Method and apparatus for automatically dimming motor vehicle headlights using radar signal
US5430450A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Q2300/42
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The intensity of the headlights of a motor vehicle are modulated in response to pulsed Doppler radar signals which are used to distinguish between moving vehicles and other objects. The radar signals scan an area generally in front of the host vehicle. Reflected radar signals are received and radar return signals representative thereof are generated. A time to frequency domain transform, preferably a fast Fourier transform, is performed on the radar return signals to produce radar frequency signals. An adaptive technique is used to identify portions of the radar frequency signals produced by reflections from significant objects. The Doppler effect is used to determine the velocity of detected objects to the host vehicle. Any difference between the relative velocity of a detected object and the velocity of the host vehicle indicates that the object is moving. The velocity of the host vehicle may be determined by a conventional speed sensor or by means of radar signals reflected from a stationary object. Distance between the vehicle and a moving object is determined from the travel time of radar signals reflected from the moving object. The headlights of the host vehicle are modulate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.