Patent ID: 7830244

Claim:
A back warning system, for a vehicle, comprising: an electronic system for, when the vehicle is backed, transmitting a sensor drive message and then generating a warning based on a received warning level; and a plurality of sensor units being driven upon receiving the sensor drive message, sensing a distance from a rear obstacle, and transmitting a warning level corresponding to the sensed distance to the electronic system; wherein the electronic system comprises: a buzzer for generating a warning based on the warning level; a data communication unit for performing data communication; and an electronic control unit for determining whether the vehicle is backed, transmitting the sensor drive message through the data communication unit when the vehicle is backed, and controlling the buzzer to generate a warning based on a warning level received through the data communication unit; wherein the sensor unit comprises: a data communication unit for performing data communication with the data communication unit of the electronic system; a sensing unit for generating an ultrasonic wave and measuring the distance from the rear obstacle; a Read Only Memory (ROM) for storing a lookup table that is a definition of warning levels for a distance; and a Micro Control Unit (MCU) for, upon receipt of the sensor drive message through the data communication unit, driving the sensing unit to measure a distance, searching the lookup table for a warning level depending on the measured distance, and transmitting the searched warning level to the electronic system through the data communication unit; and wherein the sensing unit comprises: a sensor for generating and transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected ultrasonic wave that reflects and returns from the rear obstacle; a pulse generator for generating pulses under the control of the MCU; a sensor drive driver for receiving the pulses and driving the sensor; an amplifier for amplifying the reflected ultrasonic wave output from the sensor; an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for converting the amplified ultrasonic wave into an 8-bit digital signal; and a detector for detecting a distance value to the rear obstacle from the 8-bit digital signal.