METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ULTRASOUND SENSOR DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION OF CONFIGURATION DATA, ULTRASOUND SENSOR DEVICE AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor device of a motor vehicle, in which, for detecting the surroundings of the motor vehicle, sensor data is received from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors by means of a control device, and for configuring the ultrasonic sensors, configuration data is transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensors by means of the control device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device for a motor vehicle. Finally, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle.

[0002] The focus here is on ultrasonic sensor devices for motor vehicles. Such an ultrasonic sensor device can comprise a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, which can, for example, be distributed throughout the motor vehicle. These ultrasonic sensors can be used to provide sensor data describing the surroundings of the motor vehicle and, in particular, objects in the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The sensor data provided by the ultrasonic sensors can be evaluated with the aid of a corresponding control device. This allows objects in the surroundings of the motor vehicle to be detected and the distance between the motor vehicle and the respective objects to be determined. This information can then be used to move the motor vehicle past the object without collision. In addition, other collision-avoidance measures, such as emergency braking, can be carried out.

[0003] Using the control unit of the ultrasonic sensor device, the respective ultrasonic sensors can be configured accordingly. It is known that current ultrasonic sensors contain corresponding circuits or evaluation units that perform a certain amount of signal processing. To parameterize or query these circuits, corresponding configuration data is sent to the ultrasonic sensors. Using this configuration data, the respective ultrasonic sensors can be adapted to the ambient conditions, such as temperature or humidity.

[0004] EP 1 624 319 A1 describes a method for measuring the distance of an obstacle in the vicinity of a motor vehicle using an echo method. A sensor device provided on the motor vehicle transmits a signal, and the echo signal reflected by the obstacle is received by the sensor device. A relative relationship between the distance-dependent echo amplitude of the echo signal and a threshold value of the sensor device, which determines the detection of the received echo signal, is adapted to the measured environmental conditions of the motor vehicle.

[0005] The configuration data is usually transmitted from the control device to the respective ultrasonic sensors using a slow transmission protocol. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensors are usually designed with only one data line, so that either the configuration data from the control device to the ultrasonic sensor or the sensor data from the ultrasonic sensor to the control device can be transmitted. The disadvantage here is that no objects in the vicinity of the motor vehicle can be detected during the transmission of the configuration data. This can also mean that, for example, no warning can be issued if the distance between the motor vehicle and the object falls below a minimum distance. In the worst case, this can lead to an unintentional collision between the motor vehicle and the object.

[0006] To circumvent this problem, in all current ultrasonic sensor devices, the configuration data is only transmitted when the vehicle is stationary. When the ultrasonic sensor device is used in the field of parking assistance, this only poses a minor disadvantage, since the vehicle is usually stopped at the beginning of a parking maneuver, which allows the configuration or reprogramming of the ultrasonic sensors. When the ultrasonic sensor device is used for other applications, such as blind spot monitoring, the ultrasonic sensors are usually intended to be operational for an extended period of time without the vehicle coming to a standstill in the meantime. Reconfiguration or reparameterization of the ultrasonic sensors is necessary, particularly during longer motorway journeys where temperature changes occur.

[0007] DE 10 2013 211 419 A1 discloses a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor in which a heating mode is used to raise the temperature of the membrane above an icing temperature.

[0008] From DE 10 2004 005 960 A1 an ultrasonic sensor device is known which has an adjusting device for automatically readjusting the ultrasonic sensor device.

[0009] From DE 10 2007 026 688 A1 a method for functional testing of a distance measuring system is known, in which the sensitivity of the sensor for detecting ground reflections is temporarily increased and the detected ground reflections are compared with each other.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution as to how an ultrasonic sensor device of the type mentioned at the outset can be configured in a reliable manner without restricting its function.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method, by an ultrasonic sensor device, and by a motor vehicle having the features according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous developments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] In one embodiment of a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor device of a motor vehicle, sensor data from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors is received, preferably by means of a control device, to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, configuration data is transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensors, preferably by means of the control device, to configure the ultrasonic sensors. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that for each of the ultrasonic sensors, it is detected whether the ultrasonic sensor is in a detection mode, in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the surroundings, or in a non-detection mode, in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor is disregarded for detecting the surroundings.The configuration data is preferably transferred to the respective ultrasonic sensor if it is in non-detection mode.

[0013] A method according to the invention is used to operate an ultrasonic sensor device of a motor vehicle. In order to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle, sensor data is received from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors by means of a control device. Furthermore, configuration data is transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensors by means of the control device to configure the ultrasonic sensors. Furthermore, for each of the ultrasonic sensors, it is detected whether the ultrasonic sensor is in a detection mode, in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the surroundings, or in a non-detection mode, in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor is disregarded for detecting the surroundings. The configuration data is transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensor if it is in the non-detection mode.

[0014] The method is intended to operate an ultrasonic sensor device of a motor vehicle. This ultrasonic sensor device can have a control device, which can be formed, for example, by an electronic control unit of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor device can have a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, which can be arranged, for example, distributed over the motor vehicle. The surroundings of the motor vehicle can be detected or monitored with the aid of the ultrasonic sensor device. In particular, objects or obstacles in the surroundings of the motor vehicle can be detected. For this purpose, ultrasonic signals can be emitted with the respective ultrasonic sensors and the ultrasonic signals reflected by the object can be received again. The respective ultrasonic sensors can provide a sensor signal which describes the ultrasonic signal reflected by the object.Based on the travel time between the transmission of the ultrasonic signal and the reception of the ultrasonic signal reflected by the object, the distance between the motor vehicle and the object can then be determined.

[0015] The ultrasonic sensor device can assist a driver of the motor vehicle in avoiding a collision between the motor vehicle and the object. The ultrasonic sensor device can be a driver assistance system or part of a driver assistance system. For example, the ultrasonic sensor device can issue a corresponding warning if a minimum distance between the motor vehicle and the object is not maintained. The ultrasonic sensor device can also be designed like a blind spot assistant and issue a corresponding warning to the driver of the motor vehicle if an object or another vehicle is located in the blind spot of the motor vehicle. The ultrasonic sensor device can also be used to intervene accordingly in the steering and / or braking system. For example, emergency braking can be performed if a collision between the motor vehicle and the object is imminent.

[0016] In addition to detecting the environment, the control device is used to configure and adjust the respective ultrasonic sensors. Since the attenuation properties of the ambient air, which serves as the transmitting medium for the ultrasonic signals, vary significantly depending on the ambient conditions, it is necessary to configure the ultrasonic sensors depending on the ambient conditions, in particular temperature and / or humidity. For this purpose, the control device can determine configuration data for the respective ultrasonic sensors and transmit this data to the ultrasonic sensors. The respective ultrasonic sensors can have an evaluation unit or an electronic circuit that is used for signal processing. This evaluation unit can then receive the configuration data and change the settings of the ultrasonic sensor depending on the received configuration data.

[0017] According to the invention, it is now provided that a check is carried out to determine whether at least one of the ultrasonic sensors is in a detection mode or in a non-detection mode. The detection mode describes the state of the ultrasonic sensor in which the sensor data provided by the ultrasonic sensor is used by the control device to detect or monitor the surroundings of the motor vehicle. In contrast, the non-detection mode describes the state of the ultrasonic sensor in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor are not taken into account by the control device when detecting the surroundings. The non-detection mode therefore describes a state in which the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor is not currently required.The non-detection mode of the ultrasonic sensor can in particular describe a state in which no further information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle and in particular about an object in the surroundings of the motor vehicle can be obtained from the sensor signals of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0018] If it is detected that at least one of the ultrasonic sensors of the ultrasonic sensor device is currently in non-detection mode, the configuration data is transmitted to this ultrasonic sensor. During the transmission of configuration data from the control device to the ultrasonic sensor, sensor data cannot usually be transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the control device. However, if the ultrasonic sensor is in non-detection mode, there is no risk that objects in the environment with which a collision is imminent will not be detected during the transmission of configuration data, since this ultrasonic sensor is not currently needed to sense the environment or detect objects. In other words, the configuration data is transmitted to the ultrasonic sensor precisely when it is not needed for environment detection or object detection.This allows configuration data to be transmitted, for example, not only when the vehicle is stationary. This provides additional options for reconfiguring the ultrasonic sensor and adapting it to the respective environmental conditions.

[0019] Preferably, the detection of whether the ultrasonic sensor is in detection mode or non-detection mode is performed while the motor vehicle is moving. This allows situations in which at least one of the ultrasonic sensors is not currently required for object detection to be detected not only when the motor vehicle is stationary but also while the motor vehicle is moving. This allows the ultrasonic sensors to be configured accordingly, particularly during long journeys in different temperature ranges. This enables reliable operation of the ultrasonic sensors depending on the ambient conditions.

[0020] According to the invention, the non-detection mode is detected during the output of a warning to a driver of the motor vehicle, wherein the warning is issued as a result of the object in the environment being detected on the basis of the sensor data. If the control device detects, based on the sensor data, that, for example, a collision between the motor vehicle and the object may be imminent, a corresponding warning can be output using the ultrasonic sensor device. This warning can, for example, be output acoustically, visually and / or haptically via a corresponding output device. A key finding of the present invention is to use the time duration during which a warning is given about the object to reconfigure the ultrasonic sensors. If an object is warned about using the ultrasonic sensor device, the ultrasonic sensor device has already reliably detected this object.If the ultrasonic sensors are now reconfigured, there is no risk of the warning not being triggered, as it is already active. In this case, the ultrasonic sensor's non-detection mode will be detected as long as the warning is issued.

[0021] In particular, it is taken into account that the duration of a warning typically lasts between 0.5 seconds and 1 second. The transmission of configuration data from the control device to the ultrasonic sensors typically lasts a few milliseconds and can last a maximum of 0.5 seconds. Thus, while the warning is being issued, the non-detection mode for the ultrasonic sensors can be assumed, and the configuration data can be transmitted. If the warning is issued, it can be provided, in particular, that the configuration data is transmitted to all ultrasonic sensors of the ultrasonic sensor device.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the warning describes that the object is located in a blind spot of the motor vehicle. Particularly when the ultrasonic sensor device is used to monitor the blind spot, detecting the non-detection mode and transmitting the configuration data during this non-detection mode is suitable. If the ultrasonic sensor device is used for blind spot monitoring or is part of a driver assistance system for blind spot monitoring, the ultrasonic sensors are active for a relatively long period of time, and it is necessary to adapt the ultrasonic sensors to the changing environmental conditions. In particular, it can be provided that the configuration data is transmitted immediately after the non-detection mode is detected.This means that the configuration data can be transmitted, for example, exactly when an object has entered the blind spot and the warning has been activated for a predetermined period of time.

[0023] In another embodiment, the warning describes that the distance between the motor vehicle and the object falls below a predetermined minimum distance. This is suitable, for example, when the ultrasonic sensor device is used for collision warning or is part of a driver assistance system for collision warning. In this case, the non-detection mode can be detected when a warning is issued to the driver or when a collision warning has just been initiated. Thus, in this case, the ultrasonic sensors can also be reliably adapted to the ambient conditions.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the non-detection mode is detected when an intervention occurs in a braking system and / or steering system of the motor vehicle. For example, it can be provided that the non-detection mode is detected if an emergency braking maneuver has been initiated by a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle or the ultrasonic sensor device. Here, too, it is taken into account that if the intervention is carried out, the object resulting in the intervention has already been detected. For the duration of the intervention, there is no risk that the intervention will not be carried out because the object was not detected based on the sensor data. Thus, a reconfiguration of the ultrasonic sensors can also be carried out in this case.

[0025] In a further embodiment, an impending steering movement of the motor vehicle is detected, and the non-detection mode is recognized if the impending steering movement is detected in a direction away from the detection range of the ultrasonic sensor. The impending steering movement can be detected, for example, by the activation of a direction indicator or a turn signal. For this purpose, the ultrasonic sensor device can receive a corresponding signal from a sensor that detects the activation of the direction indicator. If, for example, the turn signal is set in a certain direction, the ultrasonic sensors on the opposite side can be reconfigured. In particular, the ultrasonic sensors whose installation position is opposite the impending steering direction can be reconfigured.For example, the ultrasonic sensors on the left side of the vehicle can be reconfigured if a right-hand steering movement is detected. This takes into account that the driver is unlikely to require object detection or warning on one side of the vehicle if they intend to drive in the other or opposite direction.

[0026] In a further embodiment, a steering movement of the motor vehicle is detected, and the non-detection mode is recognized if the steering movement is detected in a direction away from the detection range of the ultrasonic sensor. In addition to the impending steering movement, a steering movement that is currently being performed or has begun can also be detected. For this purpose, the control device can, for example, receive corresponding data from a steering angle sensor or a yaw rate sensor of the motor vehicle. In this case, too, the ultrasonic sensors on the side facing away from the steering movement can be reconfigured.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the current direction of movement of the motor vehicle is detected, and the non-detection mode is recognized if the detected direction of movement is away from the detection range of the ultrasonic sensor. For example, when the motor vehicle is traveling forward, the ultrasonic sensors arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle can be reconfigured. In this case, it can be provided that the ultrasonic sensors whose installation position is arranged on a side facing away from the direction of travel are reconfigured. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that these ultrasonic sensors are reconfigured simultaneously or sequentially.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the non-detection mode is detected if the object is detected with at least one other ultrasonic sensor of the ultrasonic sensor device. If, for example, the object in the surroundings of the motor vehicle is detected with several ultrasonic sensors of the motor vehicle, it can be provided that at least one of these sensors is not currently being used to detect this object and is reconfigured. This is the case, for example, if an object is located in front of a bumper of the motor vehicle, in which several ultrasonic sensors are usually arranged next to one another. Furthermore, it can be taken into account that the ultrasonic sensors are typically not controlled simultaneously, but individually or in logical groups. During pauses in which the sensors neither emit ultrasonic signals nor receive reflected ultrasonic signals, they can be reconfigured.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the configuration data is determined by the control device depending on the current temperature and / or humidity in the environment of the motor vehicle. For example, the control device can acquire corresponding data from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and use this to determine the configuration data for the ultrasonic sensors. This configuration data can then be transmitted to the ultrasonic sensors in order to adapt their operation to the temperature and / or humidity or the resulting airborne sound attenuation. Based on the configuration data, corresponding threshold curves in the ultrasonic sensors or their evaluation units can be adapted. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors can be adjusted depending on the configuration data.

[0030] An ultrasonic sensor device according to the invention for a motor vehicle is designed to carry out a method according to the invention and advantageous embodiments thereof. The ultrasonic sensor device can comprise a control device and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The ultrasonic sensor device can further comprise corresponding sensors for detecting the temperature and / or humidity in the environment. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor device can have an output unit for outputting a warning. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor device can have corresponding sensors for detecting a movement, a speed, a direction of travel, an activation of the turn signal, and / or a steering movement of the motor vehicle.

[0031] A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an ultrasonic sensor device according to the invention. The motor vehicle is designed, in particular, as a passenger car.

[0032] The preferred embodiment presented with reference to the method according to the invention and its advantages apply accordingly to the ultrasonic sensor device according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0033] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0034] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Showing: Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, which has an ultrasonic sensor device. Fig. 2 shows a first traffic situation in which another motor vehicle is located in a blind spot of the motor vehicle. Fig. 3 shows a further traffic situation in which the motor vehicle is turning right.

[0036] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a top view of a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motor vehicle 1 is embodied as a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 comprises an ultrasonic sensor device 2. The ultrasonic sensor device 2 comprises a control device 3, which can be formed, for example, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor device 2 comprises a plurality of ultrasonic sensors 4.

[0038] In the present exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor device 2 comprises eight ultrasonic sensors 4, with four ultrasonic sensors 4 being arranged in the front area 5 and four ultrasonic sensors 4 being arranged in a rear area 6 of the motor vehicle 1. An ultrasonic signal can be emitted with the respective ultrasonic sensors 4, and the ultrasonic signal reflected by an object 8 in an environment 7 of the motor vehicle 1 can be received again. Based on the ultrasonic signal reflected by the object 8, the respective ultrasonic sensors 4 can determine a sensor signal. The respective ultrasonic sensors 4 can furthermore have an evaluation unit with which the sensor signals can be generated. The evaluation unit of the respective sensors can, for example, compare a raw sensor signal, which is determined based on the received ultrasonic signal, with a threshold value.Thus, for example, only parts of the raw sensor signal that lie above this threshold value can be taken into account as the sensor signal.

[0039] The control device 3 is connected to the respective ultrasonic sensors 4 for data transmission. For the sake of clarity, the respective data lines are not shown here. The respective data lines are designed in particular as single-wire lines or as serial data lines. This means that data can be transmitted either only from the control device 3 to an ultrasonic sensor 4 or from an ultrasonic sensor 4 to the control device 3. The control device 3 can receive the respective sensor data from the ultrasonic sensors 4 and evaluate them to detect the environment 7 of the motor vehicle 1. Based on the sensor data, for example, the object 8 in the environment 7 can be detected and the relative position between the motor vehicle 1 and the object 8 can be determined.

[0040] The ultrasonic sensor device 2 further comprises an environmental sensor 9, with which the current temperature and / or the current humidity in the environment 7 can be detected. The current temperature and / or the current humidity significantly affects the airborne sound attenuation of the air in the environment 7, via which the ultrasonic signals are transmitted. Depending on the current temperature and / or humidity in the environment 7, the control device 3 can then determine configuration data for configuring the ultrasonic sensors 4. This configuration data can then be transmitted to the ultrasonic sensors 4. After the ultrasonic sensors 4 have received the configuration data, the settings of the ultrasonic sensors 4 or their evaluation unit can be adjusted. For example, the threshold curve can be adjusted.

[0041] The ultrasonic sensor device 2 further comprises an output unit 10, by means of which a warning can be issued to a driver of the motor vehicle 1. This warning can be provided acoustically, visually and / or haptically, for example. This warning can be issued, for example, if it is detected that the distance between the motor vehicle 1 and the object 8, which was determined based on the sensor data, falls below a predetermined minimum distance and thus a collision between the motor vehicle 1 and the object 8 is imminent. The warning can also be issued if it is detected based on the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensors 4 that an object 8 or another motor vehicle 14 is located in a blind spot of the motor vehicle 1.

[0042] The control device 3 is now designed to detect whether at least one of the ultrasonic sensors 4 is in a detection mode or in a non-detection mode. In the detection mode, the control device 3 uses the sensor data of the ultrasonic sensor to detect the environment 7 or to detect the object 8. If the ultrasonic sensor 4 is in the detection mode, the sensor data of this ultrasonic sensor 4 can also be used to issue the warning. However, if the ultrasonic sensor 4 is in the non-detection mode, the sensor data of this ultrasonic sensor 4 is not required by the control device 3 to detect the environment 7, detect the object 8, and / or issue the warning.The non-detection mode of the respective ultrasonic sensor 4 can arise, for example, depending on a driving situation of the motor vehicle and / or a traffic situation in which the motor vehicle 1 is located.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a traffic situation in which the motor vehicle 1 is moving in a first lane 12. In an adjacent lane 13, another motor vehicle 14 is located as the object 8. In the present case, the object 8 or the further motor vehicle 14 is located in a blind spot of the motor vehicle 1. The further motor vehicle 14 is detected by the control device with the aid of the sensor data from the ultrasonic sensors 4. Furthermore, the output device 10 is controlled by the control device 3 to output a warning to the driver of the motor vehicle 1. This warning, which is illustrated in the present case by the symbol 15, informs the driver of the motor vehicle 1 that a vehicle is located in the blind spot. While this warning is being output, the non-detection mode for the ultrasonic sensors 4 of the motor vehicle 1 can be detected. Here, it can be assumed that the object 8 orthe other motor vehicle 14 has already been detected and warned about. In this case, a new configuration of the ultrasonic sensors 4 can be carried out, in which the configuration data is transmitted from the control device 3 to the respective ultrasonic sensors 4.

[0044] The ultrasonic sensor device 2 further comprises a sensor 11, which is connected to the control device 3 for data transmission. For example, the sensor 11 can detect a current direction of travel, a steering movement, and / or the actuation of a turn signal. In principle, several individual sensors can also be used instead of the sensor 11. This data from the sensor 11 can also be used by the control device 3 to detect the non-detection mode of at least one of the ultrasonic sensors 4. This is illustrated by way of example with reference to Fig. 3 explained.

[0045] Fig. 3shows a schematic view of another traffic situation involving motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 is performing a right-turning maneuver. This is schematically illustrated by arrow 16. The turning maneuver or steering movement of motor vehicle 1 can be detected in advance with the aid of sensor 11 based on the activation of the turn indicator. Alternatively, the steering movement can be detected as soon as it is initiated or carried out. In this way, the data from sensor 11 describing the steering movement or steering angle can be used. If a steering movement is imminent or carried out, the ultrasonic sensors 4, whose installation position is located on a side opposite the steering movement, can be reconfigured. In this case, motor vehicle 1 is to be steered to the right.In this case, the ultrasonic sensors 4, which are arranged on the left side of the motor vehicle 1, can be reconfigured. These ultrasonic sensors 4 are indicated here by the arrows 17. These ultrasonic sensors 4 are in non-detection mode.

[0046] Overall, this makes it possible to configure the ultrasonic sensors 4 even while the motor vehicle 1 is moving. It is no longer necessary to wait until the motor vehicle 1 is stationary and then transfer the configuration data to the ultrasonic sensors 4. This allows the ultrasonic sensors 4 to be adapted to the conditions in the environment 7, while simultaneously ensuring safe operation of the motor vehicle 1.

Claims

1. Method for operating an ultrasonic sensor apparatus (2) of a motor vehicle (1), in which, in order to capture an environment (7) of the motor vehicle (1), sensor data are received from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors (4) by means of a control device (3), and, in order to configure the ultrasonic sensors (4), configuration data are transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensors (4) by means of the control device (3), wherein, for each of the ultrasonic sensors (4), it is detected whether the ultrasonic sensor (4) is in a capture mode, in which the sensor data from the ultrasonic sensor (4) are used to capture the environment (7), or in a non-capture mode, in which the sensor data from the ultrasonic sensor (4) are disregarded for capturing the environment (7), wherein the configuration data are transmitted to the respective ultrasonic sensor (4) if it is in the non-capture mode, characterized in that the non-capture mode is detected while outputting a warning to a driver of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the warning is output as a result of an object (8) detected in the environment (7) on the basis of the sensor data.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the detection as to whether the ultrasonic sensor (4) is in the capture mode or in the non-capture mode is carried out during a journey of the motor vehicle (1).

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the warning describes that the object (8) is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle (1).

4. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the warning describes that a distance between the motor vehicle (1) and the object (8) falls below a predetermined minimum distance.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-capture mode is detected during intervention in a brake system and / or a steering system of the motor vehicle (1).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an imminent steering movement of the motor vehicle (1) is captured and the non-capture mode is detected if the imminent steering movement is captured in a direction facing away from a capture region of the ultrasonic sensor (4).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a performed steering movement of the motor vehicle (1) is captured and the non-capture mode is detected if the performed steering movement is captured in a direction facing away from the capture region of the ultrasonic sensor (4).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a current direction of movement of the motor vehicle (1) is captured and the non-capture mode is detected if the captured direction of movement faces away from the capture region of the ultrasonic sensor (4).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the non-capture mode is detected if the object (8) is captured using at least one further ultrasonic sensor (4) of the ultrasonic sensor apparatus (2).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the configuration data are determined by means of the control device (3) on the basis of a current temperature and / or a humidity in an environment (7) of the motor vehicle (1).

11. Ultrasonic sensor apparatus (2) for a motor vehicle (1), which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Motor vehicle (1) having an ultrasonic sensor apparatus (2) according to Claim 11.