Ultrasonic detection and communication system for automobiles
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic detection and communication system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a rear ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted at the rear of said motor vehicle;
a front ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted at the front of said motor vehicle;
obstacle detecting circuit means for causing said rear ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic wave and for detecting echo signals received by said rear ultrasonic transducer so as to alert a vehicle occupant when said echo signals indicate that one or more obstacles is within a predetermined range;
a communication circuit including an ultrasonic receiver with an associated speaker, and an ultrasonic transmitter with an associated microphone, said transmitter and said receiver being connectable to said rear and front ultrasonic transducers; and
switching means for causing said obstacle detecting circuit means to operate only when said receiver and said transmitter are unused.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic detection circuit for detecting obstacles behind a backing motor vehicle, and an ultrasonic communication circuit are automatically switched such that the ultrasonic detection circuit is operable only when the communication circuit is not in use. Furthermore, the ultrasonic detection circuit may be operated only when the motor vehicle is in one or more particular operating conditions. The system comprises a rear ultrasonic transducer used for both the detection circuit and for the communication circuit so that detection of obstacles behind the vehicle and communication with another motor vehicle behind the vehicle are possible, and a front ultrasonic transducer used for only the communication circuit so that communication with another motor vehicle ahead of the vehicle is also possible. The rear and front transducers are directly connected to a call signal responding circuit of the communication circuit so that the call signal responding circuit is capable of responding to a call signal from a vehicle ahead of or behind the vehicle.
27 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic detection and communication system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a rear ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted at the rear of said motor vehicle; a front ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted at the front of said motor vehicle; obstacle detecting circuit means for causing said rear ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic wave and for detecting echo signals received by said rear ultrasonic transducer so as to alert a vehicle occupant when said echo signals indicate that one or more obstacles is within a predetermined range; a communication circuit including an ultrasonic receiver with an associated speaker, and an ultrasonic transmitter with an associated microphone, said transmitter and said receiver being connectable to said rear and front ultrasonic transducers; and switching means for causing said obstacle detecting circuit means to operate only when said receiver and said transmitter are unused. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification