DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20160075283A1
• Filed: 11/16/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Higgins-Luthman, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,005,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/146 Abnormalities, e.g. fail-safe
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/322 Road curvature
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/33 Driving situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/45 Special conditions, e.g. pedestrians, road signs or potential dangers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/47 Direct command from other road users, i.e. the command for switching or changing the beam is sent by other vehicles or road devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/80 characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/81 for suppressing or minimising disturbance in the image signal generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera that, when disposed at the vehicle, views through a windshield of the vehicle. The camera is disposed at a windshield electronics module attached at the windshield of the vehicle. The camera captures image data of a scene forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes captured image data. The control, responsive to the image processor processing captured image data, detects an object of interest external to the vehicle. The control utilizes a blockage detection algorithm and, responsive to the image processor processing captured image data, is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at the camera.

Claims

1. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system;

wherein said camera, when disposed at the equipped vehicle, views through a windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera is disposed at a windshield electronics module attached at the windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera views forwardly through the windshield of the equipped vehicle at a location that is swept by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle;

said camera capturing image data of a scene forward of the equipped vehicle;

a control comprising an image processor;

said image processor processing captured image data;

wherein said control, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, detects an object of interest external to the vehicle;

wherein said control utilizes a blockage detection algorithm and, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at said camera; and

wherein, during end of line vehicle testing of the vehicle at a vehicle assembly plant and with the vehicle driven on rollers to check engine performance, the control does not falsely detect an at least partial blockage condition.

2. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said blockage detection algorithm depends on a driving condition of the vehicle.

3. The driver assistance system of claim 2, wherein said driving condition comprises a low lighting condition.

4. The driver assistance system of claim 2, wherein captured image data is processed by said image processor depending on the driving condition to reduce false blockage detection.

5. The driver assistance system of claim 4, wherein processing by said image processor comprises comparison of different regions of captured image data.

6. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein detection of an at least partial blocking condition is inhibited during an initial start-up period.

7. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein processing of captured image data by said image processor adjusts responsive to a determination that the vehicle is traveling along a curved road.

8. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein processing of captured image data by said image processor adjusts responsive to a determination that the vehicle is traveling along an on-ramp or off-ramp of an expressway or freeway.

9. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said blockage detection algorithm comprises a total blockage algorithm that, for a frame of captured image data, counts the number of pixels of a pixelated imaging array of said camera above an intensity threshold and if, over a number of subsequent frames of captured image data, the count is continuously below a threshold level, the control concludes that said camera is substantially or totally blocked.

10. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said blockage detection algorithm comprises a partial blockage algorithm wherein region-based processing of captured image data by said image processor takes into account intensity variations in different regions of a pixelated imaging array of said camera, and wherein, based on intensity variations with neighboring or adjacent regions and the continuity of the variations over time, said control determines that the imaging array is partially blocked.

11. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said control, when in a night mode, processes a blocked pixel region of a pixelated imaging array of said camera to reduce or substantially preclude false blockage detection.

12. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a pixelated imaging array, and wherein, if either partial or total blockage is determined, processing of captured image data by said image processor adapts to accommodate blocked pixels.

13. The driver assistance system of claim 12, wherein a driver of the vehicle is alerted that pixels are blocked.

14. The driver assistance system of claim 12, wherein a blower system of the vehicle is activated to direct or force or blow air towards the windshield to remove or dissipate the blockage.

15. The driver assistance system of claim 12, wherein said control automatically detects that the blockage has been removed and resumes normal functionality.

16. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system;

wherein said camera, when disposed at the equipped vehicle, views through a windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera is disposed at a windshield electronics module attached at the windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera views forwardly through the windshield of the equipped vehicle at a location that is swept by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle;

said camera capturing image data of a scene forward of the equipped vehicle;

a control comprising an image processor;

said image processor processing captured image data;

wherein said control, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, detects an object of interest external to the vehicle;

wherein said control utilizes a blockage detection algorithm and, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at said camera;

wherein said camera comprises a pixelated imaging array, and wherein, if either partial or total blockage is determined, processing of captured image data by said image processor adapts to accommodate blocked pixels; and

wherein said control automatically detects that the blockage has been removed and resumes normal functionality.

17. The driver assistance system of claim 16, wherein said blockage detection algorithm comprise a partial blockage algorithm operable upon determination that the imaging array is partially blocked.

18. The driver assistance system of claim 16, wherein said control, when in a night mode, processes a blocked pixel region of said pixelated imaging array of said camera to reduce or substantially preclude false blockage detection.

19. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, said driver assistance system comprising:

a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle equipped with said driver assistance system;

wherein said camera, when disposed at the equipped vehicle, views through a windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera is disposed at a windshield electronics module attached at the windshield of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said camera views forwardly through the windshield of the equipped vehicle at a location that is swept by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle;

said camera capturing image data of a scene forward of the equipped vehicle;

a control comprising an image processor;

said image processor processing captured image data;

wherein said control, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, detects an object of interest external to the vehicle;

wherein said control utilizes a blockage detection algorithm and, responsive to said image processor processing captured image data, is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at said camera;

wherein said camera comprises a pixelated imaging array, and wherein, if either partial or total blockage is determined, processing of captured image data by said image processor adapts to accommodate blocked pixels;

wherein said blockage detection algorithm depends on a driving condition of the vehicle; and

wherein captured image data is processed by said image processor depending on the driving condition to reduce false blockage detection.

20. The driver assistance system of claim 19, wherein said driving condition comprises a low lighting condition.