Vehicle with object detection device

• US 6,265,968 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Betzitza, Peter, Rothe, Siegfried, Dobler, Guenter
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/249,809
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/903, 340/555, 180/167, 180/169
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/10 Automatic or semi-automatic parking aid systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9314 Parking operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• 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 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93277 in the lights
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/935 for measuring the contour, e.g. a trajectory of measurement points, representing the boundary of the parking space

Abstract

An object detection device for detecting objects in a rear lateral area of a vehicle includes zero-contact radiation-based scanners for scanning such area, and an evaluation unit connected to the scanners. According to the invention, the evaluation unit evaluates the time sequence of the scanning information from two or more strip-shaped portions of the area under observation, with horizontal components that are differently inclined to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle or are offset from one another in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The evaluation unit distinguishes objects moving in the travel direction of the vehicle from standing and oncoming objects, based on the response sequence for the portion under observation.

Claims

1. Vehicle with an object detection device for detecting objects in an area adjacent the vehicle, comprising:

scanner means for radiation-based scanning of strip shaped portions of said area; and

an evaluation unit connected to the scanner means;

wherein

the evaluation unit evaluates a time sequence of scanning information from the scanner means for at least two strip-shaped portions of said area, said at least two strip shaped portions having horizontal components that are at least one of inclined differently to a lengthwise direction of the vehicle and offset with respect to one another in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle; and

on the basis of a response sequence for said at least two strip shaped portions, the evaluation unit distinguishes objects moving in a travel direction of the vehicle from objects that are at rest or oncoming.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein:

the object detection device automatically enters to a parking space detection mode if the vehicle speed is below a given threshold value and a flasher signal is activated;

in the parking space detection mode, triggering the evaluation unit causes scanning of at least a portion of said area that extends substantially transversely to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle; and

the evaluation unit evaluates scanning information for the presence of a parking space, and for its size.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

said strip shaped portions of said area have a range of between approximately 3 meters and approximately 20 meters; and

said strip shaped portions have horizontal components extending fanwise from vehicle, with the horizontal components of least one portion extending laterally at most by approximately half a vehicle width beyond the vehicle.

4. An object detection device for a vehicle, comprising:

a scanner arrangement for radiation based scanning of an area adjacent the vehicle, said scanning arrangement comprising a plurality of scanners, each of which scans a different elongate portion of said area, each said elongate portion having a horizontal longitudinal axis which is at least one of inclined differently from other elongate portions relative to a lengthwise direction of the vehicle, and offset relative to the other elongate portions in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle; and

an evaluation unit connected to the scanner arrangement to receive time sequence scanning information from each scanner concerning objects detected in an area which it scans;

wherein said evaluation unit evaluates said time sequence scanning information from at least two scanners and distinguishes objects moving in a travel direction of the vehicle from objects which are at rest or oncoming, based on a response sequence of signals from said at least two sensors.