With Control Of Brakes Or Steering Patents (Class 342/71)
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Patent number: 8284383Abstract: An object recognition apparatus performs a sweep of a scanned region by transmitting scanning wave beams at respective scan angles and successive timings, derives a received-wave signal strength value and reflection location corresponding to each scan wave beam during the sweep, and assigns a set of mutually adjacent reflection locations as a segment. A corresponding range value of the segment is calculated, expressing an estimated distance of a detected object. A threshold value is derived in accordance with the segment range, a region of the segment in which the signal strength values exceed the threshold value is extracted, and the width of the extracted region is designated as the width of the detected object.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Taro Beppu, Kiyokazu Takagi, Takashi Ogawa, Hiroshi Hazumi
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Publication number: 20120235853Abstract: A collision avoidance apparatus capable of executing an appropriate vehicle control in order to avoid a collision between an own vehicle and a movable object is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2009Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Takeuchi
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Patent number: 8248295Abstract: A pre-crash safety system, which is not influenced by a false recognition that another vehicle is approaching and which causes the vehicle to conduct a safety measure operation when the possibility of a collision exists, is disclosed. The pre-crash safety system includes a collision prediction unit that makes the prediction of a collision between the vehicle and the another vehicle that has entered a monitoring area of the radar device; and a control unit that causes the own-vehicle to conduct the safety measure operation based on a result of the prediction of a collision by the collision prediction unit. The vehicle does not conduct the safety measure operation if, after the another vehicle has entered the monitoring area, a reflection point coordinate which represents a reflection point of a radar wave on the another vehicle is positioned within a predefined direction range when viewed from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jun Tsunekawa
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Patent number: 8244408Abstract: A vehicle is configured to execute an autonomic lane change maneuver and is equipped with a spatial monitoring system. Each of a plurality of objects located proximate to the vehicle is monitored. Locations of each of the objects are predicted relative to a projected trajectory of the vehicle. A collision risk level between the vehicle and each of the objects is assessed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Jeremy A. Salinger, Xingping Chen
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Patent number: 8244458Abstract: A method of quantifying a host vehicle's collision risk with a foreign object includes the steps of collecting and preserving a short-term history of range and azimuth data on the object and identifying leading edges of the foreign object. The leading edges are linked to previous detected leading edges in the short term history storage data to define a trajectory for the object, and to calculate range and azimuth velocities and accelerations of leading edges of the foreign object based on the leading edge trajectory. A collision risk P is then calculated for the foreign object using the range and azimuth velocities and accelerations according to a predetermined formula. If the collision risk P falls below a pre-set value, the methods of the present invention calculate an evasive maneuver for the host vehicle based on a vector sum of high risk leading edge risks and locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Michael R. Blackburn
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Patent number: 8195362Abstract: A method for controlling a driver assistance system having an LKS function of a vehicle is described. In the region of lane widening, a hypothetical lane which connects a starting lane to a destination lane is generated by the driver assistance system. In the region of the lane widening, the vehicle is guided along the hypothetical lane.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Lutz Buerkle, Tobias Rentschler, Thomas App
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Patent number: 8190330Abstract: A system and method for providing steering control for lane changing and lane centering purposes in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle system. A vehicle vision system calculates roadway lane marking information, such as lateral offset, yaw angle and roadway curvature with respect to the vehicle's centered coordinate system. The roadway is then modeled as a second order polynomial equation. The method then predicts roadway lateral position and yaw angle over a pre-defined lane change completion time using a vehicle dynamic model. The method then compares a predicted vehicle path with a desired vehicle path to generate an error value, and calculates a steering angle command to minimize the error value, where the steering angle command is calculated as a function of vehicle lateral position, vehicle lateral speed, vehicle yaw rate and vehicle yaw angle. The steering angle command is then sent to the vehicle steering system.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jin-Woo Lee
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Patent number: 8179303Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for a radar transceiver, which receives a reflected signal generated by a target object in response to a frequency modulated transmission signal, and generates a beat signal having a frequency difference between the transmission signal and a reception signal, includes: an azimuth angle detection unit that detects an azimuth angle of the target object on the basis of a peak signal in a frequency spectrum of the beat signal; a peak signal extraction unit that prioritizes extraction of a peak signal corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle range and a predetermined relative distance range of the target object; and a target object detection unit that detects the target object from the extracted peak signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayuki Kishida, Hisateru Asanuma, Tomoya Kawasaki
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Patent number: 8155879Abstract: A vehicle driving assistance apparatus includes a brake operation sensing device to sense a driver's brake operation, a steering operation sensing device to sense a driver's steering operation, a forward, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether there is a need for avoiding the obstacle, by examining a possibility of contact of the vehicle with the obstacle, and to produce a yaw moment to an obstacle avoiding direction advantageous for avoiding the obstacle, from the time of detection of the driver's brake operation, to the time of detection of the driver's steering operation, by adjusting a wheel brake/drive force distribution among wheels resulting from the driver's brake operation when there is the need for avoiding the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Takagi, Hikaru Nishira, Yoshitaka Deguchi, Taketora Negome
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Patent number: 8130138Abstract: A ghost target candidate judging device judges that one target of two targets is a candidate for a ghost target where the distances of the two targets from a subject vehicle are equal to each other and where the difference between receiving levels of the two targets is not less than a predetermined value. A running-abreast target judging device judges that one target is the target running abreast of the other target based on changes in an angle difference and in a left-right positional difference between the two targets in accordance with the change in the distances of the two targets from the subject vehicle. The ghost target judging device judges, as the ghost target, a target obtained by removing the running-abreast target data from the candidates for the ghost target. The running-abreast target is prevented from being erroneously recognized as the ghost target while judging which target is the ghost target.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hayato Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8115668Abstract: An object candidate position detecting apparatus which detects a position of an object candidate includes a unifying mechanism which unifies a plurality of object candidates detected within a predetermined unified range into a single group. Where the relative positions of the object candidates stored in a unified information storage device changes such that the single group splits into a plurality of groups, a tracking mechanism judges whether any object candidate forming the group before the split continuously remains to be detected in a running lane in which a subject vehicle runs and which is estimated by a running lane estimator. Where any object candidate forming the group before the split is determined as continuously remaining to be detected in the running lane, the tracking mechanism determines that there is continuity between a group after the split including the thus-determined object candidate and the group before the split.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiko Mochizuki
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Patent number: 7956797Abstract: A system for measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle is provided. The system includes a wireless ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver attached to the first component. The wireless UWB transceiver transmits a UWB measurement pulse toward the second component, and receives a reflected UWB pulse from a reflective surface of the second component. The reflected UWB pulse represents a reflected version of the UWB measurement pulse. The system also includes a processor coupled to the wireless UWB transceiver. The processor derives a relative distance between the first component and the second component, based upon characteristics of the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse. The system further includes a power generating system for the wireless UWB transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Talty, Chandra S. Namuduri, Yunjun Li, Nancy McMahon, Robert B. Elliott
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Patent number: 7932854Abstract: In an azimuth detecting apparatus, a receiver includes a plurality of first antenna elements and a second antenna element. The first antenna elements are arranged at first intervals d1 to form an array. The second antenna element is arranged to define a second interval d2 between itself and one of the first antenna elements which is located at an end of the array, where d2 is less than d1. A first azimuth detector detects, within a first azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d1, the azimuth of a target based on the signals generated by all the first antenna elements. A second azimuth detector detects, within a second azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d2, the azimuth of the target based on the signals generated by the second antenna element and the first antenna element located at the end of the array.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Takamasa Ando
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Patent number: 7932835Abstract: An object detection system is provided for detecting a thermal emitting object in a blind zone proximate to a host vehicle. The system includes a thermal radiation detector located on a host vehicle and configured to sense temperature of multiple coverage zones proximate to the host vehicle. A processor processes temperature sensed by an infrared detector. The processor determines a change in thermal temperature sensed by the infrared detector and determines the presence of an object in the coverage zone based on the change in the sensed temperature. An output provides a signal indicative of an object sensed in the coverage zone based on the determined change in temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Taylor, Jeremy S. Greene
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Patent number: 7924214Abstract: In an azimuth detecting apparatus, a receiver includes antenna elements arranged at predetermined intervals d. A first signal producer produces, based on reception signals generated by the antenna elements, first signals which are equivalent to signals generated by antenna elements arranged at first intervals d1, d1 being an integral multiple of d. A second signal producer produces, based on the reception signals, second signals which are equivalent to signals generated by antenna elements arranged at second intervals d2, d2 being an integral multiple of d and greater than d1. A first azimuth detector detects, within a first azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d1, the azimuth of the target based on the first signals. A second azimuth detector detects, within a second azimuth detection area whose angular range is defined by d2, the azimuth of the target based on the second signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Takamasa Ando
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Patent number: 7905313Abstract: A vehicle seat-belt apparatus including: a forward monitoring device which conducts monitoring to the front of a vehicle; an avoidance assist device which supports a predetermined avoidance operation in order to avoid an obstacle when it is determined that there is an obstacle to be avoided based on a detection result of the forward monitoring device; a motor which conducts a rotary driving of a belt reel on which a belt is wound; and a control device which controls the motor, wherein the control device conducts a drive control of the motor according to a state of support of the avoidance operation by the avoidance assist device.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Yukihiro Fujiwara, Yasushi Shoda, Mitsuharu Kanaboshi
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Patent number: 7831369Abstract: There is provided a method and executable code for controlling operation of a vehicle. The vehicle control occurs during ongoing operation subsequent to deactivating an internal combustion engine which is effective to generate vehicle tractive torque. The method comprises: monitoring conditions external to the vehicle, and, restarting the internal combustion engine when the monitored external conditions indicate an imminent opportunity to move the vehicle in a forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Man-Feng Chang, Jeffrey T. Wolak
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Publication number: 20100250088Abstract: When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Grolle, Thomas J. Thomas, William P. Amato, Robert J. Custer, Srikiran Kosanam
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Patent number: 7796081Abstract: Vehicular arrangement for obtaining information about objects exterior to the vehicle includes at least one combined imaging and distance measuring system arranged along an edge or a side of the vehicle, each combined system including an infrared illuminator for directing infrared illumination outward from the vehicle, an imager sensitive to infrared illumination and visible light, the imager being arranged to form images of an environment around the vehicle and thereby enable identification of objects in the images, a radar or laser radar system arranged to simultaneously determine a distance between the vehicle and objects identified in images obtained by the imager with the identification of the objects in the images. A reactive system is arranged on the vehicle to consider both the identification of the objects and their distance from the vehicle and react accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.Inventor: David S. Breed
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Patent number: 7778753Abstract: A vehicle operation assist system includes as assist yaw rate calculator which calculates a necessary moving amount to avoid an obstacle based on a detection result of the obstacle by a radar device, and a vehicle movement controller controls lateral movement of the vehicle based on the calculated moving amount. When an avoiding operation detector determines initiation of an obstacle avoiding operation by the driver, the vehicle movement controller operates a braking device to control the lateral movement of the vehicle, so that the obstacle can be reliably avoided. When a restoring operation detector determines initiation of a restoring operation, the vehicle movement controller operates a power steering device to control the lateral movement of the vehicle, so that delay in the steering operation by the driver, and excessive restoring operation of the steering handle to compensate for the delay are suppressed, thus stabilizing vehicle behavior.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukihiro Fujiwara, Mitsuharu Kanaboshi, Yasushi Shoda
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Publication number: 20100198478Abstract: A host vehicle's speed is controlled with a target vehicle following control system when following a target vehicle. The target vehicle following control system monitors a range with respect to a target vehicle and a speed of the host vehicle. The target vehicle following device determines operation of the vehicle based upon a control region by comparing the range and the speed of the host vehicle to a simple sliding surface, which defines a minimum range between the host vehicle and target vehicle and a modified sliding surface, which increases the margin to the simple sliding surface as the speed of the host vehicle increases. The host vehicle has an acceleration determined based on the control region and is used to control operation of the host vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Kwang-Keun Shin
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Patent number: 7733266Abstract: There is provided a system in which when a gate having a reflection level of a threshold or higher and having been recognized as a control target by last time is not recognized as the control target this time, the gate is assumed to be actually detected, and extrapolation device extrapolates the gate (see ?) up to a predetermined number of times (five times), wherein when the gate is a stationary object, and a reflection level of the gate at the next detection (Time 6) predicted from a reflection level at the previous detection (Time 4) and a reflection level at the current detection (Time 5) is lower than a detection threshold (see ?), the limit of the number of extrapolations by the extrapolation device is reduced from five to two.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hayato Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7714769Abstract: In a method for estimating the width of radar objects in a position finding system for motor vehicles, which has at least two angle-resolving radar sensors, the reflection points positioned by several of the radar sensors, which are to be assigned to the same object on the basis of their distance data and relative velocity data, are combined into a group, lateral positions of the reflection points from this group are calculated, the difference of the lateral positions is calculated for various pairs of these refection points, and the maximum of these differences is sought out to determine an estimated value for a minimum width of the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ruediger Jordan
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Patent number: 7667636Abstract: In a vehicle control system, when an inter-vehicular distance between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle detected by a radar device is less than or equal to a predetermined value, automatic braking is performed or an alarm is activated to alert a driver to prevent a collision. A stationary object detection threshold value of a reception level of a reflected wave for detecting a stationary object is set higher in a predetermined region compared to a moving object detection threshold value of a reception level of a reflected wave emitted from the radar device for detecting a moving object such as a preceding vehicle. Thus, the system prevents a gate or an article in the roadway, which are not obstacles, from being erroneously recognized as obstacles. As such, unnecessary automatic braking and alarm activation for the gate and the article in the roadway can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hayato Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7650239Abstract: An object recognition apparatus in a subject vehicle includes a radar unit for transmitting a plurality of laser beams in a scan range spread in horizontal and vertical directions of the subject vehicle and receiving a reflection, a recognition unit for recognizing the object in front of the subject vehicle based on the reflection, a determination sub-unit in the radar unit, a calculation sub-unit in the radar unit; and an adjustment sub-unit in the radar unit. The radar unit is so disposed in the subject vehicle with a center axis of one of the plurality of the laser beams aligned with a target angle that the determination sub-unit uses coverage in the vertical direction of the laser beam being sufficient for variation of heights of the reflector on the object at a first distance detected by the radar unit as the predetermined condition for selecting of the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yoshie Samukawa, Yoshiaki Hoashi, Mamoru Shimamoto, Keiji Matsuoka
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Patent number: 7646331Abstract: An interface system of the present invention interconnects with a collision avoidance system and a radar detector. The interface system monitors and determines when sensors, from the collision avoidance system, are not required and selectively turns them off, thereby eliminating interference from the sensor and allowing the radar detector to work properly. The interface system also acts as a filter which enables and disables the audible and visual alerts of the radar detector and selects when to turn these filters on and off.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Midcity EngineeringInventors: Daniel Ruby, Robert Kevin Lazzara
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Publication number: 20090295622Abstract: The present invention comprises systems and methods for preventing collisions between aircraft and ground vehicles. In one embodiment, a system includes a proximity detection unit and a transducer proximate to a selected structural portion of an aircraft, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the transducer and to receive reflected signals through the transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the structural portion. The system further includes an alarm device coupled to the proximity detection unit that is responsive to a signal generated by the proximity detection unit. In another embodiment, a method includes determining a distance between the ground service vehicle and a selected structural portion of the aircraft when the vehicle is positioned in a ranging area about the aircraft. The method further includes generating a proximity alarm based upon the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: David M. Anderson, David L. Banks, Robert L. Avery, Aydin Akdeniz, William J. Renton
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Patent number: 7609149Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse radar with vehicle approaching alarm comprising a main body and sensors, in which the main body comprises a CPU circuit, an operational amplifier circuit, a switching circuit, a signal transmitting-receiving circuit, a detecting circuit and a power source, and the input terminals of the CPU circuit are connected to the output terminals of the operational amplifier circuit, the detecting circuit and the power source, and the output terminal of the CPU circuit is connected to the input terminal of the switching circuit, and the input terminal of the operational amplifier circuit is connected to the output terminal of the switching circuit, and the switching circuit and the signal transmitting-receiving circuit are interconnected, and the output terminals of the power source are connected to the input terminals of the switching circuit and the signal transmitting-receiving circuit, and the main body further comprises an alarming source which gives a warning signal whenType: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Inventor: Zhitao Li
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Patent number: 7605746Abstract: An in-vehicle radar device has a transmission section for emitting an electromagnetic wave, a scanning section for horizontally scanning the electromagnetic wave emitted by the transmission section, and a reception section for receiving a reflected wave reflected by a target with respect to the electromagnetic wave emitted by the transmission section. The in-vehicle radar device detects, based on an elapsed time from when the transmission section emitted the electromagnetic wave until the reception section receives the reflected wave and the scanning direction of the electromagnetic wave by the scanning section, at least a position and a horizontal width of the target reflecting the electromagnetic wave.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Omron CorporationInventors: Yoshio Matsuura, Masao Komaya
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Publication number: 20090219190Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring distance and relative speed of a plurality of objects with the aid of an FMCW radar, transmitted signals being reflected by objects, and the reflected signals being received and mixed with the transmitted signals. A combination of distance and relative speed values is assigned to the mixer output frequencies of each frequency ramp for each object, and the distance and relative speed of a possible object are determined from points of intersection of a plurality of distance and relative speed combinations. The apparent (unreal) objects are eliminated by modifying the frequency slope of at least one frequency ramp according to the random principle in a subsequent measurement cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2006Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Klaus Lehre, Oliver Wackerl, Joerg Hillsebecher, Joachim Hauk, Martin Reiche, Martin Randler, Ruediger Jordan
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Publication number: 20090212993Abstract: A collision detection apparatus incorporated in a vehicle has: a radar that detects an object; and a controller that determines whether there is a possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object based on a result of detection by the radar. A detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 20° to 60° with respect to a straightforward running direction of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Jun TSUNEKAWA, Tomoya Kawasaki
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Patent number: 7579980Abstract: The present invention comprises systems and methods for preventing collisions between aircraft and ground vehicles. In one embodiment, a system includes a proximity detection unit and a transducer proximate to a selected structural portion of an aircraft, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the transducer and to receive reflected signals through the transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the structural portion. The system further includes an alarm device coupled to the proximity detection unit that is responsive to a signal generated by the proximity detection unit. In another embodiment, a method includes determining a distance between the ground service vehicle and a selected structural portion of the aircraft when the vehicle is positioned in a ranging area about the aircraft. The method further includes generating a proximity alarm based upon the distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David M. Anderson, Aydin Akdeniz, David L. Banks, William J. Renton, Robert L. Avery
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Patent number: 7580785Abstract: In a vehicle dynamics control apparatus capable of balancing a vehicle dynamics stability control system and a lane deviation prevention control system, a cooperative control section is provided to make a cooperative control between lane deviation prevention control (LDP) and vehicle dynamics stability control (VDC). When a direction of yawing motion created by LDP control is opposite to a direction of yawing motion created by VDC control, the cooperative control section puts a higher priority on VDC control rather than LDP control. Conversely when the direction of yawing motion created by LDP control is identical to the direction of yawing motion created by VDC control, a higher one of the LDP desired yaw moment and the VDC desired yaw moment is selected as a final desired yaw moment, to prevent over-control, while keeping the effects obtained by both of VDC control and LDP control.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Genpei Naito, Satoshi Tange
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Patent number: 7573420Abstract: An RF sender/receiver front-end is disclosed comprising a terminal for receiving an oscillator signal, at least one distribution unit for distributing the oscillator signal into different signal paths, two or more mixer-arrangements for sending a transmit-signal or for receiving an receive-signal, where each mixer-arrangement comprises a mixer and an amplifier for amplifying the oscillator signal and generating the transmit-signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Hans Peter Forstner, Rudolf Lachner
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Patent number: 7570198Abstract: The present invention relates to an obstacle recognition system and an obstacle recognition method. A radar detects existence of an object around a vehicle, an image taking part such as a camera takes an image of the object around the vehicle, a determination threshold is set at a low value when it is determined based on image information of the photographic image that a possibility of presence of an obstacle is high, the determination threshold is set at a high value when it is determined that the possibility of the presence of the obstacle is low, and these determination threshold values are used to detect the obstacle to travel of the vehicle on the basis of the output from the radar.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Setsuo Tokoro
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Patent number: 7538714Abstract: In a radar system installed in a vehicle, a first measuring unit measures a first physical relationship between the vehicle and a first object based on a received first echo signal A second measuring unit measures a second physical relationship between the vehicle and a second object based on a received second echo signal. A failure detector detects whether a failure occurs in each of the first and second measuring units. When it is detected that a failure occurs in one of the first and second measuring units, an alternative control unit causes the other of the first and second measuring units to serve as an alternative to the one of the first and second measuring units to thereby measure a corresponding one of the first and second physical relationships.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Fumiyoshi Nishijima
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Patent number: 7525475Abstract: A driving assistance method is provided for a vehicle in which the speed of the vehicle is controlled by means of a longitudinal guidance control system and the lateral guidance of the vehicle is controlled by means of a lateral guidance control system, and wherein lateral guidance control, which includes yaw-rate control and/or lateral acceleration limitation, has priority over speed control. To reduce the danger of an unstable handling condition of the vehicle, and to assist the vehicle operator in driving the vehicle, the longitudinal guidance control system is activated during lateral guidance control and, after lateral guidance control has ended, the longitudinal guidance control system is turned off or is shifted to an operating condition that accelerates the vehicle with longitudinal acceleration below a predetermined index longitudinal acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Wabco GmbHInventors: Ruppert Kamping, Hartmut Kitterer, Frank Zielke
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Patent number: 7504987Abstract: In an obstacle detecting control device installed in a vehicle body and includes a millimeter-wave radar detecting an obstacle in front of the vehicle and an operation control portion controlling a bake device and seatbelt pre-tensioner according to detection results of the obstacle by the radar, there are provided a detection frequency determining portion determining that a detection frequency of obstacle by the radar within a specified period of time exceeds a first frequency, an excessive frequency determining portion determining that a frequency of the above determination by the detection frequency determining portion exceeds a second frequency, and an indication portion and a warning buzzer to warn a passenger of a change of radar axis of the radar when the above determination by the excessive frequency determining portion is made.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takuji Oka, Hiroshi Ohmura, Sei Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7498971Abstract: An in-vehicle radar device includes: phase storing means 12 that prestores the phase of a received wave incoming secondarily from outside a target; received wave importing means 13 that imports the received wave on the basis of a radio wave reception timing determined by a transmission timing of the radio wave; phase detecting means 14 that determines the phase of the received wave imported by the received wave importing means; phase correction amount extracting means 15 that compares the phase prestored by the phase storing means 12 with the phase detected by the phase detecting means 14 and extracts and stores a phase correction amount of each of element antennas; and phase correcting means 16 that corrects the phase of a received signal of each of the element antennas on the basis of the phase correction amount obtained by the phase correction amount extracting means.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Toshikazu Takagi
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Patent number: 7474253Abstract: A radar transceiver of an on-vehicle radar transmits and receives a radar wave. Objects ahead of a vehicle having the on-vehicle radar are sensed based on the reflected radar wave reflected from the objects. A target vehicle to be monitored is extracted from the sensed objects based on the reflected radar wave. Also, a blind spot object, which is present in a blind spot of the target vehicle is extracted from the sensed objects based on the reflected radar wave.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Kazuma Natsume
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Patent number: 7468791Abstract: An object recognition device for a vehicle includes a size determining means, an existence condition determining means, and an adverse condition determining means. The size determining means determines that the recognized objects are large when a size of the objects is larger than a given determination value. The existence condition determining means determines whether at least a given number of the objects are determined to be large by the size determining means. The adverse condition determining means identifies an adverse condition related to recognizing the objects when at least the given number of the objects are determined to be large by the existence condition determining means.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yoshie Samukawa, Tsutomu Natsume, Keiko Okuda
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Patent number: 7424357Abstract: A lane departure prevention apparatus is configured for reducing risk of a vehicle while preventing lane departure. The lane departure prevention apparatus basically comprises a lane departure tendency determining section, a running condition determining section and a braking force control section. The lane departure tendency determining section determines a lane departure tendency of the host vehicle from a driving lane. The running condition determining section determines a running condition of the host vehicle. The braking force control section controls a braking force to selectively produce at least one of a yaw moment on the host vehicle in accordance with the lane departure tendency of the host vehicle to avoid departure of the host vehicle from the driving lane, and a deceleration on the host vehicle in accordance with the running condition of the host vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Ozaki, On Sadano, Takashi Sugano, Yoshitaka Uemura
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Patent number: 7420502Abstract: An assembly for receiving and transmitting millimeter (mm) waves, including at least one mm wave reflector (84, 86, 88) and at least one mm transmission wave feed (72) configured in a transmission feed location (34) within the at least one mm wave reflector. The assembly also includes a plurality of receiving mm wave feeds (72) configured in respective receiving feed locations (36) within the at least one mm wave reflector; and a radio frequency (RF) module (38). The RF module is coupled to the at least one mm transmission wave feed and to the plurality of the receiving mm wave feeds, so as to drive the at least one mm transmission wave feed to transmit outgoing mm waves and to simultaneously receive incoming mm waves from all of the plurality of the receiving mm wave feeds.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Inventors: Claudio Hartzstein, Aharon Levy, Daniel Adar, Hanan Anderman, Gil Shapira, Ehud Fishler, Ilan Bitton, Amir Shmuel
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Patent number: 7418345Abstract: A method and device serves to reduce damage caused by an accident, in which a vehicle driver is unable to bring the vehicle that has had an accident into a safe position. A system intervenes in an appropriate manner into the motional behavior of the vehicle, influencing the latter in such a way that the vehicle can be brought into a safe position without the cooperation of the driver (autonomously).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHGInventors: Jürgen Diebold, Michael Klug
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Patent number: 7411542Abstract: A predictive collision radar system in a vehicle incorporates a first antenna and a guard antenna, the associated radiation patterns of which overlap with one another, but the radiation pattern of the guard antenna is broader than that of the first antenna. A comparison of signals from the first and guard antennas provides for rejecting targets that are not likely a threat to the vehicle. In one embodiment the first antenna is a multi-beam antenna with an electromagnetic lens, for example, either dielectric or planar, and a signal from a forward looking element thereof is compared with the signal from the guard antenna aligned therewith. In another embodiment, an electromagnetic lens is adapted to cooperate with the guard antenna so as to provide for forming the associated radiation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. O'Boyle
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Publication number: 20080169965Abstract: Driver assistance system of a land or water vehicle that encompasses a long-range radar apparatus for the detection of distant objects and at least one short-range detection apparatus for the detection of objects in the vehicle's close proximity. The system further includes an operation control apparatus for control of operation at least of the long-range radar apparatus depending on a motion state of the land or water vehicle. The operation control apparatus is configured to deactivate the long-range radar apparatus at least at standstill of the land or water vehicle or switch it to an essentially powerless standby mode, while keeping the short-range detection apparatus activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventor: Dipl.Ing Jurgen Minichshofer
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Patent number: 7336219Abstract: A method for generating a radar detection threshold includes computing a first plurality of percentile values associated with frequency domain values of frequency domain signals. The first plurality of percentile values is used to generate detection threshold values. Apparatus for generating a radar detection threshold includes a first percentile processor adapted to compute a first plurality of percentile values associated with frequency domain values of frequency domain signals. A threshold processor is adapted to use the plurality of percentile values to generate detection threshold values.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Valeo Raytheon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen P. Lohmeier, Wilson J. Wimmer
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Patent number: 7324039Abstract: Automotive vehicle including a radar transceiver each including a heterodyne active IMPATT multiplier module arranged to receive a signal from a VCO, a first balance mixer arranged to receive a signal from a VCO, a second balance mixer arranged to receive a signal from a receive antenna and the IMPATT multiplier module and derive a first intermediate frequency signal, a first amplifier for amplifying the output of the second balance mixer and providing the amplifier output to the first balance mixer, and a second amplifier for amplifying the output of the first balance mixer. The vehicle also includes a processor which receives output from the second amplifier of each transceiver and generates a control signal for controlling one or more vehicular components based on the output from the second amplifier(s). The components can be part of a collision avoidance system, blind spot monitoring system and the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.Inventors: Nikolai S. Boltovets, Vladimir V. Basanets, Aleksander V. Zorenko, Sergei B. Maltsev, Anatoliy F. Odnolko, Vasilii I. Rudyk, Dmitrii V. Sobolev, Serguei D. Shevchuk, Alexander S. Markov, Iryna A. Maltseva, Andrei V. Pavlyuchenko, Vladimir P. Rukin, Sergei V. Makovenko, David S. Breed
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Patent number: 7295147Abstract: A sensor system on motor vehicles for locating objects in front of the vehicle, wherein at least two sensors, each having a locating depth of at least 50 m, are arranged in such a way on both sides of longitudinal center axis of the vehicle that their locating angular ranges together cover the entire vehicle width as of a first distance d1, and overlap each other as of a second distance d2.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Juergen Boecker, Goetz Braeuchle
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Patent number: 7289059Abstract: A method and a device for course prediction in motor vehicles, which have a position-finding system for objects situated in front of the vehicle, where a function describing the path of the roadway is calculated on the basis of measured distance and angular data, in that several fixed targets are identified and tracked and supplied (subjected) to a statistical evaluation, a plausibility criterion being that at least one parameter of the functions, which describe these roadway paths, has a significant frequency maximum at the value which corresponds to the real roadway path. At the beginning of the evaluation, the frequency distribution for all parameters is set to a predefined frequency value, and the frequency values of the parameters are reduced or increased by a predefined numerical value as a function of the position of fixed targets or vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Alexander Maass