Obstacle detection apparatus and method of controlling obstacle detection apparatus
US8154955B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2015/938
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An obstacle detection apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a control part. The ultrasonic sensor detects a presence of an obstacle around a vehicle and a distance to the obstacle by transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by the obstacle. The control part includes at least one of a rainfall amount determining portion and a noise determining portion. When the rainfall determining portion determines that a rainfall amount is greater than a predetermined amount or when the noise determining portion determines that noise is present, the control part outputs a command signal to the ultrasonic sensor so that the ultrasonic sensor decreases a directivity compared with a case where the rainfall determining portion determines that the rainfall amount is less than or equal to the predetermined amount or a case where the noise determining portion determines that noise is not present.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.