Driver assistance system and method with object detection facility

US8093999B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Guenter Bauer · Sulzbach-Rosenberg, DE
• Stephan Thoma · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 4, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 10, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/89
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is provided for attracting the attention of a motor vehicle driver to a potential hazardous spot in an image, which is illustrated in a real form on a display of the motor vehicle or in a virtual form in a region of the motor vehicle. At least one laser scanner provided in the vehicle scans the surroundings in front of the vehicle and determines the shape of an object and the distance of the object from the vehicle. At least one infrared camera, in particular a thermal imaging camera, is provided on the vehicle. It records the surroundings in front of the vehicle and makes available the real or virtual image of the surroundings for display to the driver. The object is compared with at least a first reference object within the scope of a first pattern recognition process. If there is significant correspondence between the object and the reference object, that area on the real or virtual image displayed to the driver in which the object is to be found is determined. The respective area of the image and/or the respective object is highlighted in the image.