of the detection zone.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the size of the detection zone is proportional to the distance between the vehicle and the detection zone.

10. A method of providing a collision warning to an operator of a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

(i) operating a range gated visual imaging means to acquire a visual image of an object located within a detection zone whose location relative to the vehicle is known;

(ii) processing the image to determine the location of the object relative to the vehicle and whether the vehicle might collide with the object; and

(iii) warning the operator if it is determined that the vehicle might collide with the object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is constant.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied in response to acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied such that the detection zone is moved away from the vehicle in response to acceleration of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied such that the detection zone is moved towards the vehicle in response to deceleration of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the location of the detection zone relative to the vehicle is varied in response to manoeuvres which are being or are to be performed by the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the size of the detection zone is varied.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the size of the detection zone is proportional to the distance between the vehicle and the detection zone.