Patent · US Active

Method and system for improving the monitoring of the external environment of a motor vehicle

US8044789B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
1References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 3, 2006
Grant dateOct 25, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 22, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S17/931
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for improving the monitoring of the external environment of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the vehicle comprises a built-in system for detecting objects with which it is likely to collide, within a monitored area covering a blind spot, comprising a capturing device for acquiring images that are representative of one or more objects located within said area and an electronic system for processing and analysing input signals. The inventive method comprises the automatic activation of an infrared light source in the direction of the monitored area when the images acquired cannot be processed and analysed in order to provide a result that would reliably detect a determined object and the automatic deactivation of said infrared light source when the acquired images produce the correct result without the need for infrared light. In addition, the system comprises a model with an infrared light source.

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