Vehicular proximity sensing system

• US 5,173,881 A
• Filed: 03/19/1991
• Issued: 12/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Sindle
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Sindle
• Inventors: Sindle, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US07/671,607
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 367/909, 367/101, 342/29, 342/41, 340/903, 340/904
• US Class Current: 367/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/007 providing information about the distance to an obstacle, e.g. varying sound
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/886 for alarm systems alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/938 in the bumper area radar in bumper area G01S2013/93275; bumper with obstacle sensor of electric or electronic type B60R19/483
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/0234 Avoidance by code multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/64 Luminous indications G01S7/62 takes precedence ; short-range imaging G01S7/52076
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicular proximity sensing system having a plurality of preferably utrasonic distance-detector devices disposed around the vehicle'"'"'s periphery and connected with a simulated vehicle display on the dashboard which display includes visual means to alert the driver to the close approach of an external object to the vehicle, in which the distance-detector devices use a coded signal characteristic of the vehicle and recognizable by the system, so as to distinguish reflections from interfering signals from other vehicles. In a preferred embodiment, the simulated vehicle display is provided with tricolor LED warning devices, wired to a computer or a box holding the LED'"'"'s, and these can be illuminated by optical fibres and a vehicle representation is illuminated by a luminescent panel. A valuable option is a remote and an externally audible warning device enabling a parked vehicle to be provided with defensive means against being hit by another vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicular proximity sensing system to detect the relative approach of an external object to a motorized vehicle, the system having

a plurality of reflectable energy transmitting-receiving distance-detecting devices disposed around the vehicle'"'"'s periphery;

driver-alert means responsive to signals received from the distance-detector devices to alert a driver to approach of the vehicle to within a preselected distance of the external object; and

electronic signal-processing means for coding a reflected energy signal to be transmitted by the distance-detector devices to have a unique character distinguishing the signal from signals emitted by other vehicles equipped with a similar vehicular proximity sensing system

wherein the electronic signal-processing means includes received-signal analyzer means to recognize said coding in received signals and accept or reject them accordingly.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein sad distance-detecting devices comprise ultrasonic transducers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said driver-alert means comprises a simulated vehicle display having an illuminated vehicle representation provided with a plurality of illuminating devices to give a driver a visual indication of his or her proximity to said external object.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic-processing means comprises a microprocessor mounted within said vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic-processing means comprises a computer mounted within said vehicle.