Patent · US Expired

Predictive collision sensing system

US6085151A · kind A · utility

231Cited by
38References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 20, 1998
Grant dateJul 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 20, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S2013/93276
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A relatively narrow beam of either RF or optical electromagnetic radiation is scanned over a relatively wide azimuthal range. The return signal is processed to detect the range and velocity of each point of reflection. Individual targets are identified by clustering analysis and are tracked in a Cartesian coordinate system using a Kalman filter. The threat to the vehicle for a given target is assessed from estimates of the relative distance, velocity, and size of each target, and one or more vehicular devices are controlled responsive to the assessment of threat so as to enhance the safety of the vehicle occupant. In a preferred embodiment, a quantized linear frequency modulated continuous wave RF signal is transmitted from and received by a multi-beam antenna having an aziumthal range of at least +/-100 degrees and an individual beam width of approximately 10 degrees.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.