Patent ID: 7375620
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B60Q,B60T,B60W,G08G

Abstract:
1. A rear obstacle detection and avoidance system for use on a vehicle, the system comprising: a rear obstacle detector coupled to the vehicle for measuring the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle substantially to the vehicle's rear; a speed sensor for determining vehicle speed; an alert generator for notifying an occupant of the vehicle of a rear obstacle; and a processor coupled to said rear obstacle detector, said speed sensor, and said alert generator, said processor for causing the generation of (i) a first alert when the speed of the vehicle is less than a threshold speed and said distance is less than a first distance related to a first function of speed vs. distance wherein distance varies as a function of speed below the threshold speed, and (ii) a second alert when the speed of the vehicle is greater than said threshold speed and said distance is less than a second distance related to a second function of speed vs. distance.