The present invention provides systems and methods for measuring the likelihood that detected stationary objects are not normally present at a sensed location. Such systems and methods may be used by other systems to which information from the present invention are communicated, for minimizing nuisance alerts in onboard object detection systems such as collision warning, collision avoidance, and/or adaptive cruise control systems. The system includes at least one vehicle mounted sensor capable of sensing at least a target object and providing data related to the target object. The system also comprises a locating device which is capable of determining and providing data related to the location of the machine or vehicle and a processing unit which receives the data from the sensor and the data from the locating device. The processing unit is configured to determine a probability estimate or measure of likelihood that the target object is not a normally present object based upon a comparison to previously recorded data from a reference storage device. The reference storage device stores the previously recorded data acquired from at least one similar sensor and a vehicle locating device while operating in the same geographic area, or stores data derived from such previously recorded data. The invention may enhance vehicle collision warning, collision avoidance and/or adaptive cruise control systems as examples.

Methods and apparatus for stationary object detection

A collision avoidance system for use in a vehicle. The system facilitates the avoidance of other vehicles and other potential hazards or obstacles. A sensor subsystem is used to capture sensor data relating to one or more areas outside the vehicle. Sensor data is sent from the sensor subsystem to a threat assessment subsystem for generating a threat assessment from the sensor data. The threat assessment is then sent to a feedback subsystem so that if appropriate, a response is generated by the system. The response can take the form of a visual, audio, and/or haptic warning. The response can also take the form of changes with respect to the vehicle itself, such as an automatic reduction in speed. The system can incorporate user-based attributes, vehicle-based attributes, and environment-based attributes in evaluating potential threats and contemplating system responses to those threats. A wide variety of different heuristics can be applied by the system. The system can be configured to minimize nuisance alarms and accommodate distinctions between users based on user preferences, user history, and other factors.

Vehicular collision avoidance system

A system for operating a train having one or more locomotive consists with each locomotive consist comprising one or more locomotives, the system including a locator element to determine a location of the train, a track characterization element to provide information about a track, a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the locomotive consist, a processor operable to receive information from the locator element, the track characterizing element, and the sensor, and an algorithm embodied within the processor having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of the locomotive consist in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.

Trip optimization system and method for a train

A rail vision system visually reads signal aspect information from each wayside signal device of a wayside signaling system. It also warn a train operator of the more restrictive signal aspects and imposes a penalty brake application should the train operator fail to acknowledge the warning. Each wayside signal device communicates from a railway operating authority information including directions as to how the train should proceed along the upcoming segment of railway track. The rail vision system includes a signal locating system and a rail navigation system. The signal locating system isolates visually the upcoming wayside signal device and reads the information therefrom as the train approaches thereto. The rail navigation system determines the position that the train occupies on the railway track and provides the signal locating system with data as to the whereabouts of the upcoming wayside signal device relative to the position of the train. This enables the signal locating system to isolate visually the upcoming wayside signal device and to provide the information read therefrom to the rail navigation system. The rail navigation system can then warn the train operator of the more restrictive signal aspects, and should the train operator fail to acknowledge the warning, impose a penalty brake application.

Rail vision system

The application of microstructures which improve the quality of light available to the viewer of an optical display system, or any display (100) which works on the concept of moving one surface into direct contact or close proximity of a light guide (201, 403, 505, 706, 806, 902, 1201, 1408, 1502) to extract light through frustrated total internal reflection. Optical microstructures are introduced on one or both of the surfaces of the active layer (202, 404, 506, 604, 704, 1501) to enhance its performance.

Optical microstructures for light extraction and control

A system for alerting a driver of a vehicle of the presence of an obstacle in a track of the vehicle, comprising a sensor mounted on the vehicle for producing at least one sensor signal representative of a predetermined field of view of the track in front of the vehicle, and an obstacle detection device coupled to the sensor for processing the at least one sensor signal produced thereby so as to detect an obstacle in the track and produce an obstacle detect signal consequent thereto. An obstacle avoidance device is mounted in the vehicle and coupled to the obstacle detection device and is responsive to the obstacle detect signal for producing an obstacle avoidance signal. According to a preferred embodiment, the track is a rail track, the vehicle is a railway engine and the sensor includes a video camera for imaging the track. The resulting image is processed so as to detect a potential obstacle on the tracks allowing the brakes to be applied either manually or automatically.

Auerbach Jacob

Papers

Obstacle detection system

System zum Erkennen von Hindernissen