Collision avoidance display system for vehicles

• US 20070182527A1
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Traylor, Steve, McCormick, Malcom B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,876,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/87 Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/51 Display arrangements
• 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

The system includes a detector display having visual indicators arranged in a pattern representing a monitored area near the vehicle desired to be monitored. The visual indicators represent physical locations within the monitored area. An indicator controller is operatively associated with the detector display for actuating the visual indicators to display an object location in the pattern that corresponds to the location of an object in the monitored area. A proximity sensor is included in communication with the indicator controller for detecting the physical location of objects within the monitored area. A detection signal is transmitted by the proximity sensor to the indicator controller in response to detecting an object, wherein the indicator controller is operable to actuate the visual indicators in response to the detection signal to display an object location in the pattern that corresponds to an object location in the monitored area.

Claims

1. A collision avoidance display system for a vehicle comprising:

a detector display having visual indicators arranged in a pattern on said display representing a monitored area near the vehicle desired to be monitored, and said visual indicators on said display representing physical locations within said monitored area;

an indicator controller operatively associated with said detector display for actuating said visual indicators to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area;

a proximity sensor in communication with said indicator controller for detecting the physical location of objects within said monitored area; and

,

a detection signal being transmitted by said proximity sensor to said indicator controller in response to detecting an object, wherein said indicator controller is operable to actuate said visual indicators in response to said detection signal to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area.

2. The display system of claim 1 wherein said proximity sensor defines a physical configuration for said monitored area, and wherein said pattern of said visual indicators corresponds to the physical configuration of said monitored area.

3. The display system of claim 1 wherein said monitored area has a predefined physical configuration represented by said pattern of said visual indicators in said detector display, and wherein said proximity sensor includes an object detection capacity correlated to said physical configuration of said monitored area to detect objects in said monitored area.

4. The display system of claim 1 wherein said pattern of said visual indicators on said display includes a plurality of monitoring zones corresponding in physical configuration to monitored areas adjacent the vehicle.

5. The display system of claim 4 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones on said display include a left side monitoring zone and a right side monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a left side monitored area and a right side monitored area on opposing sides of the vehicle, respectively.

6. The display system of claim 5 including a left proximity sensor covering said left side monitored area with an array of object detection beams for detecting the physical location of objects within said left side monitored area, wherein each of said visual indicators in said left side monitoring zone is correlated with at least one of said object detection beams so that detection of an object by one of said object detection beams signals said indicator controller to actuate at least one corresponding visual indicator;

and,

a right proximity sensor covering said right side monitored area with an array of object detection beams for detecting the physical location of objects within said right side monitored area, wherein each of said visual indicators in said right side monitoring zone is correlated with at least one of said object detection beams so that detection of an object by one of said object detection beams signals said indicator controller to actuate at least one corresponding visual indicator, whereby the location of objects in said left side and right side monitored areas can be displayed in said left and right side monitoring zones.

7. The display system of claim 6 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones on said display include a front monitoring zone and a back monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a front monitored area and a back monitored area on opposing ends of the vehicle, respectively.

8. The display system of claim 7 including a front proximity sensor covering said front monitored area with an array of object detection beams for detecting the physical location of objects within said front monitored area, wherein each of said visual indicators in said front monitoring zone is correlated with at least one of said object detection beams so that detection of an object by one of said object detection beams signals said indicator controller to actuate at least one corresponding visual indicator;

and,

a back proximity sensor covering said back monitored area with an array of object detection beams for detecting the physical location of objects within said back monitored area, wherein each of said visual indicators in said back monitoring zone is correlated with at least one of said object detection beams so that detection of an object by one of said object detection beams signals said indicator controller to actuate at least one corresponding visual indicator, whereby the location of objects in said front and back monitored areas can be displayed in said front and back monitoring zones.

9. The display system of claim 4 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones on said display include a front monitoring zone and a back monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a front monitored area and a back monitored area, respectively.

10. The display system of claim 4 wherein said detector display includes a vehicle outline around which said plurality of monitoring zones are arranged for orienting the physical location represented by each of said monitoring zones in relation to the vehicle.

11. The display system of claim 4 wherein said visual indicators in said plurality of monitoring zones are shaped in the form of round dots.

12. The display system of claim 4 wherein said visual indicators in said plurality of monitoring zones are shaped in a form selected from one of triangular and rectangular block segments, and combinations thereof.

13. The display system of claim 1 wherein said proximity sensor includes a beam emitter for emitting light beams into said monitored area for detecting objects, and wherein said pattern of said visual indicators is correlated to represent the physical configuration of the monitored area covered by said beams.

14. The display system of claim 13 wherein said visual indicators are operatively associated with at least one selected light beam so that detection of an object by one of said light beams signals said indicator controller to actuate at least one designated visual indicator corresponding to said light beam.

15. The display system of claim 13 wherein said proximity sensor includes a photodetector for detecting light from said light beams being reflected by objects in said monitored area, and wherein said photodetector generates said detection signal for transmission to said indicator controller.

16. The display system of claim 15 including a beam controller operatively associated with said proximity sensor for actuating said beam emitter and photodetector to detect object location and relative movement of objects through said light beams in said monitored area.

17. The display system of claim 16 wherein said beam controller is in communication with said indicator controller for receiving said detection signal from said photodetector and transmitting said detection signal to said indicator controller to actuate said visual indicators in response to said detection signal.

18. The display system of claim 1 wherein said indicator controller manipulates lighting characteristics of said visual indicators to display in said pattern the location of objects detected in said monitored area.

19. The display system of claim 18 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the color of the light emitted by said indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

20. The display system of claim 18 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the intensity of the light emitted by said indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

21. The display system of claim 18 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the frequency of a blinking rate of the light emitted by said indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

22. The display system of claim 18 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the number of indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

23. The display system of claim 18 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the pattern of said indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

24. The display system of claim 1 wherein said visual indicators are light emitting diodes.

25. The display system of claim 1 wherein said visual indicators are liquid crystal displays.

26. The display system of claim 1 wherein said indicator controller actuates said visual indicators to display relative movement of objects in said monitored area in response to said detection signal from said proximity sensor.

27. A collision avoidance display system for a vehicle mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror housing;

a mirror pane carried in said housing;

a reflective coating disposed on a major surface of said mirror pane;

a detector display carried in said mirror housing behind said mirror pane, wherein said reflective coating is adapted to pass at least a portion of the visible light projected from said detector display;

a plurality of visual indicators included in said detector display being arranged in a pattern representing a monitored area adjacent a side of the vehicle and said indicators representing physical locations within said monitored area;

an indicator controller operatively associated with said detector display for actuating said visual indicators to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to the location of the object in said monitored area; and

,

a proximity sensor in communication with said indicator controller for transmitting a detection signal to said indicator controller when an object is located in said monitored area;

whereby said indicator controller actuates said visual indicators in response to said detection signal to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area.

28. The display system of claim 27 wherein said proximity sensor defines a physical configuration for said monitored area, and wherein said pattern of said visual indicators corresponds to the physical configuration of said monitored area.

29. The display system of claim 27 wherein said monitored area has a predefined physical configuration represented by said pattern of said visual indicators in said detector display, and wherein said proximity sensor includes an object detection capacity correlated to said physical configuration of said monitored area to detect objects in said monitored area.

30. The display system of claim 27 wherein said proximity sensor includes a beam emitter for emitting light beams into said monitored area for detecting objects, and wherein said pattern of said visual indicators is correlated to represent the physical configuration of the monitored area covered by said beams.

31. The display system of claim 30 wherein each of said visual indicators is operatively associated with at least one selected light beam so that detection of an object by one of said light beams signals said indicator controller to actuate designated visual indicators corresponding to said light beam.

32. The display system of claim 31 including a plurality of proximity sensors with each of said proximity sensors covering an individual monitored area adjacent the vehicle with said light beams;

and, wherein said pattern of said visual indicators includes a plurality of monitoring zones with each of said monitoring zones operatively associated with one of said proximity sensors and representing the physical configuration of said individual monitored area covered by the light beams.

33. The display system of claim 32 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones include a left side monitoring zone and a right side monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a left side monitored area and a right side monitored area on opposing sides of the vehicle, respectively.

34. The display system of claim 32 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones include a front monitoring zone and a back monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a front monitored area and a back monitored area on opposing ends of the vehicle, respectively.

35. The display system of claim 27 wherein said indicator controller actuates said visual indicators to display relative movement of objects in said monitored area in response to said detection signal from said photodetector.

36. The display system of claim 27 wherein said indicator controller controls the lighting characteristics of said visual indicators to display in said pattern the location of objects detected in said monitored area.

37. The display system of claim 36 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes at least one of the color, intensity, and frequency of a blinking rate of the light emitted by said visual indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

38. The display system of claim 36 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the number of indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

39. The display system of claim 36 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the pattern of said indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

40. A detector display for a vehicle collision avoidance system, said detector display comprising:

a plurality of visual indicators arranged in a pattern representing a monitored area adjacent the vehicle through which objects move when approaching the vehicle;

each of said visual indicators in said pattern representing a physical location within said monitored area; and

,

an indicator controller operatively connected to said visual indicators for receiving a detection signal from a proximity sensor and actuating said visual indicators in response to said detection signal to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area.

41. The display of claim 40 wherein said pattern includes a plurality of monitoring zones with each of said monitoring zones representing the physical configuration of a corresponding monitored area adjacent the vehicle.

42. The display of claim 41 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones include a left side monitoring zone and a right side monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a left side monitored area and a right side monitored area on opposing sides of the vehicle, respectively.

43. The display of claim 41 wherein said plurality of monitoring zones include a front monitoring zone and a back monitoring zone representing the physical configuration of a front monitored area and a back monitored area on opposing ends of the vehicle, respectively.

44. The display of claim 41 wherein said detector display includes a vehicle outline around which said monitoring zones are arranged for orienting the physical location represented by each of said monitoring zones in relation to the vehicle.

45. The display of claim 41 wherein said visual indicators in said plurality of monitoring zones are shaped in the form of round dots.

46. The display of claim 41 wherein said visual indicators in said plurality of monitoring zones are shaped in a form selected from one of triangular and rectangular block segments, and combinations thereof.

47. The display of claim 40 wherein said indicator controller actuates said visual indicators to display relative movement of objects in said monitored area in response to said detection signal from said proximity sensor.

48. The display of claim 40 wherein said indicator controller controls the lighting characteristics of said visual indicators to display in said pattern the location of objects detected in said monitored area.

49. The display of claim 48 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes at least one of the color, intensity, and frequency of a blinking rate of the light emitted by said visual indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

50. The display of claim 48 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the number of indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

51. The display of claim 48 wherein said lighting characteristics manipulated by said indicator controller includes the pattern of said indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

52. A method for providing collision avoidance information to a vehicle driver comprising the steps of:

defining a monitored area adjacent the vehicle through which objects move when approaching the vehicle;

providing a detector display having visual indicators arranged into a pattern representing the physical configuration of said monitored area, and associating said visual indicators with physical locations in said monitored area;

providing an indicator controller operatively connected to said detector display for actuating said visual indicators to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area;

providing a proximity sensor in communication with said indicator controller having an object detection capacity covering said monitored area for detecting the physical location of objects within said monitored area;

generating a detection signal from said proximity sensor to said indicator controller in response to detecting an object in said monitored area; and

,

actuating said visual indicators in response to said detection signal to display an object location in said pattern that corresponds to an object location in said monitored area.

53. The method of claim 52 including actuating said visual indicators to display relative movement of objects in said monitored area in response to said detection signal from said proximity sensor.

54. The method of claim 52 including manipulating the lighting characteristics of said visual indicators to display in said pattern the location of objects detected in said monitored area.

55. The method of claim 54 including manipulating at least one of the color, intensity, and frequency of a blinking rate of the light emitted by said visual indicators in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

56. The method of claim 54 including manipulating the number of indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

57. The method of claim 54 including manipulating the pattern of indicators actuated in response to detecting an object in said monitored area.

58. The method of claim 52 including providing said proximity sensor with a beam emitter for emitting an array of object detection beams that define said monitored area.

59. The method of claim 58 including correlating said pattern of said visual indicators to represent the physical configuration of the monitored area defined by said object detection beams.

60. The method of claim 59 including correlating said visual indicators with selected object detection beams so that detection of an object by one of said object detection beams signals said indicator controller to actuate designated visual indicators corresponding to said object detection beams.