OBJECT DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle. While the vehicle is moving in a first direction, successive sensor pulses are transmitted from a vehicle sensor and toward the object. The echo or reflection from the sensor pulse is then received while a processor determines the transit time between the transmission of each pulse and the receipt of its echo. An angle factor is then calculated which represents the difference between the elapsed time of two sequential sensor pulses and the distance traveled by the vehicle between those two pulses. Whenever the absolute value of the angle factor exceeds a preset threshold, an angle is selected from a predefined lookup table contained in memory. Conversely, when the absolute value of the factor is less than the preset threshold, the angle is calculated as a function of the factor. The distance is then calculated between the sensor and the object as a function of the angle and the transit time for the sensor pulse and the appropriate signal is provided to the occupant of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan diagrammatic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagrammatic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a graph depicting the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, an exemplary application of the object detection method and system 32 of the present invention is shown for use with an automotive vehicle 20. The automotive vehicle 20 has a direction of travel 32 and at least one sensor 24. The sensor 24 is preferably an ultrasonic sensor and generates a series of sequential ultrasonic pulses in a direction laterally outwardly from the vehicle 20 so that the sonic pulses 26 each have a sensor axis 26 which is lateral with respect to the direction of travel 22 for the vehicle 20. The sensor axis, furthermore, does not have to have a fixed value and may vary under different weather or temperature conditions. Each sensor 24 also receives the echo or reflection of the sensor pulses. Furthermore, although the system 32 has a variety of applications, in one application the sensor 24 is used to detect a parking space 28 between stationary objects 30, such as parked cars.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the object detecting system 32 of the present invention is shown. Each sensor is coupled through an input/output block 34 as input/output signals to a microprocessor 36. The microprocessor 36 has access to computer memory 38 in order to store and retrieve the data signals received from the sensors 24, as well as calculations performed by the microprocessor 36. Additionally, the microprocessor 36 is coupled to a conventional signaling device 40 which may be an audio device or a screen display.

With reference now to FIG. 37 an exemplary stationary object 42 is shown which has a curved surface 44. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Y axis represents the actual distance between the stationary object 42 and the sensor 24 which is positioned at Y=0. In addition, the X axis in FIG. 3 represents the direction of travel 22 for the automotive vehicle 20. This direction is generally normal to the axis of the pulses emitted by the sensor 24.

When the sensor is at position A, the sensor generates a sensor pulse. This pulse is then reflected by the nearest perpendicular surface A′ on the object 42 and the reflected echo travels back along axis 44 to the sensor at point A. The transit time d_n between the transmission of the sensor pulse while the sensor is at position A and the reflected echo from surface A′ is proportional to the distance between point A′, the stationary object 42 and the sensor 24.

The transit time only gives the distance d_n. Our aim is to calculate the angle φ_n so that the location of the reflection point A′ can be determined. As the vehicle 20, and thus the sensor 24, travels in the positive X direction to position B, the sensor 24 generates another sensor pulse toward the object 42. That sensor pulse is reflected from the nearest perpendicular surface B′ on the stationary object 42 back to the sensor at position B. The transit time for this second pulse is proportional to the distance d_n+1. Similarly, as the vehicle and sensor continue to travel along the vehicle path, the sensor 24 generates further sensor pulses at positions C and D which likewise result in transit times for the distances d_n+2 and d_n+3, respectively. Furthermore, the distance traveled by the sensor between points A and B is represented as 1_n while the distance between points B and C is represented as 1_n+1 and, similarly, 1_n+2 for the distance between points C and D. The distances d_n, d_n+1, etc. are determined from any conventional vehicle sensor 43 (FIG. 2) indicative of the vehicle speed and steering angle.

Once the elapsed time for the sensor pulse between two sequential sensor pulses has been measured, it is possible to determine or at least approximate the value of φ in accordance with the following formula:

$\begin{array}{cc}\varphi n=\arcsin \left(\frac{d_n-d_{n+1}}{1_n}\right)& \mathrm{Equation}1\end{array}$

Consequently, once the value of φ_n is calculated and the transit time or distance d_n previously determined, it is straightforward to calculate the actual distance between the vehicle and the surface A′ of the stationary object 42, i.e. the Y distance between the surface A′ on the stationary object 42 and the vehicle, using conventional trigonometry.

As the angle φ_n increases, and consequently, the fraction d_n−d_n+1/1_n increases, past a certain threshold, the accuracy of the calculation of the position of the surface 44 of the stationary object 42 becomes less reliable for a number of reasons. For example, the strength of the sensor pulses at greater angles of φ are more than sensor pulses that are reflected perpendicularly back to the sensor so that the reflection from the nearest perpendicular surface of the stationary object 42 at a relatively large angle φ may be below the sensitivity threshold of the sensor. This, in turn, will result in error in the calculations for the position of the surface 44 of the stationary object 42.

Consequently, whenever the absolute value of the angle factor

$\left(\frac{d_n-d_{n+1}}{1_n}\right)$

exceeds a preset value, e.g. 0.54, increased accuracy for the overall system is obtained by selecting the value of φ from a predefined lookup table contained in memory 38 (FIG. 2), rather than by calculating φ by taking the arcsine of the angle factor. One example of such a table is illustrated below:

Calculation Lookup Table

(dn − dn + 1)/ln φ
−1.01            −0.71
−0.87            −0.70
−0.80            −0.69
−0.72            −0.68
−0.66            −0.65
−0.62            −0.63
−0.58            −0.60
−0.54            −0.57
0.54             0.57
0.58             0.60
0.62             0.63
0.66             0.65
0.72             0.68
0.80             0.69
0.87             0.70
1.01             0.71

By utilizing the values of φ from the lookup table that are predefined and stored in the computer memory 38 (FIG. 2) whenever the absolute value of the angle factor

$\frac{d_n-d_{n+1}}{1_n}$

exceeds a threshold, e.g. 0.54, increased accuracy of the position of the object surface 44 may be obtained. In this regard, see FIG. 5 which illustrates an exemplary plot of the object surface 44 with respect to the travel of the sensor illustrated by line 50. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the area 52 of the stationary object surface 44 where the angle between the object surface 44 and the path of travel of the sensor is relatively great, the selection of the angle φ from the lookup table as opposed to calculation of the position by Equation 1 illustrates the enhanced accuracy of the position location system of the present invention.

It will be understood, of course, that the precise value of the angle factor used as the threshold to select φ from the table lookup will vary from one vehicle to another, from one sensor to another and that the value of 0.54 is utilized for exemplary purposes only. Preferably, the value of the threshold of the angle factor to select φ from the lookup table is determined empirically.

In the case where the value of the angle factor is above the predetermined threshold, e.g. 0.54, but in between two values contained in the lookup table, the value of φ is determined by interpolation between those two values in the lookup table.

After the angle is determined either by calculation or by using the lookup table, the distance between the sensor 24 and object is calculated and the appropriate signal is provided to the laser on the signal device 40 (FIG. 2).

With reference now to FIG. 4, a simplified flowchart is illustrated depicting the operation of the system of the present invention. The system is first initiated at step 100 which then proceeds to step 102 where the processor controls the sensors 24 to generate the first output pulse N. Step 102 then continues to step 104.

At step 104, the microprocessor determines the distance d_n between the sensor and the perpendicular surface from an object. Since the distance d_n is directly proportional to the transit time of the first pulse N, it is not necessary to actually calculate the distance d_n between the sensor and the stationary object. Instead, the transit time of the first pulse N may be used as representative of the distance d_n. Step 104 then continues to step 106.

At step 106, the system transmits a second pulse N+1. Step 106 then proceeds to step 108 where the distance d_n+1 is determined from the transit time of the second pulse N+1. Step 108 then proceeds to step 110.

At step 110, the angle factor f is calculated in accordance with Equation 1. Step 110 then proceeds to step 112.

At step 112, the absolute value of the angle factor f is compared with a preset threshold. If the absolute value of the angle factor f is greater than the threshold, step 112 branches to step 114 where the angle φ_n is determined either directly from the lookup table or by interpolation of the lookup table. Step 114 then proceeds to step 118.

Conversely, if the absolute value of the angle factor f is less than the threshold, step 112 instead proceeds to step 116 where the angle φ_n is determined as a function of the arcsine of the angle factor f. Step 116 then proceeds to step 118.

At step 118, the position of the object, and thus the distance between the sensor and the object, is calculated as a function of φ_n which is determined either from the lookup table at step 114 or calculated at step 116. Step 118 then proceeds to step 120 where the processor 36 generates the appropriate signal to the signal device 40 for use by the user of the system. Step 120 then proceeds to step 122.

At step 122, the system replaces the value d_n with the value d_n+1. Step 122 then branches back to step 106 where the above process is iteratively repeated.

In some situations, it is desirable to measure the radius of curvature of the stationary object 42. Using conventional trigonometry equations, the value of the radius of curvature may be determined by the following equation:

$\begin{array}{cc}{R}_n=\frac{d_{n+1}\cos {\varphi }_{n+1}-d_n\cos {\varphi }_n}{\cos {\varphi }_n-\cos {\varphi }_{n+1}}& \mathrm{Equation}2\end{array}$

In some situations, the precise measurement of the position of the curved surface is less accurate than desirable. For example when the stationary object has a very small radius of curvature, the sensor measurement frequency is slow or the sensor moving speed is fast, the calculation of the sine of φ for each point may be enhanced by including an error term as shown by Equation 3 below:

$\begin{array}{cc}\sin {\varphi }_n=\frac{d_n-d_{n+1}}{1_n}+\frac{{\varphi }_n-{\varphi }_{n+1}}{2}\cos {\varphi }_n& \mathrm{Equation}3\end{array}$

Once the sine of φ is determined, the value of φ can be determined by taking the arcsine of this value.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides both a method and apparatus for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle which enjoys enhanced accuracy over previously known systems. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle comprising the steps of: while the vehicle is moving in a first direction, transmitting successive sensor pulses from a vehicle sensor toward the object,receiving an echo of each sensor pulse,determining a transit time between the transmission of each pulse and the receipt of its echo by the sensor,determining an angle factor as a function of the difference between the transit times of two sensor pulses and the distance traveled by the vehicle between said two sensor pulses,selecting an angle from a predefined table whenever the absolute value of the angle factor exceeds a preset threshold,calculating the angle as a function of said factor whenever the absolute value of the factor is less than the preset threshold,calculating the distance between the sensor and the object as a function of said angle and the transit time for the sensor pulse,generating a signal as a function of said distance calculating step.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor generates said sensor pulses in a direction substantially normal to said first direction.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said angle calculating step comprises calculating the arcsine of said factor.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising the step of providing a signal to the vehicle representative of the calculated distance.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising the step of calculating a radius of curvature of the object as a function of the calculated distance of at least two sequential sensor pulses.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of selecting the angle from the predefined table comprises the step of interpolating between two sequential angles in said table.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising the step of calculating an error term as a function of the difference between the angles of two sequential sensor pulses, and adding the error term to the angle prior to said distance calculating step.

9. A method for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle comprising the steps of: while the vehicle is moving in a first direction, transmitting successive sensor pulses from a vehicle sensor in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction toward the object,receiving an echo of each sensor pulse along, said echo traveling in a third direction,determining a transit time between the transmission of each pulse and the receipt of its echo by the sensor,determining an angle factor as a function of the difference between the transit times of two sensor pulses and the distance traveled by the vehicle between said two sensor pulses,selecting an angle corresponding to the angle between said second and third directions from a predefined table whenever the absolute value of the angle factor exceeds a preset threshold,calculating said angle as the arcsine of said angle factor whenever the absolute value of the factor is less than the preset threshold,calculating the distance between the sensor and the object as a function of said angle and the transit time for the sensor pulse,generating a signal as a function of said distance calculating step.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said sensor generates said sensor pulses in a direction substantially normal to said first direction.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

12. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said angle calculating step comprises calculating the arcsine of said factor.

13. The invention as defined in claim 9 and further comprising the step of providing a signal to the vehicle representative of the calculated distance.

14. The invention as defined in claim 9 and further comprising the step of calculating a radius of curvature of the object as a function of the calculated distance of at least two sequential sensor pulses.

15. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said step of selecting the angle from the predefined table comprises the step of interpolating between two sequential angles in said table.

16. The invention as defined in claim 9 and further comprising the step of calculating an error term as a function of the difference between the angles of two sequential sensor pulses, and adding the error term to the angle prior to said distance calculating step.

17. Apparatus for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle comprising: means for transmitting successive sensor pulses from a vehicle sensor toward the object while the vehicle is moving in a first direction,means for receiving an echo of each sensor pulse,means for determining a transit time between the transmission of each pulse and the receipt of its echo by the sensor,means for determining an angle factor as a function of the difference between the transit times of two sensor pulses and the distance traveled by the vehicle between said two sensor pulses,means for selecting an angle from a predefined table whenever the absolute value of the angle factor exceeds a preset threshold,means for calculating the angle as a function of said factor whenever the absolute value of the angle factor is less than the preset threshold,means for calculating the distance between the sensor and the object as a function of said angle and the elapsed time for the sensor pulse,means for generating a signal as a function of the calculated distance between said sensor and said object.

18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said sensor generates said sensor pulses in a direction substantially normal to said first direction.

19. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

20. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for calculating said angle comprises means for calculating the arcsine of said factor.

21. The invention as defined in claim 17 and further comprising means for providing a signal to the vehicle representative of the calculated distance

22. The invention as defined in claim 17 and further comprising means for calculating a radius of curvature of the object as a function of the calculated distance of at least two sequential sensor pulses.

23. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for selecting the angle from the predefined table comprises means for interpolating between two sequential angles in said table.

24. The invention as defined in claim 17 and further comprising means for calculating an error term as a function of the difference between the angles of two sequential sensor pulses, and means for adding the error term to the angle prior to calculating said distance.