×

Ultrasonic obstacle sensor

  • US 5,076,384 A
  • Filed: 10/15/1990
  • Issued: 12/31/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An ultrasonic obstacle sensor for an automotive vehicle comprising:

  • an ultrasonic transmitter for generating ultrasonic waves;

    an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves and generating a corresponding signal;

    an amplifier for amplifying the signal from the ultrasonic receiver by an amplification factor and generating an amplified signal;

    an averager for generating an average signal indicating the average of the amplified signal;

    a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal;

    a comparator for comparing the reference signal with the amplified signal and generating an obstacle detection signal indicating when the amplified signal exceeds the reference signal; and

    control means for varying at least one of the magnitude of the reference signal and the amplification factor of the amplifier in accordance with variations in the average signal.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×