Device and method for traffic sign recognition

US9070293B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Marc Roeber · Düsseldorf, DE
• Dirk Gunia · Pulheim, DE
• Torsten Wey · Moers, DE
• Gerald Doerne · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2012
• Grant date: Jun 30, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 13, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/0967
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining whether to alert a driver of a vehicle to the presence of a traffic sign in the vehicle's driving environment. An optical system on-board the vehicle detects the traffic sign and determine information related to the sign. Driving maneuvers carried out by the vehicle are monitored to determine driving situation information. The driving situation information and the traffic sign information are used to determine a probability that the sign is pertinent for the vehicle under the current driving conditions. If the probability is above a threshold, the driver is alerted to the traffic sign. The probability of the pertinence of the traffic sign may be further determined on the basis of lane-specific information such as vehicle position relative to a freeway exit ramp start or end, or performance of a lane change by the vehicle.