Distance measuring device for control

• US 7,643,927 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hils, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/996,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,868 Days
• Field of Search: 340/342, 340/425, 340/435, 340/438, 340/436, 340/539, 340/933, 340/943, 340/825, 340/870, 340/932, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.3, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/425.5, 340/903, 701/1, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/200, 701/93, 701/96, 701/301, 342/60, 342/61, 342/69, 342/70, 342/81, 342/82, 342/89, 342/118, 342/128, 342/129, 342/133, 342/146, 342/357, 342/450
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/937 sensor installation details constructional features of transducers G01S7/521 and B06B; casing of transducers, e.g. housing, cover or filler details, G10K9/22; mounting of transducers, i.e. fixture, fitting or holder details, G10K11/004

Abstract

A distance measuring device in a vehicle is used for controlling a device located outside the vehicle. The controller causes a control signal to be emitted, the control signal being emitted by distance sensors located on the vehicle.

Claims

1. A distance measuring device in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one transceiver, wherein the transceiver emits a measuring signal, the transceiver subsequently receiving the measuring signal after the measuring signal is reflected by an object, and wherein the distance measuring device is configured to measure a distance to the object based on the received measuring signal;

a controller, wherein the controller controls the transceiver such that the transceiver emits a control signal, separate from the measuring signal, for controlling a device situated outside the vehicle; and

an operating unit for inputting a control command for causing the control signal to be emitted to the device situated outside the vehicle.

2. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring signal and the control signal differ in at least one of(a) their frequencies and (b) their signal shapes.

3. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is an ultrasound transceiver.

4. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an acknowledge signal is emitted by the device situated outside the vehicle.

5. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transceiver includes a plurality of transceiver of one type on the vehicle for emitting the control signal.

6. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying an operating state of the distance measuring device.

7. The distance measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is for displaying an emission of a control signal.

8. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring device is used for activating a device situated outside the vehicle designed as a garage door drive.

9. A distance measuring device in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one transceiver, wherein the transceiver emits a measuring signal, the transceiver subsequently receiving the measuring signal after the measuring signal is reflected by an object, and wherein the distance measuring device is configured to measure a distance to the object based on the received measuring signal;

a controller, wherein the controller controls the transceiver such that the transceiver emits a control signal, separate from the measuring signal, for controlling a device situated outside the vehicle, the transceiver receiving an acknowledge signal that acknowledges receipt of the control signal; and

an operating unit for inputting a control command for causing the control signal to be emitted to the device situated outside the vehicle.

10. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the measuring signal and the control signal differ in at least one of (a) their frequencies and (b) their signal shapes.

11. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the transceiver is an ultrasound transceiver.

12. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the acknowledge signal is emitted by the device situated outside the vehicle.

13. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one transceiver includes a plurality of transceiver of one type on the vehicle for emitting the control signal.

14. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit for displaying an operating state of the distance measuring device.

15. The distance measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the display unit is for displaying an emission of a control signal.

16. The distance measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the distance measuring device is used for activating a device situated outside the vehicle designed as a garage door drive.

17. distance measuring device in a vehicle, comprising:

a transmitter configured to emit a measuring signal;

a controller configured to control the transmitter such that the transmitter transmits a control signal for controlling a device situated outside the vehicle;

an operating unit for inputting a control command for causing the control signal to he emitted to the device situated outside the vehicle; and

a display unit for displaying an operating state of the distance measuring device.

18. The distance measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the display unit displays information regarding a transmission of the control signal.