Detection system for color blind drivers

• US 9,373,046 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Nelson, Eric Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Koziol, Stephen R
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINI, AMANDEEP SINGH
• Application Number:
  US14/481,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20160070965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• 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 20/584 of vehicle lights or traffic lights

Abstract

A detection system for vehicle operation according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, at least one camera operable to generate an image and a display unit operable to communicate information on a display. A controller is coupled to the at least one camera. The controller is configured to command the display unit to communicate the information in response to detecting data within the image corresponding to visible light emitted in at least one predetermined frequency range. A controller and a method of detecting a traffic device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A controller for detecting a traffic device, comprising:

an interface subsystem operable to receive an image from at least one camera;

a command subsystem operable to command a display unit to communicate information on a display;

a comparison module operable to generate the information in response to detecting data within the image corresponding to visible light emitted in at least one predetermined frequency range, the at least one predetermined frequency range corresponding to a user profile;

wherein the user profile is a plurity of user profiles each corresponding to a different vehicle occupant; and

wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes a first predetermined frequency range corresponding to a first user profile of the plurality of user profiles and a second, different predetermined frequency range corresponding to a second user profile of the plurality of user profiles.

2. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes at least two different frequency ranges each corresponding to a color, and each of the at least two frequency ranges corresponds to a different operating state of an object.

3. The controller as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least two frequency ranges correspond to radiation emitted by a traffic device.

4. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect an object within the image corresponding to the at least one predetermined frequency range and also corresponding to a geometry characterized by a traffic device.

5. The controller as recited in claim 4, wherein the comparison module is configured to set the at least one predetermined frequency range in the user profile.

6. A detection system for vehicle operation, comprising:

at least one camera operable to generate an image;

a display unit operable to communicate information on a display;

a controller coupled to the at least one camera, the controller being configured to command the display unit to communicate the information in response to detecting data within the image corresponding to visible light emitted in at least one predetermined frequency range, the controller being configured to set the at least one predetermined frequency range according to a user profile;

wherein the user profile is a plurlity of user profiles each corresponding to a different vehicle occupant; and

wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes a first predetermined frequency range corresponding to a first user profile of the plurality of user profiles and a second, different predetermined frequency range corresponding to a second user profile of the plurality of user profiles.

7. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the display unit includes a projection unit operable to project information on the display, and the display includes a display screen configured to be positioned adjacent to a windshield.

8. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the display is an instrumentation panel configured to be arranged in a vehicle cabin.

9. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one camera is a digital camera.

10. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to detect an object within the image corresponding to the at least one predetermined frequency range and also corresponding to a geometry characterized by a traffic device.

11. The detection system as recited in claim 10, wherein the object corresponds to a geometry characterized by a traffic device.

12. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes at least two different frequency ranges each corresponding to a color, and each of the at least two frequency ranges corresponds to a different operating state of an object.

13. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the information is distinct from color.

14. The detection system as recited in claim 6, wherein the information is one of a textual message and an audible signal each relating to the at least one predetermined frequency range.

15. A method of detecting a traffic device, comprising:

receiving an image from at least one camera;

detecting data within the image corresponding to visible light emitted in at least one predetermined frequency range, the at least one predetermined frequency range corresponding to a user profile;

commanding a display unit to communicate information onto a display in response to detecting the data;

accessing the user profilel to determine the at least one predetermined frequency range;

wherein the user profile is a plurality of user profiles each corresponding to a different vehicle occupant; and

wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes a first predetermined frequency range corresponding to a first user profile of the plurality of user profiles and a second, different predetermined frequency range corresponding to a second user profile of the plurality of user profiles.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of detecting includes identifying an object within the image.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the object emits radiation at the at least one predetermined frequency range.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the object corresponds to a geometry characterized by a traffic device.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, comprising arranging the at least one camera at an orientation defining a projection toward an expected position of the traffic device.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency range includes at least two different frequency ranges each corresponding to a color, and each of the at least two frequency ranges corresponds to a different operating state of an object.

21. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the display unit is operable to project the information onto a display screen arranged adjacent to a windshield.

22. The method as recited in claim 15, comprising updating the at least one predetermined frequency range in response to receiving a user command.

23. The method as recited in claim 15, comprising:

setting the at least one predetermined frequency range in the first user profile; and

storing the plurality of user profiles in a memory location, each of the plurality of user profiles associated with one or more display preference settings; and

updating the at least one predetermined frequency range according to the second user profile subsequent to the step of detecting data within the image corresponding to visible light emitted in the at least one predetermined frequency range.