Patent ID: 7660205
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a depth of a parking space using at least one ultrasonic vehicle sensor of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: a) passing the vehicle by the parking space in a longitudinal direction; b) irradiating ultrasonic waves towards the parking space; c) detecting echo signals of the irradiated ultrasonic waves reflected from the parking space; d) analyzing the echo signals detected in step c) to determine propagation times of the echo signals and/or spatial distances of objects reflecting the echo signals; e) determining a dispersion and/or distribution of the propagation times and/or spatial distances extracted in step d); and f) defining a depth of the parking space if a dispersion range of all and/or of several propagation times and/or spatial distances that form a concentration within the distribution lies below a threshold value.