Variable blind spot warning system

• US 20080169938A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Madau, Dinu Petre
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• 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 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• 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: 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

A variable blind spot warning system for detecting objects in a blind spot of a motor vehicle. The system includes at least one movable side view device coupled to a position sensor. The position sensor generates a position signal corresponding to an orientation of the side view device. At least one external detector generates a detector signal corresponding to a location of objects outside of the motor vehicle. A processor reads the position signal and the detector signal and calculates blind spot boundaries based on the position signal. The processor thereafter compares the blind spot boundaries to the object locations and provides an indication to a driver of the vehicle if an object is within the calculated blind spot boundaries.

Claims

1. A variable blind spot warning system for detecting objects in a blind spot of a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one movable side view device being attached to the vehicle and moveable between a first orientation and a second orientation, the side viewing device being coupled to at least one position sensor adapted to generate a position signal corresponding to an orientation of the side view device;

at least one external detector being attached to the vehicle and generating a detector signal corresponding to a location of object outside of the vehicle; and

a processor being disposed within the motor vehicle and coupled to the position sensor and the external detector to receive the position signal and the detector signal, the processor being configured to calculate blind spot boundaries based on the position signal and to compare the blind spot boundaries to the location of objects outside of the vehicle, and

a blind sport warning indicator coupled to the processor and configured to provide an indication to a driver if an object is located within the calculated blind spot boundaries.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the position sensor is configured to generate a modified position signal upon movement of the side view device and the processor is configured to calculate altered blind spot boundaries based upon the modified position signal and compare the altered blind spot boundaries to the location of objects to provide an indication to the driver if an object is within the altered blind spot boundaries.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising the warning indicator being attached to an interior of the vehicle, an exterior of the vehicle, or both the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the warning indicator is at least one of a visual warning device and an audible warning device.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seat sensor being disposed within the vehicle and coupled to at least a driver seat of the motor vehicle, the seat sensor generating a seat signal corresponding to an orientation of the driver seat.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the processor is coupled to the seat sensor and configured to calculate the blind spot boundaries based on both the position signal and the seat signal.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a driver height sensor disposed within the vehicle and configured to measure a height of the driver and to generate a height signal corresponding to the height of the driver.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor is coupled to the height sensor and configured to calculate the blind spot boundaries based on both the position signal and the height signal.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the height sensor includes an ultrasonic device.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the height sensor includes an optical camera.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the side view device includes a side view mirror assembly.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the mirror assembly includes a convex mirror.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the side view device includes a digital imaging device.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the digital imaging device is coupled to an interior display.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the external detector includes at least one of a radar sensor, a ladar sensor, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an optical sensor.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seat sensor being disposed within the vehicle and coupled to at least a driver seat of the vehicle, the seat sensor generating a seat signal corresponding to an orientation of the driver seat;

a driver height sensor disposed within the vehicle and configured to measure a height of a driver of the vehicle, the height sensor generating a height signal corresponding to the height of the driver; and

the processor being coupled to the seat sensor and the height sensor to receive the seat signal and the height signal, the processor being configured to calculate the blind spot boundaries based on the position signal, the seat signal, and the height signal.

17. A variable blind spot warning method for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring at least a position signal from at least a position sensor corresponding to an orientation of a side view device;

measuring a detector signal from an external detector corresponding to a location of objects outside of the vehicle;

calculating blind spot boundaries based upon at least the position signal;

comparing the blind spot boundaries to the location of objects; and

warning a driver of the motor vehicle if the location of objects are within the blind spot boundaries.