Self test for obstacle detection system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said system comprising:
- transmitter means for transmitting object detection signals;
receiver means for receiving said object detection signals as first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported, and for receiving said object detection signal as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle;
control means responsive to said receiver means receiving both said first reflected signals and said second reflected signals for generating an alarm signal; and
alarm indication means for indicating an alarm condition in response to receiving said alarm signal from said control means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An object detection system and method for detecting the presence of objects in the path of a vehicle, and in which includes a self test operation. The system includes a transmitter which transmits object detection signals and a receiver which receives reflections of the transmitted object detection signals. A controller is provided for adjusting the gain and signal threshold of the receiver so that the receiver initially is able to detect reflections from irregularities in the ground surface. Once the receiver receives a signal reflected from the ground surface, an indication is provided that the system is in a ready or operable state. Thereafter, the controller adjusts the receiver gain and signal detection threshold so that signals reflected from the ground surface are effectively ignored and only signals reflected from significant objects in the path of the vehicle are detected. An alarm signal is generated in response to the receiver receiving signals reflected from the object. The system may continuously repeat the cycle of alternating between a self test mode and a object detection mode, or intermittently alternate between the self test mode and object detection mode.
57 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said system comprising:
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transmitter means for transmitting object detection signals; receiver means for receiving said object detection signals as first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported, and for receiving said object detection signal as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle; control means responsive to said receiver means receiving both said first reflected signals and said second reflected signals for generating an alarm signal; and alarm indication means for indicating an alarm condition in response to receiving said alarm signal from said control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for detecting objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting object detection signals from a transmitter; receiving said object detection signals as first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported, and receiving said object detection signals as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle at a receiver; generating an alarm signal in response to receiving both said first reflected signals and said second reflected signals; and indicating an alarm condition in response to said alarm signal being generated. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for detecting the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said system comprising:
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transmitter means for transmitting object detection signals; receiver means for receiving said object detection signals as both first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported and as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle; control means responsive to the reception of said first reflected signals from said ground surface for providing a first alarm signal indicative of the operability of said system; and alarm indication means responsive to the reception of said second reflected signals from said object for providing a second alarm signal indicative of the detection of said object proximate to said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for detecting the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transmitter and receiver on said vehicle; transmitting object detection signals from said transmitter; receiving said object detection signals at said receiver as both first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported and as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle; providing a first alarm signal indicative of the operability of said transmitter and receiver in response to the reception of said first reflected signals from said ground surface; and providing a second alarm signal indicative of the detection of said object proximate to said vehicle in response to the reception of said second reflected signals from said object. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A system for detecting the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle, said system comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting object detection signals; a receiver for receiving said object detection signals as first reflected signals reflected from a ground surface on which said vehicle is supported, and for receiving said object detection signal as second reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of said movable vehicle; a control circuit operable for varying the detection threshold at which said receiver responds to received reflected signals, said control circuit initially setting said detection threshold to a first level so that said receiver responds to said first reflected signals reflected from said ground surface, and in response to said receiver receiving said first reflected signals adjusting said detection threshold to a second level so that said receiver responds only to said second reflected signals reflected from said object in the proximity of said vehicle, said control circuit being responsive to said receiver receiving both said first reflected signals and said second reflected signals for generating an alarm signal; and an alarm indicator for indicating an alarm condition in response to receiving said alarm signal from said control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (51)
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Specification