Distance measuring device an method for testing the operation of a distance measuring system

• US 7,620,518 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schmid, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; John H
• Application Number:
  US11/883,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20080266052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 702/127, 702/149, 702/158, 702/159, 702/189, 701/35, 340/5.1, 340/435, 340/686.6, 342/27, 342/70, 342/73, 342/200
• US Class Current: 702/158
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/862 Combination of radar systems with sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/865 Combination of radar systems with lidar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2007/4975 of sensor obstruction by, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating, e.g. by reflection measurement on front-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93185 Controlling the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9319 Controlling the accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 of parts of a radar system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4039 of sensor or antenna obstruction, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52004 Means for monitoring or calibrating short-range imaging G01S7/5205

Abstract

A distance measuring device for measuring a distance of a vehicle to an obstacle and a method for testing the operation of a distance measuring system. Two measuring systems are provided, each operating according to a different measuring method. Reliable operation of the second measuring system is established when the second measuring system detects an obstacle which has already been detected by the first measuring system.

Claims

1. A distance measuring device for measuring a distance of a vehicle to an obstacle in a vehicle'"'"'s surroundings, comprising:

a first measuring system operating according to a first measuring method; and

a second measuring system operating according to a second measuring method,

wherein an operating test of the second measuring system takes place when the first measuring system detects an object in a short range, and

wherein the operating test of the second measuring system is terminated with a positive result and proper operation of the second measuring system is established when the second measuring system also detects the object in a short range.

2. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring system is a measuring system having a long range and the second measuring system is a measuring system having a short range and a wide angular coverage.

3. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring system is a distance measuring system using electromagnetic signals and the second measuring system is a distance measuring system using sound signals.

4. The distance measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic signals are radar signals and the sound signals are ultrasonic signals.

5. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the device is used for controlling an automatic start of the vehicle, an automatic start taking place only if an operating test of the second measuring system has taken place and no obstacle is detected in front of the vehicle within a predefined distance by the first or second measuring systems.

6. A method for testing an operation of a system for measuring a distance to an obstacle in surroundings of a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an obstacle in the vehicle'"'"'s surroundings by a first and a second measuring system, the first and the second measuring systems determining the distance to the obstacle using different measuring methods;

performing an operating test of the second measuring system when the first measuring system detects an object in a short range; and

terminating the operating test with a positive result and establishing proper operation of the second measuring system when the second measuring system also detects the object in a short range.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the operating test is performed when or before the vehicle starts moving.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first measuring system detects obstacles in a limited angular range in front of the vehicle via a radar measurement and the second measuring system detects obstacles within a predefined distance in a total angular range in front of the vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein a functioning of the second measuring system is established when the distance measured by the second measuring system matches the distance measured by the first measuring system.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein a measurement is performed before the vehicle starts moving.