METHOD FOR DETECTING EXPANSIVE STATIC OBJECTS

• US 20110187863A1
• Filed: 07/08/2009
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Baratoff, Gregory, Glander, Karl-Heinz
• Application Number:
  US13/058,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20110187863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

A method for detecting expansive static objects from a vehicle in motion. For this purpose, the method employs a front camera that interacts with an image processing device. The front camera can detect road markings on the road. A lateral detection device detects objects in the blind spot of the vehicle. Additional detection devices detect minimal distances to laterally passing or following vehicles. A logic unit links the data of the image processing device of the front camera to the data of the remaining detection devices in such a manner that expansive static objects in the front detection range of the vehicle are detected and are included as such in the detection of the lateral and rear detection devices using the logic unit.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. Method for detecting expansive static objects from a vehicle in motion, wherein

a front camera interacts with an image processing device and detects road markings on a road,

at least one lateral detection device detects objects in a blind spot of the vehicle,

lateral and rear detection devices detect minimal distances to laterally passing or following vehicles,

a logic unit links data of the image processing device of the front camera to data of remaining detection devices in such a manner that expansive static objects in a front detection range of the vehicle are detected and are included as such in the detection of the lateral and rear detection devices using the logic unit.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the front camera with image processing distinguishes between oncoming expansive static objects and dynamic objects and marks detected expansive static objects and forwards them for the lateral and rear detection devices to the logic unit.

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein the front camera with image processing detects and forwards the period of time during which the expansive static object is detected and algorithmically tracked.

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the front camera with image processing detects and forwards horizontal place coordinates of expansive static objects.

15. Method according to claim 11, wherein the front camera with image processing detects and forwards horizontal components of speed regarding expansive static objects.

16. Method according to claim 11, wherein the front camera with image processing detects and forwards classifications regarding expansive static objects.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the front camera with image processing detects and forwards surroundings criteria regarding expansive static objects.

18. Method according to claim 11, wherein the detection range of the front camera and the detection ranges of lateral and rear detection devices do not overlap and vehicle-speed-dependent time delays that occur until the detected expansive static objects enter the lateral and rear detection ranges are taken into account by the logic unit.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the road markings, crash barriers, walls, fences and sidewalks that enter the lateral and rear detection ranges are detected as long static objects by the front camera with image processing in the front detection range already and are forwarded, by said camera and via the logic unit, for the detection devices that are based on RADAR detection or LIDAR detection in the lateral and rear detection ranges.

20. Method according to claim 18, wherein the logic unit is integrated into an existing vehicle guiding system.