Patent US6772057B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6772057B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicular monitoring systems using image processing
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
•
Filing: 2002-11-22
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Granted: 2004-08-03
•
Expires: 2022-11-22
Abstract
Abstract Vehicular monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment of the vehicle including at least one active pixel camera for obtaining images of the environment of the vehicle and a processor coupled to the active pixel camera(s) for determining at least one characteristic of an object in the environment based on the images obtained by the active pixel camera(s). The active pixel camera can be arranged in a headliner, roof or ceiling of the vehicle to obtain images of an interior environment of the vehicle, in an A-pillar or B-pillar of the vehicle to obtain images of an interior environment of the vehicle, or in a roof, ceiling, B-pillar or C-pillar of the vehicle to obtain images of an interior environment of the vehicle behind a front seat of the vehicle. The determined characteristic can be used to enable optimal control of a reactive component, system or subsystem coupled to the processor. When the reactive component is an airbag assembly including at least one airbag, the processor can be designed to control at least one deployment parameter of the airbag(s).
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
- 👤 Wilbur E. DuVall
- 👤 Wendell C. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0022; B60N2/0023; B60N2/0024; B60N2/0025; B60N2/0026; B60N2/0027; B60N2/0028; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/02246; B60N2/0244; B60N2/0268; B60N2/0272; B60N2/0273; B60N2/0276; B60N2/24; B60N2/26; B60N2/28; B60N2/2803; B60N2/2806; B60N2/2857; B60N2/2863; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q1/143; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01516; B60R21/0152; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01534; B60R21/01536; B60R21/01538; B60R21/0154; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60R25/25; B60R25/255; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/87; G01S15/88; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/50; G06V20/59; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; B60N2/0035; B60N2/266; B60N2/267; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/10; B60N2210/16; B60N2210/22; B60N2210/24; B60N2210/26; B60N2210/40; B60N2210/42; B60N2230/00; B60N2230/30; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/40; B60Q2300/41; B60Q2300/42; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/20; B60R2022/208; B60R21/0134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 96
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: at least one receiver arranged to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: at least one receiver arranged to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said at least one receiver comprises a pair of receivers spaced apart from one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said at least one receiver is arranged to receive infrared waves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle whereby said at least one receiver is arranged to receive waves transmitted by said transmitter and reflected by any exterior objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said at least one receiver is a CCD array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 9 , wherein said measurement means comprise a radar or laser radar system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply the pattern recognition algorithm to provide the identification of the exterior object, deployment of said airbag being controlled based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the airbag is an externally deployed airbag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the classification of the exterior object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the location of the exterior object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: at least one CCD array positioned to obtain images of the environment exterior of the vehicle; and a processor coupled to said at least one CCD array and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: at least one CCD array positioned to obtain images of the environment exterior of the vehicle; and a processor coupled to said at least one CCD array and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said pattern recognition means are structured and arranged to apply a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and images from said at least one CCD array of the possible exterior objects.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said at least one CCD array comprises a pair of CCD arrays spaced apart from one another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting infrared waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said pattern recognition means comprise a neural computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said pattern recognition means comprise a neural network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 23 , wherein said measurement means comprise a radar or laser radar system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to process the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide the identification of the exterior object, deployment of said airbag being controlled based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement of claim 25 , wherein the airbag is an externally deployed airbag.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the classification of the exterior object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 16 , wherein said processor is arranged to provide the location of the exterior object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a rear view mirror of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify or identify the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification or identification of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification or identification of the exterior object.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a rear view mirror of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify or identify the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification or identification of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification or identification of the exterior object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , wherein said processor comprises trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide the classification or identification of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , wherein said at least one receiver comprises a pair of receivers spaced apart from one another.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , wherein said at least one receiver is arranged to receive infrared waves.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle whereby said at least one receiver is arranged to receive waves transmitted by said transmitter and reflected by any exterior objects.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle of claim 31 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle of claim 31 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , wherein said at least one receiver is a CCD array.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 30 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle of claim 38 , wherein said measurement means comprise a radar or laser radar system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of receivers arranged apart from one another and to receive waves from different parts of the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said receivers and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers and thereby provide the classification identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of receivers arranged apart from one another and to receive waves from different parts of the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said receivers and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers and thereby provide the classification identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
62 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein said processor comprises trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein said receivers are arranged to receive infrared waves.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle whereby said receivers are arranged to receive waves transmitted by said transmitter and reflected by any exterior objects.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 41 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural computer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 41 , wherein said trained pattern recognition means comprise a neural network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein said receivers are CCD arrays.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 48 , wherein said measurement means comprise a radar or laser radar system.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
49 words
The arrangement of claim 40 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said processor being arranged to identify the exterior object to provide an identification of the exterior object, said output means being arranged to control deployment of said airbag based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement of claim 50 , wherein the airbag is an externally deployed airbag.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
The monitoring arrangement of claim 40 , wherein said processor is arranged to classify or identify the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers and thereby provide the classification or identification of the exterior object.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a B-pillar of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of and on the side of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a B-pillar of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of and on the side of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged in a door window trim panel of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged in a door window trim panel of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
142 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a rear view mirror of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to at least one of classify, identify and locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide at least one of the classification, identification and location of the exterior object; and a display viewable by the driver; said display being coupled to and controlled by said processor to cause the display the presence and at least one of the classification, identification and location of the exterior object on said display.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
142 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged on a rear view mirror of the vehicle to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and arranged to at least one of classify, identify and locate the exterior object based on the signal and thereby provide at least one of the classification, identification and location of the exterior object; and a display viewable by the driver; said display being coupled to and controlled by said processor to cause the display the presence and at least one of the classification, identification and location of the exterior object on said display.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
158 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
158 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one receiver arranged to receive waves from the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said at least one receiver and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and patterns of received waves from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein said at least one receiver is arranged on a B-pillar of the vehicle to receive waves from a side of the vehicle.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein said at least one receiver is arranged in a door window trim panel.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle whereby said at least one receiver is arranged to receive waves transmitted by said transmitter and reflected by any exterior objects.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein said at least one receiver is arranged to receive waves from a blind spot of the vehicle.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein said at least one receiver is mounted on a rear view mirror or in a rear window.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein said at least one receiver is mounted in a C-pillar of the vehicle.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle of claim 56 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply the pattern recognition algorithm to provide the identification of the exterior object, deployment of said airbag being controlled based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
155 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one CCD array positioned to obtain images of the environment exterior of the vehicle; and a processor coupled to said at least one CCD array and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and images obtained by said at least one CCD array from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
155 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: at least one CCD array positioned to obtain images of the environment exterior of the vehicle; and a processor coupled to said at least one CCD array and comprising trained pattern recognition means for processing the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide a classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said trained pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a trained pattern recognition algorithm generated from data of possible exterior objects and images obtained by said at least one CCD array from the possible exterior objects to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object; whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array is arranged on a B-pillar of the vehicle to obtain images from a side of the vehicle.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array is arranged in a door window trim panel.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array comprises a pair of CCD arrays spaced apart from one another.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting infrared waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array is arranged to obtain images from a blind spot of the vehicle.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array is mounted on a rear view mirror or in a rear window.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein said at least one CCD array is mounted in a C-pillar of the vehicle.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vehicle of claim 66 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said trained pattern recognition means being arranged to process the images obtained by said at least one CCD array to provide the identification of the exterior object, deployment of said airbag being controlled based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: a plurality of receivers arranged apart from one another and to receive waves from different parts of the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said receivers and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle including a monitoring arrangement for monitoring an environment exterior of the vehicle, the monitoring arrangement comprising: a plurality of receivers arranged apart from one another and to receive waves from different parts of the environment exterior of the vehicle which contain information on any objects in the environment and generate a signal characteristic of the received waves; and a processor coupled to said receivers and arranged to classify, identify or locate the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object, whereby a system in the vehicle is coupled to said processor such that the operation of the system is affected in response to the classification, identification or location of the exterior object.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein said processor comprises trained pattern recognition means for processing the signal to provide the classification, identification or location of the exterior object, said pattern recognition means being structured and arranged to apply a pattern recognition algorithm generated.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein said receivers are arranged on a B-pillar of the vehicle to receive waves from a side of the vehicle.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein said receivers are arranged to receive infrared waves.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein the monitoring arrangement further comprises a transmitter for transmitting waves into the environment exterior of the vehicle whereby said receivers are arranged to receive waves transmitted by said transmitter and reflected by any exterior objects.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein said receivers are arranged to receive waves from a blind spot of the vehicle.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein the another system is a display viewable by the driver and arranged to show an image or icon of the exterior object.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , further comprising measurement means for measuring a distance between the exterior object and the vehicle.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein the another system is an airbag, said processor being arranged to identify the exterior object to provide the identification of the exterior object, said output means being arranged to control deployment of said airbag based on the identification of the exterior object.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle of claim 77 , wherein said processor is arranged to classify or identify the exterior object based on the signals generated by said receivers and thereby provide the classification or identification of the exterior object.
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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) | 2007-08-03 | 2008-02-02 | 2008-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-03 | 2012-02-02 | 2012-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-03 | 2016-02-02 | 2016-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |