Automobile blind spot detection system and method

Abstract

A system is provided for detecting a blind spot for a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a side mirror. The side mirror is arranged on a body of the vehicle and includes a side mirror body, a mirror, and a supporting structure. The system also includes a detection system. The detection system is physically coupled with the side mirror to detect an object in a detection zone of the detection system. The detection zone covers the blind spot, and the detection system includes a detection module, an alert indicator, and a control module. The detection module includes at least one of a transmitter and a receiver, and the alert indicator is configured to send an alert light to the driver at a predetermined angle such that the alert light does not interfere with drivers of other vehicles close to the vehicle.

1 . A system detecting a blind spot for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
 a side mirror arranged on a body of the vehicle, wherein the side mirror includes a side mirror body, a mirror, and a supporting structure; and   a detection system physically coupled with the side mirror to detect an object in a detection zone of the detection system, the detection zone covering the blind spot, wherein the detection system includes:   a detection module including at least one of a transmitter and a receiver; and   an alert indicator configured to send an alert light to the driver at a predetermined angle such that the alert light does not interfere with drivers of other vehicles close to the vehicle,   wherein:   the detection system is integrated into the side mirror body at an outer side of the side mirror body and the detection module of the detection system is arranged at a first desired detection angle against a centerline of the vehicle; and   the alert indicator is placed at the outer edge of a surface of the mirror.   
     
     
         2 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the detection system is integrated into the side mirror body as a part of the side mirror through a pivot such that the first desired detection angle can be adjusted.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the detection module is configured to have second desired detection angle for transmitting detection signals such that a desired detection zone can be defined by the first desired detection angle and the second desired detection angle.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a secondary detection system placed at a different part of the vehicle and configured to transmit additional detection signals as reference signals to be used by the detection system in addition to own detection signals.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a secondary detection system placed at a different part of the vehicle and configured to receive detection signals sent by the detection system and to calculate a reference signal to be used by the detection system.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a secondary detection system placed at a different part of the vehicle and having a secondary detection zone, wherein the detection system and the secondary detection system collaborate on detecting the object in a detection zone that combines the detection zone and the secondary detection zone.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the detection module includes an ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver; and   the detection system further includes a control module configured to control operation of the detection system to perform a detection process, the detection process comprising:   transmitting one or more ultrasound pulses;   determining whether any returning ultrasound pulse from the transmitted ultrasound pulses reflected back from the object in the detection zone is received;   when the returning ultrasound pulse is received, calculating a distance from the detection system to the object based on the returning ultrasound pulse;   determining whether the distance is within a predetermined threshold; and   when the distance is within the predetermined threshold, alerting the driver using the alert indicator.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the detection system includes at least one infrared transmitter for transmitting detection signals and the infrared transmitter is positioned front-facing.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the detection signals are active signals containing a message to another vehicle for notifying the another vehicle that the vehicle is in a blind spot of the another vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the infrared transmitter is placed on the side mirror body.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the infrared transmitter is placed on the front center of the vehicle.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the infrared transmitter transmits into surrounding space infrared signals at a certain strength; and   the infrared signals are intended to be received by other vehicles in the sounding space and to notify the other vehicles that the vehicle might be blind spots of the other vehicles.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the detection system includes an infrared detector mounted on a rear-view mirror to detect whether there are infrared signals transmitted from other vehicles within a detection zone, wherein the detection zone covers the blind spot of the vehicle; and   when the infrared signals transmitted from other vehicles are detected, the detection system alerts the driver of the vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the detection signals include infrared signals, optical signals, and wireless signals.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the detection system loads digital information about the vehicle, including orientation coordinates, speed, driving direction, and vehicle identification number, onto the detection signals to be transmitted into surrounding space and to be received by other vehicles in the surrounding space.   
     
     
         21 . A system detecting a blind spot for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
 a side mirror arranged on a body of the vehicle, wherein the side mirror includes a side mirror body, a mirror, and a supporting structure; and   a detection system physically coupled with the side mirror to detect an object in a detection zone of the detection system, the detection zone covering the blind spot, wherein the detection system includes:   a detection module including at least one of a transmitter and a receiver; and   an alert indicator configured to send an alert light to the driver at a predetermined angle such that the alert light does not interfere with drivers of other vehicles close to the vehicle,   wherein the detection system is attached at an outer side of the mirror body.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the alert indicator is placed on an outer edge of the mirror and at least a portion of the control module is placed at an inner side of the side mirror body.   
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the detection system is crown-shaped;   the detection module is positioned at a lower end of the crown shape; and   the alert indicator and the control module are positioned at an inner side of an outer wall of the side mirror body.   
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the detection system is prism-shaped;   the detection module is positioned at a lower end of the prism shape; and   the control module is positioned in an inner side wall of the side mirror body.   
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the detection system is sphere-shaped;   the detection module is positioned at an lower end of the sphere shape; and   the alert indicator is positioned along a diameter direction of the sphere facing to the vehicle.