Method for distinguishing between reflectors arranged on the roadside and vehicle lights in the dark

US8587456B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ADC Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Michael Walter · Kornwestheim, DE
• Thomas Fechner · Günzburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 15, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 19, 2013
• Expiry date: May 25, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q2300/45
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and a device for distinguishing between reflectors arranged on the roadside and vehicle lights and for identifying said reflectors and vehicle lights for use in an automatic light control system in a vehicle with a camera sensor oriented towards the surroundings of the vehicle. The method includes recording a sequence of images of the surroundings of the vehicle. Light spots are found and subjected to temporal tracking within the sequence of images. Afterwards, for each light spot, a decision is made whether the light source of the light spot is a vehicle light or a reflector. A statistical map for the entire camera image is determined from the position of the light spots found with the statistical map comprising regions that are predominantly occupied by reflectors and regions that are predominantly occupied by vehicles driving ahead or by oncoming vehicles. All light sources that are found within the regions occupied by reflectors are identified as potential reflectors and all light sources within the regions occupied by vehicle lights are identified as potential vehicle lights.