Signal processing method
First Claim
1. A method of processing a signal, such as an output signal of an object detection sensor, which signal comprises a plurality of amplitude values each associated with a respective value along a reference axis which is representative of a physical quantity, such as the distance of an object from an object detection sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a detection-threshold function comprising a plurality of detection-threshold values each associated with a respective value along said reference axis;
comparing the signal to the detection-threshold function;
identifying target regions of the reference axis where the signal exceeds the detection-threshold function;
in response to the identification of a target region, reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within said target region.
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Abstract
A signal processing method is particularly for use in object detection systems which allows a sensed target signal to be “held” once it has raised above a detection-threshold. The method involves reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within the target region. This method is useful for such applications as automotive radar sensors, airbag deployment systems, communication systems demodulation, security sensor systems, sanitary flushing systems and lighting systems.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of processing a signal, such as an output signal of an object detection sensor, which signal comprises a plurality of amplitude values each associated with a respective value along a reference axis which is representative of a physical quantity, such as the distance of an object from an object detection sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a detection-threshold function comprising a plurality of detection-threshold values each associated with a respective value along said reference axis;
comparing the signal to the detection-threshold function;
identifying target regions of the reference axis where the signal exceeds the detection-threshold function;
in response to the identification of a target region, reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within said target region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32)
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17. A method of processing a signal, which signal comprises a plurality of amplitude values each associated with a respective value along a reference axis which is representative of a physical quantity, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a detection-threshold function comprising a plurality of detection-threshold values each associated with a respective value along said reference axis;
comparing the signal to the detection-threshold function;
identifying a target region of the reference axis where the signal exceeds the detection-threshold function; and
in response to the identification of a target region, reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within said target region.
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18. Apparatus for processing a signal, which signal comprises a plurality of amplitude values each associated with a respective value along a reference axis which is representative of a physical quantity, the apparatus comprising:
a signal processor for receiving an output signal from an object detection sensor, comparing the signal to a detection-threshold function comprising a plurality of detection-threshold values each associated with a respective value along said reference axis, identifying target regions of the reference axis where the signal exceeds the detection-threshold function, and reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within an identified target region. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- 29. A control system for controlling the actuation of an actuator, the system comprising a signal processor for receiving an output signal from an object detection sensor, which signal comprises a plurality of amplitude values each associated with a respective value along a reference axis which is representative of a physical quantity, comparing the signal to a detection-threshold function comprising a plurality of detection-threshold values each associated with a respective value along said reference axis, identifying a target region of the reference axis where the signal exceeds the detection-threshold function, and reducing the detection-threshold values of the detection-threshold function within an identified target region, and producing an output signal in dependence on the identified target region, the control system producing an actuation signal in dependence on the output signal.
Specification