Object detection for vehicles

• US 9,956,911 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2015
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HL Klemove Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Wright, Thomas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKKI, MUNEAR T
• Application Number:
  US14/790,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20160001702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 340435, 3404261, 340436, 340905, 34042626, 340901
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a vehicle warning system. The warning system includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of a foreign object and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to periodically communicate with the sensor to identify the presence of the foreign object while the vehicle is parked. The controller is further operable to output a warning signal in response to the presence of the foreign object. The warning signal is configured to communicate a detection of the foreign object having entered a path of the vehicle during a period while the vehicle is parked.

Claims

1. A vehicle warning system comprising:

at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of a foreign object, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a remote detection device located in a remote location relative the vehicle, wherein the remote detection device is configured to detect the foreign object in the remote location obstructed from the vehicle;

a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is operable to;

control the sensor to complete a scan of a path of the vehicle for the foreign object; and

output a warning signal in response to the foreign object being present, wherein the warning signal is configured to communicate the detection of the foreign object located in the path of the vehicle.

2. The warning system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a notification device in communication with the controller, the notification device configured to communicate information corresponding to the presence of the foreign object in the path of the vehicle.

3. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor corresponds to a vehicle reverse sensor.

4. The warning system according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle reverse sensor comprises at least one of an image sensor, an IR sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

5. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein the remote detection device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller.

6. The warning system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to provide for the communication between the controller and the remote detection device.

7. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to periodically communicate with the sensor while an ignition of the vehicle is in an off condition.

16. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors comprising a local detection device and the remote detection device.

17. The warning system according to claim 16, wherein the remote detection device is configured to detect the foreign object in a remote detection area inaccessible to the local detection sensor.

8. A vehicle detection system for a vehicle idle state comprising:

a sensor configured to scan an area proximate the vehicle;

at least one notification device;

a controller in communication with the sensor and the notification device, wherein the controller is operable to;

communicate with the sensor to identify a presence of a foreign object while the vehicle is parked;

detect a key fob in proximity to the vehicle prior to a passenger accessing the vehicle;

in response to the detection of the key fob, control the sensor to complete a scan of the area; and

output a warning signal to the notification device in response to the presence of the foreign object, wherein the warning signal is configured to communicate a detection of the foreign object having entered a path of the vehicle during a period corresponding to the vehicle being parked.

9. The detection system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is further operable to control the sensor to periodically scan the area proximate the vehicle with the sensor to identify the presence of a foreign object during an idle period of the vehicle.

10. The detection system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to detect the foreign object based on the scan and output a warning signal via at least one notification device in response to the detection of the foreign object.

11. The detection system according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle idle state corresponds to an ignition of the vehicle being inactive.

12. A method for generating a vehicle operation alert corresponding to a detection of the foreign object having entered a path of the vehicle, the method comprising:

scanning a first detection area proximate the vehicle to generate first scanning data during a temporal period of inactivity of the vehicle;

detecting a foreign object in the detection area based on the first scanning data;

scanning a second detection area to generate second scanning data during the temporal period of inactivity of the vehicle, wherein the second detection area is remote from the vehicle;

activating a warning condition in response to the detecting of foreign object in the first scanning data or the second scanning area;

in response to the vehicle entering an active state, inspecting the warning condition; and

outputting an alert in response to the warning status being active.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the warning is generated in response to at least one of an entry into the vehicle, an ignition sequence of the vehicle, a proximity detection of a key of the vehicle, and an unlocking operation of the vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the alert is output via at least one of a display device and a speaker.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises periodically scanning the detection area during the period of inactivity to update the scanning data.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the scanning of the second detection area comprises scanning a region obstructed from the first detection area proximate the vehicle.