PARK ASSIST OBJECT DISTANCE MEASUREMENT CLOCK CONTROL

• US 20140313059A1
• Filed: 04/23/2013
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Shaffer, Aric David, Stempnik, Vern, Choi, Brian, Kane, Michael David
• Granted Patent: US 9,224,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle includes sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter, listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver, and sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter. The second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.

Claims

1. A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle comprising:

sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter;

listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver; and

sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter;

wherein the second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first time window that is comprised of the first burst period and the first listen period; and

sending the second transmission signal after the first time window.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining a second time window that is comprised of the second burst period and a second listen period; and

listening for a second reflection signal during the second listen period.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining inputs for a parking algorithm based on a first timing between the first transmission signal and the first listen period and whether a signal is detected during the first listen period.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining inputs for one of a front park aid and a rear park aid based on a second timing between the second transmission signal and the second listen period and whether a signal is detected during the second listen period.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the inputs are determined during the second time window.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein sending the first transmission signal further comprises sending one of an ultrasonic signal and a radar signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the time of the second signal transmission is based on one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an atomic clock.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions comprising steps to:

send a first pulse during a first burst period;

listen for a first reflected signal during a first listen period;

send a second pulse during a second burst period; and

determine a time when the second pulse is sent based on when the first pulse is sent.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising steps to:

determine a first time window that includes at least the first burst period and the first listen period;

send the second pulse after the first time window;

determine a second time window that includes at least the second burst period and a second listen period; and

listen for a second reflected signal during the second listen period.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, further comprising steps to:

determine inputs for a parking algorithm based on a first timing between the first pulse and the first listen period; and

determine inputs for one of a front park aid and a rear park aid based on a second timing between the second pulse and the second listen period.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 11, further comprising steps to determine the inputs for the parking algorithm during the second time window.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising steps to:

access a precise clock time based on one of a clock for a global positioning system (GPS) and an atomic clock; and

base a trigger for the time when the second pulse is sent on the precise clock time.

14. A host vehicle comprising:

at least two transmitters positioned thereon;

at least one receiver positioned thereon; and

a computer programmed to;

send a first burst signal during a first burst period from one of the transmitters;

listen for a first reflected signal during a first listen period;

send a second burst signal during a second burst period from another of the transmitters; and

determine a time when the second burst signal is sent based on when the first burst signal is sent.

15. The host vehicle of claim 14, wherein the computer is further programmed to:

determine a first time window that is comprised of the first burst period and the first listen period; and

sending the second burst signal after the first time window.

16. The host vehicle of claim 15, wherein the computer is further programmed to:

determine a second time window that is comprised of the second burst period and a second listen period; and

listen for a second reflection signal during the second listen period.

17. The host vehicle of claim 16, wherein the computer is further programmed to determine inputs for a parking algorithm based on a first timing between the first burst signal and the first listen period.

18. The host vehicle of claim 17, wherein the computer is further programmed to determine inputs for one of a front park aid and a rear park aid based on a second timing between the second transmission signal and the second listen period.

19. The host vehicle of claim 14, wherein the transmitters are comprised of an ultrasonic transmitter and a radar transmitter.

20. The host vehicle of claim 14, wherein the computer is further programmed to:

access a precise clock time based on one of a clock for a global positioning system (GPS) and an atomic clock; and

base a trigger for the time when the second pulse is sent on the precise clock time.