Vehicle blind spot detection and indicator system

• US 8,310,353 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hinninger, Christopher, Murata, Makoto, Shingyoji, Masahito, Nakamura, Fumie, Fujita, Yasuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US12/257,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A warning system for conveying alerts and information relating to a vehicle blind spot and objects detected therein, is disclosed. The system conveys an assortment of information through a single light emitting indicator. Also disclosed are various methods of indicating the advisability of lane changes, and modes of configuring the indicator and an associated sensing system and controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle blind spot detection and warning system, the system comprising:

a sensing system having (i) at least one sensor affixed to a vehicle and adapted to detect the presence and the proximity of an object in a detection area defined along a lateral region adjacent to the vehicle, wherein the detection area is defined into multiple zones including a first zone being closest to the object, a third zone being farthest from the object and a second zone being between the first and third zones, and (ii) a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of detection by said at least one sensor of the object in said detection area and proximity of said detected object from the vehicle;

a single light emitting indicator located within the interior of the vehicle; and

a controller in communication with the sensing system and the single light emitting indicator; and

wherein upon detection of the presence and the proximity of an object in said detection area, the controller receives the transmitted signal and adjusts a brightness and a flashing frequency of the single light emitting indicator based at least upon the presence and the proximity of the object, the zone the object is detected in and an illumination status, where the adjustment of the brightness is one of linear and non-linear,

and wherein the flashing frequency of the single light emitting indicator based on the zone is such that the flashing frequency for detection of an object in the second zone is greater than the flashing frequency for detection of an object in the third zone.

2. The vehicle blind spot detection and warning system of claim 1 wherein the single light emitting indicator is affixed to a dashboard within the interior of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle blind spot detection and warning system of claim 1 wherein the light emitting indicator is of a type selected from the group consisting of (i) an LED light, (ii) a halogen light, (iii) an incandescent light, and (iv) combinations thereof.

4. The vehicle blind spot detection and warning system of claim 1 wherein the light emitting indicator emits light having a color selected from the group consisting of (i) red, (ii) yellow, (iii) blue, (iv) green, and (v) white.

5. The vehicle blind spot detection and warning system of claim 1 wherein the flashing frequency for detection of an object in the first zone is greater than the flashing frequency for detection of an object in the second zone.

6. A method for detecting the presence and proximity of an object in a detection area defined along a lateral region adjacent to a vehicle, and providing a visual indication of such presence and proximity, the method comprising:

sensing the presence of an object in the detection area and the proximity of the object from the vehicle, the detection area further defining at least two zones wherein a first zone is nearest the vehicle and a second zone is farther from the vehicle than the first zone;

transmitting information as to the detection area and the presence and proximity of the sensed object;

selecting at least a flashing frequency and a brightness of a single light emitting indicator based at least upon the transmitted information and an illumination status to thereby provide visual indication of the presence and the proximity of the sensed object to the vehicle, wherein the brightness selected exhibits a one of linear and a non-linear change in brightness; and

identifying the state of a turn signal;

wherein the selecting the flashing frequency and the brightness of the single light emitting indicator is also based upon the state of the turn signal.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the selected flashing frequency is based upon the proximity of the sensed object to the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the flashing frequency selected is greater as the proximity of the sensed object to the vehicle increases.

9. A method for indicating to a driver of a vehicle a degree of danger associated with a lane change by use of a single illuminating indicator, the vehicle including a blind spot detection and warning system adapted for determining the proximity of an object in a detection area defined along a rearward lateral region adjacent the vehicle, the detection area further defining at least two zones wherein a first zone is nearest the vehicle and a second zone is farther from the vehicle than the first zone, the method comprising:

detecting whether an object is present in the detection area, and if so, determining which zone of the at least two zones the object is in; and

selecting a flashing frequency and a brightness level of the single illuminating indicator based at least upon the proximity of the object, an illumination status and the determination of which zone the object is in, wherein the flashing frequency selected for the object being in the first zone is greater than the flashing frequency selected for the object being in the second zone, thereby indicating an elevated degree of danger and wherein the brightness level selected exhibits a one of linear and non-linear change in brightness.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the detection area defines three zones with a third zone being farther from the vehicle than the second zone.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the flashing frequency selected for the object being in the third zone is less than the flashing frequency selected for the object being in the second zone.