Object classification method, parking assistance method, and parking assistance system

1. An object classification method for classifying an object during a parking operation involving movement of a vehicle toward the object, comprising:

(a) ascertaining a first characteristic quantity from a variation of a first signal received by a distance-measuring sensor in the vehicle;

(b) ascertaining a second characteristic quantity from a variation of a second signal received by the distance-measuring sensor;

(c) ascertaining a distance traveled by the vehicle between step (a) and step (b);

(d) ascertaining a predictive quantity from the ascertained first characteristic quantity, wherein the predictive quantity is associated with the distance ascertained in step (c);

(e) comparing the predictive quantity with the second characteristic quantity ascertained in step (b); and

(f) generating an object classification signal associated with the object, wherein the object classification signal has a first state if the predictive quantity is less than the second characteristic quantity or a second state if the predictive quantity is greater than or equal to the second characteristic quantity.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein steps (b) through (f) are repeated periodically.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising:

ascertaining whether a series of consecutively ascertained characteristic quantities has a local maximum,

wherein the object classification signal associated with the object is generated to have the first state if the series of consecutively ascertained characteristic quantities has a local maximum.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein in step (d) the predictive quantity is ascertained by mathematically linking the first characteristic quantity to an attenuation factor.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein in step (d) the predictive quantity is determined by multiplying the first characteristic quantity ascertained in step (a) by a factor e kx , k being the attenuation factor and x being the distance ascertained in step (c).

6. The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the attenuation factor k is set as a function of weather conditions.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first characteristic quantity defines the amplitude of a local maximum in the first signal received by the sensor, and wherein the second characteristic quantity defines the amplitude of a local maximum in the second signal received by the sensor.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining an instantaneous distance of the vehicle from the object; and

outputting a warning signal if the instantaneous distance is less than a predetermined minimum distance, wherein the predetermined minimum distance is a function of the state of the object classification signal.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program having program codes which, when executed on a computer, control a method of classifying an object during a parking operation involving movement of a vehicle toward the object, the method comprising:

(a) ascertaining a first characteristic quantity from a variation of a first signal received by a distance-measuring sensor in the vehicle;

(b) ascertaining a second characteristic quantity from a variation of a second signal received by the distance-measuring sensor;

(c) ascertaining a distance traveled by the vehicle between step (a) and step (b);

(d) ascertaining a predictive quantity from the ascertained first characteristic quantity, wherein the predictive quantity is associated with the distance ascertained in step (c);

(e) comparing the predictive quantity with the second characteristic quantity ascertained in step (b); and

(f) generating an object classification signal associated with the object, wherein the object classification signal has a first state if the predictive quantity is less than the second characteristic quantity or a second state if the predictive quantity is greater than or equal to the second characteristic quantity.

10. A parking assistance system for aiding a parking operation of a vehicle involving movement of the vehicle toward an object, comprising:

a distance-measuring sensor configured to periodically transmit a signal from the vehicle toward the object and receive a reflected signal from the object; and

a program-controlled device configured to:

ascertain a first characteristic quantity from a variation of a first signal received by the distance-measuring sensor;

ascertains a second characteristic quantity from a variation of a second signal received by the distance-measuring sensor;

ascertain a distance traveled by the vehicle between the points in time when the first and the second characteristic quantities are ascertained;

ascertain a predictive quantity from the first ascertained characteristic quantity, wherein the predictive quantity is associated with the ascertained distance traveled by the vehicle;

compares the predictive quantity with the second characteristic quantity; and

generate an object classification signal associated with the object, wherein the object classification signal has a first state if the predictive quantity is less than the second characteristic quantity or a second state if the predictive quantity is greater than or equal to the second characteristic quantity.

11. The parking assistance system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the distance-measuring sensor is located in one of a rear area or a front area of the vehicle.