Ultrasonic obstacle sensor
Patent 5076384 Issued on December 31, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 15, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 15, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesRearward obstruction sensing system for automotive vehicle Vehicular suspension control system with variable damping characteristics depending upon road condition and vehicle speed Method of detecting the presence of obstacles in the operation of remote-controlled machines Obstacle proximity detector for moving vehicles and method for use thereof Scanning obstacle detection apparatus Patent #: 4849731 InventorsApplicationNo. 597480 filed on 10/15/1990US Classes:180/169, Radiation, force, or waves reflected from external object or surface327/40, Comparison between plural inputs340/943, Sonic or ultrasonic701/1VEHICLE CONTROL, GUIDANCE, OPERATION, OR INDICATIONExaminersPrimary: Kashnikow, AndresAssistant: Johnson, Brian L. Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesB60Q 005/00G08G 001/16 Foreign Application Priority Data1989-10-17 JPAbstractUltrasonic waves are transmitted from an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on a vehicle towards a road surface. An ultrasonic receiver mounted on the vehicle receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the road surface and generates a signal which is amplified by an amplifier. The amplified signal is compared with a reference signal to detect components in the amplified signal due to obstacles on the road surface. The magnitude of the reference signal and/or the amplification factor of the amplifier is controlled to maintain a constant ratio between the average of the reference signal and the average of the amplified signal.Other References
Field of SearchHaving controlling means adapted to interact with stationary means which describes course of vehicle's travelRadiation, force, or waves reflected from external object or surface Of relative distance from an obstacle Relative distence between vehicles (e.g., collision alert) Sonic or ultrasonic Radar mounted on and controls land vehicle With control of safety device (e.g., air bags) | |
