Rear direction monitoring apparatus for vehicle

• US 6,753,765 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Heavy Industries Limited (Subaru Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Heavy Industries Limited (Subaru Corp.)
• Inventors: Masuda, Harumasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/366,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20030156020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/903, 340/686.6, 340/573.4, 180/167, 180/169, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 367/909, 367/93, 367/87, 367/130
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/06 Ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

When an electronic control unit (ECU) detects that an ignition key is turned to an accessory-on position, it is monitored whether or not an object exists in the vicinity of an exhaust tail pipe. In case where the object is detected in the vicinity of the exhaust tail pipe, a warning is raised inside and outside of a vehicle. At the same time, when it is detected that the ignition key is turned to an engine starting position, the ECU inhibits starting the engine of the vehicle for safty.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

first detecting means for detecting that an ignition key is in an accessory-on position;

second detecting means for detecting whether or not an object exists in the vicinity of an exhaust tail pipe when said first detecting means detects that said ignition key is at said accessory-on position; and

first alarm means for raising an alarm to a vehicle driver when said second detecting means detects that an object exists in the vicinity of said exhaust tail pipe.

2. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

second alarm means for raising said alarm at the rear part of said vehicle when said second detecting means detects that said object exists in the vicinity of said exhaust tail pipe.

3. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

third detecting means for detecting that said ignition key is turned on when said second detecting means detects that said object exists in the vicinity of said exhaust tail pipe; and

engine starting inhibiting means for inhibiting starting an engine when said third detecting means detects that said ignition key is turned on.

4. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising canceling means for canceling an execution of a program so as to forcedly enable an engine starting.

5. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second detecting means comprises a monitoring camera.

6. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second detecting means comprises a sonar sensor.

7. The monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second detecting means is at a rear of a vehicle.