Precautionary visual perception by detection of rear stop light of vehicle that is two vehicles ahead
AssigneeNIO USA, Inc.
InventorsMing Fung Wong, Anqi Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Systems and methods are provided to detect a braking next-to-last vehicle that may cause the last vehicle (the preceding vehicle) to collide with the next-to-last vehicle, panic brake, make a sudden lane change, or otherwise endanger a vehicle following the preceding vehicle. Automated means for computer based vision and detection of brake lights are provided for a next-to-last vehicle. Brake lights are identified; if illuminated to a sufficient level to indicate braking, systems of the operated vehicle are alerted; and appropriate responses may be deployed.
Claims20
A vehicle with enhanced collision avoidance features, comprising:
- a camera configured to capture real-time images ahead of the direction of travel of the vehicle and convert the real-time images into a corresponding output of electrical signals;
- a processor, receiving the electrical signals from the camera, and having a memory for the storage of instructions for execution by the processor;
- and
- a communication interface enabling the processor to communicate with the camera and one or more other components of the vehicle;
- wherein the processor:
- determines at least one visible brake light of the next-to-last vehicle is present in a see-through area of the preceding vehicle, wherein the at least one visible brake light is visible to the camera;
- compares a current intensity of the at least one visible brake light to a baseline intensity, wherein the baseline intensity is associated with a non-braking state;
- and
- upon the comparison indicating that the at least one visible brake light indicates braking of the next-to-last vehicle, outputs, on the communication interface, an alert signal energizing an alerting component of the vehicle.
A method for improved vehicle safety equalizing a camera capturing images in the direction-of-travel, wherein a processor coupled to the camera performs:
- identifying a see-through area of a preceding vehicle;
- detecting, within the see-through area, a next-to-last vehicle;
- determining that at least one brake light of the next-to-last vehicle is present in the see-through area of the preceding vehicle;
- comparing a current intensity of the at least one visible brake light to a baseline intensity, wherein the baseline intensity is associated with a non-braking state;
- and
- upon the comparison indicating that the at least one visible brake light indicates braking of the next-to-last vehicle, outputting an alert signal to energize an alerting component of the vehicle.
A method to improve brake alerting using a camera coupled to a processor, comprising:
- identifying a see-through area of a preceding vehicle;
- detecting, within the see-through area, a next-to-last vehicle;
- determining that at least one brake light of the next-to-last vehicle is present in the see-through area of the preceding vehicle;
- observing the at least one brake light of the next-to-last vehicle;
- determining a state of the observed at least one visible brake light, wherein the state is one of braking, wherein the intensity of the at least one brake light indicating braking, or not braking, wherein the intensity of the at least one brake light indicating not braking;
- wherein observing further comprises a subsequent observing step;
- and
- upon determining, from the subsequent observing step, that the state of the at least one visible brake light, has changed, outputting an alert signal to an alerting component of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.