Method for monitoring a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring functionality of a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
- generating, by a sensor operatively coupled to the pedestrian detecting device, sensor signals indicative of a current operating condition of the pedestrian detecting device of the vehicle;
storing, in a memory of the vehicle as a target value, a first sensor signal that is generated by the sensor upon the vehicle being parked;
storing, in the memory of the vehicle as an actual value, a second sensor signal that is generated at a point in time after the vehicle has been parked and when the vehicle is restarted;
comparing, the actual value with the target value to determine any deviation of the actual value from the target value resulting from an impact while the vehicle has been parked; and
determining, the functionality of the pedestrian detecting device as a function of the comparison, wherein the pedestrian detecting device comprises an absorber on a bumper of the vehicle, the absorber being deformable in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, wherein deformation due to the collision is transmitted to a connecting element that actuates the sensor to generate the sensor signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for monitoring a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, wherein an absorber is provided on a bumper of the vehicle. The absorber can deform in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. The deformation is transferred to a connecting element, and the connecting element actuates a sensor that generates a sensor signal. The functionality of the pedestrian detecting device can be monitored by saving the current sensor signal as a target value every time the vehicle is parked, and saving the current sensor signal as an actual value every time the vehicle is restarted. The actual value is compared to the target value, and a deviation of the target value from the actual value is detected and/or displayed.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring functionality of a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
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generating, by a sensor operatively coupled to the pedestrian detecting device, sensor signals indicative of a current operating condition of the pedestrian detecting device of the vehicle; storing, in a memory of the vehicle as a target value, a first sensor signal that is generated by the sensor upon the vehicle being parked; storing, in the memory of the vehicle as an actual value, a second sensor signal that is generated at a point in time after the vehicle has been parked and when the vehicle is restarted; comparing, the actual value with the target value to determine any deviation of the actual value from the target value resulting from an impact while the vehicle has been parked; and determining, the functionality of the pedestrian detecting device as a function of the comparison, wherein the pedestrian detecting device comprises an absorber on a bumper of the vehicle, the absorber being deformable in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, wherein deformation due to the collision is transmitted to a connecting element that actuates the sensor to generate the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of monitoring functionality of a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
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generating, by a sensor operatively coupled to the pedestrian detecting device, sensor signals indicative of a current operating condition of the pedestrian detecting device of the vehicle; storing, in a memory of the vehicle as a target value, a first sensor signal that is generated by the sensor upon the vehicle being parked; storing, in the memory of the vehicle as an actual value, a second sensor signal that is generated at a point in time after the vehicle has been parked and when the vehicle is restarted; and determining a deviation between the actual value and the target value, resulting from an impact while the vehicle has been parked, indicates a potential change in the functionality of the pedestrian detecting device, wherein the pedestrian detecting device comprises an absorber on a bumper of the vehicle, the absorber being deformable in an event of a collision with a pedestrian, wherein deformation due to the collision is transmitted to a connecting element that actuates the sensor to generate the sensor signal.
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13. A system for monitoring functionality of a pedestrian detecting device for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a pedestrian detecting device; a sensor operatively coupled to the pedestrian detecting device, wherein the sensor is configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a current operating condition of the pedestrian detecting device, wherein the sensor is configured to provide, as a target value, a first sensor signal that is generated by the sensor upon the vehicle being parked, and wherein the sensor is further configured to provide, as an actual value, a second sensor signal that is generated at a point in time after the vehicle has been parked and when the vehicle is restarted, and wherein a deviation between the actual value and the target value, resulting from an impact while the vehicle has been parked, indicates to a potential change in the functionality of the pedestrian detecting device.
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Specification