Blind-spot detection system for vehicle

• US 20060290482A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Sato, Takayuki, Seto, Takayuki, Isomoto, Kazunori, Enno, Yasuhiro, Matsumoto, Seiji, Nobutoki, Yoshikazu
• Granted Patent: US 7,477,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

Disclosed is a BSD system for vehicle provided with a blind spot detection module which includes obstacle in blind spot detection means for detecting an obstacle existing in a blind spot around the rear side of a self vehicle and an obstacle indicator disposed on a side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display at least one of information for the existence of an obstacle in the blind spot, for a distance between the obstacle and the self vehicle, and for a relative speed of the obstacle to the self vehicle, the blind-spot detection system for vehicle. This system is provided with means for detecting that the blind spot detection module is in an abnormal operation state and means disposed on the side mirror having the obstacle indicator and adapted to visually indicate an abnormality of the blind spot detection module detected by the abnormality detection means.

Claims

1. A blind-spot detection system for vehicle provided with a blind spot detection module which includes obstacle in blind spot detection means for detecting an obstacle existing in a blind spot around the rear side of a self vehicle and an obstacle indicator disposed on a side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display at least one of information for the existence of an obstacle in the blind spot, for a distance between said obstacle and the self vehicle, and for a relative speed of said obstacle to the self vehicle, said blind-spot detection system for vehicle comprising:

abnormality detection means for detecting that said blind spot detection module is in an abnormal operation state; and

warning means disposed on said side mirror having said obstacle indicator and adapted to visually indicate an abnormality of said blind spot detection module detected by said abnormality detection means.

2. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises

a mirror member included in said side mirror and is adapted to be moved between an deploy position where said mirror member deploys to mirror the rearward sight of the self vehicle and a folded position where said mirror member is folded substantially abutting to a body of the self vehicle and

warning control means for controlling said warning means to visually indicate the abnormality when said side mirror is in said deploy position.

3. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 2, which further comprises

a system start switch for switching said blind spot detection module between its ON and OFF states and

mirror drive means which is operable to move said side mirror from said folded position to said deploy position when said side mirror is in the folded position and said blind spot detection module is turned ON by said system start switch.

4. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 2, which further comprises

mirror drive means which is operable, when said side mirror is in the folded position, to move said side mirror from said folded position to said deploy position in response to the detection of an abnormality of said blind spot detection module detected by said abnormality detection means.

5. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises

dark environment detection means for detecting a dark environment in case the self vehicle is driving therein and

warning-luminance adjustment means operable to lower a luminance of an optical indication of said warning means when said dark environment detection means detects the dark environment.

6. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 5, which further comprises

indicator-luminance adjustment means which is operable to lower a display luminance of said obstacle indicator when said dark environment detection means detects the dark environment,

wherein said warning-luminance adjustment means is adapted to lower a luminance at a rate greater than that of said indicator-luminance adjustment means.

7. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises

antiglare means associated with said door mirror and

antiglare-function control means for adjusting an antiglare level of said antiglare means in such a manner that said antiglare level is increased in response to detection of said abnormality.

8. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 7, further comprises an antiglare-function switch, included in

the self vehicle, for selectively activating and deactivating said antiglare means in a manual manner,

wherein said antiglare-function control means is operable to forcibly activate said antiglare means irrespective of a state of said antiglare-function switch when said warning means is activated.

9. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said obstacle indicator is operable to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle in blind spot detection means, provided that a traveling state meets with a display condition under which the self vehicle is in a given traveling state; and

said warning means is operable to visually indicate an abnormality detected by said abnormality detection means when the traveling state meets with the display condition.

10. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 9, wherein said warning means is operable to visually indicate the abnormality of said blind spot detection module when the self vehicle is in the given traveling state and in additional traveling state.

11. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 9, wherein said warning means is operable to visually indicate the abnormality of said blind spot detection module when the driving state meets with the display condition.

12. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 9, wherein said warning means is operable to visually indicate the abnormality of said blind spot detection module in a period before a given time has elapsed after the traveling state meets with the display condition.

13. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises determination means for determining a level of seriousness of the abnormality detected by said abnormality detection means,

wherein said warning means is operable to change a display mode of said obstacle indicator to a first display mode in which said obstacle indicator indicates the abnormality when said determination means determines that the abnormality detected by said abnormality detection means is minor and to a second display mode in which said obstacle indicator indicates the abnormality when said determination means determines that the abnormality detected by said abnormality detection means is serious.

14. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises:

a mirror member which is included in said side mirror and is to reflect images of back side sight of the self vehicle;

a first light-emitting element which is included in said obstacle indicator and is disposed on the side of a back surface of said mirror member of said side mirror;

a second light-emitting element which is included in said obstacle indicator and is disposed at a position spaced apart from said first light-emitting element by a give distance on the side of the body of the self vehicle;

a graphic image formed on said mirror member by respective emitted lights from said first and second light-emitting elements; and

means for indicating plurality of information by changing at least one of directions of emitted light from said first and second light-emitting elements to form the graphic image.

15. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises in-cabin warning means disposed in a passenger compartment of the self vehicle and adapted to visually indicate an abnormality of said blind spot detection module detected by said abnormality detection means,

wherein said in-cabin warning means is operable to visually indicate the abnormality of the blind spot detection module when an ignition switch of the self vehicle is placed in its ON state.

16. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, which further comprises in-cabin warning means disposed in a passenger compartment of the self vehicle and adapted to visually indicate an abnormality of said blind spot detection module detected by said abnormality detection means,

wherein said warning means is operable, in at least one of first and second periods:

in which the first period is set when a first given time has elapsed after the ignition switch is turned ON and the second period is set when a second given time has elapsed after satisfaction of the display condition of the obstacle indicator.

17. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 15 or 16, wherein said warning means is disposed on a laterally outward side of said door mirror relative to said obstacle indicator.

18. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 17, wherein said warning means is disposed in an upper region of said door mirror.

19. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said warning means is designed such that a divergence angle of said indication is enlarged in a laterally outward direction relative to that of said obstacle indicator.

20. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said blind spot detection module includes,

a left blind spot detection module which has a left-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the left rear side of the self vehicle and a left obstacle indicator mounted on a left side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in left rear side, and

a right blind spot detection module which has a right-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the right rear side of the self vehicle and a right obstacle indicator mounted on a right side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in right rear side;

said abnormality detection means includes,

left abnormality detection means for detecting that said left blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state, and

right abnormality detection means for detecting that said right blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state; and

said warming means includes,

left warning means mounted on the left side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to indicate only an abnormality of said left blind spot detection module detected by said left abnormality detection means, and

right warning means mounted on the right side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to indicate only an abnormality of said right blind spot detection module detected by said right abnormality detection means.

21. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein

said blind spot detection module includes,

a left blind spot detection module which has a left-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the left rear side of the self vehicle and a left obstacle indicator mounted on a left side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in left rear side, and

a right blind spot detection module which has a right-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the right rear side of the self vehicle and a right obstacle indicator mounted on a right side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in right rear side;

said abnormality detection means includes,

left abnormality detection means for detecting that said left blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state, and

right abnormality detection means for detecting that said right blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state; and

said warming means includes,

left warning means mounted on the left side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to indicate both an abnormality of said left blind spot detection module detected by said left abnormality detection means, and an abnormality of said right blind spot detection module detected by said right abnormality detection means, and

right warning means mounted on the right side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to indicate both an abnormality of said left blind spot detection module detected by said left abnormality detection means, and an abnormality of said right blind spot detection module detected by said right abnormality detection means.

22. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein

said blind spot detection module includes,

a left blind spot detection module which has a left-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the left rear side of the self vehicle and a left obstacle indicator mounted on a left side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in left rear side, and

a right blind spot detection module which has a right-rear-side obstacle detection mean that detects an obstacle existing in the right rear side of the self vehicle and a right obstacle indicator mounted on a right side mirror of the self vehicle and adapted to display information relevant to an obstacle detected by said obstacle detection mean in right rear side;

said abnormality detection means includes,

left abnormality detection means for detecting that said left blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state, and

right abnormality detection means for detecting that said right blind spot detection module is in an abnormal state; and

said warming means includes left warning means which indicates an abnormality of said left blind spot detection module detected by said left abnormality detection means and right warning means which indicates an abnormality of said right blind spot detection module detected by said right abnormality detection means, wherein said left warning means and said right warning means are mounted on a side mirror of the self vehicle on the side of a driver'"'"'s seat.

23. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said warning means is operable to change a display mode of the obstacle information for said obstacle indicator, to a given mode different from a normal mode so as to indicate an abnormality detected by said abnormality detection means.

24. The blind-spot detection system for vehicle as defined in claim 23, wherein said obstacle indicator and said warning means are composed of a common component.