WO2018006998A1

WO2018006998A1 - Control device for sensor and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2018006998A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/000771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shuai TANG
Original assignee: Audi Ag
Priority date: 2016-07-05
Filing date: 2017-06-29
Publication date: 2018-01-11
Also published as: CN107577213A

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a control device for a sensor and method thereof. The control device includes: an obtaining unit, configured to obtain at least one environment factor; an analysis unit, configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor obtained by the obtaining unit; and an adjusting unit, configured to update a corresponding parameter in the sensor according to the parameter determined by the analysis unit. Thus, the sensor can be adapted to a different environment condition, and the driver assistance system using the sensor can perform more stably.

Description

CONTROL DEVICE FOR SENSOR AND METHOD THEREOF

TECHNICAL

[0001] The present disclosure relates to sensor technology, and more specifically, to a control device for a sensor and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Usually, a driver assistance system of a vehicle is equipped with one or more sensors, such as a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor or a laser sensor, so as to collect surrounding information.

[0003] These sensors are easily affected by environment factors. These sensors may be not stable such as in a different temperature or humidity condition. For example, the ultrasonic sensor's unstable detection in hot or wet weather can result in annoying beeping. For another example, the radar sensor has much more noisy reflection in foggy or rainy weather. The instability of the sensor can lead to unstable operation of the driver assistance system.

SUMMARY

[0004] In order to overcome One or more of the drawbacks of the existing technologies, the present disclosure discloses a control device for a sensor and a method thereof, which can increase accuracy of the sensor and improve stability of the sensor.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, it is disclosed that, a control device for a sensor includes: an obtaining unit, configured to obtain at least one environment factor; an analysis unit, configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor obtained by the obtaining unit; and an adjusting unit, configured to update a corresponding parameter in the sensor according to the parameter determined by the analysis unit.

[0006] Optionally, the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume, and the parameter is selected from a group consisted of detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

[0007] Optionally, the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter for the sensor according to a mapping relationship between the parameter and the at least one environment factor, wherein the parameter is the detection range or the resolution.

[0008] Optionally, the mapping relationship is represented by a pre-trained mapping formula which is a function of the at least one environment factor, and the analysis unit is further configured to compute the parameter for the sensor according to the pre-trained mapping formula.

[0009] Optionally, the mapping relationship is represented by a pre-trained table which comprises values of the parameter for the sensor stored associated with the at least one environment factor, and the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter for the sensor by looking up the pre-trained table.

[0010] Optionally, the mapping relationship is represented by a set of rules which define .conditions and associated actions, and the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter by: if the at least one environment factor fulfills a condition, determining the parameter according to the action associated with the condition.

[0011] Optionally, the set of rules comprises one or more of the following: if the at least one environment factor falls within a first predetermined range, the parameter is set to a specified value; if the at least one environment factor falls within a second predetermined range, detection result less than a predetermined intensity shall be filtered out; and if the at least one environment factor falls within a third predetermined range, the sensor shall be deactivated; and if the at least one environment factor goes beyond a fourth predetermined range, the sensor shall be enabled.

[0012] Optionally, the obtaining unit is further configured to obtain the temperature from a thermometer installed close to the sensor, or to obtain the humidity from a hygrometer installed close to the sensor, or to obtain the rain volume from a rain gauge. [0013] Optionally, the sensor is a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, if is disclosed that, a control method for a sensor includes: obtaining, at least one environment factor; determining, a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor; and updating, a corresponding parameter in the sensor according to the determined parameter for the sensor.

[0015] Optionally, the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume, and the parameter is selected from a group consisted of detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, it is disclosed that, a control system for a sensor includes: an environment monitoring assembly, configured to monitor at least one environment factor; a processing unit, configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor; and an executive unit, configured to adjust the sensor according to the determined parameter.

[0017] Optionally, the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume; and the environment monitoring assembly comprises one or any combination of: a thermometer installed close to the sensor; a hygrometer installed close to the sensor, and a rain gauge.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, by determining a parameter for a sensor based on environment analysis and updating a corresponding parameter in the sensor, the sensor can be adapted to a different environment condition, so that the accuracy of the sensor is increased and the stability of the sensor is improved, and thereby the driver assistance system using the sensor can perform more stably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure clearly, a brief introduction to the accompanying drawings which are needed in the description of the embodiments is given below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present disclosure, based on which other drawings can be obtained by the persons of ordinary skills in the art without any inventive efforts.

[0020] Fig.l is a schematic diagram illustrating a control device for a sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig.2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system for a sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig.3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system for a sensor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure

[0023] Fig.4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a control method for a sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Detailed description of the present disclosure will be given blow with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present disclosure, and in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses. It should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings merely show a related part of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.l is a schematic diagram illustrating a control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig.l, the device 100 includes an obtaining unit 11 , an analysis unit 12 and an adjusting unit 13.

[0026] The obtaining unit 11 is configured to obtain at least one environment factor.

[0027] Here, the at least one environment factor include but not limited to one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume. For example, the obtaining unit 11 can obtain the temperature from a thermometer installed close to the sensor, or obtain the humidity from a hygrometer installed close to the sensor, or obtain the rain volume from a rain gauge. [0028] The analysis unit 12 is configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor obtained by the obtaining unit 11.

[0029] Here, the parameter can be selected from a group consisted of, but not limited to, detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

[0030] It should be noted that, the parameter may be determined by one environment factor or determined jointly by a plurality of environment factors. The analysis unit 12 can determine one parameter or a plurality of parameters for the sensor based on the at least one environment factor. Preferably, the sensor may be a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor.

[0031] In one example of the present embodiment, the analysis unit 12 can be further configured to determine the parameter for the sensor according to a mapping relationship between the parameter and the at least one environment factor. Optionally, the mapping relationship can be obtained by a pre-training mode.

[0032] In some examples, the mapping relationship can be represented by a pre-trained mapping formula which is a function of the at least one environment factor. The analysis unit 12 can be further configured to compute the parameter for the sensor according to the pre-trained mapping formula. For instance, a detection range for a radar sensor is determined through a mapping formula which is given as below:

[0033] Radar Range = F (humidity) = 100 meters / (humidity*X), wherein X is a pre-trained value.

[0034] It should be noted that, the above example is just for illustration, but should not be interpreted as limiting.

[0035] As an alternative or in addition to, the mapping relationship is represented by a set of rules which define conditions and associated actions. The analysis unit 12 can be further configured to determine the parameter by: if the at least one environment factor fulfills a condition, determining the parameter according to the action associated with the condition. In other words, for each set that includes one or more elements (that is one or more environment factors), the analysis unit 12 can search the optimal parameters in the pre-trained table.

[0036] Here, the set of rules include, but not limited to, one or more of the following: if the at least one environment factor falls within a first predetermined range, the parameter is set to a specified value; if the at least one environment factor falls within a second predetermined range, detection result less than a predetermined intensity shall be filtered out; if the at least one environment factor falls within a third predetermined range, the sensor shall be deactivated; and if the at least one environment factor goes beyond a fourth predetermined range, the sensor shall be enabled. It should be noted that, the first predetermined range and the second determine range can be the same or different; and the third predetermined range and the fourth predetermined range can be the same or different.

[0037] For example, if the humidity is equal to 50 RH%, the temperature is equal to

*

16 degrees Celsius, and the rain volume is equal to 10 mm/min, the radar range, the ultrasonic resolution and a radar result shifting in the pre-trained table are 40 m, 0.5 m and -1.5m, respectively. For another example, if humidity > 10 RH%, the radar range is 40 meters and all reflection points whose intensity is less than 10 dB can be filtered out. For another example, the ultrasonic function is turned off when the temperature or humidity is unordinary, such as the temperature is greater than 38 degrees Celsius and the rain volume is greater than 5 mm/min.

[0038] It should be noted that, the above examples are just for illustration, but should not be interpreted as limiting.

[0039] Fig.2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system 200 for a sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the control system 200 includes a processor unit 21, a memory 22, executive unit 23 and an environment monitoring assembly 24.

[0040] The memory 22 may be a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, a part of which may include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The memory 22 provides instructions or data to the processor unit 21. The processor unit 21, the memory 22 and the executive unit 23 are coupled together by a bus system 210 which may include a power bus, a control bus or a state signal bus as well as a data bus. The processor unit 21 having a signal processing capability may be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), an integrated circuit chip, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

[0041] In a preferred example of the present embodiment, the environment monitoring assembly 24 is configured to monitor at least one environment factor, the processing unit 21 is configured to determine a parameter for the sensor 25 in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor, and the executive unit 23 is configured to adjust the sensor according to the determined parameter.

[0042] Preferably, the sensor 25 may be a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor.

[0043] Here, the parameter can be selected from a group consisted of, but not limited to, detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

[0044] Optionally, Fig.3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system 300 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the environment monitoring assembly 24 includes, but not limited to, one or any combination of: a thermometer 36 installed close to the sensor; a hygrometer 37 installed close to the sensor, and a rain gauge 38. The thermometer 36 for measuring the temperature can be installed close to the sensor 25. The hygrometer 37 for measuring the humidity can also be installed close to the sensor 25. The rain gauge 38 is used for measuring the rain volume.

[0045] Fig.4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a control method for a sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the control method 400 includes the following steps.

[0046] In step 401 , at least one environment factor is obtained.

[0047] In step 402, a parameter for a sensor in a driver assistance system is determined based on the at least one environment factor.

[0048] In step 403, a corresponding parameter in the sensor is updated according to the determined parameter for the sensor in step 402. [0049] By adopting the method mentioned above, the parameter for a sensor is determined based on environment analysis and a corresponding parameter in the sensor is updated. Thus, the sensor can be adapted to a different environment condition, so that the accuracy of the sensor is increased and the stability of the sensor is improved, and thereby the driver assistance system using the sensor can perform more stably.

[0050] Optionally, the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume, and the parameter is selected from a group consisted of detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

[0051] The control device 100 for the sensor mentioned above can perform the method, so the specific embodiments will not be repeated herein, and please refer to Fig.l.

[0052] The above examples just help to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure, but not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] Those skilled in the art may understand that the units in the device disclosed herein may be distributed in the device of the embodiments, and may also be varied to be located in one or more devices different from those of the embodiments. The units of the above embodiments may be integrated into one unit or may be further divided into multiple sub-units.

[0054] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood by those skilled in the art that this limitation is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included without departing from the scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for a sensor, comprising:

an obtaining unit, configured to obtain at least one environment factor;

an analysis unit, configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor obtained by the obtaining unit; and

an adjusting unit, configured to update a corresponding parameter in the sensor according to the parameter determined by the analysis unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume, and the parameter is selected from a group consisted of detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter for the sensor according to a mapping relationship between the parameter and the at least one environment factor.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein

the mapping relationship is represented by a pre-trained mapping formula which is a function of the at least one environment factor, and the analysis unit is further configured to compute the parameter for the sensor according to the pre-trained mapping formula.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein

the mapping relationship is represented by a pre-trained table which comprises values of the parameter for the sensor stored associated with the at least one environment factor, and the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter for the sensor by looking up the pre-trained table.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein

the mapping relationship is represented by a set of rules which define conditions and associated actions, and the analysis unit is further configured to determine the parameter by: if the at least one environment factor fulfills a condition, determining the parameter according to the action associated with the condition.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein

the set of rules comprises one or more of the following:

if the at least one environment factor falls within a first predetermined range, the parameter is set to a specified value;

if the at least one environment factor falls within a second predetermined range, detection result less than a predetermined intensity shall be filtered out;

if the at least one environment factor falls within a third predetermined range, the sensor shall be deactivated; and

if the at least one environment factor goes beyond^a fourth predetermined range, the sensor shall be enabled.

8. The device according to any one of claims 2-9, wherein

the obtaining unit is further configured to obtain the temperature from a thermometer installed close to the sensor, or to obtain the humidity from a hygrometer installed close to the sensor, or to obtain the rain volume from a rain gauge.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the sensor is a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor or a laser sensor.

10. A control method for a sensor, comprising:

obtaining at least one environment factor;

determining a parameter for a sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor; and updating a corresponding parameter in the sensor according to the determined parameter for the sensor.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume, and the parameter is selected from a group consisted of detection range, resolution, detection results offset, and filters of detection results.

12. A control system for a sensor, comprising:

an environment monitoring assembly, configured to monitor at least one environment factor;

a processing unit, configured to determine a parameter for the sensor in a driver assistance system based on the at least one environment factor; and

an executive unit, configured to adjust the sensor according to the determined parameter.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, the at least one environment factor comprises one or any combination of following factors: humidity, temperature, and rain volume; and the environment monitoring assembly comprises one or any combination of: a thermometer installed close to the sensor; a hygrometer installed close to the sensor, and a rain gauge.