System and method for preemptively sensing an object and selectively operating both a collision countermeasure system and a parking assistance system aboard an automotive vehicle

Abstract

A system and method for preemptively sensing an object in the potential drive path of an automotive vehicle and selectively operating both a collision countermeasure system and a parking assistance system aboard the automotive vehicle are disclosed herein. The system includes a radar sensor, ultrasonic sensors, and a data processing system mounted aboard the automotive vehicle. The data processing system is electrically connected to the radar sensor, the ultrasonic sensors, the collision countermeasure system, and the parking assistance system. The sensors are operable to cooperatively sense the position of the object in the potential drive path of the automotive vehicle and accordingly transmit sensor data to the data processing system. The data processing system is operable to receive the sensor data, selectively process the sensor data, and accordingly transmit operating instructions to the collision countermeasure system and the parking assistance system so as to selectively operate both systems.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to automotive vehicles and on-board vehicular systems. The present invention more particularly relates to automotive vehicles having collision prediction sensing systems, collision countermeasure systems, or parking assistance systems on board. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Due to large volumes of motor vehicle traffic, high rates of vehicle travel speed, complex multi-lane intersections, winding road systems, and crowded vehicle parking lots, drivers today are frequently overwhelmed as they attempt to safely navigate their automotive vehicles to and from intended destinations. To assist vehicle drivers in their daily commutes, modern automobile manufacturers are increasingly producing and selling automotive vehicles that include various collision prediction sensing systems, collision countermeasure systems, and / or parking assistance systems on board. [0003] Collision countermeasure systems included in modern...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Also in a preferred methodology, the method includes the sub-step of operating the data processing system to receive dynamics data of the automotive vehicle and therefrom determine the average speed of the automotive vehicle. In the same methodology, the method also includes the sub-step of operating the data processing system to determine whether the average speed of the automotive vehicle is greater than a predetermined parking assistance speed limit. When the average speed of the automotive vehicle is determined to be greater than the predetermined parking assistance speed limit, the method includes the sub-step of operating the data processing system to selectively process the radar sensor data and accordingly transmit operating instructions to the collision countermeasure system so as to operate the collision countermeasure system in a selective manner. When, on the other hand, the average speed of the automotive vehicle is determined to be less than the predetermined parking assistance speed limit, the method includes the sub-step of operating the data processing system to selectively process the radar sensor data and the ultrasonic sensor data and accordingly transmit operating instructions to the parking assistance system so as to operate the parking assistance system in a selective manner.

Problems solved by technology

Due to large volumes of motor vehicle traffic, high rates of vehicle travel speed, complex multi-lane intersections, winding road systems, and crowded vehicle parking lots, drivers today are frequently overwhelmed as they attempt to safely navigate their automotive vehicles to and from intended destinations.

Incorporating both such systems in a single automotive vehicle, however, has some consequential drawbacks.

In particular, incorporating both systems generally necessitates additional vehicle components, consumes and requires more on-board space, adds more weight to the vehicle, and results in higher manufacturing costs.

As a consequence, the cumulative time required to process all types of sensor data is typically somewhat lengthy.

Hence, the span of time extending from when an object is initially sensed to when impact therewith is accurately anticipated is also somewhat lengthy, thereby undesirably limiting the amount of time for the collision countermeasure system and / or the parking assistance system to formulate and tailor an appropriate counteracting response.

Hence, the requisite amount of data processing system hardware is often undesirably excessive and correspondingly both space-consuming and costly as well.

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