Collision avoidance and/or pedestrian detection system
First Claim
1. A collision avoidance and/or pedestrian detection system for a large passenger vehicle, comprising:
- at least two exterior sensing devices each comprising an image sensor and removably fitted inside an exterior camera assembly configured to be mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle via a fixed mount;
at least one interior sensing device comprising an image sensor and configured to be mounted inside the vehicle to detect at least one of a potential hazard and a potential collision in the forward direction of the vehicle;
at least one additional sensor, comprising at least one of a speed sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyro sensor; and
a driver display interface comprising at least two warning displays mounted inside the vehicle within the driver'"'"'s field of vision, each warning display comprising at least one of a visual warning and an audible alarm configured to alert the driver when a hazard is detected by at least one exterior sensing device or interior sensing device connected thereto, wherein one of the at least two exterior sensing devices is one of sensitivity adjusted, engaged and disengaged responsive to the image sensor determining that the vehicle is traveling one of in the forward direction and at, above or below a predetermined speed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collision avoidance and/or pedestrian detection system for a large passenger vehicle such as commuter bus, which includes one or more exterior and/or interior sensing devices positioned strategically around the exterior and interior of the vehicle for recording data, method for avoiding collisions and/or detecting pedestrians, and features/articles of manufacture for improving same, is described herein in various embodiments. The sensing devices may be responsive to one or more situational sensors, and may be connected to one or more interior and/or exterior warning systems configured to alert a driver inside the vehicle and/or a pedestrian outside the vehicle that a collision may be possible and/or imminent based on a path of the vehicle and/or a position of the pedestrian as detected by one or more sensing devices and/or situational sensors.
134 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A collision avoidance and/or pedestrian detection system for a large passenger vehicle, comprising:
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at least two exterior sensing devices each comprising an image sensor and removably fitted inside an exterior camera assembly configured to be mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle via a fixed mount; at least one interior sensing device comprising an image sensor and configured to be mounted inside the vehicle to detect at least one of a potential hazard and a potential collision in the forward direction of the vehicle; at least one additional sensor, comprising at least one of a speed sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyro sensor; and a driver display interface comprising at least two warning displays mounted inside the vehicle within the driver'"'"'s field of vision, each warning display comprising at least one of a visual warning and an audible alarm configured to alert the driver when a hazard is detected by at least one exterior sensing device or interior sensing device connected thereto, wherein one of the at least two exterior sensing devices is one of sensitivity adjusted, engaged and disengaged responsive to the image sensor determining that the vehicle is traveling one of in the forward direction and at, above or below a predetermined speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An exterior housing for a detection system, said housing comprising:
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a housing body comprising a first material and including a window opening on one side thereof; a top cover comprising a top cover material; a bottom cover comprising a bottom cover material; a lens inside the housing body, removably positioned behind the window with a portion of said lens covering the window, and a sensing device comprising an image sensor enclosed in the housing body and removably positioned behind the lens to provide a first field of view through the lens, wherein said housing body comprises a thermally conductive material so that said housing acts as a heat sink by remaining in full or substantially full direct or indirect contact with at least one side of said sensing device, while the housing remains in full or substantially full contact directly or indirectly with a thermally conductive portion of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An exterior housing for a detection system, said housing comprising:
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a housing body comprising extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy and including a window opening on one side thereof; a top cover comprising aluminum plate; a bottom cover comprising aluminum plate; a lens inside the housing body, removably positioned behind the window with a portion of said lens covering the window, and a sensing device comprising an image sensor enclosed in the housing body and removably positioned behind the lens to provide a first field of view through the lens, wherein said housing body comprises a thermally conductive material so that said housing acts as a heat sink by remaining in full or substantially full direct or indirect contact with at least one side of said sensing device, while the housing remains in full or substantially full contact directly or indirectly with a thermally conductive portion of the vehicle.
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27. A method of alerting a bus driver to pedestrians in a plurality of dynamic bus danger zones while the bus is moving;
- comprising;
detecting, using a front interior sensor positioned to detect a first pedestrian to the front of the bus and directed toward the front area of the bus, whether the first pedestrian is located in a dynamic front danger zone with respect to movement of the bus while the bus driver is operating the bus; detecting, using a left exterior sensor positioned to detect a second pedestrian to the left of the bus and directed toward the left frontal area of the bus, whether the second pedestrian is located in a dynamic left danger zone with respect to the movement of the bus while the bus driver is operating the bus; detecting, using a right exterior sensor positioned to detect a third pedestrian to the right of the bus and directed toward the right frontal area of the bus, whether the third pedestrian is located in a dynamic right danger zone with respect to movement of the bus while the bus driver is operating the bus; determining, using at least one additional sensor comprising at least one of a speed sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyro sensor, a path of the bus and whether the bus is in danger of a collision with at least one of the first, second and third pedestrians; and triggering at least one interior alarm for the bus driver corresponding to at least one of the plurality of danger zones where at least one of the first, second and third pedestrians is located when it is determined that a collision between the bus and at least one of the first, second and third pedestrians is likely or imminent based on the path of the bus, and enabling the driver to determine a location of the danger zone to avoid the collision with the pedestrians, wherein the at least one interior alarm is triggered if a calculated time to collision (TTC) falls within a preset threshold. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
- comprising;
Specification