Patent ID: 7450738

Claim:
A method for detecting a contour of an obstacle in a vicinity of a moving vehicle using a sensor means preferably installed in a side area of the vehicle, the method comprising steps of: a) emitting a first sensor signal, using the sensor means, in a direction having a directional portion in a travelling direction of the vehicle when the obstacle is ahead of the vehicle in the travelling direction; b) receiving at least part of the first sensor signal after reflection thereof from the obstacle, in a form of a first reflection signal that represents a first position and a first shape of a contour of the obstacle; c) emitting a second sensor signal, using the sensor means, in a direction having a directional portion opposite to the travelling direction of the vehicle when the vehicle has passed the obstacle; d) receiving at least part of the second sensor signal, after reflection thereof from the obstacle, in a form of a second reflection signal that represents a second position and a second shape of the contour of the obstacle; e) generating an averaged reflection signal through mathematical or arithmetical averaging of the first and the second reflection signals; and f) evaluating an averaged reflection signal to extract an actual position and actual shape of the contour of the obstacle.