Patent Publication Number: US-9409518-B2

Title: System and method for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field generally relates to a vehicle, and more particularly relates to a system and a method for enabling a driver of vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern vehicles are equipped with a wide array of features and systems that are designed to enhance the driver&#39;s experience as he or she operates a vehicle. Some features and systems are specifically designed to enhance the safety of the vehicle as it is being driven. One such feature is a blind spot detection system. A blind spot detection system utilizes radar (or other suitable detection means) to detect the presence of an object located in a vehicle&#39;s blind spot. A vehicle&#39;s blind spot is the region to the rear and/or lateral side of the vehicle that falls between a field of view provided by the vehicle&#39;s internal rear view mirror and a field of view provided by the vehicle&#39;s external rearview mirror. When the blind spot detection system detects the presence of an object (e.g., small vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like) in the vehicle&#39;s blind spot, the blind spot detection system is configured to alert the driver to the presence of the object through the use of either or both visible and audible alerts. To avoid driver distraction, some blind spot detection systems may provide the alert to the driver only when the driver takes action that may result in a collision with the object (activates a turn signal, changes lanes, and the like). 
     While conventional blind spot detection systems are useful in alerting a driver to the presence of objects that are not visible to the driver, there is room for improvement. For example, sometimes the alert provided by a blind spot detection system may make the driver curious about what has been detected and, in response to the alert, some drivers may turn their heads or take other action in an effort to see the object. Additionally, some objects that are detected by existing blind spot detection systems may not be of immediate concern to the driver. For example, the presence of a fence, a lane divider, parked cars, or other objects that will not interfere with operation of the vehicle may nevertheless be detected by existing blind spot detection systems, causing them to sound an alert. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that is compatible for use with existing blind spot detection systems and that enables a driver to visibly observe the object(s) that have been detected by the blind spot detection system. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot are disclosed herein. 
     In a first non-limiting embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to, a rear view viewing device that is mounted to the vehicle and that is configured to be electronically adjustable. The system further includes a sensor that is associated with the vehicle and that is configured to detect a location of an object with respect to the vehicle and to generate a first signal indicative of the location of the object. The system further includes a processor that is communicatively coupled with the sensor and operatively coupled with the rear view viewing device. The processor is configured to obtain the first signal from the sensor and to command the rear view viewing device to adjust such that the object is visibly observable to the driver when the processor receives the first signal. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to, a mirror assembly that is mounted to the vehicle and that is configured to be electronically adjustable. The system further includes a first sensor that is associated with the vehicle and that is configured to detect a location of an object with respect to the vehicle and to generate a first signal indicative of the location of the object. The system further includes a second sensor that is associated with the mirror assembly and that is configured to detect an orientation of a reflective surface of the mirror assembly and to generate a second signal indicative of the orientation of the reflective surface. The system still further includes a processor that is communicatively coupled with the first sensor and the second sensor and that is operatively coupled with the mirror assembly. The processor is configured to obtain the first signal from the first sensor, to obtain the second signal from the second sensor, to determine a field of view of the driver based on the orientation of the reflective surface, to determine whether the object falls within the field of view based on the location of the object, and to command the mirror to adjust the orientation of the reflective surface such that the object enters the field of view when the processor determines that the object falls outside of the field of view. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes detecting, with a first sensor, an orientation of a reflective surface of a mirror assembly of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting, with a second sensor, a location of an object with respect to the vehicle. The method further includes calculating, with a processor, a field of view of the driver based on the orientation of the reflective surface. The method further includes determining, with the processor, whether the object is located within the field of view based on the location of the object and the field of view. The method still further includes adjusting the orientation of the reflective surface such that the object enters the field of view when the object is located outside of the field of view. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of a system for enabling a driver of the vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot prior to adjustment of a reflective surface; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  subsequent to adjustment of the reflective surface; and 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a method for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     A system for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system includes a mirror assembly having an electronically actuatable reflective surface, a sensor that is configured to detect the presence of an object proximate the vehicle and that is further configured to determine the location of the object with respect to the vehicle, and a processor that is operatively coupled with the mirror assembly and communicatively coupled with the sensor. The sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of the location of the object with respect to the vehicle, and the processor is configured to obtain the signal from the sensor. Once the processor obtains the signal from the sensor, the processor is configured to determine whether the orientation of the reflective surface provides the driver with a field of view that permits the driver to visibly observe the object. When the processor determines that the orientation of the reflective surface does not provide the driver with a field-of-review that permits the driver to visibly observe the object, the processor is configured to transmit commands to the mirror assembly that cause the mirror assembly to adjust the reflective surface so as to reposition the field of view and thereby permit the driver of the vehicle to visibly observe the object. 
     A further understanding of the above described system and method for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot may be obtained through a review of the illustrations accompanying this application together with a review of the detailed description that follows. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a vehicle  10  equipped with an embodiment of a system  12  for enabling a driver  14  of vehicle  10  to visibly observe an object  16  located in a blind spot. In the illustrated example, vehicle  10  is a passenger sedan and object  16  is a motorcycle. It should be understood that in other embodiments, vehicle  10  may be any type of vehicle including, but not limited to, a sedan, a coupe, a full sized van, a mini-van, a pick up truck, a motorcycle, a sport utility vehicle, a bus, a full sized truck, or the like. It should further be understood that object  16  need not be a motorcycle, but rather, may be any type of moving object including, but not limited to, an automobile of any type, a bicycle, a motor bike, a pedestrian or the like. In addition, object  16  may also be any stationary object including, but not limited to, a lane divider, a landscaping/vegetation formation, a fence, a parked vehicle, a trash container, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , system  12  includes an object sensor  18 , a mirror  20 , a user input sensor  24 , an eye sensor  22 , and a processor  26 . In other embodiments, system  12  may include either additional or fewer components without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Although mirror  20  has been depicted as a drive&#39;s side outside rearview mirror in the illustrations that accompany this disclosure, it should be understood that mirror  20  may be located on the passenger side of the vehicle as well. In addition, mirror  20  may be positioned in any suitable location on or inside of vehicle  10 . Additionally, although the discussion contained herein centers around the use of a mirror assembly containing a reflective surface, it should be understood that any rear view viewing device that is effective to visually display to a driver or other occupant of a vehicle a depiction of a scene outside of the vehicle (e.g., a camera and view screen arrangement) may be used instead of or in addition to a mirror assembly without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, 
     Object sensor  18  may be any conventional blind spot detection system, as described above, that is configured to detect the presence of an object located in the blind spot of vehicle  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, object sensor  18  is configured to emit radar pulses  28  which will reflect off of an object (such as object  16 ) that is located in their path. The reflected radar pulses then return to object sensor  18 . Object sensor  18  is configured to determine the position of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10  based on the reflected radar pulses. Object sensor  18  is further configured to generate a signal  30  that includes information that is indicative of the location of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10 . Blind spot detection systems, such as object sensor  18 , are well known in the market place. An exemplary blind spot detection system is manufactured by General Motors under the trade name SBZA (Side Blind Zone Alert) and is currently available for purchase on some Cadillac and Buick vehicles. 
     Mirror  20  includes a housing  32  that is attached to a lateral side of vehicle  10 . Housing  32  supports a reflective surface  34 , an electronic actuator  36 , and an orientation sensor  38 . Housing  32  supports reflective surface  34  in a position that permits driver  14  to see reflective surface  34  and to thereby view an area (i.e., a field of view  40 ) that is located both to the side of, and to the rear of, vehicle  10 . Field of view  40  is bounded on an outboard side by outer boundary  42  and is bounded on an inboard side by inner boundary  44 . The top-down view illustrated in  FIG. 1  depicts only the lateral limitations of field of view  40 . It should be understood that reflective surface  34  is a generally planar surface that provides not only the lateral limitations depicted in  FIG. 1 , but that also provides an upper limitation and a lower limitation in the vertical direction. The area between inner boundary  44  and the lateral side of vehicle  10 , is blind spot  46 . Blind spot  46  constitutes a generally conically shaped area that is located to the side and rear of vehicle  10  that is not visible to driver  14  when driver  14  is viewing field of view  40 . 
     Electronic actuator  36  may be any conventional actuator that is attached to reflective surface  34  and that is configured to respond to electronically transmitted signals. Electronic actuator  36  is configured to move reflective surface  34  in response to receiving electronically transmitted signals. This movement, in turn, affects the orientation of reflective surface  34  with respect to driver  14 . Changes to the orientation of reflective surface  34  result in changes to the locations of outer boundary  42  and inner boundary  44  of field of view  40  (as well as changes to upper and lower limits of field of view  40  in the vertical direction). 
     Orientation sensor  38  may be any conventional sensor that is configured to assess the orientation of reflective surface  34  in three dimensional space. Orientation sensor  38  may be configured to measure the orientation of reflective surface  34  using differentials in electrical resistance or by using any other method that is effective to determine the orientation of reflective surface  34 . Orientation sensor  38  is further configured to generate a signal  48  that is indicative of the orientation of reflective surface  34 . 
     Eye sensor  22  may be any conventional sensor that is configured to detect a location of an eye  50  of driver  14  in three dimensional space. For example, in an embodiment, eye sensor may comprise a digital camera or a digital video camera, or the like. Eye sensor  22  is further configured to generate a signal  52  containing information indicative of the location of eye  50  in three dimensional space. In embodiments of system  12  that do not include eye sensor  22 , the approximate location of eye  50  of driver  14  can be determined using known techniques for estimating the location of a driver&#39;s eye. For example, some know techniques estimate the location of the driver&#39;s eye are based on the current orientation of the reflective surfaces of one or more of the mirrors of vehicle  10 . One such technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,453,226, entitled Synchronized Rear Vision System, issued to Wang, et al. and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     User input sensor  24  is any suitable sensor that is configured to detect a user originated input. In at least one embodiment, user input sensor  24  may be a sensor that is configured to detect the actuation of a turn signal. In another embodiment, user input sensor  24  may comprise a user actuatable switch. In another embodiment, user input sensor  24  may comprise a sensor that is configured to detect rotation of a steering wheel. In another embodiment, user input sensor  24  may comprise a lane departure detection system. In still other embodiments, user input sensor  24  may comprise any sensor that is configured to detect any driver-initiated change that may result in a need and/or desire on the part of driver  14  to visually observe object  16 . User input sensor  24  is further configured to generate a signal  54  that contains information that is indicative of the driver-initiated change giving rise to the need and/or desire to visually observe object  16 . 
     Processor  26  may be any type of computer, computer system, or microprocessor that is configured to perform algorithms, to execute software applications, to execute sub-routines and/or to be loaded with and to execute any other type of computer program. Processor  26  may comprise a single processor or a plurality of processors acting in concert. In some embodiments, processor  26  may be dedicated for use exclusively with system  12  while in other embodiments processor  26  may be shared with other systems onboard vehicle  10 . In still other embodiments, processor  26  may be combined with any of the other components of system  12 . 
     Processor  26  is communicatively coupled with object sensor  18 , eye sensor  22 , user input sensor  24 , and orientation sensor  38  and is operatively coupled with electronic actuator  36 . Such coupling may be achieved through the use of any suitable means of transmission including both wired and wireless connections. For example, each component may be physically connected to processor  26  via a coaxial cable or via any other type of wired connection that is effective to convey electronic signals. In the illustrated embodiment, processor  26  is directly physically coupled with each of the other components. In other embodiments, each component may be coupled with processor  26  across a bus connection while in still other embodiments, additional intervening components may be disposed between processor  26  and one or more of the other components. In still other examples, each component may be coupled wirelessly to processor  26  via any wireless connection effective to communicate signals between the various components. Examples of suitable wireless connections include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth connection, a WiFi connection, an infrared connection or the like. 
     Being coupled (either communicatively or operatively) provides a pathway for the transmission of commands, instructions, interrogations, and other signals between processor  26  and each of the other components. Through this coupling, processor  26  may communicate with and/or control each of the other components and each of the other components are configured to interface and engage with processor  26 . For example, object sensor  18  is configured to provide signal  30  to processor  26 , eye sensor  22  is configured to provide signal  52  to processor  26 , user input sensor  24  is configured to provide signal  54  to processor  26 , and orientation sensor  38  is configured to provide signal  48  to processor  26 . In other embodiments, rather than each sensor automatically sending its respective signal to processor  26 , processor  26  may be configured to interrogate and retrieve the respective signals from each sensor or processor  26  may be configured to trigger one, some, or all of the sensors to initiate a sensing event and may, upon completion of the sensing event, collect the signal from the respective sensor. Any other strategy effective to supply processor  26  with the signal generated by each sensor may also be employed without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     In an embodiment, processor  26  is configured to interact with, coordinate with, and/or orchestrate the activities of each of the other components of system  12  for the purpose of enabling driver  14  to visually observe object  16 . Processor  26  is programmed and/or otherwise configured to utilize signal  30  to ascertain the location of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10 . Processor  26  is also programmed and/or otherwise configured to utilize signal  52  and signal  48  to determine the location of outer boundary  42  and inner boundary  44 . Processor  26  is further configured to utilize signals  30 ,  48 , and  52  to determine whether object  16  falls within field of view  40 . If processor  26  determines that object  16  falls outside of field of view  40 , processor  26  is configured to determine the amount and the direction of adjustment that needs to be applied to reflective surface  34  in order to shift field of view  40  so that object  16  will be brought within field of view  40 . Processor  26  is further configured to generate an instruction that will cause electronic actuator  36  to adjust reflective surface  34  so as to shift field of view  40  to encompass object  16 . Processor  26  is further configured to utilize signal  54  to determine when to transmit that instruction to electronic actuator  36 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , object  16  falls outside of field of view  40 . In an exemplary detection event, object sensor  18  will transmit radar pulses  28  that contact object  16  and then reflect back to object sensor  18 . Object sensor  18  uses the reflected radar pulses to determine a relative location of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10  and generates and transmits signal  30  to processor  26 . Signal  30  includes information indicative of the location of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, signal  30  may also include information indicative of the size, speed, and direction of object  16 . 
     Once processor  26  receives signal  30 , processor  26  may interrogate or otherwise obtain and/or consider signal  48  (which includes information indicative of the current orientation of reflective surface  34 ) and signal  52  (which includes information indicative of the location of eye  50 ) and signal  54  (which includes information indicative of certain predetermined driver actions that could result in the driver&#39;s need to visually observe object  16 ) to determine whether object  16  is currently visible to driver  14  and to determine whether driver  14  needs to view object  16 . Under the circumstances depicted in  FIG. 1 , if driver  14  had taken one of several predetermined actions (e.g., actuates the turn signal, turns the steering wheel, etc.), then processor  26  would determine that object  16  falls outside of field of view  40  and would then transmit a command to electronic actuator  36  to adjust reflective surface  34  to shift field of view  40  so as to render object  16  visible. In other embodiments, the detection event may be triggered by the transmission of signal  54  to processor  26 , while in other embodiments, the detection event may be triggered by the receipt of signal  52  or  48  by processor  26 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of vehicle  10  subsequent to adjustment of reflective surface  34  by processor  26 . The position of object  16  with respect to vehicle  10  is unchanged, but as illustrated, the movement of reflective surface  34  has caused field of view  40  to shift towards vehicle  10  by a relatively small amount. As a result of this shift, a portion of object  16  now falls within field of view  40 . The portion of the motorcyclist&#39;s arm that has entered field of view  40  has been shaded to indicate that portion of object  16  that will be visible to driver  14 . This has been done for illustrative purposes only. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, processor  26  is configured (e.g., programmed) to adjust reflective surface  34  by only the amount that is necessary to shift field of view  40  sufficiently to cause a small portion of object  16  to enter field of view  40 . In other embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to cause any desirable amount of changing of field of view  40 . For example, in some embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to shift field of view  40  until a greater portion (e.g., 50%) of object  16  falls within field of view  40  or until all of object  16  falls within field of view  40 . In still other embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to adjust reflective surface  34  so as to shift field of view  40  by an amount that will approximately center object  16  within field of view  40 . 
     Processor  26  may be further configured to continually adjust the orientation of reflective surface  34  to accommodate a changing positional relationship between vehicle  10  and object  16 . For example, as object  16  falls further behind vehicle  10  because of a disparity between the velocity of object  16  and vehicle  10 , the distance between object  16  and inner boundary  44  will increase. Processor  26  may be configured to account for this by continually or repeatedly interrogating object sensor  18 , by continually interrogating and/or receiving signals  48  and  52 , and by continually adjusting the orientation of reflective surface  34  in an effort to track object  16 . 
     In some embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to maintain reflective surface  34  in the new position until a new detection event occurs. In other embodiments, system  12  may include a user input device that allows a driver to send a signal to processor  26  that causes reflective surface  34  to return to the orientation it had been in prior the detection event. In other embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to automatically return reflective surface  34  to the orientation that it had prior to the detection event after a predetermined period of time. In still other embodiments, processor  26  may be configured to maintain reflective surface  34  in the new orientation until object  16  is no longer detected by object sensor  18  or until object  16  falls outside of a predetermined area with respect to vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a method  56  for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot. 
     At block  58 , a first sensor is used to detect an orientation of a reflective surface of a mirror assembly, the reflective surface being electronically actuatable. The first sensor is configured to detect the orientation of the reflective surface and to generate a signal containing information indicative of the orientation of the reflective surface. 
     At block  60 , a second sensor is used to detect a location of an object in the vehicle&#39;s blind spot. Such a sensor may comprise a conventional blind spot detection system or any other system or device that is configured to detect the location of an object with respect to the vehicle and that is further configured to generate a signal containing information indicative of the location of the object with respect to the vehicle. 
     At block  62 , a third sensor is used to detect a location of an eye of the driver. Such a sensor may comprise a camera configured to utilize facial recognition software or other programming that enables the sensor to locate the eye of the driver. The sensor is further configured to generate a signal containing information indicative of the location of the eye of the driver. 
     At block  64 , a processor is used to calculate a field of view of the driver of the vehicle. This calculation is based on the orientation of the reflective surface and the location of the eye of the driver. 
     At block  66 , the processor is used to determine whether the object is located within the field of view. This determination is based on both the field of view and the location of the object. 
     At block  68 , a driver initiated actuation signal is received indicating a need on the part of the driver to see the object located in the vehicle&#39;s blind spot. Such a signal may be generated by a user input device that is actuated by the driver, a turn signal sensor that detects the actuation of the turn signal indicator by the driver, a lane departure system that detects movement of the vehicle out of a lane of travel, a steering wheel sensor that detects rotation of the steering wheel, or by any other sensor configured to detect a changed circumstance that may necessitate the driver&#39;s need to see the object. 
     At block  70 , once the driver initiated actuation signal is received by the processor, the reflective surface is adjusted by the processor to shift the field of view such that the object that is located in the blind spot comes into the field of view and is visibly detectable by the driver. 
     At block  72 , the processor restores the reflective surface to its earlier orientation (i.e., the orientation of the reflective surface prior to adjustment to bring the object into the field of view). This may occur at the request of the driver, or it may occur automatically after the lapse of a predetermined period of time. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.