Detection device controlled by driving speed and driving direction

• US 7,566,861 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ichiura, Shuichi, Yamada, Masato
• Primary Examiner(s): Yam; Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): BENNETT, JENNIFER D
• Application Number:
  US11/410,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060244978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 340/435, 340/436, 180/167, 180/169
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4972 Alignment of sensor

Abstract

A detection device detects an obstacle within a target region by setting the target region, setting a scan trajectory, and setting a pattern of an irradiation position of a laser beam within the target region based on a signal related to a moving state of the detection device or a moving object on which the detection device is mounted.

Claims

1. A detection device for a vehicle, for detecting an obstacle within a target region by emitting a laser beam to the target region, comprising:

a) a beam source for emitting a laser beam in pulse shape;

b) an actuator for changing an irradiation direction of the laser beam;

c) a target region setting circuit for setting the target region within which the laser beam is scanned;

d) a scan trajectory setting circuit for setting a scan trajectory;

e) an irradiation pattern setting circuit for setting an irradiation pattern of irradiation positions irradiated by the laser beam,

wherein the target region, the scan trajectory, and the irradiation pattern are determined based upon at least one of the following factors;

a speed of the vehicle, a direction of the vehicle, and a steering of the vehicle,

the irradiation pattern determines the irradiation positions of the laser beam in pulse shape on the scan trajectory; and

frequency of the irradiation positions in the target region is weighted partially high in a portion of the target region where an object is detected.