Method and device for operating a sensor system

• US 8,193,920 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2005
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Klotz, Albrecht, Sparbert, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US11/658,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20100007476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,548 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 340/903, 342/70, 342/54, 342/55, 342/107, 342/149
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• 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 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 2013/9322 using additional data, e.g. driver condition, road state or weather data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

A method and a device for operating a sensor system are described, a processing unit being connected to at least one sensor of the sensor system via communication connections and the processing unit transmitting data, which represent the at least one sensing range and/or detection area of the sensor, and/or control data to control the mode of the sensor, to at least one of the sensors.

Claims

1. A method for operating a sensor system having a plurality of sensors, comprising:

causing a processing unit to receive first data from a first one of the sensors, the first data characterizing an object detected by the first sensor;

responsive to receiving the first data, transmitting second data to a second one of the sensors via at least one communication connection,

wherein the second data identifies at least one detection area located inside a sensing range of the second sensor, and the second sensor monitors the at least one detection area.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second data identifies an orientation of the sensing range of the sensor.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the detection areas are characterized at least by their center point.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein for each identified detection area at least one of an identification number and prioritization data is transmitted together with the second data, the at least one of an identification number and prioritization data being assigned to its respective detection area.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing unit receives information relating to the operating state of the vehicle and transmits control data to at least one sensor, the control data adapting the sensor to the operating situation of the vehicle.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the information obtained represents the expected lane marking and/or the road type.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the control data include a change of the cycle time of the sensor, an adaptation of the recognition thresholds, an adaptation of the model for roadway edge recognition, or a shutoff of partial functions.

8. A device for operating a sensor system, comprising:

a processing unit connected to a first sensor and a second sensor via respective communication connections, wherein;

the processing unit receives first data from the first sensor, the first data characterizing an object detected by the first sensor;

responsive to receiving the first data, the processing unit transmits second data to the second sensor; and

the second data identifies at least one detection area located inside a sensing range of the second sensor, and the second sensor monitors the at least one detection area.