Method for controlling and evaluating a sensor device shared by a plurality of applications

• US 20040113759A1
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hein, Andreas, Hoetzel, Juergen, Schlick, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,119,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• 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 2013/9322 using additional data, e.g. driver condition, road state or weather data

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling and evaluating at least one sensor device 4 jointly used by a plurality of applications, in particular occupant-assistance/occupant-protection applications in means of locomotion, having the following steps: the measuring of certain locomotion-means parameters 3 by a situation-detection device 2 for determining the situation of the means of locomotion with respect to its surroundings; the querying of the locomotion-means situation by a control device 1 connected to the situation-detection device 2; and the activation of an application corresponding to the locomotion-means situation, by the control device 1.

Claims

1. A method for controlling and evaluating at least one sensor device (4) jointly used by a plurality of applications, in particular occupant-assistance/occupant-protection applications in means of locomotion, comprising the following steps:

the measuring of particular locomotion-means parameters (3) by a situation-detection device (2) for determining the situation of the means of locomotion with respect to its surroundings;

the querying of the locomotion-means situation by a control device (1) connected to the situation-detection device (2); and

the activation of an application corresponding to the locomotion-means situation, by the control device (1).

2. The method as recited in claim 1,

wherein components (4, 5, 6) assigned to the activated application are activated by the control device (1).

3. The method as recited in one of claims 1 or 2,

wherein one assigned component takes the form of a sensor device (4).

4. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein one assigned component takes the form of a transformation device (5) and is connected to the sensor device (4).

5. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein one of the assigned components takes the form of an evaluation device (6) and is connected to the transformation device (5).

6. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the situation-detection device (2) and the components (4, 5, 6) assigned to an application are each connected to the control device (1) via a point-to-point connection or a bus system.

7. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the evaluation device (6) is coupled to the situation-detection device (2).

8. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein a display device (7) is connected to the control device (1) and the evaluation device (6).

9. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein a priority-control system for determining the next process step to be carried out is integrated into the control device (1).

10. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the sensor device (4) takes the form of an ultrasonic device, radar device, or video device.

11. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims,

wherein the applications take the form of, for example, a park-distance control system, stop-and-go assistant system, and/or pre-crash protection assistance system.

12. A device for controlling and evaluating at least one sensor device (4) jointly used by a plurality of applications, in particular occupant-assistance/occupant-protection applications in means of locomotion, comprising:

a situation-detection device (2) for measuring certain locomotion-means parameters, in order to determine the situation of the means of locomotion with respect to its surroundings; and

a control device (1), which is connectible to the situation-detection device (2) for querying the locomotion-means situation, in order to activate corresponding applications connected to the control device (1).

13. The device as recited in claim 12,

wherein components (4, 5, 6) assigned to the activated application are capable of being activated by the control device (1).

14. The device as recited in one of claims 12 or 13,

wherein at least one assigned component takes the form of a sensor device (4).

15. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 14,

wherein at least one assigned component takes the form of a transformation device (5) and is connectible to the sensor device (4).

16. The device as recited in claim 15,

wherein different transformation devices (5) access the same results of the sensor devices (4).

17. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 16,

wherein at least one of the assigned components takes the form of an evaluation device (6) and is connectible to a least one transformation device (5).

18. The device as recited in claim 17,

wherein different evaluation devices (6) for different applications access the same results of one or more transformation devices (5).

19. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 18,

wherein the situation-detection device (2) and the components (4, 5, 6) assigned to an application are each connectible to the control device (1) via, for example, a point-to-point connection or a bus system.

20. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 19,

wherein the evaluation device (6) is connectible to the situation-detection device (2).

21. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 20,

wherein a display device (7) is connectible to the control device (1) and the evaluation device (6).

22. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 21,

wherein a priority-control system for determining the next process step to be carried out may be integrated into the control device (1).

23. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 22,

wherein the sensor device (4) takes the form of an ultrasonic device, radar device, or video device.

24. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 23, wherein the applications take the form of, for example, a park-distance control system, stop-and-go assistant system, and/or pre-crash protection assistance system.

25. The device as recited in one of claims 12 through 24,

wherein the transformation device (5) and the evaluation device (6) may be integrated into the control device (1).