VEHICLE OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20160114728A1
• Filed: 10/28/2014
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: TAN, Adrian, TIERNEY, William M Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,834,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• 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 2300/8093 for obstacle warning

Abstract

A vehicle object detection system includes a vehicle body structure, a sensing device, a video display and a controller. The vehicle body structure defines a passenger compartment and has an outer surface. The sensing device is configured to detect an object within a prescribed area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure. The video display is viewable from within the passenger compartment and is configured to display images representing the prescribed area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure. The controller is configured to process object information received from the sensing device, determine the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object, and display on the video display a representation of the object and a numeric representation of the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object.

Claims

1. A vehicle object detection system comprising:

a vehicle body structure defining a passenger compartment and having an outer surface;

a sensing device configured to detect an object within a prescribed area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure;

a video display viewable from within the passenger compartment configured to display images representing the prescribed area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure; and

a controller configured to process object information received from the sensing device, determine the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object, and display on the video display a representation of the object and a numeric representation of the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object.

2. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to re-determine the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object in response to movement of the vehicle body structure relative to the object, and display the re-determined distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object.

3. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the sensing device includes at least one video camera.

4. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the sensing device includes a detection and ranging system.

5. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 4, wherein

the sensing device further includes at least one video camera.

6. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the sensing device includes a plurality of video cameras mounted to the vehicle body structure;

and

the controller is configured to display on the video display an overhead composite view including a representation of the vehicle body structure with superimposed video images of areas around the vehicle body structure and further display the object with the distance superimposed between the object and the vehicle body structure.

7. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 6, wherein

the controller is configured to switch the display on the video display to a faux side view of the outer surface of the vehicle body structure with a faux representation of the object displayed in a representation of the area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure with the distance superimposed between the faux representation of the object and the faux side view of the outer surface of the vehicle body structure.

8. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to display on the video display a faux side view of the outer surface of the vehicle body structure with a faux representation of the object displayed in a representation of the area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure with the distance superimposed adjacent to a surface of the object and the faux side view of the outer surface of the vehicle body structure.

9. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the video display is located within the passenger compartment.

10. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the video display is located within a side view mirror fixed to an outer surface of a vehicle door of the vehicle body structure.

11. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the sensing device is further configured to detect a plurality of objects within the prescribed area adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle body structure, and

the controller is further configured to process further object information received from the sensing device, determine the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and each of the plurality of objects, and display on the video display a representation of the plurality of objects and the distances between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and each of the plurality of objects.

12. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to display on the video display the numeric distance between the outer surface and the object in a first color indicating the numeric distance is greater than a first distance.

13. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 12, wherein

the controller is further configured to display on the video display the numeric distance between the outer surface and the object in a second color indicating the numeric distance is less than a first distance but greater than a second distance smaller than the first distance.

14. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 13, wherein

the controller is further configured to display on the video display the numeric distance between the outer surface and the object in a second color indicating the numeric distance is less than the second distance but greater than a third distance smaller than the second distance.

15. The vehicle object detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured determine distances between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and a plurality of surfaces of a multi-surface object including determining a first distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and a first surface of the object, and determining a second distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and a second surface of the object and further configured to display the first distance adjacent the representation of the first surface of the object, and display the second distance adjacent the representation of the second surface of the object.