Systems and methods for navigating a vehicle to a default lane

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016347322-A1
Application number	US-201414560400-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 4, 2014
Priority date	Dec 4, 2013
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a driver assist navigation system is provided for a vehicle. The system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle; a data interface; and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device may be configured to: receive the plurality of images via the data interface; determine from the plurality of images a current lane of travel from among a plurality of available travel lanes; and cause the vehicle to change lanes if the current lane of travel is not the same as a predetermined default travel lane.

First claim

1 . A driver assist navigation system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle; a data interface; and at least one processing device configured to:
receive the plurality of images via the data interface;
determine from the plurality of images a current lane of travel and at least one other available travel lane;
identify, based on the plurality of images and data received from a global positioning system, a predetermined default travel lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane; and
cause the vehicle to change lanes if the current lane of travel is not the same as the predetermined default travel lane.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a right-most lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to activate a turn signal prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to cause an audible announcement prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to cause an audible indicator prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a lane in which other vehicles are travelling at about the same speed as the vehicle.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based further on an input received from a user.

9 . A vehicle, comprising:
a body; at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle; a data interface; and at least one processing device configured to:
receive the plurality of images via the data interface;
determine from the plurality of images a current lane of travel and at least one other available travel lane;
identify, based on the plurality of images and data received from a global positioning system, a predetermined default travel lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane; and
cause the vehicle to change lanes if the current lane of travel is not the same as the predetermined default travel lane.

10 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a right-most lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane.

11 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to activate a turn signal prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

12 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to cause an audible announcement prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

13 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processing device is configured to cause an audible indicator prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

14 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a lane in which other vehicles are travelling at about the same speed as the vehicle.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based further on an input received from a user.

17 . A method for navigating a vehicle, comprising:
acquiring, using at least one image capture device, a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle; determining from the plurality of images a current lane of travel and at least one other available travel lane; identify, based on the plurality of images and data received from a global positioning system, a predetermined default travel lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane; and causing the vehicle to change lanes if the current lane of travel is not the same as the predetermined default travel lane.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a right-most lane among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein a turn signal is activated prior to causing the vehicle to change lanes.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined default travel lane is identified based on the plurality of images as a lane with less traffic among the current lane of travel and the at least one other available travel lane.

Assignees

• Clarke Anna
• Bagon Eyal
• Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd

Inventors

• Clarke Anna
• Bagon Eyal

Classifications

• G01C21/3658

  Lane guidance · CPC title

• B60W2552/30

  Road curve radius · CPC title

• G06V20/56

  exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle · CPC title

• H04N23/90

  Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums · CPC title

• B60W2554/80

  Spatial relation or speed relative to objects · CPC title