System and method for improving the performance of an in-vehicle sensor system

A program code product for a vehicle, the program code product stored in non-transitory memory and including instructions which, when executed by a processor in the vehicle having at least one sensor, configure the processor to perform:

• setting scan parameters for scanning, with the at least one sensor, objects in at least one field of view of the at least one sensor;
• setting classification parameters for identifying objects scanned in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor;
• controlling the at least one sensor to generate scan data;
• scanning the scan data for objects in the at least one field of view using the scan parameters, and to identify any scanned objects based upon the classification parameters;
• receiving information relating to a first object which is not in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor but is expected to enter the at least one field of view thereof;
• modifying the scan parameters based upon the received information, and controlling the at least one sensor to generate new scan data scan based upon the modified scan parameters;
• scanning the new scan data and identifying the first object in the at least one field of view, wherein the first object is identified in a shorter period of time, relative to the first object appearing in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor, than a period of time to identify the first object without having modified the scan parameters;
• and
• responsive to identifying the first object, acting to avoid hitting the first object with the vehicle.

A vehicle safety system configured for use in a vehicle, comprising:

• a transceiver having a transmitter and a receiver to provide over-the-air communication;
• at least one sensor;
• and
• a processor and memory coupled to the processor, the processor coupled to the transceiver and the at least one sensor, and the memory having stored therein a software program having instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to perform:
• setting scan parameters for scanning, with the at least one sensor, objects in at least one field of view of the at least one sensor;
• setting classification parameters for identifying objects scanned in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor;
• controlling the at least one sensor to scan for objects in the at least one field of view using the scan parameters, and identifying any scanned objects based upon the classification parameters;
• receiving information relating to a first object which is not in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor but is expected to enter the at least one field of view thereof;
• modifying the scan parameters based upon the received information, and controlling the at least one sensor to generate scan data;
• scanning the scan data based upon the modified scan parameters, and identifying the first object in the at least one field of view, wherein the first object is identified in a shorter period of time, relative to the first object appearing in the at least one field of view of the at least one sensor, than a period of time to identify the first object without having modified the scan parameters;
• and
• responsive to identifying the first object, taking action to avoid the vehicle contacting the first object.