# US 12,216,230 B2 · Sensor system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,216,230 B2
- Document ID: US12216230B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/296,800
- Filed: 2019-11-22
- Published: 2022-01-27
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-27
- Assignees: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216230B2

## CPC

- G01S 7/4811: {common to transmitter and receiver}
- G01S 13/87: Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
- G01S 13/931: of land vehicles
- G01S 17/931: of land vehicles
- G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
- G01S 2013/9323: {Alternative operation using light waves}
- G01S 2013/93271: {in the front of the vehicles}
- G01S 2013/93272: {in the back of the vehicles}
- G01S 2013/93275: {in the bumper area}
- G01S 2013/93277: {in the lights}
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING

## Abstract

A sensor unit is disposed outside a lamp housing of a vehicle to detect information in an outside area of the vehicle. An actuator is configured to be able to change at least one of a position and a posture of the sensor unit with respect to the lamp housing. A processor is configured to control an operation of the actuator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor system adapted to be installed in a vehicle, comprising:
a sensor unit adapted to be disposed outside a lamp housing of the vehicle to detect information in an outside area of the vehicle;
an actuator configured to be able to change a position of the sensor unit with respect to the lamp housing; and
a processor configured to control an operation of the actuator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the actuator translates the sensor unit to change the position thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the lamp housing includes a left lamp housing and a right lamp housing; and
wherein the sensor unit includes: a first sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the right of the left lamp housing; and a second sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the left of the right lamp housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sensor system according to claim 3
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to expand an area capable of detecting the information with any one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The sensor system according to claim 3,
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to change at least one of a location and a size of an area capable of detecting the information with both of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the lamp housing includes a left lamp housing and a right lamp housing; and
wherein the sensor unit includes: a first sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the left of the left lamp housing; and a second sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the right of the right lamp housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The sensor system according to claim 6,
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to expand an area capable of detecting the information with any one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The sensor system according to claim 6,
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to change at least one of a location and a size of an area capable of detecting the information with both of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the sensor unit includes: a first sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the left of the lamp housing; and a second sensor unit adapted to be disposed on the right of the lamp housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The sensor system according to claim 9,
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to expand an area capable of detecting the information with any one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The sensor system according to claim 9,
wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the actuator so as to change at least one of a location and a size of an area capable of detecting the information with both of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the actuator is further configured to be able to change a posture of the sensor unit with respect to the lamp housing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The sensor system according to claim 12,
wherein the changing of the position or the posture of the sensor unit with respect to the lamp housing comprises at least one of translating or turning the sensor unit about at least one of a yaw axis, a pitch axis, or a roll axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The sensor system according to claim 13,
wherein, in a state in which the sensor is translated about the yaw axis, the information detected in the outside area of the vehicle translates in an up-down direction of the vehicle, and
wherein in a state in which the sensor is translated about the pitch axis, the information detected in the outside area of the vehicle translates in an left-right direction of the vehicle.