Steered beam ultrasonic sensor for object location and classification

• US 6,549,487 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Gualtieri, Devlin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/957,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 367/99, 367/103, 701/45, 701/47, 280/735, 180/272
• US Class Current: 367/103
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/004 Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device mountings specially adapted to a particular sound-producing device, see the preceding groups G10K1/00 - G10K9/00, e.g. G10K1/26, G10K1/28, G10K9/22; arrangements of sonic watch equipment on submarines B63G8/39; buoys B63B22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/04 Acoustic filters ; Acoustic resonators
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/26 Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning

Abstract

A vehicle occupant sensor which utilizes an acoustic system for determining object range, extent, and direction. The system is composed of an ultrasonic transmitter formed from an array of air chamber resonator elements driven in relative phase to each other to produce a steered acoustic beam. Electrical excitation circuitry converts waveform data stored in memory elements to electrical signals to drive the transmitter. One or more ultrasonic receivers receives the acoustic waves reflected from objects, and a processor determines the range, extent and direction of the objects based on the received acoustic waves.

Claims

1. A detection apparatus for detecting an object within a vehicle comprising:

a compartment in the vehicle;

an acoustic wave transmitter that generates a steered acoustic signal in the compartment of the vehicle;

a receiver that receives a reflected acoustic signal generated by the reflection of the steered acoustic signal off objects located within the vehicle compartment; and

a controller coupled to the receiver, wherein the controller, using the reflected steered acoustic signal, determines at least one of range, angular extent and angular direction of the object.

2. A detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller converts waveform data stored in a memory to electrical drive signals that are supplied to the transmitter.

3. A detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller controls deployment of an air bag based on at least one of range, angular extent and angular direction of a detected object.

4. A method for detecting an object, the method comprising the steps of:

providing three or more ultrasonic acoustic wave transmitters, each producing an ultrasonic acoustical wave that has a wavelength and a phase;

positioning the three or more ultrasonic acoustic wave transmitters in a linear array spaced within one wavelength of an adjacent transmitter;

adjusting the relative phase of selected ultrasonic acoustic wave transmitters to produce a steered acoustic beam;

receiving a reflected acoustic signal generated by the reflection of the steered acoustic beam off the object; and

determining at least one of range, angular extent and angular direction of the object from the reflected steered acoustic beam.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the relative phase of selected acoustic wave transmitters is varied to produce a sweeping steered acoustic beam.

6. A method for producing a steered acoustic beam, the method comprising the steps of:

providing three or more ultrasonic acoustic wave transmitters, each producing an ultrasonic acoustical wave that has a wavelength and a phase;

positioning the three or more ultrasonic acoustic wave transmitters in a linear array spaced within one wavelength of an adjacent transmitter; and

adjusting the relative phase of selected acoustic wave transmitters to produce a steered acoustic beam.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a reflected acoustic signal generated by the reflection of the steered acoustic beam off an object; and

determining at least one of range, angular extent and angular direction of the object from the reflected steered acoustic beam.