System and method of avoiding collisions

Abstract

A collision avoidance system including a control module, a first transmitting device connected to the control module, wherein the first transmitting device transmits a signal, a first receiving device connected to the control module, wherein the first receiving device receives a return of the signal transmitted from the first transmitting device and transmits a first return signal representative of the return to the control device, a second transmitting device connected to the control module, wherein the second transmitting device transmits a signal, and a second receiving device connected to the control module device, wherein the second receiving device receives a return of the signal transmitted from the second transmitting device and transmits a second return signal representative of the return to the control device, wherein the control module includes measurement circuitry used to measure the first and second return signals and display means for displaying a transverse location of an object as a function of said first and second return signals.

1 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of sensors configured to provide a plurality of signals based on energy reflected by an object;    a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to generate data corresponding to a transverse location of the object based on an algorithm; and    an operator interface device coupled to the controller and configured to render human perceivable information based on the data.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to execute a data fusion algorithm.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to execute a deepest hole algorithm.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to execute an automatic ranging algorithm.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to generate tracking data.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to execute a triangulation algorithm.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  further including a vehicle and wherein the plurality of sensors are disposed about a surface of the vehicle.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the motor vehicle includes at least one of an automobile, a truck, a bus, a recreational vehicle and an off-road vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of sensors are responsive to reflected energy originating from within a 360 degree view of the vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the operator interface is disposed within a cab of the vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of sensors by a wireless link.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the wireless link includes a radio frequency link.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the processor includes a radio frequency transceiver modem.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the operator interface and processor are disposed in a first housing and at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is disposed in a second housing.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the first housing is coupled to a vehicle power supply.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the second housing includes a discrete battery.  
   
   
       17 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of signals based on energy reflected by an object and received at a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors disposed about a surface of a vehicle;    processing the plurality of signals to generate positional data corresponding to the object; and    rendering a human perceivable output based on the positional data.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes manipulating frequency domain data.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes executing a clutter reduction algorithm.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein executing the clutter reduction algorithm includes reducing at least one of rain clutter, snow clutter, object clutter and course clutter.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes executing a multi-object detection algorithm.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes executing a tracker algorithm.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes executing a data fusion algorithm.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes executing a deepest hole algorithm.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 17  wherein processing includes generating a range estimate.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 17  wherein rendering the human perceivable output includes generating the output as a function of a vehicle height and vehicle speed.  
   
   
       27 . A control module comprising: 
 a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, the instructions configured to generate collision avoidance data for a vehicle;    an interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate with a plurality of sensors disposed on a surface of the vehicle; and    an output port coupled to the processor, the output port configured to provide a signal for a display based on the collision avoidance data; and    further wherein the instructions are configured to determine a transverse location of an object relative to the vehicle.    
   
   
       28 . The control module of  claim 27  wherein the processor includes a track report generator.  
   
   
       29 . The control module of  claim 27  wherein the processor is configured to execute a data fusion algorithm.  
   
   
       30 . The control module of  claim 27  wherein the processor is configured to execute a built in test.