Patent · US Active

Robust method for detecting traffic signals and their associated states

US9796386B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 20, 2015
Grant dateOct 24, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60W2556/50
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and devices for detecting traffic signals and their associated states are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes a scanning a target area using one or more sensors of a vehicle to obtain target area information. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode, and the target area may be a type of area where traffic signals are typically located. The method may also include detecting a traffic signal in the target area information, determining a location of the traffic signal, and determining a state of the traffic signal. Also, a confidence in the traffic signal may be determined. For example, the location of the traffic signal may be compared to known locations of traffic signals. Based on the state of the traffic signal and the confidence in the traffic signal, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous mode.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.