Method and Apparatus for an Object Detection System Using Two Modulated Light Sources

A method for tracking objects exterior of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first light signal having a first propagation pattern from a first modulated light source into a target region, the first modulated light source being disposed on a first region of the vehicle;
• transmitting a second light signal having a second propagation pattern from a second modulated light source into the target region, the second modulated light source being disposed on a second region of the vehicle;
• measuring a light reflected off an object in a target zone by a sensor, the sensor including at least one pixel,
• demodulating the measured light by a controller when the first or second light signals are received, wherein the controller determines respective ranges in response to a time delay associated with the at least one pixel from a time when the first or second light signal is transmitted until the corresponding light signal is detected to generate a first set of range data for the first light signal and a second set of range data for the second light signal;
• maintaining an object tracking list that includes a position of detected objects relative to the vehicle, and wherein the position of each object is determined using trilateration of the first and second sets of range data.