Systems and methods for detecting traffic lights

1. A traffic light detection system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of a traffic light, wherein the traffic light is located in a region above the vehicle and outside of a sightline of a typical driver location in the vehicle;

a data interface; and

at least one processing device configured to:

receive the plurality of images via the data interface;

determine a status of the traffic light based on analysis of at least a first image from among the plurality of images;

determine a change in status of the traffic light based on at least a second image from among the plurality of images; and

cause a system response based on the determination of the change in status.

2. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capture device includes a sensor and a lens whose focal length is shorter than a short side of the sensor.

3. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to correct optical distortion in the at least a first image.

4. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein a vertical field-of-view from the typical driver location in the vehicle is about 65 degrees and a vertical field-of-view of the at least one image capture device is more than 65 degrees.

5. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capture device is configured for location within the vehicle.

6. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to determine a status of the traffic light when the at least one image capture device acquires the plurality of images through a windshield of the vehicle.

7. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capture device is configured to capture images of traffic lights located in a conic section zone of between 150 to 180 degrees relative to a location of the at least one image capture device.

8. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capture device is configured to capture images of traffic lights located in a conic section zone of between 170 to 180 degrees relative to a location of the at least one image capture device.

9. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the system response includes reporting the change in status to the driver of the vehicle.

10. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the system response includes accelerating to a driver-specified cruise speed.

11. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to determine a relevance of the traffic light captured in the plurality of images based on at least one indicator of vehicle position.

12. The traffic light detection system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one indicator of vehicle position includes a lane marker recognized based on analysis of the plurality of images.

13. The traffic light detection system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one indicator of vehicle position includes a vehicle location acquired by GPS.

14. The traffic light detection system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to compare the GPS acquired vehicle location to map data to determine the relevance of the traffic light.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a body;

at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of a traffic light, wherein the traffic light is located in a region above the vehicle and outside of a sightline of a typical driver location in the vehicle;

a data interface; and

at least one processing device configured to:

receive the plurality of images via the data interface;

determine a status of the traffic light based on analysis of at least a first image from among the plurality of images;

determine a change in status of the traffic light based on at least a second image from among the plurality of images; and

cause a system response based on the determination of the change in status.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the at least one image capture device is configured for location within the vehicle.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to determine a status of the traffic light when the at least one image capture device acquires the plurality of images through a windshield of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the system response includes reporting the change in status to the driver of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the system response includes accelerating to a driver specified cruise speed.

20. A method for navigating a vehicle, the method comprising:

acquiring, via at least one image capture device, a plurality of images of a traffic light, wherein the traffic light is located in a region above the vehicle and outside of a sightline of a typical driver location in vehicle;

determining a status of the traffic light based on analysis of at least a first image from among the plurality of images;

determining a change in status of the traffic light based on at least a second image from among the plurality of images; and

causing a system response based on the determination of the change in status.

21. The traffic light detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capture device includes an ultra-wide lens associated with a vertical direction.