COLLISION PREVENTION WARNING METHOD AND DEVICE CAPABLE OF TRACKING MOVING OBJECT

• US 20140176714A1
• Filed: 12/26/2012
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
• Original Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
• Inventors: LI, Ming-Hung, CHEN, Shun-Hung, CHEN, Yu-Sung
• Application Number:
  US13/727,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20140176714A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A collision prevention warning method and device capable of tracking a moving object, the method comprises the following steps. Firstly, capturing a plurality of continuous images in a front region of 180 degrees, through identifying category of at least an obstacle in these continuous images, to find a moving obstacle. Next, detect continuous relative positions of the moving obstacle and vehicle, to estimate a first collision region of the vehicle. Then, based on the continuous relative positions and an Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm, to estimate a second collision region of the moving obstacle. Finally, based on the first collision region and the second collision region to calculate a collision point. When the first collision region and the second collision region at least partially overlap each other, estimate out a collision time, and then output an alarm signal to warn the driver and raise driving safety.

Claims

1. A collision prevention warning method capable of tracking a moving object, that is installed on a vehicle, comprising the following steps.

capturing a plurality of continuous images,

identify at least an obstacle in said continuous images, to obtain geometric characteristic parameters of width and length of said obstacle and image pixel characteristic parameters, and use a binary tree sorter to sort said obstacles into various categories,

find at least a moving obstacle based on category of said obstacle,

detect continuous relative positions of said moving obstacle and said vehicle, to estimate out a first collision region of said vehicle.

calculate speed, direction, and position of said moving obstacle based on said continuous relative positions through using an Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm, to obtain a second collision region of said moving obstacle;

and

estimate a collision point based on said first collision region and said second collision region, to determine if said first collision region and said second collision region at least partially overlap each other, if answer is positive, calculate a collision time, and output an alarm signal;

otherwise, repeat said step of capturing a plurality of continuous images..

2. The collision prevention warning method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said step of identifying said obstacle in said image, a following characteristic algorithm is used to obtain the geometric characteristic parameters of width and length of said obstacle, and the image pixel characteristic parameter, said characteristic algorithm is as follows:

3. The collision prevention warning method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said obstacle is classified into pedestrian, motorcycle, large passenger truck, small passenger truck, or road environment.

4. The collision prevention warning method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said step of detecting relative position of said moving obstacle and said vehicle, at least a sensor is used to detect relative distance of said moving obstacle and said vehicle, and said relative position of a relative angle.

5. The collision prevention warning method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm includes following equations:

6. The collision prevention warning method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

in said step of estimating said collision time, said collision time is classified into longitudinal collision time and lateral collision time, wherein:

said longitudinal collision time (t_ADM) of said moving obstacle relative to said collision point is obtained through following equations;

7. A collision prevention warning device, installed on a vehicle, including:

at least two image capturing units, used to fetch a plurality of continuous images in a front region of 180 degrees;

a vehicle body signal sensor unit, used to sense a dynamic signal of said vehicle,

an image processing module, connected electrically to said two image capturing units, to identify continuous relative positions of said vehicle and at least a said obstacle in said images, to obtain a geometric characteristic parameter of length and width of said obstacle, and said image pixel characteristic parameter, then, use a binary tree sorter to sort said obstacles and among them at least a moving obstacle into various categories.

a central processor, connected electrically to said vehicle body signal sensor unit and said image processing module, and it utilizes said moving obstacle and said dynamic signal to calculate continuous relative positions of said moving obstacle and said vehicle, to estimate a first collision region of said vehicle, then, it utilizes said Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm to obtain a second collision region of said moving obstacle, and then it estimates and obtains a collision point based on said first collision region and said second collision region, when said first collision region and said second region at least partially overlap each other, said central processor calculates a collision time, and outputs a control signal; and

an alarm unit, connected electrically to said central processor, to receive said control signal and output an alarm signal.

8. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said alarm unit is a displayer, capable of displaying overlapped images of said first collision region and said second collision region, collision point, and collision time.

9. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said collision time is classified into longitudinal collision time and lateral collision time, said longitudinal collision time t_ADM of said moving obstacle relative to said collision point is obtained through following equations:

10. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said two image capturing units fetch respectively a near field image and a far field image, to calculate said relative positions of said vehicle and said obstacle based on inclination angles of said obstacle and said two image capturing units in said near field image and said far field image.

11. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein

said image processing module utilizes a following characteristic algorithm to obtain said geometric characteristic parameters of width and length of said obstacle and said image pixel characteristic parameters, said characteristic algorithm is as follows:

12. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

at least a distance measuring sensor, connected electrically to said central processor, said distance measuring sensor detects said relative positions of said moving obstacle and said vehicle, in cooperation with said two image capturing units.

13. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 12, wherein

said distance measuring sensor is a radar sensor, an optical radar sensor, a super sonic sensor, or an infrared sensor.

14. The collision prevention warning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein

said obstacle is classified into pedestrian, motorcycle, large passenger truck, small passenger truck, or road environment.