Patent ID: 7385487
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. An obstacle detection method, comprising the steps of: a) for each sensor that belongs to an activation cycle, determining a power to be radiated, emitting corresponding ultrasound signals, and receiving echo signals reflected by at least one obstacle; b) depending on the echo signals received, determining distances of corresponding sensors from the obstacle and amplifying the received echo signals according to corresponding distances; c) selecting threshold values with which signals amplified according to said distances determined by b) are to be compared; d) determining, at each sensor cycle, a number of times for which signals that exceed a respective selected threshold value are repeated, and, if said number is higher than a preset value, generating a warning signal; e) determining an order of priority of the sensors according to the distances determined in step b); f) determining an activation sequence of the sensors according to the order priority determined in step e); g) adapting a sensing cycle of the sensors according to an activation sequence determined in step f); wherein the sending cycle adapted in step g) excludes, for a preset number of cycles that is greater than zero, sensors that in step a) have not received an echo signal; and wherein said step e) of determining the order of priority comprises the steps of: - associating with each sensor a value of the distance from the obstacle detected by the sensor; - determining a value that corresponds to a mininum detected distance and replacing said determined value with a value equal to a sum of said minimum distance value and of a priority threshold value; and - assigning to the sensor that detected said minimum distance a priority status.