Adaptive lighting display for vehicle collision warning

• US 20060006988A1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• 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 display system for displaying a visual warning indicator indicative of detection of an object in a vehicle detection zone, said display system comprising:

an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator;

a light source for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator;

a first input for receiving a first signal indicative of detection of an object in a vehicle detection zone;

a second input for receiving a second signal indicative of anticipated movement of a vehicle in relation to the object; and

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.

2. The display system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a two-way mirror surface disposed in front of the imaging medium, wherein the two-way mirror surface provides reflectivity and further allows transmission of the warning indicator when the light source sufficiently illuminates the imaging medium.

3. The display system as defined in claim 2, wherein the imaging medium, light source, and two-way mirror surface form a display assembly that is mounted on a vehicle mirror.

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

5. The display system as defined in claim 1, wherein the imaging medium comprises a diffuser having an imaging surface defining a warning icon.

6. The display system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second input receives a signal indicative of a steering angle of a vehicle steering system.

7. The display system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second input receives a signal indicative of yaw rate of the vehicle.

8. A vehicle blind spot detection and warning system comprising:

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

a second detector for detecting whether the vehicle is anticipated to be moving toward an object in the vehicle blind spot detection zone;

a warning display for displaying a warning indicator indicative of the detection of an object in the vehicle blind spot detection zone, said warning display comprising a light illumination source and an imaging medium for displaying the warning indicator; and

a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the display when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving toward the object.

9. The system as defined in claim 8 further comprising a two-way mirror surface disposed in front of the imaging medium, wherein the two-way mirror surface provides reflectivity and further allows transmission of the warning indicator when the light source sufficiently illuminates the imaging medium.

10. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein the imaging medium, light source, and two-way mirror surface form a display assembly that is mounted on a vehicle mirror.

11. The system as defined in claim 10, wherein the display assembly is mounted to the vehicle mirror via an adhesive.

12. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein the imaging medium comprises a diffuser having an imaging surface defining a warning icon.

13. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein the second detector comprises a steering angle sensor for sensing a signal indicative of a steering angle of a vehicle steering system.

14. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein the second detector comprises a yaw rate sensor for detecting yaw rate of the vehicle.

15. A method of adaptively controlling a vehicle display to provide a visual warning indicator indicative of an object in a detection zone, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an object in a detection zone;

illuminating a display to generate a lighted warning indicator indicative of the presence of an object in the detection zone;

detecting anticipated movement of the vehicle relative to the object; and

adjusting brightness of the display based on anticipated movement of the vehicle relative to the object.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said step of adjusting brightness of the display comprises the step of increasing brightness of the lighted warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving closer to the object.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of illuminating a display comprise illuminating a light source disposed behind an imaging medium that generates the warning indicator.

18. The method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the step of transmitting the warning indicator through a two-way mirror surface, wherein the two-way mirror surface provides reflectivity and further allows transmission of the warning indicator when the warning indicator is sufficiently illuminated.

19. The method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the step of mounting the display on a vehicle mirror structure.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the display is mounted on the vehicle mirror structure via an adhesive.

21. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of detecting anticipated movement of the vehicle relative to the object comprises sensing a steering angle position of a vehicle steering system.

22. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of detecting anticipated movement of the vehicle relative to the object comprises sensing yaw rate of the vehicle.

23. A vehicle blind spot warning display system removably attachable to a vehicle, said system comprising:

a display including an imaging surface for displaying a warning indicator; and

a connector for connecting the display to a structure on the vehicle.

24. The system as defined in claim 23, wherein the connector comprises an adhesive.

25. The system as defined in claim 23, wherein the display comprises a light source disposed behind an imaging medium, and a two-way mirror disposed in front of the imaging medium, wherein the two-way mirror surface provides reflectivity and further allows transmission of the warning indicator when the light source sufficiently illuminates the imaging medium.

26. The system as defined in claim 23, wherein the display is mounted on a vehicle mirror.