Ultrasonic sensor scanning apparatus and method for detecting objects by use of the scanning apparatus

• US 5,438,247 A
• Filed: 08/26/1993
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yu, Jang-Hyun, Kim, Tae-Sig
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/111,958
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 318/599, 318/685, 318/696, 73/607, 73/618, 73/619, 73/633, 73/634, 128/660.01, 128/660.09, 331/4, 331/116 R, 367/99, 367/103, 367/104, 367/910
• US Class Current: 318/696
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/521 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/355 Arcuate movement

Abstract

An ultrasonic scanning device includes an ultrasonic sensor mounted for rotation. The sensor can be automatically oriented in a predetermined reference position from a random position. During a scanning operation the sensor is rotated by incremental angles. The length of the angles is changed after a predetermined time elapse following the initiation of a scanning operation.

Claims

1. In a method for detecting objects by a rotatable ultrasonic sensor, comprising the steps of:

A) rotating said ultrasonic sensor in a first direction by incremental angles;

B) changing the length of said incremental angles after a predetermined time has elapsed following the initiation of step A, and

C) actuating said ultrasonic sensor to perform an object detection operation during steps A and B.

2. A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of:

D) reversing the direction of rotation of said ultrasonic sensor to a second direction after said ultrasonic sensor reaches a first preselected point while rotating in said first direction, rotation in said second direction being performed by incremental angles;

E) changing the length of said incremental angles of step D after a predetermined time has elapsed following the initiation of step D; and

F) actuating said ultrasonic sensor to perform an object detection operation during steps D and E.

3. A method according to claim 2 further including the step of:

G) repeating steps A-F when said ultrasonic sensor reaches a second preselected point while rotating in said second direction.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein each of steps B and E comprises shortening said length.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined time of step B equals said predetermined time of step E.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein steps A, B, D and E comprise rotating said ultrasonic sensor by a motor which receives driving pulses from a source of driving pulses, said changing of the length of incremental angles of steps B and E comprising varying a duty ratio of such pulses.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said varying of said duty ratio of pulses comprises reducing said duty ratio.