Method and device for operating an ultrasonic sensor
First Claim
1. A method for operating an ultrasonic sensor arranged on a vehicle for measuring distance to an obstacle in a vicinity of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- controlling the ultrasonic sensor to transmit at least one ultrasonic signal and at least one ultrasonic control signal;
evaluating an echoed ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic sensor, the echoed ultrasonic signal being generated as a function of the at least one ultrasonic signal and the obstacle;
determining an ambient temperature;
determining the measured distance to the obstacle as a function of the evaluated echoed ultrasound signal and the ambient temperature; and
controlling a sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor as a function of predetermined reference values and at least one of(a) an amplitude of an echoed ultrasound control signal, the echoed ultrasound control signal being generated as a function of the ultrasonic control signal and a reference object located a predetermined distance from the ultrasonic sensor, the reference object being in a detecting range of the ultrasonic sensor, and(b) a relationship of an amplitude of the ultrasonic control signal and the amplitude of the echoed ultrasonic control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and a device for operating an ultrasonic sensor, in which the measuring sensitivity is monitored and the measuring result is compensated for temperature. This is accomplished by measuring the distance of a fixed marking, which is situated on the vehicle and has a known distance from the ultrasonic sensor, to extract a signal, whose amplitude is a measure of the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor. From the measured delay time and the theoretical delay time to the marking, a value is attained, which is a measure of the temperature of the ambient air. Suited as a marking is, for example, an edge of a raised license plate frame, which is mounted on a bumper bar of a motor vehicle and lies within the detecting range of the ultrasonic sensor.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for operating an ultrasonic sensor arranged on a vehicle for measuring distance to an obstacle in a vicinity of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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controlling the ultrasonic sensor to transmit at least one ultrasonic signal and at least one ultrasonic control signal; evaluating an echoed ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic sensor, the echoed ultrasonic signal being generated as a function of the at least one ultrasonic signal and the obstacle; determining an ambient temperature; determining the measured distance to the obstacle as a function of the evaluated echoed ultrasound signal and the ambient temperature; and controlling a sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor as a function of predetermined reference values and at least one of (a) an amplitude of an echoed ultrasound control signal, the echoed ultrasound control signal being generated as a function of the ultrasonic control signal and a reference object located a predetermined distance from the ultrasonic sensor, the reference object being in a detecting range of the ultrasonic sensor, and (b) a relationship of an amplitude of the ultrasonic control signal and the amplitude of the echoed ultrasonic control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11)
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8. An ultrasonic sensing device, comprising:
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an ultrasonic sensor arranged in an area of a bumper of a vehicle for transmitting at least one ultrasonic signal and at least one ultrasonic control signal; a reference object arranged on the vehicle within a detecting range of the ultrasonic sensor, an echoed ultrasonic control signal being generated as a function of the ultrasonic control signal and the reference object, an echoed ultrasonic signal being generated as a function of the ultrasonic signal and an obstacle in a vicinity of the vehicle; a controller coupled to the ultrasonic sensor, the controller having a memory device for storing a plurality of predetermined reference values for at least one of an amplitude of an echoed ultrasonic control signal, a delay time of the echoed ultrasonic control signal, and an ambient temperature, the controller determining a sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor as a function of the predetermined reference values and at least one of (a) the amplitude of the echoed ultrasound control signal, and (b) a relationship of an amplitude of the ultrasonic control signal and the amplitude of the echoed ultrasonic control signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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12. A method for operating an ultrasonic sensor arranged on a vehicle for measuring distance to an obstacle in a vicinity of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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controlling the ultrasonic sensor to transmit at least one ultrasonic signal and at least one ultrasonic control signal; evaluating an echoed ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic sensor, the echoed ultrasonic signal being generated as a function of the at least one ultrasonic signal and the obstacle; displaying the measured distance to the obstacle as a function of the evaluated echoed ultrasound signal; and controlling a sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor as a function of predetermined reference values and at least one of (a) an amplitude of an echoed ultrasound control signal, the echoed ultrasound control signal being generated as a function of the ultrasonic control signal and a reference object located a predetermined distance from the ultrasonic sensor, the reference object being in a detecting range of the ultrasonic sensor, and (b) a relationship of an amplitude of the ultrasonic control signal and the amplitude of the echoed ultrasonic control signal.
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Specification