Blind-spot warning system for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGary S. Strumolo, Hanaan Elmessiri, David M. DiMeo, Ronald H. Miller, Aric David Shaffer
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Abstract
A host vehicle system includes a blind-spot warning system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a blind-spot. The system includes a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, magneto-resistive sensors receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.
Claims16
A warning system for a host vehicle comprising:
- a first magneto-resistive sensor coupled to the host vehicle, said first magneto-resistive sensor sensing a first magnetic field variation in a first sensor area external to the host vehicle and generating a first sensor signal therefrom;
- and
- a controller coupled to the host vehicle receiving said first sensor signal, said controller generating a signal for activating a vehicle system in response to said first sensor signal;
- and
- a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals and generating therefrom a vehicle bus signal, wherein said controller generates said signal for activating said vehicle system as a function of said vehicle bus signal;
- wherein said vehicle bus receives at least one of a vehicle type information signal, a vehicle speed signal, an RPM signal, a heading of host vehicle signal, a location of vehicle signal, a host vehicle directional signal, a steering wheel angle signal, or a brake status signal and generates said vehicle bus signal as a function of said at least one of said signals.
A blind-spot detection system for a host vehicle comprising:
- a first magneto-resistive sensor coupled to a first rear area of the host vehicle, said first magneto-resistive sensor sensing a first magnetic field variation in a first sensor area coinciding at least partially with a first blind-spot of the host vehicle, said first magneto-resistive sensor generating a first sensor signal therefrom;
- a second magneto-resistive sensor coupled to a second rear area of the host vehicle, said second magneto-resistive sensor sensing a second magnetic field variation in a second sensor area coinciding at least partially with a second blind-spot of the host vehicle, said second magneto-resistive sensor generating a second sensor signal therefrom;
- a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals and generating therefrom a vehicle bus signal;
- a vehicle warning interface receiving a signal for activating said vehicle system, said vehicle warning interface activating said vehicle system in response to said signal for activating said vehicle system;
- and
- a controller coupled to the host vehicle receiving said first sensor signal, said second sensor signal, and said vehicle bus signal, said controller generating said signal for activating a vehicle system in response to said vehicle bus signal and at least one of said first sensor signal or said second sensor signal.
A method for operating a blind-spot detection system for a host vehicle comprising:
- sensing magnetic field changes caused by a target object in or near a vehicle blind-spot;
- generating a magnetic field signature as a function of said magnetic field changes;
- receiving a vehicle control signal;
- generating a vehicle bus signal from said vehicle control signal;
- processing at least one algorithm as a function of said magnetic field signature and said vehicle bus signal;
- activating a countermeasure in response to signals indicating a target vehicle in or near said vehicle blind-spot as a function of said processing of said at least one algorithm,
- wherein said vehicle control signal is at least one of a vehicle type information signal, a vehicle speed signal, an RPM signal, a heading of host vehicle signal, a location of vehicle signal, a host vehicle directional signal, a steering wheel angle signal, or a brake status signal and generates said vehicle bus signal as a function of said at least one of said signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.