Lane tracking system employing redundant image sensing devices
AssigneeIteris, Inc.
InventorRichard D. Crawshaw
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lane tracking system for a vehicle employing redundant imaging devices with different fields of view is disclosed. The imaging devices are oriented in generally opposite directions so glare or other harsh lighting hampering one imaging device will not affect the other device. The appropriate image is selected based on image quality and used to detect lane markers and vehicle position. A preferred application for lane departure warning is also disclosed.
Claims20
A lane tracking system adapted for use with a vehicle, comprising:
- a first imaging device configured on the vehicle with an orientation and field of view so as to image a portion of the roadway in front of the vehicle;
- a second imaging device configured on the vehicle with an orientation and field of view so as to image a portion of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle;
- a memory storing first and second image data from the first and second imaging devices;
- and
- a processor coupled to receive the first and second image data from the memory, the processor performing image processing of the image data comprising determining if the image quality of the first image data is at a desired level, detecting roadway lane markers and determining vehicle position using the first image data if the first image data is at or above the desired level, determining if the image quality of the second image data is at the desired level, and detecting roadway lane markers and determining vehicle position using the second image data if the first image data is below the desired level and the second image data is at or above the desired level.
A lane departure warning system adapted for use with a vehicle, comprising:
- a first imaging device configured on the vehicle with an orientation and field of view so as to image a portion of the roadway in front of the vehicle;
- a second imaging device configured on the vehicle with an orientation and field of view so as to image a portion of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle;
- a memory storing first and second image data from the first and second imaging devices;
- means for receiving the first and second image data from the memory and determining vehicle distance from a lane boundary using either the first or second image data based on the signal quality of the first image data and the second image data;
- means for comparing the vehicle distance from the lane boundary, determined using the first or second image data, to a minimum value and issuing a warning signal if the vehicle distance from the lane boundary falls below a minimum value;
- and
- a warning device providing a warning to the vehicle operator in response to the warning signal.
A method for detecting vehicle position relative to roadway lane markers, comprising:
- acquiring first image data from a first field of view including a first portion of the roadway;
- acquiring second image data from a second field of view oriented generally opposite to the first field of view and including a second portion of the roadway;
- determining image quality of the first and second image data;
- detecting lane markers and determining vehicle position relative to the lane markers using the first image data or the second image data based on the quality of the image data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.