US6411221B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method to detect an object in a given area, especially vehicles, for the purpose of traffic control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-08-26
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Granted: 2002-06-25
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Expires: 2019-08-26
Abstract
Abstract When detecting an object in a given area, especially vehicles for the purposes of traffic control, there appear to be inaccuracies in the system based on measuring pulse propagation times. In order to avoid such inaccuracies, a sample of observed (measured) real values is compared with a gauging table having a sample of values stored therein, so that pulse propagation time measurements are no longer necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst Hörber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:28
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/015; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/4802; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/04; G01S17/50; G01S17/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for detecting an object in a predetermined spatial region, in particular vehicles for traffic monitoring, by comparing measured value pattern with a predetermined stored value patterns, including a transmitter for generating and emitting radiation pulses to the predetermined spatial region, a receiver to receive radiation backscattered or reflected from the predetermined spatial region and to emit a time-dependent detection signal (U(t)) for each individually received backscattered or reflected radiation pulse, at least two measuring devices, each of which to measure an instantaneous values U(i) of the detection signal U(t) within a corresponding measurement time interval, the intervals of the measuring devices being offset from each other in time, a control unit to provide a control signal to the transmitter to trigger the emission of a radiation pulse, and to the measuring devices to measure the instantaneous values of the time-dependent detection signal in the corresponding measurement time intervals, which are stipulated by the control unit, and a comparing unit compare a value pattern derived from the measured instantaneous values of the detection signal, with stored predetermined value patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for detecting an object in a predetermined spatial region, in particular vehicles for traffic monitoring, by comparing measured value pattern with a predetermined stored value patterns, including a transmitter for generating and emitting radiation pulses to the predetermined spatial region, a receiver to receive radiation backscattered or reflected from the predetermined spatial region and to emit a time-dependent detection signal (U(t)) for each individually received backscattered or reflected radiation pulse, at least two measuring devices, each of which to measure an instantaneous values U(i) of the detection signal U(t) within a corresponding measurement time interval, the intervals of the measuring devices being offset from each other in time, a control unit to provide a control signal to the transmitter to trigger the emission of a radiation pulse, and to the measuring devices to measure the instantaneous values of the time-dependent detection signal in the corresponding measurement time intervals, which are stipulated by the control unit, and a comparing unit compare a value pattern derived from the measured instantaneous values of the detection signal, with stored predetermined value patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection signal U(t) is fed in parallel to the at least two measuring devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring devices are instantaneous voltage measuring devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein each measuring device includes a switch which is open in the untriggered state and which is operated by the control signal from the control unit, and an integrating amplifier to which the detection signal U(t) is fed when the switch is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , including the comparing unit comprises a digitalization device for digitization of the measured instantaneous values and the detection signal, and an evaluating device for deriving a value pattern from the measured instantaneous values and for comparing the value pattern with predetermined stored value patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the stored value patterns are filed in a calibration table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the value patterns filed in the calibration table are assigned to given distances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation pulse radiated by the transmitter is narrowly focused for a distance measurement or wherein the radiation pulse radiated by the transmitter is fanned out for space monitoring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation pulse is a laser light pulse, preferably with a wavelength of about 860 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the full width at half-maximum of the pulse is about 15 ns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the repetition rate of the pulse is about 30 kHz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
Method for detecting an object in a predetermined spatial region, in particular vehicles for traffic monitoring, by comparing measured value pattern with a predetermined stored value patterns, with the steps of: emitting at least one radiation pulse to the predetermined spatial region, receiving radiation backscattered or reflected from the predetermined spatial region, generating a time-dependent detection signal for each individually received radiation pulse, measuring instantaneous values of the detection signal within at least two measurement time intervals, being offset from each other in time, deriving a measured value pattern from the measured instantaneous values of the detection signal, and compare the measured value pattern with predetermined stored value patterns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
Method for detecting an object in a predetermined spatial region, in particular vehicles for traffic monitoring, by comparing measured value pattern with a predetermined stored value patterns, with the steps of: emitting at least one radiation pulse to the predetermined spatial region, receiving radiation backscattered or reflected from the predetermined spatial region, generating a time-dependent detection signal for each individually received radiation pulse, measuring instantaneous values of the detection signal within at least two measurement time intervals, being offset from each other in time, deriving a measured value pattern from the measured instantaneous values of the detection signal, and compare the measured value pattern with predetermined stored value patterns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein the comparison of the value pattern is carried out with the aid of value patterns stored in a calibration table.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 13 , wherein the comparison leads to a distance filed in the calibration table as the result.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein the measurement time intervals almost completely cover a predetermined measurement time range in which the backscattered or reflected radiation is received.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein the width of a measurement time interval does not exceed the pulse width of the received backscattered or reflected radiation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein each received pulse is capable of detection in at least two measurement intervals offset from each other in time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein the instantaneous values are instantaneous voltage values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method according to claim 12 , wherein the radiation pulse is a laser light pulse, preferably with a wavelength of about 860 nm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 19 , wherein the full width at half-maximum of the pulse is about 15 ns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method according to claim 19 , wherein the repetition rate of the pulse is about 30 kHz.
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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) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |