CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, AND RELATED ALERT DISPLAY METHOD
A rear cross traffic alert system for a vehicle is utilized to generate and display rear cross traffic warning symbols to the driver during reverse gear maneuvers. The system includes a sensing subsystem configured to monitor for cross traffic behind the vehicle, a processor architecture, and a rear vision display element. The processor architecture is configured to receive sensor data from the sensing subsystem and, when the sensor data indicates a warning condition caused by an object detected by the sensing subsystem, generate image rendering display commands associated with a cross traffic warning symbol. The rear vision display element is configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, render the cross traffic warning symbol in a manner that visually indicates presence of the object.
1 . A method for displaying rear cross traffic alert information on a rear vision display element of a vehicle, the method comprising:
obtaining sensor data from a rear cross traffic detection system;
determining when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a detected object;
in response to the determining step, displaying a cross traffic warning symbol on the rear vision display element, the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating presence of the detected object.
2 . The method of claim 1 , the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating an approach direction of the detected object relative to the vehicle.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the displaying step displays an arrow pointing toward the driver side of the vehicle when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a driver-side detected object behind the vehicle.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the displaying step displays an arrow pointing toward the passenger side of the vehicle when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a passenger-side detected object behind the vehicle.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the displaying step displays the cross traffic warning symbol on the driver side of the rear vision display element when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a driver-side detected object behind the vehicle.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the displaying step displays the cross traffic warning symbol on the passenger side of the rear vision display element when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and a passenger-side detected object behind the vehicle.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising rendering on the rear vision display element a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle, wherein the displaying step comprises superimposing the cross traffic warning symbol on the real-time rearward image.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
processing at least the sensor data to estimate a time-to-collision between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated time; and
modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated time.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
processing at least the sensor data to estimate a distance-to-collision between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated distance; and
modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated distance.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
processing at least the sensor data to estimate a potential collision severity between the vehicle and the detected object, resulting in an estimated severity; and
modulating a visually distinguishable characteristic of the cross traffic warning symbol in accordance with the estimated severity.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating an audible alert when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and the detected object.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a haptic feedback alert when the sensor data indicates a potential cross traffic collision between the vehicle and the detected object.
13 . A rear cross traffic alert system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a sensing subsystem configured to monitor for cross traffic behind the vehicle;
a processor architecture configured to receive sensor data from the sensing subsystem and, when the sensor data indicates a warning condition caused by an object detected by the sensing subsystem, generate image rendering display commands associated with a cross traffic warning symbol; and
a rear vision display element configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, render the cross traffic warning symbol in a manner that visually indicates presence of the object.
14 . The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13 , wherein the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicates an approach direction of the object relative to the vehicle.
15 . The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13 , further comprising a rear vision camera configured to capture a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle, wherein the processor architecture is configured to generate the image rendering commands such that the image rendering commands are associated with the real-time rearward image, and wherein the rear vision display element is configured to render the cross traffic warning symbol such that it is superimposed on the real-time rearward image.
16 . The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13 , wherein the rear vision display element is integrated into a rearview mirror of the vehicle, a side mirror of the vehicle, a video game unit of the vehicle, an audio/visual entertainment unit of the vehicle, a head-up display of the vehicle, a navigation unit of the vehicle, a dashboard display unit of the vehicle, a visor of the vehicle, or a passenger cabin pillar of the vehicle.
17 . The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13 , further comprising an audio element configured to generate an audible alert when the sensor data indicates the warning condition.
18 . The rear cross traffic alert system of claim 13 , further comprising a haptic feedback element configured to generate a haptic feedback alert when the sensor data indicates the warning condition.
19 . A rear vision display element for a vehicle, the rear vision display element having rendered thereon a rear display comprising:
a real-time rearward image corresponding to a rearward view from the vehicle; and
a cross traffic warning symbol superimposed on the real-time rearward image, the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicating presence of an object behind and to the side of the vehicle.
20 . The rear vision display element of claim 19 , wherein the cross traffic warning symbol visually indicates an approach direction of the object relative to the vehicle.