US 9,308,917 B2 · Driver assistance apparatus capable of performing distance detection and vehicle including the same

Abstract

A driver assistance apparatus and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The driver assistance apparatus includes a stereo camera and a processor to perform a calibration based on first regions that include objects for vehicle structures or external to the vehicle in stereo images acquired by the stereo camera in a calibration mode and to detect a distance to an object ahead of the vehicle based on second regions not including the objects for the vehicle structures in the stereo images acquired by the stereo camera in a normal mode. Consequently, it is possible to accurately perform distance detection based on images photographed by the stereo camera.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims19

Dependent claims

A driver assistance apparatus comprising:

a stereo camera to acquire stereo images;
and
a processor in communication with the stereo camera, the processor configured to perform calibration based on first regions of the stereo images, the first regions comprising one of vehicle structure objects or objects of structures external to a vehicle in a calibration mode and to detect a distance to an object ahead of the vehicle based on second regions not comprising one of the vehicle structure objects or the objects of structures external to a vehicle in a normal operational mode.

A vehicle comprising:

a steering drive unit to drive a steering apparatus;
a brake drive unit to drive a brake apparatus;
a power source drive unit to drive a power source;
a suspension drive unit to drive a suspension apparatus;
a stereo camera to acquire stereo images;
and
a processor in communication with the stereo camera, the processor configured to perform calibration based on first regions of the stereo images, the first regions comprising one of vehicle structure objects or objects of structures external to a vehicle in a calibration mode and to detect a distance to an object ahead of the vehicle based on second regions not comprising one of the vehicle structure objects or the objects of structures external to a vehicle in a normal operational mode;
and
a controller to generate a control signal to control at least one of the steering drive unit, the brake drive unit, the power source drive unit, and the suspension drive unit based on the detected distance to the object ahead of the vehicle.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description15,155 words

Summary690 words

#This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0064156, filed on May 28, 2014, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

#1. Field

#The present invention relates to a driver assistance apparatus and a vehicle including the same and, more particularly, to a driver assistance apparatus that is capable of accurately performing distance detection based on an image photographed by a stereo camera and a vehicle including the same.

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a view showing the external appearance of a vehicle having a stereo camera according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is a view showing the external appearance of the stereo camera attached to the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description14,195 words

#Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

#The terms “module” and “unit,” when attached to the names of components are used herein to help the understanding of the components and thus they should not be considered as having specific meanings or roles. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

#A vehicle as described in this specification may include a car and a motorcycle. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on a car.

Facts

Application

14/671,190Filed 27 Mar 2015

Priority

KR 10-2014-006415628 May 2014

Published

US 2015/0344032 A13 Dec 2015

Granted

12 Apr 2016

Term ends

27 Mar 2035

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification39 codes

G06V 20/58
Exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle: recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians;…
B60G 17/0165
Characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input: to an external…
B60G 17/018
The regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements: characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
B60T 7/22
For automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger: initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an…

Timeline

28 May 2014Priority claimedKR 10-2014-0064156
27 Mar 2015Application filedUS 14/671,190
3 Dec 2015PublishedUS 2015/0344032 A1
1 Mar 2016Assigned to LG Electronics Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
12 Apr 2016GrantedUS 9,308,917 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
27 Mar 2035Term endsEstimated

Driver assistance apparatus capable of performing distance detection and vehicle including the same

Life of this patent

Driver assistance apparatus capable of performing distance detection and vehicle including the same

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims19

Description15,155 words

Drawings

Classification39 codes

Life of this patent

Description15,155 words