Vehicle mounted system for detecting objects

• US 7,275,431 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Zimmermann, Uwe, Pruksch, Achim
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers; David A.
• Application Number:
  US10/538,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20060137483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 738/661, 734/88, 735/10, 735/11, 342/29, 342/69, 342/70, 342/73, 342/74, 342/81, 342/126
• US Class Current: 73/510
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9325 for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles

Abstract

A method for object detection using vehicle-mounted sensors is provided, the sensing ranges of which sensors overlap at least partially. In this context, signals of at least two sensors having sensing ranges with essentially identical coverage, and additional signals of at least one additional sensor having a sensing range which only partially overlaps with the sensing ranges of the at least two sensors, are evaluated. An object is identified as relevant when it is detected by at least three of the sensors.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted system for detecting an object, comprising:

a first sensor and a second sensor positioned at one longitudinal end of a vehicle, the first sensor and the second sensor being in essentially a single plane; and

a third sensor positioned at the one longitudinal end of the vehicle, the third sensor having a sensing angle that is smaller than sensing angles of the first sensor and the second sensor;

wherein a detected object is determined as being relevant if the detected object is detected by at least the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor,

wherein a sensing range of the first sensor and the second sensor are substantially coincident,

wherein the sensing angles of the first sensor and the second sensor are between +/−

50 degrees and +/−

60 degrees,

wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable so as to be adapted to the width of a road lane, and

wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by a control signal derived from sensing signals of the first, second and third sensors.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by one of a manual switch command and an automatic device.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by a control signal of a navigation system.

4. A vehicle-mounted system for detecting an object, comprising:

a first sensor and a second sensor positioned at one longitudinal end of a vehicle, the first sensor and the second sensor being in essentially a single plane; and

a third sensor positioned at the one longitudinal end of the vehicle, the third sensor having a sensing angle that is smaller than sensing angles of the first sensor and the second sensor;

wherein a detected object is determined as being relevant if the detected object is detected by at least the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor,

wherein a sensing range of the first sensor and the second sensor are substantially coincident,

wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is configured to be changeable, and

wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by a control signal derived from sensing signals of the first, second and third sensors.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changed so as to be adapted to the width of a road lane.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by one of a manual switch command and an automatic device.

7. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the sensing angle of the third sensor is changeable by a control signal of a navigation system.