Continental Teves, Ag and Company Ohg

Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh

Continental Autonomous Mobility Germany Gmbh

Joachim Denzler

Bernd Hartmann

Manuel Amthor

Stefan Fritz

Dieter Kroekel

Stefan Schubert

Eric Bach

Bjoern Froehlich

Michael Kemmler

A method for classifying a roadway condition on the basis of image data from a camera system includes providing image data which is configured to image at least one portion of the surroundings of the vehicle, at least part of the portion containing the roadway on which the vehicle is driving. The method includes distinguishing diffuse reflection and specular reflection of the roadway by evaluating differences in the appearances of at least one point of the roadway in at least two images. The method also includes determining whether, in at least one image, there are disturbances that have been caused by at least one wheel of a vehicle whirling up a substance covering a roadway as said wheel travels thereover. The method further includes classifying the roadway condition into one of several roadway condition classes, taking account of the results with regard to the reflection type and the disturbance intensity.

Method and device for recognizing and evaluating roadway conditions and weather-related environmental influences

In a method for detecting and assessing reflections on a road (), a camera () produces at least two digital images of at least one point () of the road, respectively from different recording perspectives (A, B) of the camera (). Diffuse reflection and specular reflection of the road () are then detected by assessing differences in the appearances of the point () of the road in the at least two digital images using digital image processing algorithms. Road reflections are preferably assessed using an approximative approach. An item of road condition information is determined based on the detected reflection, preferably an item of road condition information which states whether the road is dry, wet, snow-covered or icy. Also provided are an apparatus () for carrying out the above-mentioned method, and a vehicle having such an apparatus.

Method and apparatus for detecting and assessing road reflections

A method and an apparatus determine a road condition using a vehicle camera. At least one image is acquired using the camera. A first image area that includes an image of the road surface is determined in the at least one image. A classifier assigns the first image area to at least one class (among pre-established classes) that represents a specific road condition of the road surface. Information regarding this specific road condition is output.

Method and apparatus for determining a road condition

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Jena, Germany

Joachim Denzler