Method and apparatus for object detection and ranging
First Claim
1. A method for detecting objects and ranging used by vehicle backing system, which includes:
- presetting “
n”
number of threshold values in memory, each based on a specific distance;
sampling “
n”
times on an echoed signal;
saving “
n”
number of sampled signal values in memory;
comparing each sampled signal with the respective threshold value, if the value of the newly sampled data is greater, that means an object is present in the detection range, so distance computation can be initiated; and
the current sample value is further compared with the control data (i.e. previous sample value);
if the current sample value is not equal to the previous sample value, then the current sample data is saved to replace the previous control data;
but if two are equal or close to each other, the current sample value is only used for distance computation without updating the control data.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for object detection and ranging is disclosed. An returned signal is sequentially received by one of several sensors mounted on a host vehicle. Each one in turn initiates successive sampling to collect a series of returned signal values, which are then compared with corresponding threshold values previously saved in a memory device to determine whether any object is in the way of the vehicle backing up and also to estimate the relative distance from the object. The control circuit in accordance with the invention includes a processor, which together with a channel selector establishes a sequence of signal transmission and reception each time by one of several sensors. A sampled signal is first passed through an A/D converter to become digital, and then it is input to the processor for object detection and ranging computation.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for detecting objects and ranging used by vehicle backing system, which includes:
-
presetting “
n”
number of threshold values in memory, each based on a specific distance;
sampling “
n”
times on an echoed signal;
saving “
n”
number of sampled signal values in memory;
comparing each sampled signal with the respective threshold value, if the value of the newly sampled data is greater, that means an object is present in the detection range, so distance computation can be initiated; and
the current sample value is further compared with the control data (i.e. previous sample value);
if the current sample value is not equal to the previous sample value, then the current sample data is saved to replace the previous control data;
but if two are equal or close to each other, the current sample value is only used for distance computation without updating the control data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for object detection and ranging used by vehicle backing system, which includes:
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a processor, which is connected to an alarm and a memory device, and is used for detecting objects and issuing a warning when there is obstruction;
a channel selector, which is controlled by the processor and is used to select the active sensor;
multiple power boosters, which are connected between the channel selector and the sensors in the sensor array for controlling the signal transmission by the above sensors; and
an A/D converter, which is connected between the channel selector and the processor, and is used to convert the received signal to a digital format for computation of relative distance;
whereby, the processor through the channel selector governs the sequence of transmission of a ranging signal by one of the sensors in accordance with a given sequence, and later the reception of echoed signals, by the same sequence, which are then converted by the A/D converter to a digital format for computation of relative distance. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification