Method and system for implementing ultrasonic sensor signal strength calibrations
First Claim
1. An electronic controller system of a vehicle having at least one data processing device coupled between an ultrasonic sensor, a signaling apparatus configured for outputting outside air temperature information and a signaling apparatus configured for outputting powertrain operating information, comprising:
- instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a first instance of a signal strength calibration, the first instance of the signal strength calibration is based on a first instance of outside air temperature information and a first instance of powertrain operating information and the signal strength calibration enables information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least a baseline level of object detecting performance;
instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for maintaining at least the baseline level of object detecting performance from the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor; and
instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a second instance of the signal strength calibration in response to determining the vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration, the second instance of the signal strength calibration is based on at least one of a second instance of the outside air temperature information and a second instance of the powertrain operating information and the second instance of the signal strength calibration enables the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least the baseline level of object detecting performance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Temperature compensation for ultrasonic sensors can have a significant error that is highly undesirable because temperature of ultrasonic sensors and the temperature of the medium through which they sense objects affect signal strength calibrations (e.g., echo thresholds) applied when detecting an object. In order to increase the detection capabilities and reported distance of an object, ultrasonic sensors need to adjust their detection criteria and distance calculations as the temperature of air surrounding a vehicle (i.e., outside air temperature) changes and also as the temperature of the sensor changes. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide for a simple, effective and consistent approach for determining a temperature upon which such detection criteria and distance calculation adjustments can be based.
17 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An electronic controller system of a vehicle having at least one data processing device coupled between an ultrasonic sensor, a signaling apparatus configured for outputting outside air temperature information and a signaling apparatus configured for outputting powertrain operating information, comprising:
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instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a first instance of a signal strength calibration, the first instance of the signal strength calibration is based on a first instance of outside air temperature information and a first instance of powertrain operating information and the signal strength calibration enables information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least a baseline level of object detecting performance; instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for maintaining at least the baseline level of object detecting performance from the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor; and instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a second instance of the signal strength calibration in response to determining the vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration, the second instance of the signal strength calibration is based on at least one of a second instance of the outside air temperature information and a second instance of the powertrain operating information and the second instance of the signal strength calibration enables the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least the baseline level of object detecting performance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for processing a signal provided from an ultrasonic sensor of a vehicle to a signal processing unit of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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providing the signal processing unit with a first instance of a signal strength calibration, the first instance of the signal strength calibration is based on a first instance of outside air temperature information and a first instance of powertrain operating information and the signal strength calibration enables information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least a baseline level of object detecting performance; determining a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for maintaining at least the baseline level of object detecting performance from the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor; and providing the signal processing unit with a second instance of the signal strength calibration in response to determining the vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration, the second instance of the signal strength calibration is based on at least one of a second instance of the outside air temperature information and a second instance of the powertrain operating information and the second instance of the signal strength calibration enables the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least the baseline level of object detecting performance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle, comprising:
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an ultrasonic sensor; a first signaling apparatus configured for outputting outside air temperature information;
aa second signaling apparatus configured for outputting powertrain operating information; and a signal processing unit coupled between the ultrasonic sensor, the first signaling apparatus and the second signaling apparatus, the signal processing unit includes at least one data processing device a set of instructions configured for causing the at least one data processing device to carry out operations for; determining a first instance of a signal strength calibration, the first instance of the signal strength calibration is based on a first instance of outside air temperature information and a first instance of powertrain operating information and the signal strength calibration enables information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least a baseline level of object detecting performance; determining a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for maintaining at least the baseline level of object detecting performance from the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor; and determining a second instance of the signal strength calibration in response to determining the vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration, the second instance of the signal strength calibration is based on at least one of a second instance of the outside air temperature information and a second instance of the powertrain operating information and the second instance of the signal strength calibration enables the information outputted from the ultrasonic sensor to provide at least the baseline level of object detecting performance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification