Patent ID: 6338028
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B60R,G01S

Abstract:
An ultrasonic sensor system comprising:transducer means for emitting an ultrasonic signal in response to an electrical excitation signal and for outputting an oscillating electrical response signal in response to receipt of a reflected ultrasonic signal from an object, the electrical response signal having an amplitude indicative of the strength of the reflected ultrasonic signal; receiver means for processing the electrical response signal from said transducer means and for outputting an analog, non-oscillating signal, the analog signal having an amplitude indicative of the amplitude of the electrical response signal; comparator means for comparing the amplitude of the analog signal to a predetermined amplitude value and for outputting a digital signal having a first digital value when the amplitude of the analog signal is less than the predetermined amplitude value and having a second digital value when the amplitude of the analog signal is greater than the predetermined amplitude value; and controller means for processing the digital signal to determine distance between said transducer means and the object.