Object detection device, vehicle, method of setting wave receiving period in object detection device, and method of setting detection sensitivity in object detection device

An object detection device installed in a vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of ranging sensors and each including a transmitter configured to transmit ultrasonic waves and a receiver configured to receive reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitter and reflected by an object around the vehicle, and
• processing circuitry configured to detect the object around the vehicle based on the reflected waves received by the receiver with previously set detection sensitivity, wherein
• the processing circuitry
• acquires an imaged image imaged by an in-vehicle camera that images surroundings of the vehicle,
• determines whether a specific object is contained based on the imaged image, and
• sets the detection sensitivity from first detection sensitivity to second detection sensitivity higher than the first detection sensitivity when the specific object is determined to be contained in the imaged image.

A method of setting a wave receiving period in an object detection device installed in a vehicle, the object detection device including:

• a plurality of ranging sensors each including a transmitter configured to transmit ultrasonic waves and a receiver configured to receive reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitter and reflected by an object around the vehicle;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to detect the object around the vehicle based on the reflected waves received by the receiver during a wave receiving period until a predetermined period of time elapses from transmission of the ultrasonic waves by the transmitter,
• the method of setting the wave receiving period comprising:
• acquiring an imaged image imaged by an in-vehicle camera that images surroundings of the vehicle;
• determining whether a specific object is contained based on the imaged image, and
• setting the wave receiving period from a first wave receiving period to a second wave receiving period longer than the first wave receiving period when the specific object is determined to be contained in the imaged image.

A method of setting detection sensitivity in an object detection device installed in a vehicle, the object detection device including:

• a plurality of ranging sensors each including a transmitter configured to transmit ultrasonic waves and a receiver configured to receive reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitter and reflected by an object around the vehicle;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to detect the object around the vehicle based on the reflected waves received by the receiver with previously set detection sensitivity,
• the method of setting the detection sensitivity comprising:
• acquiring an imaged image imaged by an in-vehicle camera that images surroundings of the vehicle;
• determining whether a specific object is contained based on the imaged image, and
• setting the detection sensitivity from first detection sensitivity to second detection sensitivity higher than the first detection sensitivity when the specific object is determined to be contained in the imaged image.