Vehicle collision avoidance system

• US 8,423,280 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Edwards, David, Pavlik, David Robert, Subramanian, Ramkumar, Coats, Robert Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US13/572,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20130027559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 249 Days
• Field of Search: 701/301, 340/436, 340/3.41, 340/903, 340/961, 342 43- 51, 342 65- 66, 342/69, 342/76, 342/77, 342 94- 97, 342104-118, 342/126, 342/139, 342/146, 342147-158, 342/41, 342/455, 342/29, 713324-340, 180/232, 280/777, 345/958, 367/909, 398/36, 700/255
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/862 Combination of radar systems with sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/865 Combination of radar systems with lidar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• 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 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/062 in which different colours are used
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A method for collision avoidance for a machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting an obstacle with an obstacle detection system and generating a corresponding signal. The obstacle detection system includes an operator input device. The method also includes providing an obstacle detection warning in response to the signal. The method further includes determining with a controller whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the obstacle detection warning.

Claims

1. A method for collision avoidance for a machine, comprising:

detecting an obstacle with an obstacle detection system and generating a corresponding signal, the obstacle detection system including an operator input device;

providing an obstacle detection warning in response to the signal, wherein providing the obstacle detection warning includes displaying a graphic on a first portion of a display;

capturing images of the obstacle with a camera and displaying the images on a second portion of the display; and

determining with a controller whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the obstacle detection warning.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obstacle detection warning is a first obstacle detection warning, and further providing a second obstacle detection warning based on the controller'"'"'s determination of whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the first obstacle detection warning.

3. The method of claim 1, further including varying the graphic based on a distance between the obstacle and the machine sensed by the obstacle detection system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein varying the graphic includes varying a color of the graphic.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an audible warning in response to the signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera is a first camera configured to view a first blind spot, and further including capturing images with a second camera configured to view a second blind spot and displaying the images on the second portion of the display.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the obstacle includes determining a height of the obstacle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein detecting the obstacle further includes determining a width and a depth of the obstacle.

9. The method of claim 8, further including comparing the height, width, and depth of the obstacle to a threshold height, width, and depth.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator input device is a touch screen or a button.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the obstacle includes comparing a size of the obstacle to a threshold.

12. A collision avoidance system for a machine, comprising:

an obstacle detection system configured to detect an obstacle and generate a corresponding signal, the obstacle detection system including an operator input device;

a controller configured to;

provide an obstacle detection warning in response to the signal, wherein providing the obstacle detection warning includes displaying a graphic on a first portion of a display;

receive images of the obstacle and display the images on a second portion of the display; and

determine with a controller whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the obstacle detection warning.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to vary the graphic based on a distance between the obstacle and the machine sensed by the obstacle detection system.