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:
Mar. 23, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2001
Noriaki Shirai, Kariya, JP;
Takeshi Matsui, Toyohashi, JP;
Katsuhiro Morikawa, Nagoya, JP;
Katsuji Kosaka, Anjo, JP;
Yuji Kimura, Nagoya, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A scanning device periodically changes the direction of the transmission of an electromagnetic wave from an electromagnetic wave generating device. A first driving device operates for repetitively driving the electromagnetic wave generating device a plurality of times per one period of the change of the direction by the scanning device, and thereby for repetitively transmitting a distance measurement electromagnetic wave. A second driving device operates for, before the first driving device drives the electromagnetic wave generating device, driving the electromagnetic wave generating device and thereby transmitting a judgment electromagnetic wave having an energy smaller than that of the distance measurement electromagnetic wave. An obstacle judging device permits the first driving device to drive the electromagnetic wave generating device next in cases where a detected obstacle is absent, and inhibits the first driving device from driving the electromagnetic wave generating device next in cases where a detected obstacle is present.