Device Actuated By Presence Of Land Vehicle Patents (Class 342/69)
  • Patent number: 11580512
    Abstract: A smart street parking management system includes a smart street parking meter a smart cloud parking management server connected to the smart street parking meter through a wireless networking technology and configured to regularly receive parking information of a vehicle parked on a smart street parking grid and status information of the smart street parking meter uploaded by the smart street parking meter. The status information of the smart street parking meter includes an empty-space status of the street parking grid detected by the smart street parking meter and a battery status of a rechargeable battery of the smart street parking meter. The parking information of the vehicle includes the plate number of the vehicle, the parking fee of the vehicle, and a payment status of the parking fee of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: National Formosa University
    Inventors: Chi-Chia Sun, Yong-Ye Lin
  • Patent number: 11351999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a traffic collision warning device comprising: a main circuit board (11); a central processing unit (12) being mounted on the main circuit board (11) and controlling the operation of the device; a memory (111); a warning signal generator (18); sensors (c1, c2, c3, c4, c1?, c2?, c3?, c4?) being arranged along the road near a collision-prone area; a vehicle identification module; timers (tm, tm?); vehicle counters (n, n?); and a movement direction comparison module. Wherein, the direction of movement of a vehicle is identified based on the order in which it passes through the sensors, the vehicle velocity is calculated by dividing the distance between the two sensors by the period of time it takes the vehicle to pass through the two sensors; the vehicle length is calculated by multiply the vehicle velocity and the period of time it takes the vehicle to pass through a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Xuan Binh Luu
  • Patent number: 11346926
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detection device and a method for adjusting a parameter thereof. The device includes a real-time collection module, configured to collect and obtain environment information in real time; a real-time location information obtaining module, configured to obtain location information in real time; a parameter determining module, configured to determine a value of a target parameter of the detection device based on at least either the obtained environment information or the obtained location information; and a parameter adjustment module, configured to adjust the parameter of the detection device in real time based on the determined value of the target parameter. Based on the present invention, the parameter of the detection device can be adjusted in real time, and the detection device can adapt to diversified road conditions and improve detection accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Hesai Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liangchen Ye, Shengping Mao, Rui Wang, Xuezhou Zhu, Shaoqing Xiang, Yifan Li, Shixiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10981491
    Abstract: An in-vehicle light apparatus for a vehicle is provided and includes lamp radar units. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector arranged around the light source and outputting light from an opening area of the reflector to a predetermined region including in a first direction. The radar unit is provided on a lower or upper side of the lamp unit and includes a circuit board having a board surface arranged in a substantially horizontal state and an antenna unit that transmits an electromagnetic wave and receives a reflected wave in a second direction. The opening area extends in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction in plan view, and a direction perpendicular to the second direction on the board surface is a direction intersecting the first direction and non-parallel to the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwai, Ryosuke Shiozaki, Shuji Akamatsu, Osamu Shibata, Ken Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10744926
    Abstract: An in-vehicle light apparatus for monitoring a region in a first direction outside a vehicle, including: a lamp unit including a light source and a reflector; a radar unit including a circuit board disposed such that a board surface extends substantially along the horizontal direction on a lower side or an upper side of the lamp unit and a plurality of antenna elements disposed in the hoard surface of the circuit hoard to transmit an electromagnetic wave in the first direction; and the plurality of the antenna elements are arranged in an array on the first direction side relative to the reflector in plan view, and an array direction of the plurality of antenna elements is a direction intersecting the first direction and non-parallel to an extending direction of an end portion on the side of the first direction of the reflector in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwai, Ryosuke Shiozaki, Shuji Akamatsu, Osamu Shibata, Ken Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10086832
    Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling the same are provided to improve recognition performance of a camera by irradiating light from a headlamp to an object, which may be recognized by a detection sensor but not by the camera, thereby avoiding a collision by detecting the object using both the camera and detection sensor. The vehicle includes an optical sensor that detects illumination around the vehicle and a detection sensor that detects an object around the vehicle to obtain information regarding at least one of a position and speed of the object. A controller operates a headlamp to irradiate light toward the object based on the position information of the object when the detected illumination is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yongseok Kwon, Sukki Min, Donghyun Sung, Junghyun Kim, Sangmin Lee, Taeyoung Lee, Eungseo Kim
  • Patent number: 9536370
    Abstract: An electronic single-space parking meter mechanism is provided. The electronic single-space parking meter mechanism includes an inner housing having a front side and a rear side. The meter mechanism includes wireless communications hardware including an antenna. The meter mechanism includes a payment reader supported by the inner housing and an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing. At least a portion of the antenna is located above at least a portion of the electronic display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Duncan Parking Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Jones, Balu Subramanya, Ryan Vincent, Steven A. Jones, Amith S. Belawadi
  • Patent number: 9134408
    Abstract: Two radar devices are installed for adjacent lanes. A memory sequentially stores a received power value at a time when the two radar devices receive the reflected wave from a vehicle at specified time intervals. A calculator calculates, when a vehicle moves in a direction approaching the two radar devices, as a representative value of the received power at a specified time, a weighted average value when weights, which become heavier as an acquisition time of the received power value becomes farther from the specified time, are assigned to a specified number of received power values, whose acquisition time is prior to a specified time, where a priority is given to the received power values whose acquisition time is close to the specified time. A discriminator determines a lane in which the vehicle is traveling according to a result of comparing the sizes of the calculated representative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ochi, Junko Kajiki, Tomonori Ikeya, Kazuhiko Shite
  • Patent number: 8930063
    Abstract: A vehicle system and method that can determine object sensor misalignment while a host vehicle is being driven, and can do so without requiring multiple sensors with overlapping fields-of-view. In an exemplary embodiment where the host vehicle is traveling in generally a straight line, the present method uses an object sensor to track the path of a stationary object as it moves through the sensor's field-of-view and compares the sensed object path to an expected object pat*h. If the sensed and expected paths of the stationary object deviate by more than some amount, then the method determines that the object sensor is skewed or otherwise misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Gandhi, Satish Rayarapu, Dmitriy Feldman
  • Patent number: 8781706
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine whether the at least one sensor is correctly aligned with respect to the host vehicle whereby, when the apparatus commences monitoring of the environment, the apparatus is arranged not to trigger the at least one action until the apparatus has determined that the at least one sensor is correctly aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Mark Cund, Paul Widdowson, Alain Dunoyer, Adrie Breugelmans
  • Publication number: 20100213846
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a method and system for light sensing vehicle light modulator are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method, comprising detecting incoming light utilizing a plurality of light sensors operatively connected to an vehicle, measuring the incoming light intensity, and decreasing a intensity of light output by one or more lights of the vehicle based at least in pan on a measurement of the incoming light intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Keith THOMAS
  • Patent number: 7706978
    Abstract: A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (?), instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (?), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (?) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, David A. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20100090863
    Abstract: An image-based vehicle safety warning system is disclosed, which uses an image retrieval module for receiving an image signal and camera parameters related to the source of the image signal into a space definition module, which defines an image space and warning areas of different levels in the image space. Then, an object identification module identifies parts of a possible vehicle in the image according to the image signal and variations thereof. A warning indication module then obtains an interrelation by locating the position of the vehicle within the image space and comparing the vehicle position with the warning areas, thereby providing alarms in different levels based on the interrelation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Homer H. Chen, Hao-Wei Chu
  • Patent number: 7257478
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control device is configured to improve response to driver braking operation and shorten the free running distance. The vehicle driving control device processes an image showing an area ahead of the host vehicle to recognize a preceding vehicle in the host vehicle lane, and then determines whether or not the preceding vehicle is making a sudden lateral movement based on this image processing result. If the vehicle driving control device determines that the preceding vehicle is making a sudden lateral movement, then a preliminary braking force is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sugano
  • Patent number: 7123907
    Abstract: A method and system for testing cellular network integrity using telematics comprising determining at least one network condition data at a telematics unit, initiating a data call from the telematics unit to a telematics call center, establishing a data call communication channel between the telematics unit and the telematics call center, and transmitting at least one network condition data to the telematics call center via the established data call communication channel. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for testing cellular network integrity using telematics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sumcad, Christopher L. Oesterling, Russell A. Patenaude, Hitan S. Kamdar, Brad T. Reeser, Shpetim S. Veliu
  • Patent number: 6915126
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for activating an in-vehicle wireless communication system. A vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle may be received. An electronic serial number of a network access device located in the vehicle may be determined based on the vehicle identification number. Identification information of a user of the vehicle may be received. The electronic serial number and the user identification information may be sent to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a mobile phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Mazzara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6720884
    Abstract: An obstacle detection system for vehicular environments including a monitoring sensor system and a mounting system is disclosed. An installer can make aiming adjustments, in the factory or field, to account for tolerance stack-up. The system includes a housing for mounting the monitoring sensor system to minimize cross-talk and interference between transmitter and receiver sections, to limit sensor system movement, and to enable gross and fine aiming adjustments. In one embodiment, a circuit board is disposed within a cradle assembly which, in turn, is mounted in or integral to the housing to position the obstacle detection sensor as necessary. The cradle in one embodiment is an enclosure for the circuit board. The sensor housing is mounted to the interior vehicle trim, door panel, and/or door sheet metal and ensures consistent mounting regardless of interior trim or factory installation variations. Integral adjustment mechanisms are incorporated for adjusting the orientation of the sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Prospects, Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. O'Connor, James D. Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6684149
    Abstract: In order to occur a collision warning to prevent the collision in accurate by detecting the preceding vehicle or target, a vehicle lane position estimation device comprising a means for measuring a distance between said host vehicle and said preceding vehicle or a oncoming vehicle, a direction angle from said host vehicle, an angular velocity and a velocity of said host vehicle, a means for calculating lateral and longitudinal distance between said host vehicle and said preceding vehicle or said oncoming vehicle, a means for capturing a front stationary object, a means for obtaining movement of the preceding vehicle or position of the oncoming vehicle, and a means to estimate a lane position of said front stationary object from a relationship of the stationary object being captured and the preceding vehicle being obtained and a positional relationship with the oncoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Nakamura, Jie Bai
  • Patent number: 6658336
    Abstract: Identifying an object includes the steps of using a sensor onboard a subject vehicle to identify an imminent impact between the subject vehicle and an object, directing and transmitting an elicitation signal to the object from the subject vehicle, receiving onboard the subject vehicle a response signal from the object providing information that positively identifies the object, using the positive identification information to predict a severity level of the imminent collision, and selectively deploying at least one responsive device onboard the subject vehicle according to the predicted severity level. Also, a system for implementing the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Francis D. Wood, Osman D. Altan
  • Patent number: 6643588
    Abstract: A method for estimating the curvature in a road is disclosed. The method measures an azimuth angle range and relative velocity between a host and a target vehicle, which determines whether a host vehicle is changing lanes or whether a target vehicle is changing lanes. The method calculates a heading angle of the host vehicle and calculates a corrected azimuth angle by adjusting the measured azimuth angle by the value of calculated heading angle. This method selects a curve that minimizes the mean square error between the curve and selected targets; and determines an equation that describes the curve, wherein the equation is used to predict the path head of the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Faroog Abdel-Kareem Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6629036
    Abstract: In a method for recognizing a preceding vehicle traveling on a traffic lane on which a subject vehicle is traveling, it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is deviated from a preceding vehicle recognizing region ahead of the subject vehicle. Then, when the preceding vehicle is deviated from the preceding vehicle recognizing region, it is determined whether or not the traffic lane is curved while maintaining recognition of the preceding vehicle. When the traffic lane is curved, it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle has entered the preceding vehicle recognizing region for a predetermined time period while maintaining the recognition of the preceding vehicle. As a result, the recognition of the preceding vehicle is maintained or released in accordance with whether or not the preceding vehicle has entered the preceding vehicle recognizing region for the predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Hirao
  • Publication number: 20030034883
    Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic sensors are installed at predetermined positions of an automotive vehicle. Each sensor has the capability of performing calculation for measuring a distance between an obstacle and the automotive vehicle and transmitting distance information representing a measured distance of the obstacle. A control unit receives the distance information and generates an alarm signal based on the distance information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Sato, Masakazu Takeichi, Hiroshi Ogura
  • Patent number: 6516262
    Abstract: A cruise control system for an automotive vehicle controls the speed of the vehicle by estimating conditions for not only when the vehicle passes through an intersection but also when a preceding vehicle passes through the intersection, in order to permit travel on an ordinary road with a given following distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takenaga, Satoru Kuragaki, Hiroto Morizane
  • Patent number: 6505101
    Abstract: A remote vehicle identification and disabling system for identifying and controlling a vehicles engine. The system has a limited ranged programmable transceiver unit mounted in a non-civilian vehicle for sending and receiving a signal through an antenna located in the grille. A control and display unit is located in the cab that allows access to an onboard computer for accessing a remote police database. The system also has a civilian vehicle mounted multiple channel transceiver that controls a fail-open valve which is connected to a fuel line of the civilian vehicle to control the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. The civilian vehicle unit transmits an identification signal to the non-civilian unit upon request and if the civilian unit receives the identical identification signal from the non-civilian unit then the valve will be activated. A remote control unit transmitting at a frequency other than the non-civilian unit can be used to activate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: William E. Brill
  • Patent number: 6459983
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed and spacing of a motor vehicle taking into account the spacing from any preceding vehicles, such that in the event that a relevant preceding vehicle is detected, a spacing control system is superimposed onto the speed control system, and such that the spacing control system automatically decelerates the controlled vehicle if the spacing from a preceding vehicle falls below a set reference spacing, such that the fact that the decrease in spacing below the reference spacing was brought about by the driver of the controlled vehicle is recognized on the basis of at least one further indicator; and/or such that the fact that the motor vehicle is traveling in the outermost left lane of the lanes provided for one direction of travel is recognized on the basis of at least one further indicator; and that in this case, automatic deceleration is attenuated or omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Lichtenberg, Werner Uhler
  • Patent number: 6459403
    Abstract: A satellite 10 in the sky has an imaging radar and a captured image data transmitting means, and captures an image of a predetermined subject area A including roads R. According to the captured image data concerning the subject area A, a traffic control section 21 grasps the state of traffic in the subject area A, and estimates a state of congestion according to thus grasped state of traffic. Also, according to thus estimated state of congestion, the traffic control section 21 sets parameters such as on/off times of signals. Thus set parameters are sent from the traffic control section 21 to their corresponding signals. The on/off of each signal is controlled according to the set parameters. Hence, the state of traffic in a wide area can be grasped quite accurately, and traffic can be controlled according to thus grasped state of traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Nakahara, Michihisa Kyoto, Shunji Otani
  • Patent number: 6442473
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring a traffic signal for presentation in a vehicular mounted display. A receiver is located on the vehicle for receiving a traffic message from a traffic signal proximate to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a location and direction determining systems for determining a location and direction of the vehicle. A decoding systems is present for decoding the traffic message. A selection systems is used for determining an appropriate traffic signal display for the vehicular mounted display according to the location and direction of the vehicle relative to the traffic signal. The traffic signal display is displayed on a display in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Linda Arnold Lisle
  • Patent number: 6415217
    Abstract: In vehicular velocity controlling apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle to a preceding vehicle which is running ahead of the vehicle is detected, a vehicular velocity of the vehicle is detected; a relative velocity of the vehicle to the preceding vehicle is detected, a target inter-vehicle distance is calculated on the basis of detected values of the inter-vehicle distance and of the vehicular velocity, a control response characteristic of an inter-vehicle distance system to the target inter-vehicle distance is determined, an inter-vehicle distance command value based on the target inter-vehicle distance is calculated in accordance with the determined control response characteristic, a target vehicular velocity is calculated on the basis of the inter-vehicle distance command value, and the vehicular velocity is controlled to make the detected value of the vehicular velocity substantially equal to the target vehicular velocity, the control response character
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Higashimata, Takenori Hashizume, Kazutaka Adachi
  • Patent number: 6289332
    Abstract: An integrated message system for a vehicle provides an extendable, prioritized message scheme. Using this scheme, the message system acts as a centralized message provider for variety of alerts and operating data originating throughout the vehicle. The message system defines a hierarchy of message levels, each having a unique output protocol. The protocol defines attributes associated with messages at a particular level such as textual or graphical message, an auditory alert, as well as the scheme for playing these messages and alerts. The system integrates a variety of subsystems that conventionally have separate driver interfaces such as a collision warning system and an adaptive cruise control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Freightliner Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Menig, Richard A. Bishel, Goetz Renner, Nicolae Ghitea, Jr., Chris Kirn, Jared A. Powell, Peter Charles Brandt
  • Patent number: 6285925
    Abstract: A soil compacting machine has a receiver unit that can receive control signals from a transmitter unit to a receiver unit. The transmitter unit can be operated by a user and is separate from the machine. The control signals are then processed into commands and sent to a control mechanism of the machine. Signals originating from the transmitter unit and reflected by the machine are received as safety signals by a receiver connected to the transmitter unit and are tested in relation to at least one distance-dependent parameter. If the parameter which is tested shows that a predetermined safety distance between the machine and the receiver is not respected, the transmission of the control signals or the operation of the machine is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Wacker-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6269298
    Abstract: In automatic vehicular velocity control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a controller is responsive to the detection of a new preceding vehicle by an inter-vehicle distance detector and programmed to derive a target motion of the vehicle until a present relationship between the vehicle and the new preceding vehicle becomes a relationship between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle in a steady state and to adjust a vehicular variation rate in such a manner that the motion of the vehicle gives the target motion of the vehicle. In a embodiment, a target value of a vehicular acceleration/deceleration is calculated as the target motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoji Seto
  • Patent number: 6256573
    Abstract: In system and method for an automotive vehicle equipped with the system and defined as a system vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance from the system vehicle to a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the system vehicle is detected, a velocity of the system vehicle is detected, a determination is made whether the system vehicle is running to follow up the preceding vehicle at a target value of the inter-vehicle distance, a control system for performing a feedback control of the detected value of the inter-vehicle distance to the target value thereof is provided, a target value of the velocity of the system vehicle is outputted, a control gain of the feedback control system being modified according to the detected value of the inter-vehicle distance and a result of a determination whether the system vehicle is running to follow up the preceding vehicle at a target value of the inter-vehicle distance and a braking force and a driving force of the system vehicle are controlled so as to make a detected value of the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Higashimata
  • Patent number: 6147637
    Abstract: An automotive obstacle detecting system is provided which includes a radar to measure the distance to a target present within a detectable zone. The system monitors a distance limit measurable by the radar and determines a reduction in ability to measure the distance to the target by comparing the distance limit with a given reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Morikawa, Tetsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6061015
    Abstract: A vehicle obstacle detecting system having a combination of different kinds of detectors, such as a laser radar and a millimeter-waver radar, to detect an obstacle present ahead of the course of vehicle travel. The system determines whether the detection output of the laser radar is similar to that of the millimeter-wave radar. When the result is positive, obstacle avoidance control is conducted based on the output of either the laser radar or the millimeter-wave radar. When the result is negative, it is determined that the laser radar (the detector normally of superior performance) is degraded and, based on the output of the millimeter-radar, obstacle avoidance control is conducted. With this, the outputs of the different kinds of detectors are fused and unified optimally, enabling effective obstacle avoidance control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5977902
    Abstract: An anti-tank trap (1) is constituted by a support (2), a military payload (3), an igniter (4) and a sight (5). The firing on the target is carried out at the time t.sub.d in a plane .DELTA.. The invention is characterized by the following chronological series of stages:first detection by FM/CW radar (lobes 11) and establishment of a first map ERA.sub.ref,second infra-red detection (IR) at t.sub.2 (plane V or V'),third IR detection at t.sub.1 (plane U or U'),computation of: t.sub.1 -t.sub.2 and of the angular velocity d.gamma./dt of the target,fourth detection by FM/CW radar (ERA.sub.m),measurement of the range d.sub.c and of the size of the target (ERA.sub.m -ERA.sub.ref),analysis of the target, firing decision, computation of t.sub.d and triggering at t.sub.d of the military payload.Application to an anti-tank trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Telecommunications Radioelectriques et Telephoniques T.R.T
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Magne, Serge Paturel
  • Patent number: 5767803
    Abstract: A radar apparatus includes a radar unit which radiates a radar beam to a target in a forward direction of a vehicle and receives a reflection beam from the target to detect a target vehicle based on the received reflection beam. A scanning control unit moves a beam radiation axis of the radar unit across the target from left to right or vice versa in response to a scanning angle signal. A lane discriminating unit, having an input coupled to the radar unit and an output coupled to the scanning control unit, detects whether a path of the target vehicle is in a lane of the vehicle based on the received reflection beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukinori Yamada
  • Patent number: 5642119
    Abstract: A low-powered electronic parking meter which can be powered solely by non-rechargeable, commercially available batteries. The meter includes a coin receptor with unique means for coin detection, slug detection, determination of coin denomination, and jam detection, which require very little power. The coin detection and denomination determination are performed using pivotable lever arms in contact with Piezo strips. The slug detection uses a permanent magnet mounted opposite a reed switch and the jam detection is performed by IR diode emitters and photocells. The meter also includes processing means, a liquid crystal display, a sonar transducer or alternatively an RF transmitter and receiver (RADAR) for detecting the presence of vehicles, and an IR transceiver enabling parking authority personnel to communicate with the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Intelligent Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5430450
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Douglas N. Holmes
  • Patent number: 5339081
    Abstract: In a vehicle presence detection system for controlling traffic signal lights at a road intersection, the vehicle detection is performed by targeting vehicles at the location of interest with an FMCW radar beam. The radar can be switched repeatedly between the FMCW mode, for vehicle presence detection, and a doppler mode, for vehicle movement detection. Signal data representing the background of the scene viewed by the radar beam are stored for use by circuitry that determines whether an apparent vehicle presence detect is a true vehicle detect; the background signal data is repeatedly updated, as necessary, as the system cycles. Temperature compensation is provided and entry into the FMCW mode is inhibited if a voltage-controlled oscillator provided for generating the emissions has not settled down after any such compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Peek Traffic Limited
    Inventors: Brian Jefferis, Shaun D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5337082
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing information which may be used in making traffic management decisions for limited access highways is disclosed. The method and apparatus employs microwave radar to obtain information bearing signals which are processed to determine the vehicle direction and speed. The apparatus includes the capability of emulating in-the-road or on-the-road sensors to provide output pulse pairs which appear as if generated by switch closures. The method and apparatus also has the capability of providing "wake-up" signals commensurate with a predetermined number of consecutive vehicles which pass a preselected point traveling at an abnormally low speed. Because the method and apparatus are vehicle direction sensitive, the capability of monitoring traffic flow by looking across lanes is also present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Whelen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Fredericks
  • Patent number: 5266954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave vehicle detector which includes a transceiver for transmitting microwave energy into a desired target area and for receiving reflections of this microwave energy from vehicle movement in this target area. The transceiver includes first and second diodes for enabling the microwave vehicle detector to determine the direction of vehicle movement relative to the position of the microwave vehicle detector. In this regard, these diodes are balanced, such that a predetermined phase difference will be produced between the doppler shift signals generated by these diodes. This phase difference is analyzed by a microprocessor to determine the speed and direction of the vehicle being detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Microwave Sensors
    Inventors: David P. Orlowski, William R. Lang, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5214408
    Abstract: A distance detecting apparatus enables the driver of a vehicle to readily and concurrently recognize the location and direction of each of a plurality of objects present in the driver's field of view, in daylight or darkness, and at the same time determine whether each of the objects is an obstacle to the vehicle travel. The objects sensed by a pair of first and second image sensors 3, 4 are displayed on a screen 11 in a plurality of windows 15-19. Deviations between the images of the objects within the respective windows are electrically detected so that the distance to an object within each window is individually calculated based on the deviations. Obstacles to the travel of the vehicle can be discriminated on the basis of the positions of the windows on the screen and the distances to the objects in the respective windows as detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Asayama
  • Patent number: 5170162
    Abstract: The direction of motion of objects is sampled to determine, in a manner in which substantially avoids false alarms, whether there is object motion in a direction of interest. Systems employing such sampling methodology generate a warning signal in response to a vehicular traffic condition of interest and include at least a pair of motion detectors. Each motion detector processes motion information bearing signals to determine distance traveled in a predetermined time period to minimize false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Whelen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Fredericks
  • Patent number: 4985705
    Abstract: A method for compiling and evaluating local traffic data based on a real time evaluation of Doppler echoes on a digital basis, wherein initially the frequency spectrum of the Doppler echo is formed, then the frequency of the maximum amplitude in this spectrum is identified, and the speed of the vehicle is determined from this frequency. The length of the vehicle can also be determined from the speed of the vehicle and from the Doppler echo signal duration. An apparatus for implementing the method includes a millimeter wavelength radar sensor, a transmission unit, and an evaluation unit operating with digital signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Stammler
  • Patent number: 4893125
    Abstract: A vehicle near-obstacle detector in the form of a diplex Doppler radar system provides range information between a vehicle and an object based on the phase shift between a pair of Doppler signals derived from two transmitted radar signals at slightly different frequencies. A speed dependent error introduced by the time constant of a filter circuit converting duty cycle range information based on the phase shift to an analog signal is compensated by introducing a small time shift in the signal path of one of the Doppler signals to effect a shift in the duty cycle range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip A. May