VISION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20160381326A1
• Filed: 08/29/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,609,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/27 using semi-transparent optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/331 Electroluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/148 Input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/27 using semi-transparent optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/331 Electroluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/52 Control of displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/589 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 : Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 : Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 : Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 : for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 : Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 : automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 : oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 : for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/001 : integrated in the windows, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 : mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 : Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 : in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 : to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 : with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 : Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 : using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 : using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 : characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 : combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 : combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 : for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 : Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 : Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/20 : Analysis of motion motion estimation for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/43, H04N19/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/147 : Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 : Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/582 : of traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/584 : of vehicle lights or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/588 : Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 : Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 : Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• 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 vision system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, lane markers of a road along which the vehicle is traveling are detected, other vehicles are detected, and road curvature of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. The vehicle includes a global positioning system and a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the vehicle. The current geographic location of the vehicle and data derived from captured image data are wirelessly communicated to the external control. The received current geographic location and data are processed at the external control and information that is derived, at least in part, from such processing is wirelessly communicated from the external control to the equipped vehicle.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a forward viewing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vision system, wherein, when disposed at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said forward viewing camera has at least a forward field of view through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and is operable to capture image data;

said forward viewing camera comprising an imaging array sensor and a lens;

an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward viewing camera;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, lane markers of a road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, road curvature of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined;

wherein the equipped vehicle includes a global positioning system, said global positioning system operable to determine a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle;

wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein data derived from image data captured by said forward viewing camera is wirelessly communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location of the equipped vehicle is communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location and the data received at said external control are processed at said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle; and

wherein information that is derived, at least in part, from processing at said external control is wirelessly communicated from said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle to the equipped vehicle.

2. The vision system of claim 1, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, appropriate information is displayed or otherwise communicated or conveyed to a driver or occupant of the equipped vehicle.

3. The vision system of claim 1, wherein the data derived from image data captured by said forward viewing camera comprises image data processed by a compression routine.

4. The vision system of claim 1, wherein data is communicated in bursts by said vehicle communication system from the equipped vehicle to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle.

5. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said external control processes data received from the equipped vehicle to extract information relevant to the geographic location of the equipped vehicle.

6. The vision system of claim 5, wherein said external control processes data received from the equipped vehicle to provide an output relevant to the geographic location of the equipped vehicle.

7. The vision system of claim 6, wherein said output is wirelessly communicated from said external control to the equipped vehicle.

8. The vision system of claim 7, wherein said output relates to speed limit information.

9. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said external control receives data from another vehicle.

10. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said received data includes the geographic location of the other vehicle.

11. The vision system of claim 9, wherein said received data includes data on movement of the other vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle.

12. The vision system of claim 9, wherein, if the equipped vehicle is approaching a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle and if the other vehicle is present at the curve, said external control is operable to wirelessly alert the equipped vehicle of presence at the curve of the other vehicle.

13. The vision system of claim 12, wherein, responsive at least in part to receipt at the equipped vehicle of the alert of presence at the curve of the other vehicle, a warning or display device of the equipped vehicle operates to warn a driver of the equipped vehicle as to the presence at the curve of the other vehicle in order to reduce or avoid vehicle collisions.

14. The vision system of claim 12, wherein, if the other vehicle is approaching the curve in a direction that is opposite the direction of travel of the equipped vehicle around the curve, said external control is operable to wirelessly alert the equipped vehicle of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle.

15. The vision system of claim 9, wherein, if the equipped vehicle is approaching a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle and if the other vehicle is present at the curve, said external control wirelessly communicates a signal to the equipped vehicle that is indicative of the geographic location of the other vehicle.

16. The vision system of claim 15, wherein, responsive at least in part to receipt at the equipped vehicle of an alert of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle, a warning is generated by a warning or display device of the equipped vehicle to warn a driver of the equipped vehicle as to the approaching other vehicle.

17. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a forward viewing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vision system, wherein, when disposed at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said forward viewing camera has at least a forward field of view through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and is operable to capture image data;

said forward viewing camera comprising an imaging array sensor and a lens;

an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward viewing camera;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, lane markers of a road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, road curvature of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined;

wherein the equipped vehicle includes a global positioning system, said global positioning system operable to determine a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle;

wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein data derived from image data captured by said forward viewing camera is wirelessly communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location of the equipped vehicle is communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location and the data received at said external control are processed at said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein said external control receives data from another vehicle;

wherein said received data includes the geographic location of the other vehicle; and

wherein, if the equipped vehicle is approaching a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle and if the other vehicle is present at the curve, said external control is operable to wirelessly alert the equipped vehicle of presence at the curve of the other vehicle.

18. The vision system of claim 17, wherein, responsive at least in part to receipt at the equipped vehicle of the alert of presence at the curve of the other vehicle, a warning or display device of the equipped vehicle operates to warn a driver of the equipped vehicle as to the presence at the curve of the other vehicle in order to reduce or avoid vehicle collisions.

19. The vision system of claim 17, wherein, if the other vehicle is approaching the curve in a direction that is opposite the direction of travel of the equipped vehicle around the curve, said external control is operable to wirelessly alert the equipped vehicle of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle.

20. The vision system of claim 17, wherein, if the equipped vehicle is approaching a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle and if the other vehicle is present at the curve, said external control wirelessly communicates a signal to the equipped vehicle that is indicative of the presence of the other vehicle.

21. The vision system of claim 17, wherein, responsive at least in part to receipt at the equipped vehicle of an alert of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle, a warning is generated by a warning or display device of the equipped vehicle to warn a driver of the equipped vehicle as to the approaching other vehicle.

22. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a forward viewing camera configured to be disposed at a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vision system, wherein, when disposed at the windshield of the equipped vehicle, said forward viewing camera has at least a forward field of view through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and is operable to capture image data;

said forward viewing camera comprising an imaging array sensor and a lens;

an image processor operable to process image data captured by said forward viewing camera;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, lane markers of a road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, other vehicles exterior the equipped vehicle are detected;

wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said forward viewing camera, road curvature of the road along which the equipped vehicle is traveling is determined;

wherein the equipped vehicle includes a global positioning system, said global positioning system operable to determine a current geographic location of the equipped vehicle;

wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a vehicle communication system operable for wireless communication with an external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein data derived from image data captured by said forward viewing camera is wirelessly communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location of the equipped vehicle is communicated by said vehicle communication system to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein the current geographic location and the data received at said external control are processed at said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle;

wherein said external control processes data received from the equipped vehicle to extract information relevant to the geographic location of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein information that is derived, at least in part, from processing at said external control is wirelessly communicated from said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle to the equipped vehicle.

23. The vision system of claim 22, wherein said external control receives data from another vehicle and determines whether the equipped vehicle is approaching a curve in the road being traveled by the equipped vehicle.

24. The vision system of claim 23, wherein, if the other vehicle is approaching the curve in a direction that is opposite the direction of travel of the equipped vehicle around the curve, said external control is operable to wirelessly alert the equipped vehicle of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle.

25. The vision system of claim 24, wherein said received data includes the geographic location of the other vehicle and wherein said received data includes data on movement of the other vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle.

26. The vision system of claim 23, wherein, responsive at least in part to receipt at the equipped vehicle of an alert of approach from the opposite direction of the other vehicle, a warning is generated by a warning or display device of the equipped vehicle to warn a driver of the equipped vehicle as to the approaching other vehicle.

27. The vision system of claim 23, wherein data is communicated in bursts by said vehicle communication system from the equipped vehicle to said external control located remote from the equipped vehicle.