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.

Abstract: A system and method for the magnetic detection of the presence of objects in a blind angle of an automobile vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first detector of distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the entry of a ferromagnetic object into a blind angle, a second, a third and possibly a fourth detector of magnetic distortion deriving from the vehicle's trajectory, inclination and/or vibration and magnetic fields generated inside the actual vehicle, respectively, all associated with an electronic circuit. The method includes employing the proposed system to, through the generation of a table relating trajectory, inclination and/or vibrations or magnetic fields generated inside the vehicle with a corresponding distortion of the magnetic filed due to the specific circumstances, neutralize the effects of the possible magnetic distortion on the detection of the object.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the operation of presence-detection devices and to the implementation method thereof. The inventive system comprises: external presence detection means which are used to detect objects entering a determined surveillance area outside a motor vehicle and which are powered by a power source, an electronic system, and means which are used to detect the state of a closure device belonging to a door of said vehicle and which are associated with and co-operate with the electronic system in order to control the power source. Optionally, internal presence detection means and inclination detection means, which are included in the system, can be taken into account when said control operation is being performed. The inventive system also varies the surveillance area and adapts same as a function of the inclination of the vehicle in relation to the ground plane. The invention also relates to a method which uses the inventive control system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the detection of objects located in an external front-end zone of a vehicle, which is suitable for industrial vehicles. The inventive system comprises the following elements which operate in combination with one another, namely: a first detection sub-system which can detect moving objects or objects with a limited maximum height that are located in a first surveillance area of an external front-end zone; and a second different detection sub-system which can detect objects in a second surveillance area of said external front-end zone and acquire information relating to the volume of said objects. Each of the sub-systems comprises at least one detection device, an electronic system for processing and analyzing input signals from the detection device and means for transmitting output signals.

Abstract: The system includes a capturing device for capturing information regarding presence from the exterior, representative of an object included within a supervisory area, which operates in combination with a device for detecting trajectories and a device for detecting inclinations of the vehicle, associated and in cooperation with an electronic system. The method includes using the proposed system to, by the generation of a chart that relates the trajectory and/or inclination with a corresponding supervisory area to be covered by the capturing device, vary the supervisory area depending on the trajectory and/or inclination of the vehicle, through the selection and execution of the appropriate actions, by the electronic system, which will depend on the type of capturing device used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the active monitoring of the safety perimeter of a motor vehicle, which is used to detect moving objects or static obstacles inside said safety perimeter. The inventive device includes a first sensor which covers a first detection zone comprising at least part of a blind angle of the vehicle and which sends input signals to an information-processing device which generates output signals for means used to alert the driver. Moreover, the device also includes at least one second sensor which covers a second detection zone and which forms one unit with the aforementioned first sensor. According to the invention, the first and second sensors co-operate in order to cover a combined detection zone containing the blind angle, which is increased in relation to the zone covered by the first sensor and which forms a section of the safety perimeter. The above-mentioned unit comprising the first and at least one second sensor use the same alarm means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the operation of presence-detection devices and to the implementation method thereof. The inventive system comprises: external presence detection means which are used to detect objects entering a determined surveillance area outside a motor vehicle and which are powered by a power source, an electronic system, and means which are used to detect the state of a closure device belonging to a door of said vehicle and which are associated with and co-operate with the electronic system in order to control the power source. Optionally, internal presence detection means and inclination detection means, which are included in the system, can be taken into account when said control operation is being performed. The inventive system also varies the surveillance area and adapts same as a function of the inclination of the vehicle in relation to the ground plane. The invention also relates to a method which uses the inventive control system.

Abstract: A system and method for the magnetic detection of the presence of objects in a blind angle of an automobile vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a first means of detection of distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the entry of a ferromagnetic object into a blind angle, a second, a third and some a means of detection of magnetic distortion deriving from the vehicle's trajectory, inclination and/or vibration and magnetic fields generated inside the actual vehicle, respectively, all associated with an electronic circuit. The method comprises employing the proposed system to, through the generation of a table relating trajectory, inclination and/or vibrations or magnetic fields generated inside the vehicle with a corresponding distortion of the magnetic field due to the specific circumstances, neutralise the effects of said possible magnetic distortion on the detection of said object.

Abstract: A camera system for the supervision of at least one dead angle, including an electro-optical detector device, suitable to acquire images picked up from the exterior and at least one system for processing and analyzing the signals obtained by the camera and comprising two electrically interconnected and communicated modules comprising (a) a first module comprising an electro-optical detector device and processing devices, and (b) a second module, acting also as vehicle interface, distanced to the previous one, operating the components of the two modules at, at least, two different voltage levels, the division in two modules a distribution of the zones supplied to certain voltage levels and intercommunicated, and of the zones susceptible to generate heat, reducing the dissipation needs and screening the sensitive circuitry of first module.

Abstract: An outside rearview mirror flexing mechanism, which is capable of moving the outside rearview mirror between a flexed position and an extended position and vice versa, and which is of the type comprising an electric motor, a mechanical transmission and an electronic control circuit. The flexing mechanism is capable of attaining an activated state by being connected to an electrical power source, and it is capable of being in a locked position and in an unlocked position. The flexing mechanism is provided with a position detector which is capable of detecting the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the active monitoring of the safety perimeter of a motor vehicle, which is used to detect moving objects or static obstacles inside said safety perimeter. The inventive device includes a first sensor which covers a first detection zone comprising at least part of a blind angle of the vehicle and which sends input signals to an information-processing device which generates output signals for means used to alert the driver. Moreover, the device also includes at least one second sensor which covers a second detection zone and which forms one unit with the aforementioned first sensor. According to the invention, the first and second sensors co-operate in order to cover a combined detection zone containing the blind angle, which is increased in relation to the zone covered by the first sensor and which forms a section of the safety perimeter. The above-mentioned unit comprising the first and at least one second sensor use the same alarm means.

Abstract: The system comprises a capturing device for capturing information regarding presence from the exterior, representative of an object included within a supervisory area, which operates in combination with means for detecting trajectories and means for detecting inclinations of said vehicle, associated and in cooperation with an electronic system. The method comprises using the proposed system to, by means of the generation of chart that relates the trajectory and/or inclination with a corresponding supervisory area to be covered by the capturing device, vary said supervisory area depending on the trajectory and/or inclination of the vehicle, through the selection and execution of the appropriate actions, by means of the electronic system, which will depend on the type of capturing device used.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot. The invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot, where the objects contain at least one ferromagnetic material whereby they distort the earth's magnetic field. The device is mounted on a vehicle that has at least one blind spot. The detection device can detect the object located in the blind spot because it is provided with a unit for detecting the distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the object. Preferably it includes a logical circuit with neural nets for processing the signals received from the sensors.

Abstract: An object presence detection device, of the type mounted to a motor vehicle having at least one blind spot, where the detection device is for detecting an object situated in the blind spot, comprises: a receiver for detecting electromagnetic waves, comprising a focussing device, and a light detector converting said received electromagnetic waves into electrical signals; an electronic circuit converting the electrical signals into digitized signals; a logic circuit analyzing the digitized signals to analyze the presence of objects in the blind spot which are moving relative to the vehicle, and emitting variable output signals depending on the result of the analysis; indicator members activated by the output signals, suitable to be perceived by the driver.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot. The invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle's blind spot, where the objects contain at least one ferromagnetic material whereby they distort the earth's magnetic field. The device is mounted on a vehicle that has at least one blind spot. The detection device can detect the object located in the blind spot because it is provided with means for detecting the distortion of the earth's magnetic field caused by the object. Preferably it includes a logical circuit with neural nets for processing the signals received from the sensors.

Abstract: An object presence detection device, of the type mounted to a motor vehicle having at least one blind spot, where the detection device is for detecting an object situated in the blind spot, comprises: a receiver for detecting electromagnetic waves, comprising a focussing device, and a light detector converting said received electromagnetic waves into electrical signals; an electronic circuit converting the electrical signals into digitized signals; a logic circuit analyzing the digitized signals to analyze the presence of objects in the blind spot which are moving relative to the vehicle, and emitting variable output signals depending on the result of the analysis; indicator members activated by the output signals, suitable to be perceived by the driver.