Method and apparatus for detecting objects
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting objects within a detection field, the detection filed extending above a ground plane and from a surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- dividing the detection field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field;
illuminating the first sub-field with a first energy emission;
receiving during a first receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the first energy emission;
determining a presence of an object in the first sub-field by detecting a primary energy return or a second energy return;
illuminating the second sub-field with a second energy emission different than the first energy emission;
receiving during a second receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the second energy emission; and
determining a presence of an object in the second sub-field.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for the detection of objects that lie within the path of a motor vehicle includes ultrasonic sensors (20) fitted to either a front or rear surface (14, 18) of the motor vehicle (10). The ultrasonic sensors (20) are adapted to both emit ultrasonic energy and to detect ultrasonic energy. A detection field (32) is divided into a plurality of sub-fields (42-50) and each is illuminated using a different amount of sensing energy in order to detect objects therein.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of detecting objects within a detection field, the detection filed extending above a ground plane and from a surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the detection field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field; illuminating the first sub-field with a first energy emission; receiving during a first receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the first energy emission; determining a presence of an object in the first sub-field by detecting a primary energy return or a second energy return; illuminating the second sub-field with a second energy emission different than the first energy emission; receiving during a second receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the second energy emission; and determining a presence of an object in the second sub-field.
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2. A method of detecting objects within a detection field, the detection field extending above a ground plane and from a surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the detection field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field; illuminating the first sub-field with a first energy emission; receiving during a first receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the first energy emission; determining a presence of an object in the first sub-field by verifying the presence of the object by characterizing at least one of the first energy return and the second energy return; illuminating the second sub-field with a second energy emission different than the first energy emission; receiving during a second receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the second energy emission; and determining a presence of an object in the second sub-field by verifying the presence of the object and characterizing at least one of the first energy return and the second energy return. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for detecting objects in a path of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a transceiver adapted to illuminate a detection field adjacent the motor vehicle, the detection field being divided into at least a first sub-field and a second sub-field; a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor providing a control signal to the transceiver to emit a first energy emission into the first sub-field and to receive either a primary or a secondary energy return from the first sub-field during a predetermined first receiver window period; and the processor further providing a control signal to the transceiver to emit a second energy emission into the second sub-field and to receive an energy return from the second sub-field after a predetermined second receiver window period. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting objects within a detection field, the detection field extending above a ground plane and from a surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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illuminating a first sub-field of the detection field with a first energy emission; waiting for a first blanking period; listening for either a first energy return or a second energy return as a result of the first energy emission; determining a presence of an object in the first sub-field; illuminating a second sub-field with a second energy emission, different than the first energy emission; waiting for a second blanking period, different than the first blanking period; listening for an energy return as a result of the second energy emission; and determining a presence of an object in the second sub-field. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification