Vehicle with optical scanning device for a lateral road area

• US 6,038,496 A
• Filed: 03/06/1996
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Hartlieb, Markus, Betzitza, Peter, Rothe, Siegfried, Dobler, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US08/611,658
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/9, 701/10, 701/71, 701/72, 701/209, 701/223, 701/225, 701/301, 340/904, 340/905, 340/438, 340/436, 250/202, 250/222.2, 250/224, 250/559.06, 250/559.08, 250/559.03
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/08 Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/089 using optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/12 Lane keeping
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/28 non-mechanical , e.g. following a line or other known markers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/58 Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4815 using multiple transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/486 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• 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

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle with a laterally mounted optical scanning device for zero-contact scanning of a lateral highway area and an evaluation unit connected thereto. The optical scanning device comprises a linear array of infrared transmitting devices located side by side and a corresponding CCD array, and the connected evaluation unit is programmed to perform time measurement, contrast measurement, and contour recognition. With this optical scanning system, a function to warn against falling asleep, an automatic lane maintenance function, a rear-area monitoring or environment monitoring function for the vehicle can be provided, with reaction to various types of lane boundaries being possible depending on the situation.

Claims

1. An optical scanning system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one laterally mounted optical scanning device for zero-contact scanning of a lateral highway area and for supplying optically sensed scanning data; and

an evaluation unit connected to the scanning device;

the optical scanning device comprises a linear array of infrared transmitting LEDs, as well as an associated CCD array, for scanning the surface of the highway to detect a lane boundary; and

wherein the evaluation unit comprises means for determining running time, contrast determination, and contour recognition from the data supplied by the scanning device.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the evaluation unit further comprises:

means for determining vehicle spacing from a lateral lane boundary, lateral speed of the vehicle, the type of lane boundary, and a threat of imminent departure of the vehicle from a presently traveled lane; and

means for delivering a warning signal as a function of these values, as well as the vehicle'"'"'s longitudinal speed, when there is a threat of the vehicle'"'"'s leaving the lane.

3. Vehicle according to claim 2 wherein:

optical scanning devices are provided on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle, with infrared transmitting elements and an associated CCD array located side by side;

units are provided for generating an acoustic warning at both sides of the vehicle interior; and

said warning signal from evaluation unit is delivered in a side-specific manner to activate the warning generating unit on whose side the evaluating unit has recognized an imminent departure of vehicle from the presently traveled lane.

4. Vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said evaluation unit comprises means for determining distance of the vehicle from a lateral lane boundary, and further comprising:

a distance regulating device coupled with the evaluation unit for regulating the distance of the vehicle from the lateral lane boundary, said regulating device being activatable and deactivatable on demand by a vehicle operator.

5. Vehicle according to claim 4 wherein:

optical scanning devices are provided on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle, with infrared transmitting elements and an associated CCD array located side by side;

units are provided for generating an acoustic warning at both sides of the vehicle interior; and

said warning signal from evaluation unit is delivered in a side-specific manner to activate a warning generating unit situated on a side of the vehicle for which the evaluating unit has recognized an imminent departure of vehicle from the presently traveled lane.

6. Vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said evaluation unit further comprises a distance-regulating release unit which allows activation of the distance-regulating device only when predetermined driving situations exist.

7. Vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said distance-regulating device is deactivated upon recognizing intervention by the driver in the form of steering, beginning a passing maneuver, or brake actuation.

8. Vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said optical scanning devices with infrared transmitting elements and associated CCD arrays are so arranged on said opposite sides of said vehicle that they also scan at least one of a lateral rear area and a lateral environment of vehicle.

9. An optical scanning system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one laterally mounted optical scanning device for zero-contact scanning of a lateral highway area and for supplying optically sensed scanning data; and

an evaluation unit connected to the scanning device;

wherein the optical scanning device includes at least one scanning unit, each such scanning unit consisting of a one-dimensional linear array of infrared transmitting LEDs, and an associated linear CCD array, for scanning a laterally disposed linear segment of the surface of the highway, directed substantially outward from sides of the vehicle, to detect a lane boundary; and

wherein the evaluation unit comprises means for determining signal running time, contrast determination, and contour recognition from the data supplied by the scanning device.

10. The scanning system according to claim 9 wherein said laterally mounted scanning device comprises first and second scanning units arranged in door mounted rear view mirror housings of right and left vehicle doors.