US6232910B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High performance vehicle radar system
Assignee: Gentherm Inc
•
Filing: 1999-02-19
•
Granted: 2001-05-15
•
Expires: 2019-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A radar system is described for use in vehicular applications. The radar system is particularly suited to backup warning systems and lane-change warning systems. The radar minimizes many of the problems found in the prior art by providing programmable delays and programmable gain. The radar uses a range search algorithm to detect and sort targets at various ranges within the field of view of the radar. Each target range corresponds to a particular delay and gain setting. The radar searches for targets at the various ranges by running a target search algorithm. For each target range, the search algorithm causes the proper time delay and gain setting. Targets within the selected range are detected and catalogued. Speed of the targets is obtained through Doppler processing. A display is used to warn the driver of the vehicle of the presence of targets at the various ranges. The warning may be visual and/or audible. When used in a lane-change system, issuance of an audible warning is based on the speed of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 David Allen Bell
- 👤 Roger Rong Taur
- 👤 Jess Delacueva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0017; B60Q1/0023; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/08; G01S13/10; G01S13/18; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/32; H01Q1/3208; H01Q1/3233; H01Q1/325; H01Q1/3283; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/24; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W50/08; B60W50/14; B60W2050/143; G01S13/87; G01S2013/9314; G01S2013/9315; G01S2013/9317; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9323; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93272; G01S2013/93277
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A pulse radar comprising: a radio frequency oscillator; a transmit pulse generator; a transmit antenna; a transmit switch which connects said oscillator to said transmit antenna said transmit switch operated by an output of said transmit pulse generator to transmit a radio frequency pulse of energy, said radio-frequency pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and a receive antenna which provides received signals to a receiver, wherein said receiver measures a range to a target by calculating a time required for said radio frequency pulse to traverse a path from said transmit antenna, to said target, and then to said receive antenna, wherein said receiver calculates said time by detecting said trailing edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pulse radar comprising: a radio frequency oscillator; a transmit pulse generator; a transmit antenna; a transmit switch which connects said oscillator to said transmit antenna said transmit switch operated by an output of said transmit pulse generator to transmit a radio frequency pulse of energy, said radio-frequency pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and a receive antenna which provides received signals to a receiver, wherein said receiver measures a range to a target by calculating a time required for said radio frequency pulse to traverse a path from said transmit antenna, to said target, and then to said receive antenna, wherein said receiver calculates said time by detecting said trailing edge.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of using a pulse radar to search for targets and to measure a downrange distance to the targets, comprising the steps of: transmitting a pulse of radio frequency energy, said pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge; receiving reflections of said pulse of radio frequency energy, said reflections produced by said pulse of radio frequency energy being reflected by target objects; and measuring a time when said pulse is received by sensing said trailing edge.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of using a pulse radar to search for targets and to measure a downrange distance to the targets, comprising the steps of: transmitting a pulse of radio frequency energy, said pulse having a leading edge and a trailing edge; receiving reflections of said pulse of radio frequency energy, said reflections produced by said pulse of radio frequency energy being reflected by target objects; and measuring a time when said pulse is received by sensing said trailing edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said radar sensor comprising: a radio frequency transmitter which transmits pulses of radio frequency energy; a radio frequency receiver which receives said pulses of radio frequency energy and converts said pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter which converts said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; and a controller unit which programs said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field of view of said sensor at different downrange distances, said distances measured according to a trailing edge of said pulses of radio frequency energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said radar sensor comprising: a radio frequency transmitter which transmits pulses of radio frequency energy; a radio frequency receiver which receives said pulses of radio frequency energy and converts said pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter which converts said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; and a controller unit which programs said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field of view of said sensor at different downrange distances, said distances measured according to a trailing edge of said pulses of radio frequency energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The radar sensor of claim 3 , wherein said controller unit computes a velocity of said targets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The radar sensor of claim 3 , wherein said controller unit computes an acceleration of said targets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The radar sensor of claim 3 , wherein said sensor is connected to an information bus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The radar sensor of claim 6 , wherein said sensor supplies information about said targets to an airbag deployment system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The radar sensor of claim 3 , further comprising a visual warning device which projects a visual warning signal, said visual warning signal projecting a first warning when said radar sensor detects a target having a first velocity, said visual warning signal projecting a second warning when said radar sensor detects a target having a second velocity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
An array of light sources to be placed in a field of view of an antenna while still allowing the antenna to radiate and receive electromagnetic energy, comprising: a first plurality of power supply lines, said power supply lines oriented substantially orthogonal to an E-field produced by an antenna, said E-field propagating through a plane defined by at least two of the power supply lines in said first plurality of power supply lines; a second plurality of power supply lines, said power supply lines oriented substantially orthogonal to an E-field produced by said antenna; and a plurality of light sources, each source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal provided to at least one power supply line in said first plurality of power supply lines, said second terminal provided to at least one power supply line in said second plurality of power supply lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
An array of light sources to be placed in a field of view of an antenna while still allowing the antenna to radiate and receive electromagnetic energy, comprising: a first plurality of power supply lines, said power supply lines oriented substantially orthogonal to an E-field produced by an antenna, said E-field propagating through a plane defined by at least two of the power supply lines in said first plurality of power supply lines; a second plurality of power supply lines, said power supply lines oriented substantially orthogonal to an E-field produced by said antenna; and a plurality of light sources, each source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal provided to at least one power supply line in said first plurality of power supply lines, said second terminal provided to at least one power supply line in said second plurality of power supply lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The array of claim 9 , further comprising a power supply bus, said power supply bus provided to each of said first plurality of power supply lines, said first plurality of power lines lying in a plane through which said E-field propagates.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for transmitting RF electromagnetic energy through a plurality of light sources comprising the steps of: providing a power supply conductor to each of said light sources; and orienting a substantial portion of said power supply conductors orthogonal to an E-field of said RF electromagnetic energy.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for transmitting RF electromagnetic energy through a plurality of light sources comprising the steps of: providing a power supply conductor to each of said light sources; and orienting a substantial portion of said power supply conductors orthogonal to an E-field of said RF electromagnetic energy.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for transmitting electromagnetic energy through a plurality of light sources comprising the steps of: providing a conductor to power a light source in an array comprising a plurality of light sources; and arranging said conductor to reduce electromagnetic coupling between said conductor and an E-field produced by an antenna disposed to radiate or receive said electromagnetic energy through said array.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for transmitting electromagnetic energy through a plurality of light sources comprising the steps of: providing a conductor to power a light source in an array comprising a plurality of light sources; and arranging said conductor to reduce electromagnetic coupling between said conductor and an E-field produced by an antenna disposed to radiate or receive said electromagnetic energy through said array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said sensor integrated into a vehicle taillight, said radar sensor comprising: a radio frequency transmitter which transmits pulses of radio frequency energy; a radio frequency receiver which receives said pulses of radio frequency energy and converts said pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter which converts said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; a controller unit which programs said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field view of said sensor at different downrange distances; and a vehicle taillight comprising an array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
121 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said sensor integrated into a vehicle taillight, said radar sensor comprising: a radio frequency transmitter which transmits pulses of radio frequency energy; a radio frequency receiver which receives said pulses of radio frequency energy and converts said pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter which converts said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; a controller unit which programs said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field view of said sensor at different downrange distances; and a vehicle taillight comprising an array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said controller unit computes a velocity of said targets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said controller unit computes a distance to said targets by locating a trailing edge of received pulses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said sensor is connected to a vehicle power circuit, and said sensor provides a modulated carrier onto said vehicle power circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The radar sensor of claim 16 , wherein said sensor supplies information about said targets to means for displaying a warning based on target data obtained from said vehicle power circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The radar sensor of claim 16 , wherein said sensor supplies information about said targets to an airbag deployment system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The radar sensor of claim 16 , wherein said sensor supplies information about said targets to other vehicle systems connected to said vehicle power circuit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said radio frequency transmitter transmits said pules of radio frequency energy through said array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The radar sensor of claim 20 , further comprising an antenna placed in front of said lighting array means such that a portion of the light from said lighting array means shines toward said antenna.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The radar sensor of claim 20 , further comprising an antenna placed behind said lighting array means such that said lighting array means is at least partially in a field of view of said antenna.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , further comprising a user interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , further comprising an audible warning device which projects an audible warning signal, said warning signal projecting a firsts sound when said radar sensor detects a target having a first downrange distance, said warning signal projecting a second sound when said radar sensor detects a target having a second downrange distance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
59 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , further comprising an audible warning device which projects an audible warning signal, said warning signal projecting a first sound when said radar sensor detects a closest target having a first downrange distance, said warning signal projecting a second sound when said radar sensor detects a closest target having a second downrange distance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , further comprising an audible warning device which projects an audible warning signal, said warning signal projecting a first sound when said radar sensor detects a target having a first velocity, said warning signal projecting a second sound when said radar sensor detects a target having a second velocity.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , further comprising a visual warning device which projects a visual warning signal, said visual warning signal projecting a first warning when said radar sensor detects a target having a first velocity, said visual warning signal projecting a second warning when said radar sensor detects a target having a second velocity.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said array of light emitting diodes is placed in front of an antenna connected to said transmitter such that said antenna radiates toward said array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The radar sensor of claim 13 , wherein said array of light emitting diodes is placed behind an antenna connected to said transmitter such that a portion of the light emitted by said array shines toward said antenna.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
122 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said radar sensor comprising: radar means for transmitting pulses of radio frequency energy and receiving reflected pulses of radio frequency energy and converting said reflected pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter for converting said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; controller means for programming said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field view of said sensor at different downrange distances; and lighting array means for signaling drivers of vehicles, said radar means transmitting and receiving said pulses of radio frequency energy through said lighting means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
122 words
A radar sensor for tracking and discriminating one or more Doppler shifted targets in downrange distance, said radar sensor comprising: radar means for transmitting pulses of radio frequency energy and receiving reflected pulses of radio frequency energy and converting said reflected pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter for converting said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; controller means for programming said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field view of said sensor at different downrange distances; and lighting array means for signaling drivers of vehicles, said radar means transmitting and receiving said pulses of radio frequency energy through said lighting means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lane-change aid system for providing information to a driver of a vehicle about objects in a side-object region, said system comprising: a vehicle taillight illumination source; a radar sensor unit which provides radar target information to a user interface, said radar sensor unit disposed behind said illumination source; and a speedometer pick-up which provides vehicle speed information to said user interface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lane-change aid system for providing information to a driver of a vehicle about objects in a side-object region, said system comprising: a vehicle taillight illumination source; a radar sensor unit which provides radar target information to a user interface, said radar sensor unit disposed behind said illumination source; and a speedometer pick-up which provides vehicle speed information to said user interface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
100 words
The lane change aid system of claim 31 , wherein said radar sensor unit comprises: a radio frequency transmitter which transmits pulses of radio frequency energy; a radio frequency receiver which receives said pulses of radio frequency energy, and converts said pulses of radio frequency energy into an intermediate frequency signal; a digital to analog converter which converts said intermediate frequency signal into a stream of digital samples in response to a programmable time delay; and a controller unit which programs said programmable time delay to detect targets with a field of view of said sensor at different downrange distances.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface does not warn said driver about objects detected by said radar sensor beyond a maximum range when said vehicle is moving at less than a desired speed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface does not audibly warn said driver about objects detected by said radar sensor beyond a range of about five feet when said vehicle is traveling less than about 15 miles per hour.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein each of said radar sensors comprises a controller unit which provides radar target information to an information bus.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface comprises an audible warning and a visual warning.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface comprises an audible warning.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface does not sound said audible warning when said vehicle is traveling at less than a desired speed.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface sounds an audible warning according to a distance to a detected target and a relative speed between said vehicle and said detected target.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , further comprising a turn-signal pick-up, said array and said transmitter activated in response to said turn signal pickup.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 41 , wherein said user interface does not audibly warn a driver of left-side targets unless said turn-signal pick-up indicates that a left-side turn-signal has been activated.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lane-change aid system of claim 32 , wherein said user interface does not audibly warn a driver of right-side targets unless said turn-signal pick-up indicates that a right-side turn-signal has been activated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |