Method for the early detection of the arrival of a motor vehicle in a dark sector
First Claim
1. A method for the early detection of the arrival in a dark sector of a motor vehicle having a camera, a computer processor and a set of lighting devices which may be selectively switched on or off, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) implementing an image processing application on a set of images supplied by the camera to determine the imminent arrival of the vehicle in the dark sector;
the application comprising the substeps of;
(i) identifying, on a first image supplied by the camera, at least one dark object liable to correspond to the dark sector;
(ii) analyzing, on following images supplied by the camera, a change in each dark object identified;
(b) using a predictive filter for mitigating any disappearance of at least one of the dark objects identified out of a previously determined number of following images supplied by the camera; and
(c) switching on at least one of the motor vehicle lighting devices following the determination of the imminent arrival of the motor vehicle in the dark sector.
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Abstract
The present invention relates in particular to a method for the early detection of the arrival of a motor vehicle in a dark sector. In general terms, the invention proposes to use a camera for early detection of the arrival of the vehicle in a dark area, for example a tunnel. For this purpose, in the invention, provision is made in particular for using an image processing application for determining on a set of images supplied by the camera, whether the vehicle is ready to enter a dark area and, if it turns out that the vehicle will enter a dark area, to cause a switching on of the lights. Particular embodiments of the method according to the invention also make it possible to dispense with storing a plurality of templates corresponding to the various shapes of tunnel entrances, by providing judicious and reliable recognition criteria.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for the early detection of the arrival in a dark sector of a motor vehicle having a camera, a computer processor and a set of lighting devices which may be selectively switched on or off, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) implementing an image processing application on a set of images supplied by the camera to determine the imminent arrival of the vehicle in the dark sector;
the application comprising the substeps of;(i) identifying, on a first image supplied by the camera, at least one dark object liable to correspond to the dark sector; (ii) analyzing, on following images supplied by the camera, a change in each dark object identified; (b) using a predictive filter for mitigating any disappearance of at least one of the dark objects identified out of a previously determined number of following images supplied by the camera; and (c) switching on at least one of the motor vehicle lighting devices following the determination of the imminent arrival of the motor vehicle in the dark sector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification