Detection of obstacles at night by analysis of shadows
US9297641B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V20/58
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A driver assistance systems mountable in a host vehicle while the host vehicle is moving forward with headlights on for detection of obstacles based on shadows. The driver assistance system includes a camera operatively connectible to a processor. A first image frame and a second image frame are captured of a road. A first dark image patch and a second dark image patch include intensity values less than a threshold value. The first and the second dark image patches are tracked from the first image frame to the second image frame as corresponding images of the same portion of the road. Respective thicknesses in vertical image coordinates are measured of the first and second dark image patches responsive to the tracking.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.