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:
Oct. 04, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 02, 2008
Fumimasa Magane, Anjo, JP;
Hiroyuki Kani, Anjo, JP;
Syotarou Tanaka, Obu, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, Aichi Pref., JP;
Abstract
An obstacle detection apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor detects a presence of an obstacle around the vehicle and a distance to the obstacle by transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by the obstacle. The controller controls the ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic wave element. The ultrasonic wave element has multiple resonance modes. The ultrasonic sensor changes a directivity of the ultrasonic sensor by selecting one of the multiple resonance modes of the ultrasonic wave element in accordance with a command signal output from the controller.