METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING A VEHICLE PASSING BY IN THE DARK

• US 20090184844A1
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: FABER, Petko
• Granted Patent: US 8,581,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/04 Traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/584 of vehicle lights or traffic lights

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.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a second vehicle passing by a first vehicle in the dark, comprising:

detecting a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the first vehicle using a camera; and

assigning the relatively moving light cone to the second vehicle by an analyzer device.

2. The method according to claim 1, 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.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the analyzer device assigns an increase in light intensity in an area of the lateral zone close to the first vehicle to the light cone of the second vehicle which is in the process of passing.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the analyzer device determines a boundary zone in which a light intensity increases above a threshold value, detects a shift in the boundary zone over time, and assigns the shift to a movement of the light cone of the second vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the analyzer device estimates a velocity of the second vehicle based on the shift in the boundary zone.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein 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.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the camera detects taillights of the second vehicle, and in response thereto the analyzer device issues a signal which indicates that the second vehicle has passed the first vehicle.

8. A device for detecting a second vehicle passing by a first vehicle in the dark, comprising:

a camera for detecting a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the first vehicle; and

an analyzer device for assigning the relatively moving light cone to the second vehicle.