WO2021053624A1

WO2021053624A1 - Device and method for detecting an object in the blind spot of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021053624A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/058745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodolfo Martin CANABAL CANCELA; Rafael SISTO
Original assignee: Canabal Cancela Rodolfo Martin; Sisto Rafael
Priority date: 2019-09-18
Filing date: 2020-09-18
Publication date: 2021-03-25

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle. To achieve to above, the device counts with a presence sensor that is connected to a computing unit, in this case, the computing unit received an object presences data and generates a first data alarm, then a notification device displays and send alarm messages when said first data alarm is generated. The device of the disclosure optimizes the electrical source of the system by restricting the electrical power supply between a power system and the presence sensor until a vehicle status data is received from a vehicle motion detector, said vehicle status data is obtained when the vehicle is in motion. The computing unit enables the electrical power supply between a power system and the presence sensor when the vehicle status data is received, once the computer unit enables the electrical power supply the presence sensor is on.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN OBJECT IN THE BLIND SPOT OF A

VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments described relate to the field of devices and methods for detecting and obtaining information about objects in different blind spots that surround a vehicle and warning the vehicle operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Traffic in cities and highways around the world is currently surpassing the attention capacity of drivers. While on the road, the vast majority of drivers rely on their mirrors to identify and detect other vehicles, there is still the problem that all cars, trucks, and buses have various areas that cannot be seen by looking backwards through the side mirrors. These areas are called blind spots, these blind spots make it impossible to see another vehicle, object or person. Generally, these points are very close to the vehicle the person is driving. These blind spots may increase the probability to generate an accident to either bicycles, motorcycles or vehicles which are particularly vulnerable as they are less likely to be seen in a driver’s blind spots. Studies by American road safety agencies indicate that 50,000 accidents could be avoided annually if vehicles were equipped with blind-spot detection systems.

Different technologies are been fabricated to solve the problem of the blind spot of the vehicles, for example, the technology denominated Blind Spot Alert (BSA) which is an object alert system that can be installed on a vehicle. It utilizes a proximity sensor, which identifies the distance of objects and turns on an alert signal light. Today, the proximity sensors are installed on the rear of the vehicle and the warning light in the sides/side mirrors, linked through wiring to the vehicle's central computer.

Currently, this technology is available as a factory-installed feature for high-end cars or as an optional feature. It’s used as a market differentiator and an additional safety offering. However, normally it’s not a standard feature included in the price of the car. Therefore, in 2017 only 7% of cars sold came with this feature. If the car does not have a Blind Spot Warning System, the owner can install an aftermarket solution. These aftermarket systems require complex wiring to install, a laborious and expensive process that voids any existing warranties for the vehicle, and the accessibility to these system for any kind of vehicles. Accordingly, this is still a need to develop devices that facilities the installation in any type of vehicle and optimize the use of energy power.

For example, US20190291646A1 discloses vehicular blind spot detection system for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to an object in a blind spot zone of the vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the presence of an object proximate to the vehicle in the blind spot zone. A first indicator is disposed on an outside rearview assembly and is configured to indicate that an object is in the blind spot zone of the vehicle. A controller is operably coupled with at least one of the sensors and the first indicator, wherein the controller may be activated and deactivated by a user. A second indicator is disposed proximate the first indicator and is configured to indicate that the controller has been deactivated.

Particularly, US20190291646A1 discloses a blind spot detection system comprising: a first indicator arranged in an exterior rear-view mirror assembly, the first indicator being activated when said object is in said blind spot zone of said vehicle, a controller including an interface and operatively coupled with at least one sensor and the first indicator. The controller is configured to activate and deactivate at least the sensor and the first indicator, and wherein the interface is configured to receive instructions of a user that results in the controller activating and deactivating at least the sensor and the first indicator. Finally, a second indicator configured to indicate that the controller has been deactivated and thus the sensor and the first indicator are deactivated.

Similarly, US10126422B1 discloses a vehicular blind spot sensor comprising: a housing that is adapted to be affixed to a side view mirror of a vehicle, wherein the housing includes a plurality of sensors to adaptively detect the presence of another motorist, determine relative velocity and distance of said motorist with respect to said housing. The housing includes a digital display to provide data information of the existence of said motorist, relative velocity and distance of said motorist with respect to said housing. The plurality of sensors is further defined to include a Doppler radar, a range finder, and a passive infrared motion detector

In addition, US10126422B1 discloses that the vehicular blind spot sensor has a central processing unit that would first require the detection of the motorist to occur via a passive infrared motion detector prior to initiating use of a range finder and a Doppler radar. The detection of the motorist via the passive infrared motion detectors initiate the blinking alert onto the digital display first, and then the speed and the distance are displayed second, via the Doppler radar and the range finder.

Finally, EP3599136A1 discloses a sensor device for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit for actuating a movable part, in particular a door or a side mirror, of the vehicle, and a sensor unit for monitoring at least one first activation area. The control unit being designed to actuate the movable part of the vehicle if the sensor unit detected at least one activation action of a user in the first activation area. For this purpose, the invention provides that the sensor unit is designed to detect the at least one activation action of the user with the aid of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range. The sensor unit is designed for a distance measurement, a speed measurement and / or an angle measurement within the first activation area and/or a second activation area and/or a third activation area. In this way, the sensor unit can be used to record information that can be used to control at least one assistance system of the vehicle

In addition, US10126422B1 discloses that the sensor device has at least a first operating mode, a second operating mode and/or a third operating mode. The first operating mode can advantageously be used to actuate the movable part of the vehicle, for example to control a closing device of a door and/or a drive device of a side mirror of the vehicle. A prerequisite for the first operating mode can advantageously be that the vehicle is stationary or moving at a low speed below 3 km/h. This ensures that the vehicle's doors are not opened unintentionally or the side mirrors are closed when the vehicle is driving.

Therefore, while the documents cited are documents that disclose systems or devices that detect the presence of an object on the blind spot of a vehicle, said documents do not mention a way to optimize the use of the energy power of their respective systems or devices and they do not solve the installation problems on the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, comprising: a presence sensor configured to detect the object and obtain an object presence data when the object is detected and a vehicle motion detector configured to detect movement of the vehicle, and obtain a vehicle status data when the vehicle is moving. Furthermore, the device comprises a computing unit connected to the presence sensor and the vehicle motion detector, wherein the computing unit is configured to receive the object presence data and generate an alert, a notification device connected to the computing unit, wherein the notification device displays the alert and, a power system connected to the computing unit, said power system is configured to generate an electric power supply to the computing unit.

Particularly, the computing unit is configured to enable the electric power supply between the power system and the presence sensor while said computing unit is receiving the vehicle status data.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle further comprises a casing that houses the computing unit, the presence sensor, the vehicle motion detector and the notification device. The casing can be attached in any part of the vehicle by means of attached elements.

In other aspect, the present disclosure refers to a method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, comprising: receiving in a computing unit a vehicle status data obtained by a vehicle motion detector, wherein the vehicle status data is obtained when the vehicle motion detector, detects that said vehicle is moving; enabling an electrical power supply to flow from a power system to a presence sensor when the vehicle status data is received in the computing unit, receiving in the computing unit an object presence data from the presence sensor when said presence sensor detects an object in the blind spot of the vehicle; generating in the computing unit a first alarm data when the object presence data is received; and displaying an alarm message in a notification device connected to the computing unit when the first alarm data is generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment a device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprising a presence sensor, a computing unit, a notification device, a power system and a vehicle motion detector. In FIG. 1, the dotted arrows correspond to an electrical power supply and the solid arrows represent data flow.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprising a presence sensor, a computing unit with a power switch, a notification device, power system with a power control, and a vehicle motion detector. In FIG. 2, the dotted arrows correspond to an electrical power supply and the solid arrows represent data flow. FIG. 3A shows of an embodiment of a device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprising a casing conforms by a first part and a second part, and a renewable power source. FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of the device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle of the FIG. 3A further comprising a presence sensor, a computing unit, a notification device, a power system and a vehicle motion detector.

FIG.4 shows an embodiment of a device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle disposed in a wing mirror of a vehicle.

FIGS.5A and 5B shows multiples blind spots of two vehicles and devices for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle located in each of the blind spots of the two vehicles. In the FIGS. 5 A and 5B, a detection area of each device is shown.

FIG.6 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle by means of a presence sensor that is configured to detect when an object is present. The presence sensor notifies a computer unit of the presence of an object for controlling a notification device that alerts the driver of the vehicle of the presence of the object.

For the understanding of the present disclosure, a blind spot of a vehicle is defined in different areas round the vehicle that cannot be observed by the driver in a regular driving position. If the driver would like to observe these areas, normally is necessary for the driver to physically turn and move one's head to look at those areas. Since the physical labors involved, many drivers do not complete thorough checks of their blind spots before performing a lane change or turn, which may cause dangerous conditions for both the driver and other vehicles in the blind spots.

Referring to FIG.1, in one embodiment, the device (100) for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprises a presence sensor (1) configured to detect the object and obtain an object presence data when the object is detected and an vehicle motion detector (5) configured to detect movement of the vehicle, and obtain a vehicle status data when the vehicle is moving. In addition, the devices comprises a computing unit (2) connected to the presence sensor (1) and the vehicle motion detector (5), wherein the computing unit (2) is configured to receive the object presence data and generate an alert. The device also comprises a notification device (3) connected to the computing unit (2), wherein the notification device (3) displays the alert; and a power system (4) connected to the computing unit (2), said power system (4) is configured to generate an electric power supply to the computing unit (2).

Particularly, the computing unit (2) is configured to enable the electric power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1) while said computing unit (2) is receiving the vehicle status data. This means that the computing unit enables the electric power supply to the presence sensor (1) when the vehicle motion detector (5) establishes that the vehicle is moving. When the vehicle is not moving, the computing unit (2) does not receive the vehicle status data, then the computing unit (2) restrict the electric power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1). A technical effect associated with the fact that the computing unit (2) enables the electric power supply to the presence sensor (1) only when the vehicle is in motion, is to optimize the use of the power system (4).

For the understanding of the present disclosure, data is a symbolic representation that can be numerical, alphabetic, algorithmic, logical, and/or vector that encodes information. Data can have a structure or frame composed of blocks of characters or bits that represent different types of information. Each block is made up of strings of characters, numbers, logical symbols, among others.

The computing unit (2) is a device that processes data, for example, to generate a first alarm data when the object presence data is received. The computing unit (1) can be selected from the group consisting of: microcontrollers, microprocessors, DSCs (Digital Signal Controllers), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), SoCs (Systems on Chip), PSoCs (Programmable Systems on Chip), computers, servers, tablets, cellular telephones, smart phones and computer units known to those skilled in the art, and combinations of these. The computing unit (2) may have a data acquisition module; said data acquisition module is connected to the presence sensor (1) and/or the vehicle motion detector (5). The data acquisition module process the signals that obtain the presence sensor (1) and/or the vehicle motion detector (5) and convert them into data that can be manipulated by the computing unit (2). In one embodiment, the presence sensor (1) and/or the vehicle motion detector (5) obtain the vehicle status and the data object presence data through the data acquisition module of the computing unit (2).

The computing unit (2) may have a memory unit that is a piece of hardware that can be used to store information or data and can be accessed by a computing unit, said memory unit can be selected from the group consisting of: RAM memory (cache memory, SRAM, DRAM, DDR), ROM memory (Flash, cache, HDD, SSD, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory ROM (SD (miniSD, microSD, etc), MMC ( MultiMedia Card ), Compact Flash, SMC (Smart Media Card), SDC (Secure Digital Card), MS (Memory Stick), among others)), CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, storage or any other means that can be used to store information and which can be accessed by a computer unit, among others known to those skilled in the art, and combinations of these. The memory unit has memory registers, in which instructions, data structures and software modules are stored.

The computing unit (2) can be connected to a communication module that is a piece of hardware coupled to a computing unit, processing unit, or processing module or a server, which is configured to establish communication through pairing links and communication between one or more computing units or servers to exchange data, commands and/or labels. The communication module can be selected from the group consisting of wired communication modules, wireless communication modules, and wired and wireless communication modules.

The wireless communications module uses a wireless communication technology that is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, WiFi, Radio Frequency RF ID (Radio Frequency Identification), UWB (Ultra Wide). B-and), GPRS, Konnex or KNX, DMX (Digital Multiplex), WiMax, and equivalent wireless communication technologies that are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art and combinations of the above.

The wired communications module has a wired connection port that allows communication with external devices through a communications bus, which is selected from the group consisting of I2C (from the acronym for IIC Inter-Integrated Circuit), among others. CAN (for Controller Area Network), Ethernet, SPI (for Serial Peripheral Interface), SCI (for Serial Communication Interface), QSPI (for Quad Serial Peripheral Interface), 1-Wire, D2B (Domestic Digital Bus), Profibus and others known to a person of moderate skill in the field. In one embodiment, the computing unit (2) is connected through the wireless communications module the vehicle motion detector (5) and the notification device (3) and through the wireless communications module to the presence sensor (1).

Referring to FIG. 5, the presence sensor (1) is placed in any part the vehicle with the aim to cover the area of the blind spots and is configured to obtain the object presence data when said presence sensor (1) detects the presence of an object within a detection area (18) defined by a detection angle (18A) and detection distance (18B) when the object is detected, the vehicle status data is obtained and then said vehicle status data is sent to the computing unit (2). The detection area (18) depends on the type of sensor and varies for example in the angle detection (18A) from 30° to 360° and in the distance detection (18B) from 0.5m to 45m.

The detection area of the presence sensor (1) matches with at least a portion of a blind spot of the vehicle, this to guarantee that when an object is detected correspond to an object which is actually present in the area of the blind spot of the vehicle reducing possible false alarms. The presence sensor (1) is directed to detect the presence of an object in the blind spot area and in some embodiments can be implemented by any device that is able to provide electrical signals when any object enters the area covered by the sensor. In some embodiments, such presence sensor (1) can be selected from a Radio-Frequency sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, laser Lidar technology, infrared sensor, video camera with image processing system and combinations of the above. In one embodiment, the presence sensor (1) is a Radio-Frequency sensor. The Radio-Frequency sensor is an electronic device that has a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna. Said Radio- Frequency sensor broadcast a Radio-Frequency signal with the transmitter antenna in a determinate area, and when an object is in the area, the Radio-Frequency sensor receives an echo from the object with the receiver antenna. In a particular example, the radio Radio-Frequency sensor can have a computing unit that is connected to the computing unit (2).

In one embodiment, the presences sensor (1) can also obtain a measurement data that represents the distance from the object detected and the presence sensor (1). For example, when the presences sensor (1) is a Radio-Frequency sensor with a computing unit, said computing unit generates the measurement data according to the eco that the receiver antenna receives. The measurement data is then sent to the computing unit (2).

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, multiples blind spots (17) of two vehicles (15) are shown, also in the figure are shown possible location for the device of the present disclosure and the detection area (18) of each device. It can be seen from the figure, that the detection area (18) is large enough and positioned in such a way that it covers the corresponding blind spots (17) of vehicles to guarantee precise detection of objects in the corresponding blind spots (17).

As mentioned before, the presence sensor (1) is only energized when the vehicle is moving, this means, that the device of the present disclosure comprises a vehicle motion detector (5) that is connected to the computing unit (2), wherein said vehicle motion detector detects that the vehicle is in motion and obtain a vehicle status data, that is sent to the computing unit (2).

The vehicle motion detector (5) can be disposed in the vehicle and is configured to obtain vehicle status data when said vehicle motion detector (5) detects that the vehicle accelerates. In one embodiment, the vehicle motion detector (5) is disposed of in an external element (i.e. a pole) located in the trajectory of the vehicle, in this case, the vehicle motion detector (5) comprises a wireless communication module that connects with the wireless communication module of the computing unit (2). In this embodiment, the vehicle status data is sent from the vehicle motion detector (5) to the computing unit (2) through their respective wireless communication module.

Furthermore, the vehicle motion detector (5) can be selected from an accelerometer, inertial measurement unit (IMU), a vehicle computing unit connected with vehicle’s sensors, vehicle’s sensor, video camera unit with image processing system, and combinations of the above. In a particular example, the vehicle motion detector (5) is an accelerometer.

In other embodiments, the vehicle motion detector (5) is the vehicle computing unit (e.g. OBD (On Board Diagnostics)), in this case the vehicle motion detector (5) is connected to the computing unit (2) through their respective wireless communication module. The vehicle computing unit know when the vehicle is moving by sensing the wheels, engine, transition, among others, trough vehicle’s sensor, and is configured to obtain the vehicle status data when detects that the vehicle is moving. In other embodiments, at least one vehicle sensor is connected to the computing (2) and is configured to obtain the vehicle status data when detects that the vehicle is moving

In addition, the device (100) of the present disclosure by means of the computing unit (2) generates a first alarm data when the presence object data is received, that is, the notification device (3) indicates the user’s vehicle that an object is in the blind spot of the vehicle. The notification device (3) is a piece of hardware that is coupled to a computing unit, processing unit, or processing module or a server, which is configured to perform an action that represents an alert message, when the first alarm data is received. Such action can be showing a message, emit light, vibrate, reproduce a sound, or any type of action that represents an alert messages and combination of the above.

In one embodiment, the device (100) of the present disclosure comprises more than one notification device (3), in this case, the multiple notification device (3) can be activated at the same time, when for example the first alarm is received. Also, the multiple notification devices can be active in different times, for example when the computing unit generates multiples alarms data that represent different actions, in this case, a first notification device is active when a first alarm data is received, and a second notification device is active when a second alarm data is received. In a particular example, the first data alarm is generated when an object is detected, and the second data alarm is generated when the objected detected is approaching the vehicle.

Optionally, the notification device (3) is selected from a light-emitting diode (LED), buzzer, audio system, vehicle audio system, vehicle display device, display device, mobile phone, smart watch, and combinations of the above.

The notification device (3) may comprise a computing unit with a communication module, in this case, the first data alarm is sent from the communication module of the computing unit (2) to the communication module of the notification device (3). In a particular example, the notification device (3) is a wireless communication module.

In one embodiment, the notification device (3) is a vehicle device for example, the vehicle audio system or the vehicle display device, in this case the computing unit (2) sent the first data alarm to the vehicle device that perform an action that represents an alert message, for example, reproduce an audio message or to show a video message. In other embodiment, the computing unit (2) is connected to the notification device (3) through the vehicle computing unit, in this case, the notification device (3) is a vehicle device for example, the vehicle audio system or the vehicle display device.

The power system (4) is in charge of providing electrical power supply to the elements of the device (100) of the present disclosure. Particularly, for the presences sensor (1) the electrical power supply from the power system (4) flows first to the computing unit (2), which can restrict or enable the electrical power supply to reach the presences sensor (1). In one embodiment, the power system (4) is connected to the vehicle motion detector (5), this means, that the power system (4) powered the vehicle motion detector (5).

The power system (4) is selected from alternating current sources, direct current sources, batteries, renewable power source, thermoelectric source, piezoelectric source or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the power system (4) is a battery.

In the case the power system (4) correspond to batteries, the batteries can be selected from the group of rechargeable batteries such as rechargeable lithium ion batteries (i.e. LFP batteries, NMC batteries, Li-S batteries, LiPo batteries), lead batteries advanced acid, NiMH metal hydride batteries, nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, zinc bromide batteries, sodium nickel / chlorine NaNiCl batteries, zinc air batteries, vanadium redox batteries), and non-rechargeable batteries such as zinc batteries -carbon (dry battery), zinc-chloride, alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, lithium- iron disulfide batteries, and other equivalent batteries known to a person of moderate skill in the matter and combinations of the above.

Furthermore, when the power system (4) corresponds to batteries, the rechargeable batteries can be connected to a renewable power source (8), wherein the renewable power source (8) charge the rechargeable batteries, said renewable power source (8) can be a photovoltaic panel, a wind generator, among others. In a particularly embodiment, the renewable power source (8) is a photovoltaic panel.

In an additional embodiment, when the power system (4) is rechargeable batteries, the power system (4) comprises a charging plug (11) for an external power supply to charge the rechargeable batteries when needed.

The device of the present disclosure comprises in an additional embodiment a power control (6) between the power system (4) and the computing unit (2). The power control (6) is a device that is installed in an electronic circuit in order to maintain some of the variables supplied by the power system (4).

The power control (6) can be selected form voltages regulators, current regulators, among others, and combination of the above. In a particular example, the power control (6) is a voltage regulator, one of the technical effects of having the voltage regulator is that it allows us to handle a wide range of battery models, keeping the electrical power supply of the entire device constant, avoiding failures or overheating.

In order to enable or restrict the electrical power supply from the power system (4) to the presence sensor (1), said computing unit (2) can have a power switch device that is a device that controls power flow in a circuit, when the power switch device (10) receives a control signal. In this case, the power switch device (10) is connected between the computing unit (2) and the presence sensor

(1), the power switch device (10) also is connected to the power system (4). The computing unit

(2) activates the power switch device (10) sending a control signal when the vehicle status data is received in the computing unit (2). The power switch device can be select to transistor PMOS, PMOS logic, relay, power regulator, switching controller and combination of above.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the disclosure, the device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprises the presence sensor (1), the vehicle motion detector (5), and the computing unit (2) connected to the presence sensor (1) and to the vehicle motion detector (5). The device also comprises the notification device (3) connected to the computing unit (2), the power system (4) connected to the computing unit (2) through a power control. FIG. 2 shows a power switch device (10) that is connected between the computing unit (2) and the presence sensor (1), wherein the computing unit (2) activates the power switch device (10) to enable the supply of electric power.

Following with FIG. 2, the power system (4) is connected to the vehicle motion detector (5) and the power switch device (10). FIG. 2 shows the flow of the power supply by means of dotted arrows. The power switch device enables the flow of the electrical power supply to the presence sensor (1), when a control signal is received, this control signal is sent by the computing unit (2).

The device (100) of the present disclosure may include at least one casing configured to house elements of the device that need some type of protection, such as, computing unit (2) or the presence sensor (1). In one embodiment, a casing contains the presence sensor (1), the vehicle motion detector (5) and the computing unit (2).

The form of the casing (7) can be selected from pyramids, cones, disks, cubes, prisms, spheres, octahedral, parallelepipeds, cylinders, hyperbole, hyperboloid, among others. In a particular example, the form of the casing (7) is a cube, in this case, the casing (7) has a superior surface, an inferior surface, a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface, a front surface and a back surface. In order to understand this disclosure, the front surface is consider the surface facing the vehicle; the inferior surface is the surface facing the floor.

Referring to FIG. 3A and 3B, in one embodiment, the device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle comprises the casing (7) contains the presence sensor (1), the vehicle motion detector (5) and the computing unit (2). The form of the casing (7) is a cube, and is conforms from two parts a first part (12) and second part (13), wherein in the first part (12) is the front surface and in the second part (13) is the back surface.

Furthermore, the casing (7) can contain other elements of the device of the present disclosure. Particularly, in one embodiment, the power system (4) is placed in the casing (7). In another embodiment, the notification device (3) is placed in the casing (7).

The casing (7) can contain all the elements of the device (100) of the present disclosure, for example and referring to FIG. 3B, the casing (7) contain the presence sensor (1), the vehicle motion detector (5), the power system (4) and the computing unit (2). This mean that the device (100) facilitates installation in the vehicle, and can be disposed in any part of the vehicle where it is needed. The casing (7) is design to protect the elements of the device (100) of the present disclosure from water and dust.

As mentioned before, when the power systems is rechargeable batteries, these rechargeable batteries can be connected to the renewable power source (8), in one embodiment, the renewable power source (8) is disposed in the casing (7) and connected to the batteries. In a particular example and referring to FIG. 3, the renewable power source (8) is a photovoltaic panel, and said photovoltaic panel is disposed in the casing (7) that has a cube form, specifically, in a groove that is located in the superior surface of the casing (7). One of the technical effects of the device of the present disclosure of having a photovoltaic panel in the casing (7), is that this improved the duration of the charge of the rechargeable batteries, and prevents that the rechargeable batteries need to be charged by an external power supply.

In one embodiment, the casing (7) is attached to the vehicle by means of attached elements, said attached elements can be select from double sided tape, glue, plastic attachment and combination of above. Particularly, the casing (7) is attached to the vehicle in a position where the detection area (18) of the presence sensor (1) matches a blind spot (17) of the vehicle, for example, a wing mirror of a car or the back part of a truck. In a particular example, the casing (7) is configured to be located in a wing mirror of the vehicle; in this case, the device can be attached directly to the wing mirror.

Referring to the FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the casing (7) contains the presence sensor (1), the computing unit (2), the vehicle motion detector (5) and the notification device (3) and the casing (7) is attached to the wing mirror (16) of the vehicle (15), is this position the device can detect the blind spot in the lateral part of the vehicle.

Optionally, the casing (7) comprises an auxiliary mirror (14) disposed in the casing (7), preferably and referring to the FIGS. 3 and 4, said auxiliary mirror (14) is located the front surface of the casing (7). The technical effect of having an auxiliary mirror (14) is that this permits to observe the blind spot of the vehicle after the warning light warns the driver.

The device (100) of the present disclosure comprises a radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) configured to contain the presence sensor (1) and to direct the presence sensor (1) into the blind spot of the vehicle. Particularly, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) limits the detection angle of the presence sensor (1), this means, for the understanding of the present disclosure this limited detection angles of the presence sensor (1) is named device detection angle. In a particular example, the presence sensor (1) has a detection angle (18A) of 360°, and the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) limits this detection angle to 30°, this means, that in this example, the device (100) detection angle (18A) is 30°. In addition, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) makes it possible to direct the device in any direction, in other words, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) can direct the detection angle to matches a blind spot of the vehicle (15). Using the radio- frequency absorbing cover (9) prevents possible false alarms, when the presence sensor (1) detection area is bigger than the blind spot of the vehicle.

For the understanding of the present disclosure, a radio-frequency absorbing cover is a cover or layer that is made of a microwave absorbing materials, said microwave absorbing materials are materials whose electrical and/or magnetic properties have been altered to allow absorption of microwave energy at discrete or broadband frequencies. The microwave absorbing materials can be selected foams, plastics, elastomers and combinations of the above.

In one embodiment, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) is disposed of in the interior surface or in the exterior surface of the casing (7), in this case, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) covers all the interior or exterior surface except for a portion of said interior or exterior surface, this portion represents the area that the presence sensor (1) will monitor. In a particular example, the radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) is disposed of in the interior surface.

In other embodiment, different types of radio-frequency absorbing covers (9) are disposed in the casing (7), in this case, each radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) is disposed for different purpose, for example in some areas of the casing (7) one type of radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) is disposed to completely block the signal of the presence sensor (1). In another area of the casing (7) other type of radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) is disposed to avoid signal bouncing inside the casing (7), and in another area of the casing (7) other type of radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) to direct the signal of the presences sensor (1) that senses objects in the blind spot vehicle.

Mainly, the device (100) of the present disclosure works in two modes, one mode is a low power mode and an alert state mode, the low power mode is defined when the computing unit (2) restricts the electrical power supply between the power systems (4) and presence sensor (1), and the alert state mode is when the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply between the power systems (4) and presence sensor (1).

For this, the device (100) of the present disclosure implements a method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, with which the vehicle status data are obtained to determine the mode in which the device is going to work.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, comprises the following steps: receiving in a computing unit (2) a vehicle status data obtained by a vehicle motion detector (5), wherein the vehicle status data is obtained when the vehicle motion detector (5) detects that said vehicle is moving; enabling an electrical power supply to flow from a power system (4) to a presence sensor (1) when the vehicle status data is received in the computing unit (2), receiving in the computing unit (2) an object presence data from the presence sensor (1) when said presence sensor (1) detects an object in the blind spot of the vehicle; generating in the computing unit (2) a first alarm data when the object presence data is received; and displaying an alarm message in a notification device (3) connected to the computing unit (2) when the first alarm data is generated. The method of the present disclosure optimizes the use of the power system (4), because the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply to flow from a power system (4) to a presence sensor (1) only when the vehicle is moving.

In one embodiment, when the object presence data is not obtained, the computing unit (2) restrains the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1) and a first timer that the computing unit (2) uses, is triggered. This means that the presence sensor (1) is not energized even if the vehicle is in motion, for a period of time, this optimize the electrical source of the device (100).

In the case when the object presence data is not obtained and the computing unit (2) restrains the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1), optionally the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1) when a first timer data is generated. As mentioned before, when the object presence data is not obtained the first timer is triggered, after triggered the first timer will then count up until reaches a preconfigured threshold thus generating the first timer data.

In addition, when the object presence data is not obtained, the computing unit (2) also verifies how long time has passed since the vehicle motion detector (5) last obtained the vehicle status data. In this case the computing unit (2) uses a second timer which is triggered when the computing unit (2) stop receiving the vehicle status data. After the second timer is triggered, the computing unit (2) counts up until it reaches a preconfigured threshold thus enabling the electrical power supply only if the vehicle status data is obtained; else, the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply if the vehicle status data is obtained or if the first timer data is generated. This prevents that the presence sensor (1) stay energized more time than necessary.

Furthermore, after the first data alarm is generated, the computing unit (2) generates a second alarm data if the object is approaching the vehicle and a second message alert is display in the notification device (3), the computer unit (2) determines if the object is approaching the vehicle from the object presence data. For example, the presences sensor (1) may also obtained a first measurement data that represents the distance between the object and the presence sensor (1) in a firstmoment, and then the presences sensor (1) obtained a second measurement data that represents the distance between the object and the presence sensor (1) in a second moment. The computing unit (2) determines if the object is approaching comparing the first distance data and the second distance, if the first distance that is represented in the first measurement data, is less than the second distance that is represented in the second measurement data then the computing unit (2) generates the second alarm data. In other embodiment, the computing unit (2) determines if the object is approaching the vehicle obtaining a vehicle direction data from the vehicle motion detector (5), said vehicle direction data represent the direction the vehicle is moving. Once the direction of the vehicle is obtained and if an object is in the blind spot of the vehicle, the computing unit (2) determines whether the vehicle is moving towards the object in the vehicle's blind spot, and if so, it generates the second alarm data.

In addition, when the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply to flow from the power system (4) to the notification device (3) when the first alarm is generated. In this case, the notification device (3) displays the alarm message when the electrical power supply reaches the notification device (3), for example, the notification device (3) can be LED, that emits light when is energized.

In one embodiment, the device of the present disclosure can be in the alert state mode when the vehicle status data is received in the computing unit (2) or if a third timer data is generated. This means, that the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply to flow from the power system (4) to the presence sensor (1) when a third timer data is generated. The computing unit (2) uses a timer that is triggered when the power system (4) first powered the computing unit (2). After triggered the third timer will then count up until reaches a preconfigured threshold thus generating the third timer data.

EXAMPLES

A device (100) for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle was designed to detect object in the blind spots of the vehicle, and to optimize the use of electrical resources. The specific characteristics of said device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle are the following:

For this particular example, the vehicle was a car, and the device (100) is wireless, specifically, the device (100) had a casing (7) that was attached through an attached element to a wing mirror of the car, the attached element in this case is double-sided tape.

Referring to FIGS. 3 A, 3B and 4, the casing (7) in form of a cube, housed the computing unit (2) that is a microcontroller with a power switch device (10) that is a transistor PMOS, the power system (4) that is batteries the presences sensor (1) is Radio-Frequency device, the vehicle motion detector (5) that is 3 axis sensitive acceleration sensor and the notification device (3) that is LED and a second notification device that is LED with a different light pattern. The casing (7) have a charging plug (11) connected to the batteries.

The presences sensor (1) has detection area that corresponds to a detection angle: 360° and a detection distance: 10 m. Nevertheless, the casing (7) had a radio-frequency absorber cover (9) that limits the original detection angle of the presence sensor (1), for this the device with radio- frequency cover (9) had a device detection angle: 35°.

The computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1) when received a vehicle status data from the vehicle motion detector (5), said vehicle status data was obtained for the vehicle motion detector (5) when the car moved. The vehicle motion detector (5) is configured to detect motion according to a certain sensitivity; in this case the sensitivity is 20 km/h.

The computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1), through the power switch device (10), said power switch device (10) is connected to the power system (4) and to the presence sensor (1), and restricts the electrical power supply between them until the power switch device (10) received a control signal from the computing unit (2). The power switch device (10) when received the control signal enables the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1).

Once the presences sensor (1) is energized, this obtained an object presence data when an object is within the device detection angle, and send it to the computing unit (2), the computing unit (2) received the object presence data and generate a first alarm data. In this case, when the first alarm data was generated the computing unit (2) enabled the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the notification device (3), and the LED emitted light.

To probe the device of the present disclosure and object was located in one blind spot (17) of the car when moving, in this case, the device detection angle cover this blind spot (17), and the LED displays an alert message that in this case, was the light of the LED. Later the object was removed from the blind spot (17) and the LED stopped emitting light.

In a second probe, the same conditions of the previous probe were presented but, in this case the car was not moving, as expected the LED did not emitted light. With device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle was possible to demonstrate that objects were detected in the blind spot of the car, and, that the electrical resource were optimized. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. The scope of the present embodiments described herein is not intended to be limited to the above Description, but rather is as set forth in the appended claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications to this description may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, comprising:

- a presence sensor (1) configured to detect the object and obtain an object presence data when the object is detected;

- an vehicle motion detector (5) configured to detect movement of the vehicle, and obtain a vehicle status data when the vehicle is moving;

- a computing unit (2) connected to the presence sensor (1) and the vehicle motion detector (5), wherein the computing unit (2) is configured to receive the object presence data and generate an alert;

- a notification device (3) connected to the computing unit (2), wherein the notification device (3) displays the alert; and,

- a power system (4) connected to the computing unit (2), said power system (4) is configured to generate an electric power supply to the computing unit (2); wherein the computing unit (2) is configured to enable the electric power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1) while said computing unit (2) is receiving the vehicle status data.

2. The device according to Claim 1, further comprising a casing (7) that contains the presence sensor (1), the vehicle motion detector (5) and the computing unit (2).

3. The device according to Claim 2, wherein the power system (4) is placed in the casing (7).

4. The device according to Claim 2, wherein the notification device (3) is placed in the casing (7).

5. The device according to Claim 3, wherein the casing (7) is configured to be located in a wing mirror of the vehicle.

6. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the notification device (3) is selected from a light-emitting diode (LED), buzzer, audio system, mobile phone, smart watch, and combinations of the above.

7. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the presence sensor (1) is selected from a microwave sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, laser Lidar technology, infrared sensor, video camera unit with image processing system and combinations of the above.

8. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the vehicle motion detector (5) is selected from an accelerometer, inertial measurement unit (IMU), a vehicle computing unit connected with vehicle’s sensors, vehicle’s sensor, video camera unit with image processing system, and combinations of the above.

9. The device according to Claim 1, wherein the power system (4) is selected from alternating current sources, direct current sources, batteries, renewable power source, thermoelectric source, piezoelectric source or combinations thereof.

10. The device according to Claim 3, wherein the power system (4) is batteries.

11. The device according to Claim 10, further comprising a renewable power source (8) in the casing (7) and connected to the batteries.

12. The device according to Claim 11, wherein the renewable power source (8) is a photovoltaic panel.

13. The device according to Claim 1 , further comprising a power control (6) between the power system (4) and the computing unit (2).

14. The device according to Claim 1, further comprising a power switch device (10) connected between the computing unit (2) and the presence sensor (1), wherein the computing unit (2) activate the power switch device (10) to enable the supply of electric power.

15. The device according to Claim 1, further comprises a radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) configured to contain the presence sensor (1) and to direct the presence sensor (1) into the blind spot of the vehicle.

16. The device according to Claim 1, further comprises a radio-frequency absorbing cover (9) disposed in the casing (7).

17. A method for detecting an object in a blind spot of a vehicle, comprising: receiving in a computing unit (2) a vehicle status data obtained by a vehicle motion detector (5), wherein the vehicle status data is obtained when the vehicle motion detector (5) detects that said vehicle is moving; enabling an electrical power supply to flow from a power system (4) to a presence sensor (1) when the vehicle status data is received in the computing unit (2), receiving in the computing unit (2) an object presence data from the presence sensor (1) when said presence sensor (1) detects an object in the blind spot of the vehicle; generating in the computing unit (2) a first alarm data when the object presence data is received; and displaying an alarm message in a notification device (3) connected to the computing unit (2) when the first alarm data is generated.

18. The method according to Claim 17, wherein when the obj ect presence data is not obtained, the computing unit (2) restrains the electrical power supply between the power system (4) and the presence sensor (1), and a first timer that the computing unit (2) uses, is triggered.

19. The method according to Claim 18, wherein when the vehicle status data is obtained, optionally the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply between the power system

(4) and the presence sensor ( 1 ) when a first timer data is generated, wherein after triggered the first timer will then count up until reaches a preconfigured threshold thus generating the first timer data.

20. The method according to Claim 19, wherein when the object presence data is not obtained, the computing unit (2) also verifies how long time has passed since the vehicle motion detector

(5) last obtained the vehicle status data, if the time is longer than a threshold the computing unit (2) restricts the electrical power supply only if the vehicle status data is not obtained; else, the computing unit (2) restricts the electrical power supply if the vehicle status data is not obtained or the first timer data is generated.

21. The method according to Claim 17, wherein after the data alarm is generated, the computer unit (2) generated a second alarm data if the object is approaching the vehicle and send it to the notification device (3), the computer unit (2) determines if the object is approaching the vehicle from the object presence data.

22. The method according to Claim 17, wherein the computing unit (2) enables the electrical power supply to flow from the power system (4) to the notification device (3) when the first alarm is generated.