Apparatus and method for controlling a sensor device of an object's safety system, control system for an automotive vehicle, and sensor device for a safety system of an automotive vehicle
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorDirk Hammerschmidt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a sensor of an object's safety system is provided. The apparatus includes an input node configured to receive safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event. Further, the apparatus includes a processing circuit configured to control the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time.
Claims15
An apparatus for controlling a sensor of an object's safety system, comprising:
- an input node configured to receive safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event;
- and
- a processing circuit configured to control the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time, wherein the future period of time is longer than a period of time required for executing the sensor diagnosis procedure.
A control system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a safety system of the automotive vehicle, wherein the safety system comprises a sensor configured to sense a safety-relevant event;
- and
- a sensor controller configured to control a sensor, the sensor controller comprising:
- an input node configured to receive safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event;
- a processing circuit configured to control the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time;
- and
- a safety information generator configured to generate the safety information, wherein the safety information generator is configured to receive information related to a driving situation of the automotive vehicle from a driver assistance system of the automotive vehicle and/or a communication system of the automotive vehicle for communication with objects outside the automotive vehicle, and generate the safety information based on the information related to the driving situation of the automotive vehicle,
- wherein the information related to the driving situation of the automotive vehicle indicates a second likelihood that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within the future period of time, wherein the second likelihood is determined the driver assistance system based on at least one quantity sensed by the driver assistance system.
A sensor for a safety system of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- an input node configured to receive a control signal from an electronic controller of the automotive vehicle, if it is unlikely that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event within a future period of time, wherein the control signal comprises a command causing the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure,
- wherein the input node is configured to receive a further control signal from the electronic controller, if it is no longer unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within the future period of time, wherein the further control signal comprises a second command causing the sensor to immediately return to regular operation.
A method for controlling a sensor of an object's safety system, comprising:
- receiving safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event;
- and
- controlling the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time, wherein the future period of time is longer than a period of time required for executing the sensor diagnosis procedure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.