Detection of brake lights of preceding vehicles for adaptation of an initiation of active safety mechanisms
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for determining a warning condition on the basis of brake light detection, the method comprising:
- receiving image data from a front camera of a present vehicle, the image data comprising image frames;
determining a first detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the first detection area comprising a position of a left brake light and of a right brake light of a preceding vehicle;
determining positions of the left brake light and of the right brake light within the detection area;
determining whether at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light is active by evaluating an intensity distribution in the detection area;
lowering a first initiation threshold, if it is established that at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light of the preceding vehicle is active;
determining a second detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the second detection area comprising a position of an upper brake light of the preceding vehicle;
detecting the position of the upper brake light within the second detection area;
detecting a status of the upper brake light;
lowering the first initiation threshold if it is detected that the upper brake light is activated;
deriving an estimated risk value from the image data of the front camera wherein the estimated risk value is derived from a distance from the preceding vehicle, a relative speed of the preceding vehicle and deceleration of the preceding vehicle; and
if the estimated risk value exceeds the first initiation threshold;
producing a warning signal; and
initiating an active safety function, the active safety function being selected from a collision warning, a brake prefill, a hydraulic brake assistance and an active emergency braking.
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Abstract
A method and a device for determining a warning condition on the basis of brake light detection. Image data are received from a front camera of a vehicle. It is determined whether a brake light of a preceding vehicle is active. An initiation threshold is lowered or a confidence value is raised if the brake light is active. An estimated risk value is derived from the image data of the front camera and a warning signal is produced, if the estimated risk value exceeds the initiation threshold.
5 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for determining a warning condition on the basis of brake light detection, the method comprising:
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receiving image data from a front camera of a present vehicle, the image data comprising image frames; determining a first detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the first detection area comprising a position of a left brake light and of a right brake light of a preceding vehicle; determining positions of the left brake light and of the right brake light within the detection area; determining whether at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light is active by evaluating an intensity distribution in the detection area; lowering a first initiation threshold, if it is established that at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light of the preceding vehicle is active; determining a second detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the second detection area comprising a position of an upper brake light of the preceding vehicle; detecting the position of the upper brake light within the second detection area; detecting a status of the upper brake light; lowering the first initiation threshold if it is detected that the upper brake light is activated; deriving an estimated risk value from the image data of the front camera wherein the estimated risk value is derived from a distance from the preceding vehicle, a relative speed of the preceding vehicle and deceleration of the preceding vehicle; and if the estimated risk value exceeds the first initiation threshold; producing a warning signal; and initiating an active safety function, the active safety function being selected from a collision warning, a brake prefill, a hydraulic brake assistance and an active emergency braking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining a warning condition on the basis of brake light detection, the method comprising:
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receiving image data from a front camera of a present vehicle, the image data comprising image frames; determining a first detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the first detection area comprising a position of a left brake light and of a right brake light of a preceding vehicle; estimating respective positions of the left brake light and of the right brake light within the detection area; determining whether at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light is active by evaluating an intensity distribution in the detection area; if it is established that at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light of the preceding vehicle is active, raising a confidence value of at least one estimated risk value, the at least one estimated risk value being derived from the image data of the front camera; determining a second detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the second detection area comprising a position of an upper brake light of the preceding vehicle; detecting the position of the upper brake light within the second detection area; detecting a status of the upper brake light; raising the confidence value if it is detected that the upper brake light is activated; and initiating a warning signal, if the confidence value exceeds a predetermined confidence threshold. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A controller for activating automotive safety features, the automotive safety features comprising at least one active safety feature, the controller comprising:
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an input connection for receiving image data of a front camera of a present vehicle; an output connection for outputting a warning signal, wherein the controller is configured to; receive image data from the front camera, the image data comprising image frames; determine a first detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the detection area comprising a position of a left brake light and of a right brake light of a preceding vehicle; estimate respective positions of the left brake light and of the right brake light within the detection area; determine whether at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light is active by evaluating an intensity distribution in the detection area; lower an initiation threshold if it is established that at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light of the preceding vehicle is active; determine a second detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the second detection area comprising a position of an upper brake light of the preceding vehicle; detect the position of the upper brake light within the second detection area; detect a status of the upper brake light; lower the initiation threshold if it is detected that the upper brake light is activated; derive an estimated risk value from the image data of the front camera, wherein the estimated risk value is derived from at least one of a distance from the preceding vehicle, a relative speed of the preceding vehicle, and a deceleration of the preceding vehicle, and if the estimated risk value exceeds the initiation threshold; produce a warning signal; and output the warning signal via the output connection.
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8. A controller for activating automotive safety features, the automotive safety features comprising at least one active safety feature, the controller comprising:
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an input connection for receiving image data of a front camera; an output connection for outputting a warning signal, the controller being configured to; receive image data from a front camera of a present vehicle via the input connection, the image data comprising image frames; determine a detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the detection area comprising a position of a left brake light and of a right brake light of a preceding vehicle; estimate respective positions of the left brake light and of the right brake light within the detection area; determine whether at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light is active by evaluating an intensity distribution in the detection area; if it is established that at least one of the left brake light and the right brake light of the preceding vehicle is active, raise a confidence value of at least one estimated risk value, the at least one estimated risk value being derived from the image data of the front camera; determine a second detection area in the image frames of the front camera, the second detection area comprising a position of an upper brake light of the preceding vehicle; detect the position of the upper brake light within the second detection area; detect a status of the upper brake light; raise the confidence value if it is detected that the upper brake light is activated; and if the confidence value exceeds a predefined confidence threshold; initiate a warning signal; and output the warning signal via the output connection.
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Specification