System to avoid the collision of a vehicle with animals

• US 20050116828A1
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cefla Societa' Cooperativa
• Original Assignee: Cefla Societa' Cooperativa
• Inventors: Perlo, Piero, Grasso, Valentina, Valerio, Federica
• Granted Patent: US 7,098,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.200
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/18 using ultrasonic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

The invention discloses a system and a method to avoid the collision of a vehicle with animals tending to cross the road before the moving vehicle. Such system comprises a visual system directly actuating a RF emitter, or more RF emitters, emitting directional sound waves with a frequency above 25,000 Hz. Sound waves are directed frontally though with a frequency decreasing from the center of the roadway towards the road edge, so as to lead the animal to move towards the road edge.

Claims

1. On-board system to be installed on a vehicle, avoiding collisions of said vehicles with animals tending to suddenly cross the road before the vehicle, characterized in that said system comprises a visual system detecting the presence of one or more animals near the vehicle, an electronic control system receiving an output signal from said visual system and subsequently activating an actuating signal, and eventually means emitting directional high-frequency sound waves, i.e. with a frequency above 25,000 Hz, which is activated by said actuating signal so as to lead away the animal or animals whose presence has been detected.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said visual system is equipped both with means for day operation and with means for operation in low visibility conditions, for instance at night.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for day operation consist of a camera equipped with a sensor based on CCD or CMOS technology.

4. System according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for operation in low visibility conditions consist of a CMOS camera equipped with an infra-red sensor associated with a system chosen among:

a lighting device based on a matrix of emitting LEDs, a system consisting of projectors with visible filter, a system consisting of heat cameras, a system consisting of matrixes of resistive bolometers, a matrix of thermoelectric sensors.

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said lighting device is based on a matrix of emitting LEDs with a wavelength of about 900 nm.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid electronic control means are programmed so as to:

detect the animal'"'"'s presence on the basis of its figure as detected by the visual system, carrying out a screening of the various shapes and figures it meets.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it directs sound waves in frontal direction, though with a frequency degree decreasing from the center of the roadway towards the road edge, so as to lead the animal away.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control system is connected to a display on the vehicle instrument panel, so as to emit an optical/sound signal informing the driver about the dangerous situation occurring.