Contactless obstacle detection for power doors and the like
US8589033B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30248
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Time-of-flight (TOF) three-dimensional sensing systems are deployed on or in a motor vehicle to image contact zones associated with potential contact between an avoidable object and the vehicle or vehicle frame and/or remotely controllable motorized moving door or liftgate. An algorithm processes depth data acquired by each TOF system to determine whether an avoidable object is in the associated contact zone. If present, a control signal issues to halt or reverse the mechanism moving the door. A stored database preferably includes a depth image of the contact zone absent any object, an image of the door, and volume of the door. Database images are compared to newly acquired depth images to identify pixel sensors whose depth values are statistically unlikely to represent background or the door. Pixels within the contact zone so identified are an object, and the control signal is issued.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.