Method of controlling a distance between vehicles, and an apparatus thereof

• US 20040207515A1
• Filed: 07/28/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Chung, Eui Yoon
• Application Number:
  US10/628,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20040207515A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A distance between vehicles is controlled based on an image detected by one stereo camera that is connected to a camera angle adjuster, so that deterioration of data processing speed can be prevented by adjusting the camera angle according to predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a distance between vehicles utilizing at least one camera mounted on one vehicle, comprising:

detecting an image of an area ahead of the vehicle;

determining whether a preceding vehicle exists;

controlling vehicle speed based on a calculated distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, if the preceding vehicle exists;

determining whether a camera angle is a predetermined upper angle; and

adjusting the camera angle to a predetermined lower angle if it is the predetermined upper angle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling of the vehicle speed controls the vehicle speed such that the distance between vehicles is maintained at a predetermined distance.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the camera angle if it is not determined to be the predetermined upper angle.

4. A method for controlling a distance between vehicles utilizing at least one camera mounted on one vehicle, comprising:

detecting an image of an area ahead of the vehicle;

determining whether a preceding vehicle exists;

determining whether a camera angle is a predetermined lower angle; and

adjusting the camera angle to a predetermined upper angle if it is the predetermined lower angle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising maintaining the camera angle if the camera angle is not determined to be the predetermined lower angle.

6. An apparatus for controlling a distance between vehicles, comprising:

a stereo camera detecting an image of an area ahead of a vehicle;

a camera angle adjuster detecting and adjusting a camera angle; and

a controller controlling a vehicle speed and the camera angle based on the detected image of the area ahead of the vehicle and the detected camera angle.

7. The controlling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller executes instructions for:

controlling a vehicle speed based on the detected image of the area ahead of the vehicle; and

controlling the camera angle based on the detected image and the detected camera angle.

8. The controlling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controlling of the vehicle speed comprises:

calculating a distance between vehicles based on the image of the area ahead of the vehicle; and

transmitting a speed control signal to an ECU based on the calculated distance between vehicles so as to control a throttle valve or a brake.

9. The controlling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controlling of the camera angle comprises:

determining whether the preceding vehicle exists; and

controlling the camera angle to be a predetermined lower angle if the preceding vehicle exists.

10. The controlling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controlling of the camera angle further comprises controlling the camera angle to be a predetermined upper angle if the preceding vehicle does not exist.

11. The controlling apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controlling of the camera angle comprises determining whether the preceding vehicle exists;

and controlling the camera angle to be a predetermined lower angle if the preceding vehicle exists.

12. The controlling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controlling of the camera angle further comprises controlling it to be a predetermined upper angle if the preceding vehicle does not exist.

13. The controlling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stereo camera comprises a pair of CCD or CMOS.