The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 12, 2000
Gregory Hugh Smith, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Samuel Edward Ebenstein, Southfield, MI (US);
Yelena Mordechai Rodin, Southfield, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A vision enhancement system,which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object,without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors,used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination,. A processor,receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal,to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.