Jay W Gowdy

US Patent:

20080304705, Dec 11, 2008

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/954513

Inventors:

Dean Arthur Pomerleau - Gibsonia PA, US
Jay W. Gowdy - Gibsonia PA, US
Matthew Troup - Gibsonia PA, US
Sanjay Nichani - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

COGNEX CORPORATION - Natick MA

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

382103, 348148, 348E07085

Abstract:

This invention provides a system and method for object detection and collision avoidance for objects and vehicles located behind the cab or front section of an elongated, and possibly tandem, vehicle. Through the use of narrow-baseline stereo vision that can be vertically oriented relative to the ground/road surface, the system and method can employ relatively inexpensive cameras, in a stereo relationship, on a low-profile mounting, to perform reliable detection with good range discrimination. The field of detection is sufficiently behind and aside the rear area to assure an adequate safety zone in most instances. Moreover, this system and method allows all equipment to be maintained on the cab of a tandem vehicle, rather than the interchangeable, and more-prone-to-damage cargo section and/or trailer. One or more cameras can be mounted on, or within, the mirror on each side, on aerodynamic fairings or other exposed locations of the vehicle. Image signals received from each camera can be conditioned before they are matched and compared for disparities viewed above the ground surface, and according to predetermined disparity criteria.