Vehicle imaging system and method for distinguishing reflective objects from lights of another vehicle
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60Q-001/14
G06K-009/00
출원번호
US-0462694
(2014-08-19)
등록번호
US-9317758
(2016-04-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Falb, David M
출원인 / 주소
GENTEX CORPORATION
대리인 / 주소
Price Heneveld LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
182
초록▼
An imaging system is provided for a vehicle. The system includes an imager for imaging a forward external scene and generating image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a processor for receiving and analyzing the image data to detect a light source. When a light source is detected, the pr
An imaging system is provided for a vehicle. The system includes an imager for imaging a forward external scene and generating image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a processor for receiving and analyzing the image data to detect a light source. When a light source is detected, the processor generates a control signal to control exterior lights of the vehicle to temporarily modulate an illumination pattern projected from the exterior lights to have a particular modulation pattern. After generating the control signal, the processor analyzes the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has the modulation pattern of the exterior lights. If the light source does have the modulation pattern, the processor determines that the light source is a reflective object and not a light of another vehicle. Otherwise, the processor determines that the light source may be a light of another vehicle.
대표청구항▼
1. An imaging system for a vehicle, comprising: an imager configured to image a scene external and forward of the vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to acquired images; anda processor configured to receive and analyze the image data to detect the presence of a light source and to ident
1. An imaging system for a vehicle, comprising: an imager configured to image a scene external and forward of the vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to acquired images; anda processor configured to receive and analyze the image data to detect the presence of a light source and to identify whether such light source is a light of another vehicle;wherein:when a light source is detected, said processor is configured to generate a signal that is used to control exterior lights of the vehicle to temporarily modulate at least a portion of an illumination pattern projected from the exterior lights to have a particular modulation pattern at least in the direction of the detected light source,after generating the signal, said processor is configured to analyze the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights,when the light source does have such a modulation pattern, said processor is configured to determine that the light source is a reflective object and not a light of another vehicle, andwhen the light source does not have such a modulation pattern, said processor is configured to determine that the light source may be a light of another vehicle. 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the modulation pattern used to modulate the exterior lights is a unique modulation pattern to the vehicle. 3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the modulation pattern is one of a random and a pseudorandom pattern. 4. The imaging system of claim 3, wherein the pseudorandom modulation pattern is selected using a seed value corresponding to one of: select digits from a VIN of the vehicle, a time value corresponding to the time since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle, and a number of frames captured since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle. 5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said processor analyzes the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights within a predetermined time window after a control signal was generated to modulate the exterior lights. 6. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the exterior lights are modulated at a frequency that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, and 50 Hz, and wherein said processor treats any light sources having a modulation pattern that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, and 50 Hz as nonvehicle light sources. 7. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to generate additional signals that are used to control the exterior lights in response to determinations that a light of another vehicle is present or a determination that another vehicle is no longer present. 8. A method for distinguishing between a light of another vehicle and a reflective object, comprising: providing an imager for use in a vehicle;imaging a scene external and forward of the vehicle and generating image data corresponding to the acquired images;receiving and analyzing the image data in a processor to detect the presence of a light source and to identify whether such light source is a light of another vehicle;when a light source is detected, generating a control signal to control exterior lights of the vehicle to temporarily modulate at least a portion of an illumination pattern projected from the exterior lights to have a particular modulation pattern at least in the direction of the detected light source;after generating the control signal, analyzing the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights;when the light source does have such a modulation pattern, determining that the light source is a reflective object and not a light of another vehicle; andwhen the light source does not have such a modulation pattern, determining that the light source may be a light of another vehicle. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the modulation pattern used to modulate the exterior lights is a unique modulation pattern to the vehicle. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the modulation pattern is one of a random and a pseudorandom pattern. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pseudorandom modulation pattern is selected using a seed value corresponding to one of: select digits from a VIN of the vehicle, a time value corresponding to the time since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle, and a number of frames captured since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of analyzing the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights is performed within a predetermined time window after the control signal was generated to modulate the exterior lights. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the exterior lights are modulated at a frequency that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, 60 Hz, and 50 Hz, and wherein said processor treats any light sources having a modulation pattern that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, 60 Hz, and 50 Hz as nonvehicle light sources. 14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor within a vehicle, cause the processor to distinguish between a light of another vehicle and a reflective object, by executing the steps comprising: controlling an imager to image a scene external and forward of the vehicle and generate image data corresponding to the acquired images;receiving and analyzing the image data in a processor to detect the presence of a light source and to identify whether such light source is a light of another vehicle;when a light source is detected, generating a control signal to control exterior lights of the vehicle to temporarily modulate at least a portion of an illumination pattern projected from the exterior lights to have a particular modulation pattern at least in the direction of the detected light source;after generating the control signal, analyzing the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights;when the light source does have such a modulation pattern, determining that the light source is a reflective object and not a light of another vehicle; andwhen the light source does not have such a modulation pattern, determining that the light source may be a light of another vehicle. 15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the modulation pattern used to modulate the exterior lights is a unique modulation pattern to the vehicle. 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the modulation pattern is one of a random and a pseudorandom pattern. 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the pseudorandom modulation pattern is selected using a seed value corresponding to one of: select digits from a VIN of the vehicle, a time value corresponding to the time since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle, and a number of frames captured since a beginning of a current vehicle ignition cycle. 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the step of analyzing the image data subsequently received to detect whether the light source has a modulation pattern corresponding to the modulation pattern of the exterior lights is performed within a predetermined time window after the control signal was generated to modulate the exterior lights. 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the exterior lights are modulated at a frequency that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, 60 Hz, and 50 Hz, and wherein said processor treats any light sources having a modulation pattern that is a multiple of at least one of 120 Hz, 100 Hz, 60 Hz, and 50 Hz as nonvehicle light sources. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the software instructions further cause the processor to generate an exterior light control signal that is used to control the exterior lights in response to determinations that a light of another vehicle is present or a determination that another vehicle is no longer present.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (182)
Heslin,Patrick; Lynam,Niall R, Accessory mounting system for mounting a plurality of accessories to the windshield of a vehicle.
Massoni Francois (95 ; avenue de la Lanterne 06200 Nice FRX) Canarelli Filippe (24 via Garibaldi Vintimille ITX) Fellrath Francoise (4 ; avenue Primerose 06200 Nice FRX), Automatic control device for lighting and extinction of headlamps in a vehicle.
Chang Kwangling (293 Kenilworth Avenue Toronto ; Ontario CAX M4L 3S9) Imperio Louis (36 Carlaw Avenue Toronto ; Ontario CAX M4M 2R7), Automatic control system for automobile lights.
Slotkowski Kenneth G. (Westland MI) Michaels Paul A. (Livonia MI) Macks Harold R. (Detroit MI) Ewald Henry J. (Livonia MI), Automatic headlamp dimmer having improved signal discrimination and signal processing.
Chen Min-Hsiung (3F. No. 10 ; Alley 102 ; Lane 109 ; Der-Hsin E. Rd. Taipei TWX), Automatic luminosity control device for car and motor bicycle headlamps.
Schierbeek Kenneth L. ; Dykhouse Robert J. ; Lynam Niall R., Automatic sensitivity adjustment for electro-optic mirror and headlight activation control.
Stam, Joseph S.; Walstra, Eric J.; Berends, Keith H.; Rycenga, Brock R.; Longworth, Kevin J.; Meekhof, David A., Automatic vehicle exterior light control systems.
William L. Tonar ; Jeffrey A. Forgette ; John S. Anderson ; Jon H. Bechtel ; John W. Carter ; Joseph S. Stam, Electrochromic rearview mirror incorporating a third surface metal reflector and a display/signal light.
Parulski Kenneth (Rochester NY) Bouvy Raymond J. (Rochester NY) Tredwell Timothy J. (Fairport NY) Smith David A. (Rochester NY), Electronic camera with memory card interface to a computer.
Parulski Kenneth A. (Rochester NY) Hamel Robert H. (Walworth NY) Acello John J. (East Rochester NY), Hand-manipulated electronic camera tethered to a personal computer.
Taccetta Alfonse (One Bonnie Briar Rd. Yonkers NY 10710) Fico Anthony (22 Sheridan Ave. ; Apt. 5B Mount Vernon NY 10550), Headlight actuator associated with windsheild wiper actuation having delay circuits and daylight detection.
Kretschmer Heinz (Bnnigheim DEX) Lietar Christian (Morges CHX) Lindae Gerhard (Leonberg DEX) Loewe Richard (Gerlingen DEX) Longchamp Jean-Francois (Lausanne CHX) Neumann Rainer (Frankfurt am Main DEX, Headlight arrangement for vehicles.
Stam, Joseph S.; Mart, Gregory A.; Berends, Keith H.; Bush, Gregory S.; Roberts, John K.; Pierce, Mark W.; Bechtel, Jon H.; Walstra, Eric J.; Rycenga, Brock R., Image acquisition and processing methods for automatic vehicular exterior lighting control.
Bitar Sami ; Samimy Bahman ; Russell John David ; Glass Kevin Michael ; Malecki Marie Therese-Brodner ; Cardanha Timothy Lino, Light management system for a vehicle.
Stam, Joseph S.; Bechtel, Jon H.; Reese, Spencer D.; Tuttle, Darin D.; Bush, Gregory S.; Ockerse, Harold C., Light source detection and categorization system for automatic vehicle exterior light control and method of manufacturing.
Lapatovich Walter P. (Marlborough MA) Butler Scott J. (North Oxford MA) Bochinski Jason R. (Springfield OR) Goss Harold H. (Pelham NH), Method for deflecting the arc of an electrodeless hid lamp.
Bottesch H. Werner (R.D. #6 ; Box 374 Danville PA 17821) Freas David A. (P.O. Box 324 Mifflinville PA 18631), Passive vehicle presence detection system.
Bugno Mark D. ; Bechtel Jon H. ; Bauer Frederick T. ; Tapley Donald L. ; Bonardi Timothy A. ; Turnbull Robert R., Rearview mirror assembly with internally mounted compass sensor.
Shirai Noriaki,JPX ; Hibino Katsuhiko,JPX ; Nishimura Takao,JPX, System for controlling distance to a vehicle traveling ahead based on an adjustable probability distribution.
Stam, Joseph S.; Bechtel, Jon H.; Reese, Spencer D.; Roberts, John K.; Tonar, William L.; Poe, G. Bruce; Newhouse, Douglas J., System for controlling exterior vehicle lights.
Stam, Joseph S.; Bechtel, Jon H.; Reese, Spencer D.; Roberts, John K.; Tonar, William L.; Poe, G. Bruce; Newhouse, Douglas J., System for controlling exterior vehicle lights.
Jon H. Bechtel ; Frederick T. Bauer ; Joseph S. Stam ; Robert C. Knapp ; Robert R. Turnbull ; David J. Schmidt ; G. Bruce Poe ; David L. Plangger ; Robert H. Nixon ; Eric R. Fossum ; Timoth, Vehicle equipment control with semiconductor light sensors.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.