A sensor system for use in a vehicle that integrates sensor data from more
than one sensor in an effort to facilitate collision avoidance and other
types of sensor-related processing. The system include external sensors
for capturing sensor data external to the vehicle. External sensors can
include sensors of a wide variety of different sensor types, including
radar, image processing, ultrasonic, infrared, and other sensor types.
Each external sensor can be configured to focus on a particular sensor
zone external to the vehicle. Each external sensor can also be configured
to focus primarily on particular types of potential obstacles and
obstructions based on the particular characteristics of the sensor zone
and sensor type. All sensor data can be integrated in a comprehensive
manner by a threat assessment subsystem within the sensor system. The
system is not limited to sensor data from external sensors. Internal
sensors can be used to capture internal sensor data, such a vehicle
characteristics, user attributes, and other types of interior
information. Moreover, the sensor system can also include an information
sharing subsystem of exchanging information with other vehicle sensor
systems or for exchanging information with non-vehicle systems such as a
non-movable highway sensor system configured to transmit and receive
information relating to traffic, weather, construction, and other
conditions. The sensor system can potentially integrate data from all
different sources in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The system
can integrate information by assigning particular weights to particular
determinations by particular sensors.