Method and apparatus for detecting an object in a motor vehicle environment

1. A method for detecting location of an object in a detection field, using a detection device that scans the detection field, said method comprising:

scanning the detection field at predetermined angular increments, and sensing corresponding reflection signals;

when sensing a reflection signal of the object at an angle φI (I =1, 2, . . . N), adjusting the angular increments refined in the angular range between the angles φi−1 and φi+1 as a function of signal propagation times ti−1, ti and ti+1 of reflection signals sensed at the angles φi−1, φi and φi+1.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one additional angle φz (z=1,2, . . . , N) which is to be sensed is introduced into the angular range between the angles φi−1 and φI, or φi and φi+1, if an absolute propagation time difference between the signal propagation times ti and ti−1 or ti and ti+1 of the reflection signals exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the method is continued until reliable detection of the object is ensured.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the additional angle φz is determined in an interval nesting method.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the additional angle φz is determined in an iteration method, with suitable weighting.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein scanning takes place substantially horizontally.

7. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein scanning takes place substantially vertically.

8. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein scanning takes place at a predetermined angle of inclination.

9. A device for detecting an object in a detection field for the purpose of carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the angular increments can be set in the angular range between two angles φi−1 and φi as a function of signal propagation times ti−1 and ti of corresponding reflection signals sensed at the angles φi−1 and φi.

10. A method for detecting spatial location of an object within a detection field, said method comprising:

emitting scanning signals at predetermined sensing angles distributed across said detection field;

for each such scanning signal, sensing a corresponding reflection signal;

determining a propagation time for each reflection signal;

for each pair of adjacent reflection signals determining a propagation time difference;

for any such pair of adjacent reflection signals for which a determined propagation difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value, adjusting the sensing angle between scanning signals corresponding to such pair of adjacent reflecting signals, and repeating the preceding steps.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein said adjusting step comprises introducing an additional scanning signal between such pair of adjacent reflection signals.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the method is continued until reliable detection of the object is ensured.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the orientation of the additional scanning signal is determined in an interval nesting method.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the the orientation of the additional scanning signal is determined in an iteration method, with suitable weighting.