Mirrors to extend sensor field of view in self-driving vehicles
US11391820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2013/93273
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The technology relates to enhancing or extending the field of view of sensors for vehicles configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. One or more mirrors are used to reflect or redirect beams emitted from onboard sensors that would otherwise be wasted, for instance due to obstruction by a portion of the vehicle or because they are emitted at high pitch angles to the side. The mirrors are also used to redirect incoming beams from the external environment toward one or more of the onboard sensors. Using mirrors for such redirection can reduce or eliminate blind spots around the vehicle. A calibration system may be employed to account for mirror movement due to vibration or wind drag. Each mirror may be a front surface mirror. The mirrors may be positioned on the vehicle body, on a faring, or extending from a sensor housing on the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.