IP Library Granted Patent US 8,315,766
Granted Patent B2
US 8,315,766 · App. 12/260,235 · Granted Nov 20, 2012

Process for detecting a phenomenon limiting the visibility for a motor vehicle

Assignee: Valeo Vision
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,315,766
App. No.
12/260,235
Granted
Nov 20, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process and system for detecting a phenomenon limiting the visibility for a motor vehicle. The process and system comprises the steps of determining at least one point of interest in an image captured of the environment of the vehicle (CALC_H(I)); determining a region of interest in the image (CALC_ROI(I)); determining a graph of different levels of grey on the basis of said region of interest (CALC_CL(ROI)), and determining an area in said graph of different levels of grey around said point of interest (CALC_A(CL, H)).

Claims (32)

1. A process for detecting a phenomenon (F) limiting the visibility in the environment (E) of a motor vehicle (V) comprising the following steps:

emitting a beam (FX) from at least one of the headlamps (PJ) of the vehicle (V) into the environment (E) of the vehicle (V);

determining at least one point of interest (H) in an image (I) captured on the environment (E) of the vehicle (V);

determining a region of interest (ROI) in said image (I);

determining a graph of different levels of grey (CL) from said region of interest (ROI); and

determining an area (A) in said graph of different levels of grey (CL) in relation to the determined point of interest (H).

2. The process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the process contains a supplementary step for:

determining the presence of a phenomenon (F) limiting the visibility in relation to at least one threshold value (VAs) of said area (A).

3. The process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the process contains a supplementary step for:

determining a visibility distance (DVM) in relation to said area (A).

4. The process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the point of interest (H) is situated on the horizon line in the image (I).

5. The process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the vehicle (V) has a steering angle (α), and said region of interest (ROI) is determined in said image (I) in relation to said steering angle.

6. A device (DISP) for the detection of a phenomenon (F) limiting the visibility in the environment (E) of a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one headlamp (PJ) for:

emitting a light beam (FX) into the environment (E) of the vehicle (V);

a control unit (UC) for:

determining at least one point of interest (H) in an image (I) captured of the environment (E) of the vehicle (V);

determining a region of interest (ROI) in said image (I);

determining a graph of different levels of grey (CL) on the basis of said region of interest (ROI); and

determining an area (A) in said graph of different levels of grey (CL) in relation to said point of interest (H).

7. A non-transitory computer program product (PG) adapted to perform the process according to claim 1 .

8. The process in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the process contains a supplementary step for:

determining a visibility distance (DVM) in relation to said area (A).

9. The process in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the vehicle (V) has a steering angle (α), and said region of interest (ROI) is determined in said image (I) in relation to said steering angle.

10. The process in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the vehicle (V) has a steering angle (α), and said region of interest (ROI) is determined in said image (I) in relation to said steering angle.

11. The process in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the vehicle (V) has a steering angle (α), and said region of interest (ROI) is determined in said image (I) in relation to said steering angle.

12. The process in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said process comprises the step of:

adjusting said headlamps in response to said determining steps.

13. The process in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said process comprises the step of:

automatically adjusting said headlamps in response to said determining steps.

14. The device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein said control unit adjusts at least one headlamp in response to said determining steps.

15. The device in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said control unit automatically adjusts at least one headlamp in response to said determining steps.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2009
From: REBUT, JULIEN; LELEVE, JOEL; HUE, DAVID
To: VALEO VISION
Reel/Frame 022701/0031 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 07 07683 · Oct 31, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090118909A1 · May 7, 2009