Methods for enabling safe tailgating by a vehicle and devices thereof

• US 9,870,708 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2016
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wipro Limited
• Original Assignee: Wipro Limited
• Inventors: Chandran, Ashok, Ganapathiplackal George, Tomson
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US15/078,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20170263128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30236 Traffic on road, railway or crossing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/50 Depth or shape recovery
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/54 of traffic, e.g. cars on the road, trains or boats
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

Methods and devices enabling safe tailgating by a vehicle are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes capturing an image of a standardized identification plate of the at least one leading vehicle; determining a distance between the leading vehicle and a trailing vehicle based on width of the standardized identification plate and perceived pixel width of the captured image; dynamically generating a tailgating zone classifier table based on at least one of one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, or one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle; and dynamically selecting, by the safe tailgating computing device, one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating safe tailgating by at least one trailing vehicle behind at least one leading vehicle, the method comprising:

capturing, by a safe tailgating computing device, an image of a standardized identification plate of the at least one leading vehicle, the safe tailgating computing device being disposed on the at least one trailing vehicle;

determining, by the safe tailgating computing device, a distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle based on width of the standardized identification plate and perceived pixel width of the captured image;

dynamically generating, by the safe tailgating computing device, a tailgating zone classifier table based on at least one of one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, or one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle obtained from the captured image of the standardized identification plate, the tailgating zone classifier table comprising a plurality of safe distance buffer zones, each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones associated with a range of distance values; and

dynamically selecting, by the safe tailgating computing device, one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones is indicative of one or more safe distance alarm levels.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein dynamically generating the tailgating zone classifier table comprises:

assigning at least one weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle; and

changing the range of distance values based on the assigned weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

generating at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert based on current speed of at least one of the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle and the distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle, wherein the current speed and the distance are indicative of a tailgating condition.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones comprises:

capturing an image of the standard identification plate placed at a predetermined distance from the safe tailgating computing device;

calculating pixel width of the captured image of the standard identification plate;

storing the calculated pixel width and width of the standard identification plate;

calculating distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle based on the calculated pixel width and perceived pixel width of the standard identification plate; and

looking up the tailgating zone classifier table to dynamically select one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

dynamically selecting one of a plurality of safe draft buffer zones, dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe draft buffer zones comprises;

obtaining dimension of the at least one leading vehicle by optically recognizing the standardized number plate;

calculating speed of the at least one leading vehicle;

determining a low pressure area behind the at least one leading vehicle based on the dimension of the at least one leading vehicle and the calculated speed of the at least one leading vehicle; and

communicating data related to the low pressure area to the at least one trailing vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle parameters comprise at least one of model of the at least one leading vehicle, make of the at least one leading vehicle, dimension of the at least one leading vehicle, weight of the at least one leading vehicle, or maintenance history of the at least one leading vehicle.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more driving pattern parameters comprise at least one of mental alertness of driver, age of the driver, or safety ratings of the driver.

8. A safe tailgating computing device comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

capturing an image of a standardized identification plate of the at least one leading vehicle, the safe tailgating computing device being disposed on the at least one trailing vehicle;

determining a distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle based on width of the standardized identification plate and perceived pixel width of the captured image;

dynamically generating a tailgating zone classifier table based on at least one of one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, or one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle obtained from the captured image of the standardized identification plate, the tailgating zone classifier table comprising a plurality of safe distance buffer zones, each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones associated with a range of distance values; and

dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones is indicative of one or more safe distance alarm levels.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein dynamically generating the tailgating zone classifier table comprises:

assigning at least one weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle; and

changing the range of distance values based on the assigned at least one weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the memory stores further instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

generating at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert based on current speed of at least one of the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle and the distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle, wherein the current speed and the distance are indicative of a tailgating condition.

11. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones comprises:

capturing an image of the standard identification plate placed at a predetermined distance from the safe tailgating computing device;

calculating pixel width of the captured image of the standard identification plate;

storing the calculated pixel width and width of the standard identification plate;

calculating distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle based on the calculated pixel width and perceived pixel width of the standardized identification plate; and

looking up the tailgating zone classifier table to dynamically select one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance.

12. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the memory stores further instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

dynamically selecting one of a plurality of safe draft buffer zones, dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe draft buffer zones comprises;

obtaining dimension of the at least one leading vehicle by optically recognizing the standardized number plate;

calculating speed of the at least one leading vehicle;

determining a low pressure area behind the at least one leading vehicle based on the dimension of the at least one leading vehicle and the calculated speed of the at least one leading vehicle; and

communicating data related to the low pressure area to the at least one trailing vehicle.

13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more vehicle parameters comprise at least one of model of the at least one leading vehicle, make of the at least one leading vehicle, dimension of the at least one leading vehicle, weight of the at least one leading vehicle, or maintenance history of the at least one leading vehicle.

14. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more driving pattern parameters comprise at least one of mental alertness of driver, age of the driver, or safety ratings of the driver.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

capturing an image of a standardized identification plate of the at least one leading vehicle, the safe tailgating computing device being disposed on the at least one trailing vehicle;

determining a distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle based on width of the standardized identification plate and perceived pixel width of the captured image;

dynamically generating a tailgating zone classifier table based on at least one of one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, or one or more driving condition parameters obtained from the captured image of the standardized identification plate, the tailgating zone classifier table comprising a plurality of safe distance buffer zones, each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones associated with a range of distance values; and

dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance between the at least one leading vehicle and the at least one trailing vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones is indicative of one or more safe distance alarm levels.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein dynamically generating the tailgating zone classifier table comprises:

assigning at least one weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle; and

changing the range of distance values based on the assigned at least one weight to each of the one or more vehicle parameters, one or more driving pattern parameters, and one or more driving condition parameters associated with the at least one leading vehicle.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the memory stores further instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

generating at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert based on current speed of at least one of the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle and the distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle, wherein the current speed and the distance are indicative of a tailgating condition.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones comprises:

capturing an image of the standard identification plate placed at a predetermined distance from the safe tailgating computing device;

calculating pixel width of the captured image of the standard identification plate;

storing the calculated pixel width and width of the standard identification plate;

calculating distance between the at least one trailing vehicle and the at least one leading vehicle based on the calculated pixel width and perceived pixel width of the standardized identification plate; and

looking up the tailgating zone classifier table to dynamically select one of the plurality of safe distance buffer zones based on the distance.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the memory stores further instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

dynamically selecting one of a plurality of safe draft buffer zones, dynamically selecting one of the plurality of safe draft buffer zones comprises;

obtaining dimension of the at least one leading vehicle by optically recognizing the standardized number plate;

calculating speed of the at least one leading vehicle;

determining a low pressure area behind the at least one leading vehicle based on the dimension of the at least one leading vehicle and the calculated speed of the at least one leading vehicle; and

communicating data related to the low pressure area to the at least one trailing vehicle.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the one or more vehicle parameters comprise at least one of model of the at least one leading vehicle, make of the at least one leading vehicle, dimension of the at least one leading vehicle, weight of the at least one leading vehicle, or maintenance history of the at least one leading vehicle.