The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1999
Toshio Hosokawa, Kariya, JP;
Takekazu Terui, Tokai, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A radar apparatus for automotive vehicles is provided which is designed to emit laser beams to scan a forward zone for detecting moving object such as preceding vehicles and a downward zone for detecting lane marks printed on a road surface for defining a traffic lane. The downward zone is wider than the forward zone horizontally. Each zone has a minimum width required for assuring desired accuracy of radar detection of an object, thereby minimizing the number of emissions of the laser beams, resulting in an increase in lifetime of a laser diode and production of unwanted data on roadside objects having a low probability that the vehicle will collide them. The apparatus also includes a light focusing mechanism which focuses the laser beam on a given area in the downward zone to increase the power density of a return of the laser beam.