Aperture monitoring system and method
First Claim
1. A system for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture, comprising:
- electromagnetic wave emitting means for emitting modulated electromagnetic waves and directing the modulated electromagnetic waves from at least one edge of a frame defining the aperture;
receiving means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves; and
means for measuring a phase change between the modulated electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves, whereby the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the phase change from the phase change in a situation where an obstacle is not present in the aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture in which for modulated electromagnetic waves are directed from an edge of a frame defining the aperture and electromagnetic waves reflected from an opposite edge of the frame are received at substantially the same location. The phase change between the modulated electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves is measured wherein the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the phase change from a situation where an obstacle is not present. The system and method can be used in vehicles to determine the presence of obstacles in the path of a closing window, door, trunk lid, convertible top, or sunroof.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture, comprising:
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electromagnetic wave emitting means for emitting modulated electromagnetic waves and directing the modulated electromagnetic waves from at least one edge of a frame defining the aperture;
receiving means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves; and
means for measuring a phase change between the modulated electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves, whereby the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the phase change from the phase change in a situation where an obstacle is not present in the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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15. A method for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture, comprising the steps of:
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directing illuminating electromagnetic waves toward at least a portion of a frame defining the aperture;
modulating the illuminating electromagnetic waves;
providing means for receiving electromagnetic waves reflected from the illuminated portion of the frame; and
detecting the presence of an obstacle in the aperture by measuring a phase change between the modulated electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves, whereby the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the phase change from a situation where an obstacle is not present.
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25. A system for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture, comprising:
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electromagnetic pulse emitting means for emitting an electromagnetic pulse and directing the electromagnetic pulse from at least one edge of a frame defining the aperture;
receiving means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic pulse; and
means for measuring a time of flight between the emission of the electromagnetic pulse and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic waves, whereby the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the time of flight from a reference time of flight in a situation where an obstacle is not present in the aperture.
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29. A method for detecting the presence of an object in an aperture, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a coded signal toward at least a portion of a frame defining the aperture;
providing means for receiving the coded signal reflected from the portion of the frame; and
detecting the presence of an obstacle in the aperture by measuring the time of flight between the transmission of the coded signal and the reception of the coded signal using correlation, whereby the presence of an obstacle in the aperture causes a variation in the time of flight from a situation where an obstacle is not present.
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Specification