System and method for periodic lane marker identification and tracking

1. A system for periodic lane marker identification comprising:

at least one imager configured to capture a plurality of images exterior of a vehicle;

a processor in communication with the at least one imager where the processor is configured to process at least one image such that a period of dashed lane markers in the image is calculated for tracking the vehicle within the detected dashed lane markers; and

wherein the processor is operable to:

identify a plurality of leading edges and trailing edges of the plurality of dashed lane markers;

calculate a plurality of edge differences among the plurality of leading edges and the plurality of trailing edges;

calculate the period of the dashed lane markers from the plurality of edge differences; and

communicate an output based upon the detected dashed lane markers for use by the vehicle.

2. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 1 , wherein the edge differences comprise a plurality of first edge differences computed based on distances between leading edges of the dashed lane markers.

3. A system for periodic lane maker identification as in claim 2 , wherein the edge differences comprise a plurality of second edge differences computed based on distances between trailing edges of the dashed lane markers.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the processor is further operable to:

compare the first edge differences with the second edge differences to determine an accuracy of the period of the dashed lane markers.

5. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable to compare values among the plurality of edge differences.

6. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 5 , wherein the processor is further operable to refine the edge differences by classifying the edge differences in a plurality of period ranges.

7. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 6 , wherein the processor is further operable to refine the edge differences by calculating a maximum frequency of the edge differences corresponding to a selected period range.

8. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 7 , wherein the processor is further operable to utilize the edge differences corresponding to the selected period range to calculate the period of the of the dashed lane markers.

9. A system for periodic roadway lane marker identification comprising:

at least one image sensor configured to capture a plurality of high dynamic range images exterior of a vehicle;

an image controller for communication data from the at least one imager;

a processor in communication with the image controller such that the processor is configured to process at least one high dynamic range image such that a period of a plurality of dashed lane markers is determined based on points in the image; and

wherein the processor is operable to:

calculate the period by comparing a plurality of distances between the dashed lane markers, wherein the plurality of distances correspond to distances among a plurality of leading edges and trailing edges of the dashed lane markers;

refine the period by grouping the distances into a plurality of ranges; and

communicate an output based upon the determined period of the plurality of dashed lane markers for assisting a driver.

10. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 9 , wherein a period of the plurality of dashed lane markers is determined by identifying an edge location in a world coordinate system and storing a plurality of edge locations in at least one buffer.

11. A system for periodic lane marker identification as in claim 9 , wherein the period of the plurality of dashed lane markers are computed based on distances between leading edges of the dashed lane markers.

12. A system for periodic lane maker identification as in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of dashed lane markers are computed based on distances between trailing edges of the dashed lane markers.

13. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of distances is calculated based on a first plurality of distances between the leading edges of the periodic lane marker.

14. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of distances is calculated based on a second plurality of distances between the trailing edges of the periodic lane marker.

15. A method of detecting a periodic lane marker located on a roadway comprising the steps of:

capturing at least one high dynamic range image;

detecting a periodic lane marker in the image for identifying a roadway lane;

calculating a period of the periodic lane marker, wherein the period is calculated by the steps of:

calculating a plurality of distances between each of a plurality of edges of the periodic lane marker, wherein the plurality of distances is calculated based on a first plurality of distances between leading edges of the periodic lane marker and a second plurality of distances between trailing edges of the periodic lane marker;

comparing the distances to identify a plurality of substantially similar distances; and

determining if a vehicle will remain within the roadway lane such that an output is communicated for use by a vehicle.

16. A method for detecting a periodic lane marker as in claim 15 , further comprising the step of:

computing the period of the periodic lane marker based on a distance between leading edges of the periodic lane markers.

17. A method for detecting a periodic lane marker as in claim 15 , further comprising the step of:

computing the period of the periodic lane marker based on a distance between trailing edges of the periodic lane markers.

18. A method for detecting a periodic lane marker as in claim 15 , wherein the period is calculated by the step of utilizing the substantially similar distances to calculate the period.