Method of operating an active obstacle warning system
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting an obstacle, comprising the steps:
- a) emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of a radiation beam with an emitting power into an environment to be monitored including an obstacle, during a measuring cycle having a prescribed time duration;
b) receiving as a reflected signal a portion of said radiation beam that is reflected from said environment including said obstacle;
c) evaluating said reflected signal to determine a presence of and a distance to said obstacle; and
d) varying, in a situation-dependent manner, said emitting power during said prescribed time duration of said measuring cycle.
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Abstract
From a prescribed starting value, the emitting power of an obstacle detection beam increases or decreases according to a prescribed function at a prescribed rate. The received signal reflected from an obstacle is compared to a prescribed threshold. Once the received reflected power rises or falls to the threshold, the emitting power is not further increased or decreased respectively, but is maintained constant. Thereby, consumed and dissipated power is reduced, unnecessary excessive power use is avoided, and the detection range of the obstacle detection beam is adapted to the prevailing situation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of detecting an obstacle, comprising the steps:
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a) emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of a radiation beam with an emitting power into an environment to be monitored including an obstacle, during a measuring cycle having a prescribed time duration; b) receiving as a reflected signal a portion of said radiation beam that is reflected from said environment including said obstacle; c) evaluating said reflected signal to determine a presence of and a distance to said obstacle; and d) varying, in a situation-dependent manner, said emitting power during said prescribed time duration of said measuring cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of detecting an obstacle, comprising the steps:
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a) emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of a radiation beam with an emitting power into an environment to be monitored including an obstacle, during a measuring cycle having a prescribed time duration; b) receiving as a reflected signal a portion of said radiation beam that is reflected from said environment including said obstacle; c) comparing a received power level of said reflected signal to a prescribed nominal threshold value; and d) during said measuring cycle, controlling said emitting power according to a previously prescribed power variation protocol, including beginning said emitting with a prescribed starting value of said emitting power at a start of said measuring cycle, controlling said emitting power according to a first power function from said start of said measuring cycle until a reception time when said reflected signal is first received, and then controlling said emitting power according to a second power function beginning at said reception time, wherein said second power function is dependent on a result of said comparing in said step c) whereby said second power function involves increasing said emitting power if said received power level is initially below said prescribed nominal threshold value and involves reducing said emitting power if said received power level is initially above said prescribed nominal threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of detecting an obstacle, comprising the steps:
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a) emitting electromagnetic radiation in the form of a radiation beam with an emitting power into an environment to be monitored including an obstacle, during a measuring cycle having a prescribed time duration; b) receiving as a reflected signal a portion of said radiation beam that is reflected from said environment including said obstacle; c) comparing a received power level of said reflected signal to a prescribed nominal threshold value; and d) varying said emitting power according to a previously prescribed power variation protocol during said measuring cycle until said step c) determines that said received power level of said reflected signal has reached said prescribed nominal threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification