US6281806B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driver road hazard warning and illumination system
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2000-10-12
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Granted: 2001-08-28
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Expires: 2020-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A vision enhancement system 10 which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object 16 without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors 20 used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination 38 . A processor 24 receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal 30 to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Hugh Smith
- 👤 Samuel Edward Ebenstein
- 👤 Yelena Mordechai Rodin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/085; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; B60K35/29; B60Q1/18; G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/16; G08G1/166; G08G1/167; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/18; B60K2360/191; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/05; B60Q2300/054; B60Q2300/30; B60Q2300/32; B60Q2300/33; B60Q2300/335; B60Q2300/40; B60Q2300/42; B60Q2300/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An object detection and illumination system for a vehicle adapted to identify and illuminate an object so as to direct the attention of the driver of the vehicle to that object, said system comprising: at least one sensor for collecting information about the surroundings of said vehicle; an image processing system for receiving signals from said sensor and producing an output signal; a light source drive system for receiving said output signal from said image processing system and for producing a light source control signal; and a light source being activated and positionally directed in accordance with said control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An object detection and illumination system for a vehicle adapted to identify and illuminate an object so as to direct the attention of the driver of the vehicle to that object, said system comprising: at least one sensor for collecting information about the surroundings of said vehicle; an image processing system for receiving signals from said sensor and producing an output signal; a light source drive system for receiving said output signal from said image processing system and for producing a light source control signal; and a light source being activated and positionally directed in accordance with said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The object illumination system of claim 1 wherein said sensor is of a type selected from the group of visible light, near infrared, far infrared and radar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The object illumination system of claim 2 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The object illumination system of claim 3 wherein at least one said sensor senses brightness, said illumination system adapted to be turned off and on based on an output signal produced by said brightness sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The object illumination system of claim 1 wherein said light source is a fiber optic light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The object illumination system of claim 1 wherein said processing system receives input signals from another electronic device on-board the vehicle, said device including one from the group of navigation system, braking system and cruise control system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The object illumination system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a source of near infrared illumination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
An object detection and illumination system for a vehicle adapted to identify and illuminate an object so as to direct the attention of the driver of the vehicle to that object, said system comprising: a plurality of sensors for collecting information about the surroundings of said vehicle; an image processing system operably connected to said sensors, said image processing system adapted to receive data from said sensor, run image processing algorithms utilizing said data to identify said object, said image processing system further adapted to produce an output signal indicative of the location of said object; a light source drive system for receiving said output signal from said image processing system and for producing a light source control signal; and a light source being activated and positionally directed in accordance with said control signal so as to direct illumination upon said object, as at least one of said vehicle and said object move with respect to the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
158 words
An object detection and illumination system for a vehicle adapted to identify and illuminate an object so as to direct the attention of the driver of the vehicle to that object, said system comprising: a plurality of sensors for collecting information about the surroundings of said vehicle; an image processing system operably connected to said sensors, said image processing system adapted to receive data from said sensor, run image processing algorithms utilizing said data to identify said object, said image processing system further adapted to produce an output signal indicative of the location of said object; a light source drive system for receiving said output signal from said image processing system and for producing a light source control signal; and a light source being activated and positionally directed in accordance with said control signal so as to direct illumination upon said object, as at least one of said vehicle and said object move with respect to the other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object illumination system of claim 8 further comprising a near infrared emitter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for providing a system for identifying and controllably illuminating an object on or near the path in which a vehicle is traveling, said method comprising the steps of: providing a sensor system on-board the vehicle; coupling said sensor to an image processing system, said image processing system receiving data from said sensor and processing said data to identify said object; providing a source of illumination; and controlling said source of illumination so as to direct light produced by said source onto said object.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for providing a system for identifying and controllably illuminating an object on or near the path in which a vehicle is traveling, said method comprising the steps of: providing a sensor system on-board the vehicle; coupling said sensor to an image processing system, said image processing system receiving data from said sensor and processing said data to identify said object; providing a source of illumination; and controlling said source of illumination so as to direct light produced by said source onto said object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of providing a source of near infrared illumination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of coupling said system for identifying and controllably illuminating to at least one other on-board vehicle system including one of a navigation system, braking system and cruise control system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of providing a brightness sensor and enabling said system for identifying and controllably illuminating based upon an input from said brightness sensor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |