FORWARD FACING SENSING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

摘要

A forward facing sensing system includes a windshield electronics module configured to be attached at and behind a windshield of a vehicle. A radar sensor device and an image sensor are disposed in the module so as to have a sensing/viewing direction forward of the vehicle with the module attached at and behind the windshield. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the image sensor and that analyzes captured image data to detect an object present forward of the vehicle. The detected object is also sensed by a beam of the radar sensor device. The control, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of captured image data to detect the object and to sensing by the radar sensor device of the detected object, determines that a potentially hazardous condition may exist in the path of forward travel of the vehicle.

主权项

1. A forward facing sensing system for a vehicle, said forward facing sensing system comprising:
a windshield electronics module configured to be attached at and behind a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said forward facing sensing system and to be removable therefrom as a self-contained unit for service or replacement; a radar sensor device disposed in said windshield electronics module so as to have a sensing direction forward of the equipped vehicle with said windshield electronics module attached at and behind the vehicle windshield; an image sensor disposed in said windshield electronics module so as to have a viewing direction forward of the equipped vehicle with said windshield electronics module attached at and behind the vehicle windshield; wherein said image sensor comprises a pixelated image array sensor having a two dimensional array of photosensing elements; a control comprising an image processor; wherein said image processor processes image data captured by said image sensor utilizing object detection software; wherein said image processor is operable to analyze image data captured by said image sensor in order to detect an object present forward of the equipped vehicle in its direction of forward travel; wherein the detected object is also sensed by a beam of said radar sensor device; wherein said beam sweeps forward of the equipped vehicle utilizing digital beam steering; and wherein said control, responsive at least in part to algorithmic processing by said image processor of captured image data to detect the object and to sensing by said radar sensor device of the detected object, determines that a potentially hazardous condition may exist in the path of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said potentially hazardous condition comprises another vehicle in the path of forward travel of the equipped vehicle.