Vehicle collision avoidance system

• US 20090259401A1
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Edwards, David, Subramanian, Ramkumar, Coats, Robert Martin, Pavlik, David Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,280,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/862 Combination of radar systems with sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/865 Combination of radar systems with lidar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/062 in which different colours are used
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A collision avoidance system for a machine is disclosed. The collision avoidance system has a first obstacle detection system. The first obstacle detection system is configured to detect a first obstacle and generate a corresponding first signal. Additionally, the collision avoidance system has an operator interface. The operator interface has a display configured to communicate visual information to an operator. The operator interface also has an input device configured to receive selections from the operator and generate a corresponding second signal. In addition, the collision avoidance system has a controller. The controller is in communication with the first obstacle detection system and the operator interface. The controller is configured to control the display to provide a first dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first signal. The controller is also configured to control the display to provide a second dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first and second signals.

Claims

1. A collision avoidance system for a machine, comprising:

a first obstacle detection system configured to detect a first obstacle and generate a corresponding first signal;

an operator interface including;

a display configured to communicate visual information to an operator; and

an input device configured to receive selections from the operator and generate a corresponding second signal; and

a controller in communication with the first obstacle detection system and the operator interface, and configured to control the display to provide;

a first dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first signal; and

a second dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first and second signals.

2. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein a map is stored within a memory of the controller and includes a set of detection values, and the controller is configured to update the set of detection values, based on the first signal.

3. The collision avoidance system of claim 2, wherein the map further includes a set of criticality values, and provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings is based on at least one of the set of detection values and the set of criticality values.

4. The collision avoidance system of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the display is controlled to communicate a visual representation of the map.

5. The collision avoidance system of claim 4, wherein provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings includes altering the visual representation of the map.

6. The collision avoidance system of claim 4, further including a first camera situated to capture images of a first blind spot of the machine and configured to generate a corresponding third signal, wherein:

the detection of the first obstacle is within the first blind spot;

the controller is in further communication with the first camera; and

the display is controlled, based further on the third signal.

7. The collision avoidance system of claim 6, wherein a second portion of the display is controlled to communicate images captured by the first camera.

8. The collision avoidance system of claim 7, wherein a relative size of the second portion of the display is based on the second signal.

9. The collision avoidance system of claim 6, further including a second obstacle detection system configured to detect a second obstacle within a second blind spot of the machine and generate a corresponding third signal, wherein the controller is in further communication with the second obstacle detection system and provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings is based further on the third signal.

10. The collision avoidance system of claim 9, further including a second camera situated to capture images of the second blind spot and configured to generate a corresponding fourth signal, wherein the controller is in further communication with the second camera and controls the display, based further on the fourth signal.

11. The collision avoidance system of claim 4, wherein a second portion of the display is controlled to communicate a status of the collision avoidance system.

12. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings is based further on an attribute of the first obstacle.

13. The collision avoidance system of claim 12, wherein the attribute of the first obstacle is a size of the first obstacle.

14. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the display and the input device are a single integral component.

15. A method of responding to a potential collision, comprising:

detecting a first obstacle;

providing a first dangerous obstacle warning to an operator, based on the detection of the first obstacle;

receiving a selection from the operator;

providing a second dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the detection of the first obstacle and the selection of the operator.

16. The method of claim 15, further including determining an attribute of the first obstacle, wherein provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings to the operator is based further on the determination of the attribute of the first obstacle.

17. The method of claim 15, further including capturing images of a first blind spot, wherein the detection of the first obstacle is within the first blind spot.

18. The method of claim 17, further including communicating to the operator the captured images of the first blind spot.

19. The method of claim 15, further including detecting a second obstacle within a second blind spot, wherein provision of each of the first and second dangerous obstacle warnings is based further on the detection of the second obstacle.

20. A machine, comprising:

an operator station; and

a collision avoidance system including;

an obstacle detection system configured to detect an obstacle and generate a corresponding first signal;

an operator interface situated within the operator station and including;

a display configured to communicate visual information to an operator; and

an input device configured to receive a selection from the operator and generate a corresponding second signal; and

a controller in communication with the obstacle detection system and the operator interface, and configured to control the display to provide;

a first dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first signal; and

a second dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first and second signals.