DETECTION METHOD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20110184610A1
• Filed: 01/20/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: LALIRON, Anne, ROBERT, Caroline
• Granted Patent: US 8,738,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A detection method, system and device for a motor vehicle (V1). The method system and device uses at least one camera which has a predetermined field of vision. The method includes the following steps:

• • receiving information which is representative of a driving state associated with the vehicle; and
  • modifying the field of vision of the camera, and in particular its orientation, according to the information.

Claims

1. A detection method for a motor vehicle (V1), said method using at least one camera which has a predetermined field of vision, this said method comprising the steps of:

receiving information which is representative of a driving state associated with the vehicle; and

modifying a field of vision of said at least one camera, and its orientation in response to said information.

2. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said information which is representative of said driving state associated with the vehicle is selected from at least one of a vehicle cornering information, information on an environment of the vehicle, or control information about control of a flashing light of the vehicle.

3. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said information which is representative of said driving state associated with the vehicle is cornering information about the vehicle, selected from an angle on the vehicle steering wheel, or location data of the vehicle, such as GPS data.

4. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises a headlight which can emit a light beam, an orientation of which can be modified in order to follow a bend, and the orientation of the field of vision of the camera is modified according to or in response to the modification of the orientation of the beam of said headlight.

5. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said camera is mobile simultaneously with displacement of the headlight.

6. The detection method according to claim 5, wherein said headlight is associated with a mechanism to displace the beam, and the camera is associated with this mechanism, whilst for example being fitted on this mechanism, or being physically connected to this mechanism.

7. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said camera is fitted on an independent platform of the vehicle headlights, this platform being designed to permit movement of the camera relative to the vehicle.

8. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said information which is representative of said driving state associated with the vehicle is information about the speed of the vehicle, information about the brightness of the environment, or information about the location of the vehicle, such as navigation data.

9. The detection method according to claim 8, wherein said field of vision of the camera is modified when the speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold, in particular in order to widen visibility on at least one side of the road.

10. The detection method according to claim 9, wherein at least two cameras are provided, and, when the speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold, the orientation of the cameras is modified so that the respective fields of vision move apart from one another in order to widen visibility on both sides of the vehicle.

11. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein said field of vision of the camera is modified when the vehicle location information indicates the presence of a complex urban environment around the vehicle, in particular in order to widen visibility on at least one side of the road.

12. The detection method according to claim 1, wherein an angular clearance of the camera is between 0 and 15°

, or between 0 and 30°

.

13. A detection device for a motor vehicle, said device comprising at least one camera which has a field of vision, this said device being designed to:

receive information which is representative of a driving state associated with the vehicle; and

modify the field of vision of the camera, in particular its orientation, according to said information.

14. The detection device according to claim 13, wherein said detection device comprises a DBL device which is associated with a headlight of the vehicle, the camera being coupled kinematically to the DBL device.

15. A device for a motor vehicle having at least one dynamic bending light that is coupled to and under the control of a dynamic bending light control, said device comprising:

at least one camera that has a field of vision;

said at least one camera being mounted in relationship with said at least one dynamic bending light so that it when said at least one dynamic bending light moves said field of vision moves in response thereto.

16. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one dynamic bending light comprises a surface that moves when said at least one dynamic bending light moves, said at least one camera being mounted on said surface.

17. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one camera is mounted on said at least one dynamic bending light.

18. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one camera is not mounted directly on said at least one dynamic bending light, but is driveably coupled thereto so that it moves in response to movement of said at least one dynamic bending light in order to cause said field of vision of said camera to move.

19. The device as recited in claim 18 wherein said field of vision moves to follow an orientation of a beam emitted by said at least one dynamic bending light.