Distance determination apparatus and method

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a device 100 for detecting an erroneous measurement of the distance between a target object 20 and a subject object 5, the device comprising: a wireless transmitting device 111 for transmitting a signal 111S with a first frequency from the subject object 5 to The target object 20; the detector means 113 for detecting the signal portion 113S reflected from the target object 20 back to the subject object 5; the distance determining means 131 for the signal 111S obtained by reference from the emission means 111 to the detector means 113. The time-of-flight of said part 113S determines the distance 202 of the target object 20 from the subject object 5; The difference of the distance change rate 203 is determined, and the device 100 is arranged to provide an erroneous distance measurement in case the distance 202 determined by the distance determination means 131 increases while the distance change rate 203 determined by the rate determination means 131 is negative. Instructions 206.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the distance of one object from another. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method and a device capable of detecting the correct value of the distance of one object from other objects in situations where known means may provide erroneous distance values. Background technique [0002] It is known to provide devices for determining the distance of one object, such as a motor vehicle, from another object, such as another motor vehicle, or a fixed object, such as a wall of a building. One known form of equipment employs ultrasonic radiation to determine distance, while another employs electromagnetic radiation using a technique known as RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging). [0003] In one arrangement, the source of ultrasound radiation is mounted to the bumper (or fender) of the vehicle together with a corresponding detector. The source is arranged to emit ultrason...

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Problems solved by technology

[0005] The inventors have realized that known devices have the following problems: in certain situations, may give false distance readings

Thus, in figure 1 In the situation shown in (b), the controller of the car 5 may not be able to warn the driver of the car 5 that the distance between the car 5 and the truck 20 is dangerously low and that there is a risk of collision

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