Patent ID: 8452506

Claim:
A detection method for monitoring an environment of a vehicle capable of moving according to a path, wherein said method comprises the steps of: calculating, via a data processor, a plurality of critical levels of driving depending on a plurality of sensed signals from a plurality of ultrasonic detection sensors and at least one of a speed of said vehicle, a detected distance to an obstacle taking account of an angle of a steering wheel said vehicle, and a relative velocity between said vehicle and said obstacle; determining if said obstacle is on the path of said vehicle; and determining a level of confidence associated with each of said plurality of ultrasonic detection sensors depending on a distance between said vehicle and said obstacle; said step of determining if said obstacle is on the path of said vehicle further comprising the steps of: defining static zones of detection and probabilities of detection associated with each of said static zones of detection in response to the at least one level of confidence; defining dynamic zones of detection; determining, for each of said dynamic zones of detection, if said obstacle is on the path of said vehicle as a function of said probabilities of detection and taking into account said angle of said steering wheel; and deducing a critical marker on a basis of at least two of the critical levels of driving and sending a braking signal for braking said vehicle in response to the determination that said obstacle is on the path of said vehicle and said critical marker is higher than a critical threshold; and wherein said dynamic zones of detection correspond to a collision risk if said vehicle turns right, turns left or keeping straight.