Method for operating an assistance system of a motor vehicle and assistance system

• US 20170132925A1
• Filed: 01/25/2017
• Published: 05/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Behrens, Alexander, Kristensen, Steen
• Granted Patent: US 10,339,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/582 of traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09623 Systems involving the acquisition of information from passive traffic signs by means mounted on the vehicle G08G1/0967 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system of a motor vehicle. An image is detected by means of a camera of the assistance system and a traffic sign is determined within the detected image. An alignment of the determined traffic sign is determined with respect to the motor vehicle, and a signal device of the assistance system is triggered by the alignment.

Claims

1. A method for operating an assistance system of a motor vehicle comprising

detecting an image with a camera of the assistance system;

determining a traffic sign within the detected image;

determining an alignment of the determined traffic sign with respect to the motor vehicle, wherein the alignment indicates the angle which is formed between a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and a plane parallel to the traffic sign, and

triggering a signal device of the assistance system as a function of the alignment, wherein the signal device is triggered if the alignment of the traffic sign with respect to the motor vehicle is within a determined angular range.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the traffic sign is determined with respect to the motor vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment of the determined traffic sign is determined on the basis of a perspective distortion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a gradient line within the detected image is used in order to determine the alignment of the determined traffic sign.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein an eccentricity is used in order to determine the alignment of the determined traffic sign.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein an additional image is detected and the traffic sign within the additional image is determined and the eccentricity is determined, and the two determined eccentricities are compared.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a number of such additional images is detected and, in each case, the eccentricity is determined and these are compared.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein a signal is emitted by the signal device if there is one of a decrease in eccentricity and no change in the eccentricity.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in which a signal is emitted by the signal device when a straight line parallel to the alignment of the determined traffic sign is crossed by the motor vehicle.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein in which a signal is emitted by the signal device when a straight line parallel to the alignment of the determined traffic sign is crossed by the motor vehicle.

10. An assistance system of a motor vehicle comprising:

a camera for the vehicle, which detects an image;

a signal device; and

electronic control unit with instructions for;

determining a traffic sign within the detected image;

determining an alignment of the determined traffic sign with respect to the motor vehicle, wherein the alignment indicates the angle which is formed between a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and a plane parallel to the traffic sign, and

triggering the signal device of the assistance system as a function of the alignment, wherein the signal device is triggered if the alignment of the traffic sign with respect to the motor vehicle is within a determined angular range.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the position of the traffic sign is determined with respect to the motor vehicle.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the alignment of the determined traffic sign is determined on the basis of a perspective distortion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a gradient line within the detected image is used in order to determine the alignment of the determined traffic sign.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein an eccentricity is used in order to determine the alignment of the determined traffic sign.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein an additional image is detected and the traffic sign within the additional image is determined and the eccentricity is determined, and the two determined eccentricities are compared.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a number of such additional images is detected and, in each case, the eccentricity is determined and these are compared.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein a signal is emitted by the signal device if there is one of a decrease in eccentricity and no change in the eccentricity.