Abstract:
An easy-to-use vehicular active drive assist system is provided, which can continue to give a warning against the presence of a possibility of deviation of own vehicle from a traffic lane to such an extent that a driver would not find the warning noisy or annoying. A control unit makes a judgment on the possibility of deviation from a traffic lane based on the location of lane marker lines detected from a pair of camera images and the location of own vehicle, and generates a warning if the own vehicle is supposed to deviate from to the left or right of the traffic lane. This warning is produced at preset time intervals. When the direction of potential lane deviation has changed (from right to left or from left to right), a lane deviation warning of the current side of lane deviation is started immediately.
Abstract:
A vehicle guidance system for assisting a driving lane change includes an object detection unit for detecting objects in a laterally adjacent rearward side space area of the vehicle. An analysis unit receives signals from the object detection unit and determines whether an object is situated in a dead angle section (blind spot) of the monitored rearward side space, or whether any such object in a section of the monitored rearward side space which is rearward beyond a dead angle section is moving forward at a higher speed than the system vehicle. If so, and if, in addition, it detects at the same time a lane change request pertaining to the corresponding side area, it activates a warning indicating unit for emitting a warning signal. According to the invention, a position detection device is provided which determines path data of the obstacle vehicle and the road geometry data, as well as the position of the system vehicle on the road. When the object detection unit detects an obstacle vehicle which is following in the rearward side space, corresponding to the covered distance recorded by the position detection device and the road geometry, a position assignment of the vehicle which is following is determined relative to the road.
Abstract:
A drive assist system of a vehicle for preventing a lane moving-out includes a pair of CCD cameras for taking picture images of the scenery in front of the vehicle, an image processing section for processing the picture images, a road/object detecting section for obtaining image data, a lane moving-out judging section for judging a lane moving-out from a lane, a roadside judging section for issuing an alarm when it judges a lane moving-out in the roadside direction, a moving-out direction obstacle judging section for issuing an alarm when there is a possibility of colliding with an obstacle on a moving-out direction lane, a lane width judging section for stopping or suppressing an alarm in case where the lane moving-out is an avoidable behavior due to the narrow width of the lane and a front direction obstacle judging section for stopping or suppressing an alarm in case where the lane moving-out is for avoiding an obstacle in front of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A device for improving vehicle driving safety and comfort is disclosed. The main road sign information encountered during a journey is transmitted to the vehicle, the position of the vehicle on the driving surface is continuously monitored, and the road surface is checked for the presence of foreign matter such as mud, snow, ice, etc. A set of transmitting-receiving sensors (C1, C2) suitably arranged on the vehicle and facing the driving surface continuously observes changes in the reflective properties of the observed areas within the sensitivity range thereof. Markings defining lanes and shoulders lined with grassy, gravelly or sandy areas are sensed by the sensors (C1, C2) as soon as the vehicle approaches or drives over them. The signals from the sensors (C1, C2) are processed by an electronic unit (1) controlling an on-board signalling system (2) linked to an alarm system (3) for warning the driver of road hazards and possible unsafe driving (straying off-course, speeding, etc.). By reacting instantly, the driver thus informed can avoid a potential accident.
Abstract:
An off-lane alarm apparatus is disclosed in which upon the increase of the height of a pickup sensor mounted on a car, the increased portion is provided for an image processing device. The image processing device then determines a necessary outside area of a predetermined lane width with other input or switched data to mask an image portion corresponding to the necessary outside area for the car's off-lane detection.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a warning device in a motor vehicle for detection of unintentional change of course. The invention utilizes existing white road lines being scanned by two detectors (A) mounted far out in the front on the left-hand and the right-hand side of the bumper of the vehicle. IR transmitting diodes (1) located in the detectors are fed from a transmitting unit of an electronic unit mounted in the vehicle with a pulsed signal voltage. The light emitted from the IR diode (1) is reflected by the lines (10) of the roadway (11) to an IR receiving diode (12) mounted in the detector (A), this diode not being affected by visible natural and/or artifical light but is only activated by the pulsed, reflected IR light. The signal voltage received by the IR receiving diode (12) is connected to two receiving parts mounted in the electronic unit, one for the right-hand and one for the left-hand side of the vehicle compartment, for conversion into an acoustic or an optical warning signal to the driver.
Abstract:
A forward-facing vision system for a vehicle includes a forward-facing camera disposed in a windshield electronics module attached at a windshield of the vehicle and viewing through the windshield. A control includes a processor that, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects taillights of leading vehicles during nighttime conditions and, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects lane markers on a road being traveled by the vehicle. The control, responsive to lane marker detection and a determination that the vehicle is drifting out of a traffic lane, may control a steering system of the vehicle to mitigate such drifting, with the steering system manually controllable by a driver of the vehicle irrespective of control by the control. The processor, based at least in part on detection of lane markers via processing of captured image data, determines curvature of the road being traveled by the vehicle.
Abstract:
A blind-spot detection and collision avoidance system and method employ a blind-spot camera located between a side-view mirror and an automobile body. A rear view mirror has an integrated display that displays an indication of objects detected in blind spots. Side and rear view cameras are also included and images captured by these cameras are used to track objects as they are moved about the perimeter of the driver's automobile. Additional sensors are used to detect when the automobile is expected to change lanes so the collision avoidance system may be activated.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are disclosed for presenting information for viewing by a driver of, e.g., a vehicle, of a train, a captain of a ship, a pilot of an airplane, or by any other person who has to gaze in a certain direction, especially for observing or monitoring the environment such as a road in case of a vehicle driver. The information is presented in such a way that such a person is less impaired with respect to his ability to detect changes in the environment when reading such information so that safety especially of driving a vehicle is considerably improved.
Abstract:
A drive torque modulation is generated in response to an unintentional lane departure or traffic/obstacle intervention in an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). At least one of propulsion and braking of the vehicle is controlled via a motor of the vehicle in accordance with the torque modulation. Vehicle oscillation is generated through the torque modulation to let the driver be aware of the impending dangerous driving situation.