Method and device for detecting a vehicle passing by in the dark
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting a second overtaking vehicle passing by a first vehicle in the dark, the first and second vehicles traveling in substantially the same direction, the method comprising:
- detecting at least a portion of a light cone that is emitted from the second vehicle, the portion moving at a lateral offset relative to the first vehicle and being positioned ahead of the first vehicle, with respect to a direction of travel of the first vehicle, using a camera that is mounted on the first vehicle; and
assigning the relatively moving light cone to the second overtaking vehicle by an analyzer device;
wherein;
the camera detects the light cone in a lateral zone that is located ahead of the first vehicle outside of a traffic lane of the first vehicle; and
after an increase in a light intensity, the analyzer device detects a decrease in the light intensity below a threshold value in an area of the lateral zone close to the first vehicle, and, in response thereto, issues a signal which indicates that the second vehicle is at least partially beside the first vehicle.
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Abstract
A device for detecting a vehicle passing by a vehicle in the dark. A camera detects a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the vehicle. An analyzer device assigns the relatively moving light cone to the passing vehicle.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a second overtaking vehicle passing by a first vehicle in the dark, the first and second vehicles traveling in substantially the same direction, the method comprising:
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detecting at least a portion of a light cone that is emitted from the second vehicle, the portion moving at a lateral offset relative to the first vehicle and being positioned ahead of the first vehicle, with respect to a direction of travel of the first vehicle, using a camera that is mounted on the first vehicle; and assigning the relatively moving light cone to the second overtaking vehicle by an analyzer device; wherein; the camera detects the light cone in a lateral zone that is located ahead of the first vehicle outside of a traffic lane of the first vehicle; and after an increase in a light intensity, the analyzer device detects a decrease in the light intensity below a threshold value in an area of the lateral zone close to the first vehicle, and, in response thereto, issues a signal which indicates that the second vehicle is at least partially beside the first vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)
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6. A device for detecting a second overtaking vehicle passing by a first vehicle in the dark, the first and second vehicles traveling in substantially the same direction, the device comprising:
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a camera that is mounted on the first vehicle for detecting at least a portion of a light cone that is emitted from the second vehicle, the portion moving at a lateral offset relative to the first vehicle and being positioned ahead of the first vehicle, with respect to a direction of travel of the first vehicle; and an analyzer device for assigning the relatively moving light cone to the second overtaking vehicle; wherein; the camera detects the light cone in a lateral zone that is located ahead of the first vehicle outside of a traffic lane of the first vehicle, and after an increase in a light intensity, the analyzer device detects a decrease in the light intensity below a threshold value in an area of the lateral zone close to the first vehicle, and, in response thereto, issues a signal which indicates that the second vehicle is at least partially beside the first vehicle.
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Specification