Lateral Ultrasonic Sensing for Shadowed Obstacle Height Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking assistance systems using ultrasonic transceivers struggle to accurately measure the lateral environment of a vehicle, particularly in scenarios where obstacles are shadowed by other objects, leading to inaccurate height determinations of potential parking hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing lateral ultrasonic transceivers that transmit and receive signals at multiple positions, identify echo signals, trilaterate reflection points, and determine double echoes based on the position of the first reflection point to differentiate between high and low obstacles, effectively revealing recessed hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic transceivers are used to measure lateral environment, then distance measurement capability is provided, but shadowed obstacles cannot be detected leading to inaccurate height determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D distance measurement to 3D spatial mapping by implementing trilateration using multiple transmitting and receiving positions. This dimensional expansion enables the system to calculate reflection point positions in three-dimensional space, thereby detecting obstacles that were previously shadowed in conventional 2D measurement approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement process into multiple discrete transmitting and receiving positions along the lateral direction. By dividing the measurement task across multiple positions and combining the results through trilateration, the system achieves comprehensive 3D coverage that reveals shadowed obstacles while maintaining measurement precision for height determination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transmitting and receiving positions are used for trilateration, then 3D position accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ultrasonic transceiver multi-functional by enabling it to operate in multiple transmitting and receiving positions. The same transceiver unit performs both transmission and reception functions at different spatial locations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors at each position and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining 3D measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transceivers into a single transceiver that operates sequentially at different positions. By combining the transmission and reception capabilities in one unit and coordinating their operation across multiple positions, the system achieves 3D trilateration accuracy without the complexity of managing multiple independent transceiver systems.
3Measurement precision
If double echo determination is performed for all echo signals, then height detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing double echo determination selectively rather than uniformly across all echo signals. The processing intensity is adapted to the local characteristics of each echo signal and its corresponding reflection point, applying rigorous double echo analysis only where necessary based on the 3D position information from trilateration, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining height detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying double echo determination to a subset of echo signals rather than all of them. Based on the 3D spatial information obtained from trilateration, the system identifies which echo signals require detailed double echo analysis and processes only those, achieving sufficient height detection accuracy with reduced processing time compared to exhaustive analysis of all echoes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of obstacle detection by distinguishing between direct and indirect reflections, allowing for precise height determination and enabling semi- or fully autonomous parking by identifying shadowed obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
uses ultrasonic transceivers to determine the distance to objects in the area to the side based on the propagation time between the transmission of a transmitted signal and the reception of a corresponding echo signal
Implementation Method 2
receive a corresponding echo signal
Implementation Method 3
trilaterating a position of a first reflection point in the lateral surroundings from which the temporally first echo signals in the respective received signal pattern were reflected
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an ultrasonic measuring method, comprising: controlling an ultrasonic transceiver at two lateral positions to emit a plurality of transmission signals in a transversal direction and to receive a plurality of received signal progressions; identifying echo signals in the particular received signal progression; triangulating a position of a first reflection point from which the temporally first echo signals in the particular received signal progression were reflected; selecting, from the plurality of echo signals, an echo signal for a double echo determination according to at least the triangulated position of the first reflection point of the temporally first echo signals; determining whether the selected echo signal forms a double echo together with a possible additional, temporally subsequent echo signal; and determining a height of an object at a reflection point at which the selected echo signal was reflected as being high if a double echo is determined and as low if no double echo is determined. The method can identify a shaded obstacle which is set back between other obstacles. In addition, the invention relates to a measurement apparatus and to a vehicle.