Method for the adaptive determination of a threshold value for the identification of vehicle lights using a camera system

US8391558B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ADC Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Dieter Krökel · Eriskirch, DE
• Thomas Fechner · Günzburg, DE
• Carlos Almeida · El Paso, US
• Christian Schaale · Bensberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 2008
• Grant date: Mar 5, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q2300/42
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for determining at least one threshold value S for distinguishing, in the dark, between reflectors and vehicle lights that are recorded as light spots by a camera sensor oriented towards the surroundings of a vehicle. The camera sensor records a series of images of the surroundings of the vehicle. At least one light spot in the series of images is tracked. When the tracking of a light spot is completed, at least one parameter (for example the maximum intensity Imax of the light spot in the entire series of images, or the lifetime τ of the light spot) is determined from measured values, for example from the intensity of the light spot in each image. The threshold value S is then adapted to the determined parameter/s. The determined parameter value of the light spot is included in a frequency distribution of the parameter values from previously tracked light spots. A new threshold value for distinguishing between vehicle lights and reflectors is determined from the updated frequency distribution of the parameter values. After temporal filtering a new threshold value for distinguishing between reflectors and vehicle lights is fixed.