Method and apparatus for detecting objects
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorLarry A. Sparling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for the detection of objects that lie within the path of a motor vehicle includes ultrasonic sensors (20) fitted to either a front or rear surface (14, 18) of the motor vehicle (10). The ultrasonic sensors (20) are adapted to both emit ultrasonic energy and to detect ultrasonic energy. A detection field (32) is divided into a plurality of sub-fields (42-50) and each is illuminated using a different amount of sensing energy in order to detect objects therein.
Claims18
A method of detecting objects within a detection field, the detection field extending in one direction above a ground plane and from a surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- dividing the detection field of one sensor into a first sub-field in the one direction and a second sub-field in the one direction;
- illuminating the first sub-field with a first energy emission for at least a first receiver enable period;
- disregarding the first sub-field from the first energy emission during a first receiver blanking period;
- receiving during the first receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the first energy emission;
- determining a presence of an object in the first sub-field;
- illuminating the second sub-field with a second energy emission different than the first energy emission for a second receiver enable period;
- disregarding the second sub-field from the second energy emission during a second receiver blanking period;
- receiving during the second receiver enable period, an energy return as a result of the second energy emission;
- and
- determining a presence of an object in the second sub-field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.