Method for determining object location from side-looking sensor data

Abstract

An object location of a 3-D object to a side of a transportation vehicle is classified wherein the transportation vehicle moves along a front-to-rear directional axis and has a remote sensor mounted at a predetermined reference point. A set of detection points is identified substantially to the side of the transportation vehicle using the remote sensor. A detection point is found having a closest range to the vehicle reference point. The object is classified as on-center if a position Ynear along the directional axis corresponding to the closest-range detection point is within a predetermined threshold distance from a position Yzero along the directional axis corresponding to the predetermined reference point. If not on-center, then the object is classified as spanning if a first position Y1 along the directional axis and a second position Y2 along the directional axis are on opposite sides of the position Yzero. If not spanning, then the object is classified as front if any particular detection point is forward of the position Yzero. If not spanning, then the object is classified as rear if any particular detection point is rearward of the position Yzero.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.