Method for distinguishing between reflectors arranged on the roadside and vehicle lights in the dark

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 8587456
APP PUB NO 20100295705A1
SERIAL NO

12739760

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Abstract

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A method and a device for distinguishing between reflectors arranged on the roadside and vehicle lights and for identifying said reflectors and vehicle lights for use in an automatic light control system in a vehicle with a camera sensor oriented towards the surroundings of the vehicle. The method includes recording a sequence of images of the surroundings of the vehicle. Light spots are found and subjected to temporal tracking within the sequence of images. Afterwards, for each light spot, a decision is made whether the light source of the light spot is a vehicle light or a reflector. A statistical map for the entire camera image is determined from the position of the light spots found with the statistical map comprising regions that are predominantly occupied by reflectors and regions that are predominantly occupied by vehicles driving ahead or by oncoming vehicles. All light sources that are found within the regions occupied by reflectors are identified as potential reflectors and all light sources within the regions occupied by vehicle lights are identified as potential vehicle lights.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ADC AUTOMOTIVE DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEMS GMBH88131 LINDAU

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Fechner, Thomas Wasserburg, DE 30 343
Walter, Michael Heerbrugg, CH 67 464

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