A framework for autonomous driving and combining driving information with batch adjustment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for driving a vehicle. In one implementation, at least one processing device may receive a first output from a first data source and a second output from a second data source, identify a representation of a target object in the first output, determine whether a characteristic of the target object causes at least one driving constraint, verify the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output if the at least one driving constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object, verify the identification of the representation of the target object based on the first output if the at least one driving constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, and, in response to the verification, cause at least one driving change to the vehicle.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 519,471, filed June 14, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 519,493, filed June 14, 2017. All of the above applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. [Technical field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to autonomous vehicle navigation. [Background information]

[0003] As technology continues to advance, the goal of fully autonomous vehicles capable of traveling on roadways is in sight. An autonomous vehicle may need to take into account various factors and make appropriate decisions based on those factors to safely and accurately reach its intended destination. For example, an autonomous vehicle may need to process and interpret visual information (e.g., information captured from a camera) and may also use information obtained from other sources (e.g., a GPS device, a speed sensor, an accelerometer, a suspension sensor, etc.). At the same time, to travel to the destination, an autonomous vehicle may also need to identify its location within a particular road (e.g., a particular lane of a multi-lane road), navigate with other vehicles, avoid obstacles and pedestrians, observe traffic signals and signs, and move from one road to another at appropriate intersections or interchanges. Utilizing and interpreting the vast amount of information collected by an autonomous vehicle as it travels to its destination poses numerous design challenges. The sheer amount of data that an autonomous vehicle may need to analyze, access, and / or store (e.g., captured image data, map data, GPS data, sensor data, etc.) poses challenges that may actually limit or even adversely affect autonomous driving. Additionally, if an autonomous vehicle relies on traditional mapping techniques to navigate, the sheer amount of data required to store and update maps poses daunting challenges.

[0004] In addition to collecting data to update the map, an autonomous vehicle must be able to use the map to navigate. Thus, the size and detail of the maps must be optimized, as must their construction and transmission. Furthermore, as well as using the map, an autonomous vehicle must navigate using constraints based on the vehicle's surroundings to ensure the safety of its occupants and other drivers and pedestrians on the roadway. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An embodiment consistent with the present disclosure provides a system and method for autonomous vehicle navigation. The disclosed embodiments may use cameras to provide characteristics of the autonomous vehicle's navigation. For example, consistent with the disclosed embodiments, the disclosed system may include one, two, or more cameras that monitor the vehicle's environment. The disclosed system may provide a navigation response, for example, based on an analysis of images captured by one or more of the cameras. The disclosed system may also provide for building and navigation with a crowdsourced sparse map. Other disclosed systems may use association analysis of the images to perform position estimation with the sparse map that may supplement the navigation. The navigation response may also take into account other data, including, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, sensor data (e.g., accelerometers, speed sensors, suspension sensors, etc.), and / or other map data. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may combine data from multiple sources, such as cameras, sensors, maps, etc., using comfort and safety constraints to optimize the vehicle's navigation without endangering other drivers and pedestrians.

[0006] In one embodiment of the navigation system for the host vehicle, the navigation system may include at least one processing device. The at least one processing device may be programmed to receive a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle. At least one of the first data source and the second data source may include a sensor mounted on the host vehicle. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify a representation of a target object in the first output, determine whether a characteristic of the target object causes at least one navigation constraint, verify the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output if the at least one navigation constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object, verify the identification of the representation of the target object based on the first output if the at least one navigation constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, and in response to the verification, cause at least one navigation change to the host vehicle.

[0007] In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for driving a host vehicle may include receiving a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle. At least one of the first data source and the second data source may include a sensor mounted on the host vehicle. The method may further include identifying a representation of a target object in the first output, determining whether a characteristic of the target object causes at least one driving constraint, verifying the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output if the at least one driving constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object, verifying the identification of the representation of the target object based on the first output if the at least one driving constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, and in response to the verification, causing at least one driving change to the host vehicle.

[0008] In one embodiment, a server for coordinating driving information from a plurality of vehicles may include at least one processing device. The at least one processing device may be programmed to receive driving information from the plurality of vehicles. The driving information from the plurality of vehicles may be associated with a common road segment. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to coordinate the driving information in a coordinate system local to the common road segment. The local coordinate system may include a coordinate system based on a plurality of images captured by image sensors included in the plurality of vehicles. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to store the coordinated driving information in association with the common road segment and distribute the coordinated driving information to one or more autonomous vehicles for use in autonomously navigating the one or more autonomous vehicles along the common road segment.

[0009] In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for coordinating driving information from a plurality of vehicles may include receiving driving information from the plurality of vehicles. The driving information from the plurality of vehicles may be associated with a common road segment. The method may further include coordinating the driving information in a coordinate system local to the common road segment. The local coordinate system may include a coordinate system based on a plurality of images captured by image sensors included on the plurality of vehicles. The method may further include storing the coordinated driving information in association with the common road segment, and distributing the coordinated driving information to one or more autonomous vehicles for use in autonomously navigating the one or more autonomous vehicles along the common road segment.

[0010] Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store program instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device, perform any of the methods described herein.

[0011] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the scope of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary system consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0014] [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic side view representation of an exemplary vehicle including a system consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 2B] 2B is a schematic plan view representation of the vehicle and system shown in FIG. 2A consistent with a disclosed embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic plan view representation of another embodiment of a vehicle including a system consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

[0017] [Figure 2D] 1 is a schematic plan view representation of yet another embodiment of a vehicle including a system consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

[0018] [Figure 2E] 1 is a schematic plan view representation of yet another embodiment of a vehicle including a system consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

[0019] [Figure 2F] 1 is a schematic representation of an example vehicle control system consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0020] [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle interior including a rearview mirror and a user interface for a vehicle capture system consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0021] [Figure 3B] 1 is an illustration of a camera mount configured to be positioned behind a vehicle's rearview mirror, facing the vehicle's windshield, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0022] [Figure 3C] 3C is an illustration of the camera mount shown in FIG. 3B from a different perspective, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0023] [Figure 3D] 1 is an illustration of a camera mount configured to be positioned behind a vehicle's rearview mirror, facing the vehicle's windshield, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0024] [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an example block diagram of a memory configured to store instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

[0025] [Figure 5A] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for generating one or more travel responses based on monocular image analysis consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0026] [Figure 5B] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for detecting one or more vehicles and / or pedestrians in a set of images consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0027] [Figure 5C] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for detecting road markings and / or lane shape information in a set of images consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0028] [Figure 5D]1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for detecting traffic lights in a set of images consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0029] [Figure 5E] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for generating one or more driving responses based on a vehicle path consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0030] [Figure 5F] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determining whether a leading vehicle is changing lanes, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0031] [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for generating one or more driving responses based on stereo image analysis, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0032] [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for generating one or more travel responses based on analysis of three sets of images, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0033] [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 illustrates a polynomial representation of a portion of a road segment, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0034] [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 illustrates a curve in three-dimensional space representing a target trajectory of a vehicle for a particular road segment that is included in a sparse map, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0035] [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 illustrates a polynomial representation of a trajectory, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0036] [Figure 9B]FIG. 1 illustrates a target trajectory along a multi-lane road, consistent with disclosed embodiments. [Figure 9C] FIG. 1 illustrates a target trajectory along a multi-lane road, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0037] [Figure 9D] FIG. 2 illustrates an example road signature profile, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0038] [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example autonomous vehicle road driving model represented by a number of 3D splines, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0039] [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a map generated by combining location information from many drives, consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0040] [Figure 12] 1 is an example block diagram of a memory configured to store instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0041] [Figure 13A] 1 provides a schematic depiction of example safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments; [Figure 13B] 1 provides a schematic depiction of example safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments;

[0042] [Figure 13C] 13 provides a schematic depiction of further examples of safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments; [Figure 13D] 13 provides a schematic depiction of further examples of safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments;

[0043] [Figure 14]1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for running a host vehicle based on safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0044] [Figure 15] 1 is an example block diagram of a memory configured to store instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with disclosed embodiments.

[0045] [Figure 16] 1 illustrates an example of road data generated by combining road data consistent with disclosed embodiments, the road data being generated by combining driving information from multiple driving and exemplary global maps.

[0046] [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for coordinating travel information from multiple vehicles, consistent with disclosed embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts in the drawings and the following operational description. Although several exemplary embodiments are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the components shown in the drawings, and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified by substituting, rearranging, deleting, or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Therefore, the following detailed description is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and examples. Instead, the appropriate scope is defined by the appended claims.

[0048] Overview of Autonomous Vehicles

[0049] As used throughout this disclosure, the term "autonomous vehicle" refers to a vehicle capable of implementing at least one driving change without driver input. A "driving change" refers to a change in one or more of the vehicle's steering, braking, or acceleration. To be autonomous, a vehicle need not be fully automatic (e.g., operating completely without a driver or without driver input). Rather, autonomous vehicles include those that may operate under driver control during certain periods and without driver control during other periods. Autonomous vehicles may also include vehicles that may control only some aspects of the vehicle's driving, such as steering (e.g., to keep the vehicle on course within the constraints of the vehicle's lane), and leave other aspects (e.g., braking) to the driver. In some cases, an autonomous vehicle may handle some or all aspects of the vehicle's braking, speed control, and / or steering.

[0050] Human drivers generally rely on visual cues and observations to control the vehicle, and thus traffic infrastructure is formed with lane markings, traffic signs, and traffic lights all designed to provide visual information to the driver. With these design characteristics of traffic infrastructure in mind, an autonomous vehicle may include a camera and a processing unit that analyzes visual information captured from the vehicle's environment. The visual information may include, for example, traffic infrastructure components observable by the driver (e.g., lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, etc.) and other obstacles (e.g., other vehicles, pedestrians, debris, etc.). In addition, an autonomous vehicle may also use stored information, such as information that provides a model of the vehicle's environment as it travels. For example, the vehicle may use GPS data, sensor data (e.g., from accelerometers, speed sensors, suspension sensors, etc.), and / or other map data to provide information related to its environment while the vehicle is traveling, and the vehicle (as well as other vehicles) may use the information to locate itself on the model.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an autonomous vehicle may use information acquired during a journey (e.g., from cameras, GPS devices, accelerometers, speed sensors, suspension sensors, etc.). In other embodiments, an autonomous vehicle may use information acquired by the vehicle (or by other vehicles) from past journeys during a journey. In still other embodiments, an autonomous vehicle may use a combination of information acquired during a journey and information acquired from past journeys. The following section provides an overview of a system consistent with disclosed embodiments, followed by an overview of a forward-looking capture system and methods consistent with the system. The following section discloses systems and methods for building, using, and updating sparse maps for autonomous vehicle journeys.

[0052] System Overview

[0053] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system 100 consistent with exemplary disclosed embodiments. System 100 may include various components depending on the requirements of a particular implementation. In some embodiments, system 100 may include a processing unit 110, an image acquisition unit 120, a position sensor 130, one or more memory units 140, 150, a map database 160, a user interface 170, and a wireless transceiver 172. Processing unit 110 may include one or more processing devices. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may include an application processor 180, an image processor 190, or any other suitable processing device. Similarly, image acquisition unit 120 may include any number of image acquisition devices and components depending on the requirements of a particular application. In some embodiments, image acquisition unit 120 may include one or more imaging devices (e.g., cameras), such as imaging device 122, imaging device 124, and imaging device 126. The system 100 may also include a data interface 128 that communicatively couples the processing device 110 to the image acquisition device 120. For example, the data interface 128 may include any wired and / or wireless link that transmits image data acquired by the image acquisition device 120 to the processing unit 110.

[0054] Wireless transceiver 172 may include one or more devices configured to exchange transmissions over an air interface with one or more networks (e.g., cellular, Internet, etc.) through the use of radio frequencies, infrared frequencies, magnetic fields, or electric fields. Wireless transceiver 172 may use any known standard (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, 802.15.4, ZigBee, etc.) for transmitting and / or receiving data. Such transmissions may include communications from the host vehicle to one or more remotely located servers. Such transmissions may also include communications (one-way or two-way) between the host vehicle and one or more target vehicles in the host vehicle's environment (e.g., to facilitate coordination of the host vehicle's travel in light of or with the target vehicles in the host vehicle's environment), or even broadcast transmissions to unspecified recipients in the vicinity of the transmitting vehicle.

[0055] The application processor 180 and the image processor 190 may include various types of processing devices. For example, either or both of the application processor 180 and the image processor 190 may include a microprocessor, a preprocessor (such as an image preprocessor), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing device (CPU), support circuits, a digital signal processor, an integrated circuit, memory, or any other type of device suitable for running applications and performing image processing and analysis. In some embodiments, the application processor 180 and / or the image processor 190 may include any type of single-core or multi-core processor, a mobile device microcontroller, a central processing device, or the like. Various processing devices may be used, including, for example, processors available from manufacturers such as Intel®, AMD®, or GPUs available from manufacturers such as NVIDIA®, ATI®, and the like, and the processing devices may include various architectures (e.g., x86 processor, ARM®, etc.).

[0056] In some embodiments, application processor 180 and / or image processor 190 may include any of the EyeQ series of processor chips available from Mobileye®. Each of these processor designs includes multiple processing units with local memory and instruction sets. Such processors may include video inputs for receiving image data from multiple image sensors and may also include video output capabilities. In one example, EyeQ2® uses 90 nm-micron technology operating at 332 MHz. The EyeQ2® architecture consists of two floating-point hyper-threaded 32-bit RISC CPUs (MIPS32® 34K® cores), five Vision Computing Engines (VCEs), three Vector Microcode Processors (VMP®), a Denali 64-bit Mobile DDR controller, a 128-bit Internal Sonics Interconnect, dual 16-bit video input and 18-bit video output controllers, a 16-channel DMA, and several peripherals. The MIPS34K CPU manages the five VCEs, three VMPs™ and DMA, a second MIPS34K CPU and multi-channel DMA, and other peripherals. The five VCEs, three VMPs, and the MIPS34K CPU can perform intensive visual calculations required by multifunction bundle applications. In another example, the EyeQ3 is a third generation processor that is six times more powerful than the EyeQ2 and can be used in the disclosed embodiments. In another example, the EyeQ4 and / or EyeQ5 can be used in the disclosed embodiments. Of course, any newer or future EyeQ processing device can be used with the disclosed embodiments.

[0057] Any processing device disclosed herein may be configured to perform a particular function. Configuring a processing device, such as any of the described EyeQ processors, or other controllers or microprocessors, to perform a particular function may include programming computer-executable instructions and making those instructions available to the processing device for execution during operation of the processing device. In some embodiments, configuring a processing device may include programming the processing device directly with architectural instructions. For example, a processing device, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., may be configured using, for example, one or more hardware description languages ​​(HDLs).

[0058] In other embodiments, configuring the processing device may include storing executable instructions in a memory accessible to the processing device during operation. For example, the processing device may access the memory to retrieve and execute the stored instructions during operation. In either case, the processing devices configured to perform the sensing, image analysis, and / or navigation functions disclosed herein represent dedicated hardware-based systems that control multiple hardware-based components of a host vehicle.

[0059] 1 shows two separate processing devices included within processing unit 110, more or fewer processing devices may be used. For example, in some embodiments, a single processing device may be used to accomplish the tasks of application processor 180 and image processor 190. In other embodiments, these tasks may be performed by more than two processing devices. Additionally, in some embodiments, system 100 may include one or more processing units 110 without including other components, such as image acquisition unit 120.

[0060] The processing unit 110 may include various types of devices. For example, the processing unit 110 may include various devices such as a controller, an image preprocessor, a central processing device (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), support circuits, digital signal processors, integrated circuits, memory, or any other type of device for image processing and analysis. The image preprocessor may include a video processor for capturing, digitizing, and processing imagery from an image sensor. The CPU may include any number of microcontrollers or microprocessors. Also, the GPU may include any number of microcontrollers or microprocessors. The support circuits may include any number of circuits commonly known in the art, including cache, power, clock, and input / output circuits. The memory may store software that, when executed by the processor, controls the operation of the system. The memory may include databases and image processing software. The memory may include any number of random access memories, read-only memories, flash memories, disk drives, optical storage devices, tape storage, removable storage, and other types of storage. In one example, the memory may be separate from the processing unit 110. In another example, the memory may be integrated into the processing unit 110 .

[0061] The memories 140, 150 may each include software instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., the application processor 180 and / or the image processor 190), may control the operation of various aspects of the system 100. These memory units may include various databases and image processing software, as well as trained systems, such as neural networks, or deep neural networks. The memory units may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, disk drives, optical storage devices, tape storage, removable storage, and / or any other type of storage. In some embodiments, the memory units 140, 150 may be separate from the application processor 180 and / or the image processor 190. In other embodiments, these memory units may be integrated into the application processor 180 and / or the image processor 190.

[0062] Position sensor 130 may include any type of device suitable for determining a location associated with at least one component of system 100. In some embodiments, position sensor 130 may include a GPS receiver. Such a receiver may determine the location and velocity of a user by processing signals broadcast by Global Positioning System satellites. Position information from position sensor 130 may be made available to application processor 180 and / or image processor 190.

[0063] In some embodiments, the system 100 may include components such as a speed sensor (e.g., a tachometer, speedometer) for measuring the speed 200 of the vehicle, and / or an accelerometer (either single-axis or multi-axis) for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle 200.

[0064] User interface 170 may include any device suitable for providing information to or receiving input from one or more users of system 100. In some embodiments, user interface 170 may include user input devices including, for example, a touch screen, a microphone, a keyboard, a pointer device, a track wheel, a camera, a knob, buttons, etc. Such input devices may enable a user to provide information input or commands to system 100 by typing instructions or information, providing voice commands, selecting on-screen menu options using buttons, pointers, or eye tracking capabilities, or any other suitable technique for communicating information to system 100.

[0065] User interface 170 may comprise one or more processing devices configured to provide and receive information to and from a user and process the information for use, for example, by application processor 180. In some embodiments, such processing devices may execute instructions for recognizing and tracking eye movements, receiving and interpreting voice commands, recognizing and interpreting touches and / or gestures made on a touchscreen, responding to keyboard entries or menu selections, etc. In some embodiments, user interface 170 may include a display, a speaker, a haptic device, and / or any other device for providing output information to a user.

[0066] Map database 160 may include any type of database that stores map data useful to system 100. In some embodiments, map database 160 may include data related to the locations of various items, including roads, water features, geographic features, businesses, points of interest, restaurants, gas stations, etc., in a reference coordinate system. Map database 160 may store not only the locations of such items, but also descriptors associated with those items, including, for example, names associated with any of the stored features. In some embodiments, map database 160 may be physically located with other components of system 100. Alternatively or in addition, map database 160 or portions thereof may be located remotely with respect to other components of system 100 (e.g., processing unit 110). In such embodiments, information from map database 160 may be downloaded via a wired or wireless data connection to a network (e.g., via a cellular network and / or the Internet, etc.). In some cases, map database 160 may store sparse data models that include polynomial representations of particular road features (e.g., lane markings) or target trajectories of the host vehicle. Systems and methods for generating such maps are described below with reference to Figures 8A through 19.

[0067] Imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may each include any type of suitable device for capturing at least one image from an environment. In addition, any number of imaging devices may be used to obtain images for input to the image processor. Some embodiments may include only a single imaging device, while other embodiments may include two, three, or even four or more imaging devices. Imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 will be further described with reference to Figures 2B-2E below.

[0068] System 100, or various components thereof, may be incorporated into a variety of different platforms. In some embodiments, system 100 may be included in vehicle 200, as shown in FIG. 2A. For example, vehicle 200 may include processing unit 110 and any other components of system 100, as described above with respect to FIG. 1. In some embodiments, vehicle 200 may include only a single imaging device (e.g., a camera), while in other embodiments, such as those described in connection with FIG. 2B-2E, multiple imaging devices may be used. For example, either of imaging devices 122 and 124 of vehicle 200 may be part of an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) capture set, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0069] The imaging device included in vehicle 200 as part of image capture unit 120 may be located in any suitable location. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A-2E and 3A-3C, imaging device 122 may be located near the rearview mirror. This location may provide a line of sight similar to that of the driver of vehicle 200 and may aid in determining what the driver can and cannot see. While imaging device 122 may be located in any location near the rearview mirror, placing imaging device 122 on the driver's side of the mirror may further aid in obtaining an image representative of the driver's field of view and / or line of sight.

[0070] Other positions for the imaging devices of the image acquisition unit 120 may also be used. For example, the imaging device 124 may be located on or within the bumper of the vehicle 200. Such a position may be particularly suitable for an imaging device with a wide field of view. The line of sight of an imaging device located on the bumper may be different from the line of sight of the driver. Thus, the imaging device on the bumper and the driver may not always see the same object. The imaging devices (e.g., imaging devices 122, 124, and 126) may also be located in other positions. For example, the imaging devices may be located on or within one or both of the side mirrors of the vehicle 200, on the roof of the vehicle 200, on the hood of the vehicle 200, in the trunk of the vehicle 200, on the side of the vehicle 200, attached to any window of the vehicle 200, behind a window, or in front of a window, and mounted within or near a light figure in front and / or behind the vehicle 200, etc.

[0071] In addition to the imaging device, vehicle 200 may include various other components of system 100. For example, processing unit 110 may be included in vehicle 200, either integrated with or separate from the vehicle's engine control unit (ECU). Vehicle 200 may also be equipped with a position sensor 130, such as a GPS receiver, and may also include a map database 160 and memory units 140 and 150.

[0072] As previously described, the wireless transceiver 172 may transmit and / or receive data over one or more networks (e.g., a cellular network, the Internet, etc.). For example, the wireless transceiver 172 may upload data collected by the system 100 to one or more servers and download data from one or more servers. Through the wireless transceiver 172, the system 100 may receive periodic or on-demand updates to data stored in, for example, the map database 160, the memory 140, and / or the memory 150. Similarly, the wireless transceiver 172 may upload any data from the system 100 (e.g., images captured by the image acquisition unit 120, data received by the location sensor 130 or other sensors, a vehicle control system, etc.) and / or any data processed by the processing unit 110 to one or more servers.

[0073] System 100 may upload data to a server (e.g., the cloud) based on a privacy level setting. For example, system 100 may implement a privacy level setting to regulate or limit the type of data (including metadata) sent to the server that may uniquely identify the vehicle and / or the driver / owner of the vehicle. Such settings may be set by a user, for example, via wireless transceiver 172, initialized by factory default settings, or initialized by data received by wireless transceiver 172.

[0074] In some embodiments, system 100 may upload data according to a "high" privacy level, during which the system 100 may transmit data (e.g., route-related location information, captured images, etc.) without any details about the specific vehicle and / or driver / owner. For example, when uploading data according to a "high" privacy setting, system 100 may not include the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the name of the vehicle's driver or owner, and instead transmit data such as captured images and / or limited location information associated with the route.

[0075] Other privacy levels are contemplated. For example, the system 100 may transmit data to the server according to a "medium" privacy level and may include additional information not included under the "high" privacy level, such as the make and / or model of the vehicle and / or type of vehicle (e.g., passenger car, sport utility vehicle, truck, etc.). In some embodiments, the system 100 may upload data according to a "low" privacy level. Under a "low" privacy level setting, the system 100 may upload data and include sufficient information to uniquely identify a particular vehicle, owner / driver, and / or portions or entirety of the route traveled by the vehicle. Such "low" privacy level data may include, for example, one or more of the VIN, the driver / owner's name, the origin of the vehicle prior to departure, the intended destination of the vehicle, the make and / or model of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, etc.

[0076] FIG 2A is a schematic side view representation of an exemplary vehicle capture system consistent with disclosed embodiments. FIG 2B is a schematic top view illustration of the embodiment shown in FIG 2A. As shown in FIG 2B, the disclosed embodiments may include a vehicle 200 including within its body a system 100 having a first imaging device 122 disposed near a rearview mirror and / or a driver of the vehicle 200, a second imaging device 124 disposed at or within a bumper area (e.g., one of the bumper areas 210) of the vehicle 200, and a processing unit 110.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2C, imaging devices 122 and 124 may both be positioned near the rearview mirror and / or near the driver of vehicle 200. Additionally, while two imaging devices 122 and 124 are shown in Figures 2B and 2C, it should be understood that other embodiments may include more than two imaging devices. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 2D and 2E, first, second and third imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 are included in system 100 of vehicle 200.

[0078] 2D, imaging device 122 may be located near the rearview mirror and / or near the driver of vehicle 200, and imaging devices 124 and 126 may be located at or within a bumper area (e.g., one of bumper areas 210) of vehicle 200. And, as shown in FIGURE 2E, imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 may be located near the rearview mirror and / or near the driver's seat of vehicle 200. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number and configuration of imaging devices, and imaging devices may be located in any suitable location within and / or on vehicle 200.

[0079] It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to vehicles and may be applied in other contexts, and that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to a particular type of vehicle 200 but may be applicable to all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, trailers, or other types of vehicles.

[0080] The first imaging device 122 may include any suitable type of imaging device. The imaging device 122 may include an optical axis. In one example, the imaging device 122 may include an Aptina M9V024 WVGA sensor with a global shutter. In other embodiments, the imaging device 122 may provide a resolution of 1280×960 pixels and may include a rolling shutter. The imaging device 122 may include various optical elements. In some embodiments, one or more lenses may be included to provide the imaging device with a desired focal length and field of view, for example. In some embodiments, the imaging device 122 may be associated with a 6 mm lens or a 12 mm lens. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2D, the imaging device 122 may be configured to capture an image having a desired field of view (FOV) 202. For example, the imaging device 122 may be configured to have a regular FOV, such as a range of 40 degrees to 56 degrees, including a 46 degree FOV, a 50 degree FOV, a 52 degree FOV, or larger. Alternatively, the imaging device 122 may be configured to have a narrow FOV in the range of 23 to 40 degrees, such as a 28 degree FOV or a 36 degree FOV. Additionally, the imaging device 122 may be configured to have a wide FOV in the range of 100 to 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the imaging device 122 may include a wide-angle bumper camera, or a camera with an FOV of up to 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the imaging device 122 may be a 7.2 Mpixel imaging device with an aspect ratio of about 2:1 (e.g., H×V=3800×1900 pixels) with a horizontal FOV of about 100 degrees. Such an imaging device may be used in place of a three imaging device configuration. Due to significant lens distortion, when the imaging device is implemented using a radially symmetric lens, the vertical FOV of such an imaging device may be significantly less than 50 degrees. For example, such a lens may not be radially symmetric, which would allow for a vertical FOV of greater than 50 degrees and a horizontal FOV of 100 degrees.

[0081] The first imaging device 122 may acquire a plurality of first images by scanning lines through a scene associated with the vehicle 200. Each of the plurality of first images may be acquired as a series of image scan lines, which may be captured using a rolling shutter. Each scan line may include a plurality of pixels.

[0082] The first imaging device 122 may have a scan rate associated with the acquisition of each of the first series of image scan lines. The scan rate may refer to the rate at which the image sensor can acquire image data associated with each pixel included in a particular scan line.

[0083] The imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 may include any suitable type and number of image sensors, including, for example, CCD or CMOS sensors. In one embodiment, a CMOS image sensor is used with a rolling shutter so that each pixel in a row is read one at a time, and the scanning of the rows proceeds row by row until the entire image frame is captured. In some embodiments, the rows may be captured sequentially from top to bottom for the frame.

[0084] In some embodiments, one or more of the imaging devices disclosed herein (e.g., imaging devices 122, 124, and 126) may constitute a high-resolution imager and may have a resolution of greater than 5 Mpixels, 7 Mpixels, 10 Mpixels, or greater.

[0085] The use of a rolling shutter can result in pixels in different rows being exposed and captured at different times, which can cause skew and other image artifacts in the captured image frame. On the other hand, when the imaging device 122 is configured to operate with a global or synchronous shutter, all pixels can be exposed for the same amount of time during a common exposure period. As a result, the image data in a frame collected from a system using a global shutter represents a snapshot of the entire FOV (such as FOV 202) at a particular time. In contrast, in a rolling shutter application, each row of the frame is exposed at a different time and the data is captured at a different time. Thus, moving objects can appear distorted in an imaging device with a rolling shutter. This phenomenon is described in more detail below.

[0086] The second imaging device 124 and the third imaging device 126 may be any type of imaging device. Like the first imaging device 122, each of the imaging devices 124 and 126 may include an optical axis. In one embodiment, each of the imaging devices 124 and 126 may include an Aptina M9V024 WVGA sensor with a global shutter. Alternatively, each of the imaging devices 124 and 126 may include a rolling shutter. Like the imaging device 122, the imaging devices 124 and 126 may be configured to include various lenses and optical elements. In some embodiments, the lenses associated with the imaging devices 124 and 126 may provide a FOV (such as FOVs 204 and 206) that is the same as or narrower than the FOV (such as FOV 202) associated with the imaging device 122. For example, imaging devices 124 and 126 may have an angular FOV of 40 degrees, 30 degrees, 26 degrees, 23 degrees, 20 degrees, or less.

[0087] The imaging devices 124 and 126 may acquire a plurality of second and third images of a scene associated with the vehicle 200. Each of the plurality of second and third images may be acquired as a second and third series of image scan lines, which may be captured using a rolling shutter. Each scan line or row may have a plurality of pixels. The imaging devices 124 and 126 may have second and third scan rates associated with the acquisition of each of the image scan lines in the second and third series.

[0088] Each of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be positioned at any suitable location and orientation with respect to vehicle 200. The relative placement of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be selected to aid in combining together information obtained from the imaging devices. For example, in some embodiments, the FOV associated with imaging device 124 (e.g., FOV 204) may partially or completely overlap with the FOV associated with imaging device 122 (e.g., FOV 202) and the FOV associated with imaging device 126 (e.g., FOV 206).

[0089] The imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be positioned on the vehicle 200 at any suitable relative height. In one example, there may be a height difference between the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126, which may provide sufficient disparity information to enable stereo analysis. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the two imaging devices 122 and 124 are at different heights. There may also be a lateral displacement difference between the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126, which may provide additional disparity information, for example, for stereo analysis by the processing unit 110. The lateral displacement difference may be calculated as d xIn some embodiments, a forward or rearward displacement (e.g., range displacement) may exist between imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. For example, imaging device 122 may be positioned 0.5 to 2 meters or more behind imaging device 124 and / or imaging device 126. This type of displacement may allow one of the imaging devices to compensate for possible blind spots at the other imaging device.

[0090] Imaging device 122 may have any suitable resolution (e.g., number of pixels associated with an image sensor), and the resolution of the image sensor associated with imaging device 122 may be higher, lower, or the same as the resolution of the image sensors associated with imaging devices 124 and 126. In some embodiments, the image sensors associated with imaging device 122 and / or imaging devices 124 and 126 may have a resolution of 640×480, 1024×768, 1280×960, or any other suitable resolution.

[0091] The frame rate (e.g., the rate at which an imaging device acquires a set of pixel data for one image frame before moving on to capture pixel data associated with the next image frame) may be controllable. The frame rate associated with imaging device 122 may be higher, lower, or the same as the frame rates associated with imaging devices 124 and 126. The frame rates associated with imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may depend on various factors that may affect the timing of the frame rate. For example, one or more of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may include a selectable pixel delay time applied before or after acquisition of image data associated with one or more pixels of an image sensor in imaging devices 122, 124, and / or 126. In general, image data corresponding to each pixel may be acquired according to a clock rate of the device (e.g., one pixel per clock period). Additionally, in embodiments including a rolling shutter, one or more of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may include a selectable horizontal blanking interval that is applied before or after acquisition of image data associated with a row of pixels of an image sensor in imaging devices 122, 124, and / or 126. Furthermore, one or more of imaging devices 122, 124, and / or 126 may include a selectable vertical blanking interval that is applied before or after acquisition of image data associated with an image frame of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126.

[0092] This timing control may allow synchronization with frame rates associated with imaging devices 122, 124, and 126, even if the respective line scan rates differ. Additionally, as described in more detail below, this selectable timing control may allow synchronization of imaging from areas where the FOV of imaging device 122 overlaps with one or more of the FOVs of imaging devices 124 and 126, among other factors (e.g., image sensor resolution, maximum line scan rate, etc.).

[0093] The frame rate timing in imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 may depend on the resolution of the associated image sensors. For example, assuming the line scan speed is comparable in both devices, if one device includes an image sensor with a resolution of 640×480 and another device includes an image sensor with a resolution of 1280×960, more time will be required to acquire a frame of image data from the sensor with the higher resolution.

[0094] Another factor that may affect the timing of image data acquisition in imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 is the maximum line scan rate. For example, a certain minimum amount of time will be required to acquire a row of image data from the image sensors included in imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. Assuming no pixel delay time is added, this minimum amount of time to acquire a row of image data will be related to the maximum line scan rate for the particular device. A device that exhibits a higher maximum line scan rate may provide a higher frame rate than a device that has a lower maximum line scan rate. In some embodiments, one or more of imaging devices 124 and 126 may have a maximum line scan rate that is higher than the maximum line scan rate associated with imaging device 122. In some embodiments, the maximum line scan rate of imaging devices 124 and / or 126 may be 1.25 times, 1.5 times, 1.75 times, or 2 times, or more, of the maximum line scan rate of imaging device 122.

[0095] In another embodiment, imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may have the same maximum line scan rate, but imaging device 122 may operate at a scan rate that is less than or equal to its maximum scan rate. The system may be configured such that one or more of imaging devices 124 and 126 operate at a line scan rate that is equal to the line scan rate of imaging device 122. In other cases, the system may be configured such that the line scan rate of imaging device 124 and / or imaging device 126 may be 1.25 times, 1.5 times, 1.75 times, or 2 times, or more, of the line scan rate of imaging device 122.

[0096] In some embodiments, imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be asymmetric; that is, they may include cameras with different fields of view (FOV) and focal lengths. The fields of view of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may include any desired area relative to the environment of vehicle 200, for example. In some embodiments, one or more of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be configured to obtain image data from an environment in front of vehicle 200, behind vehicle 200, to the side of vehicle 200, or a combination thereof.

[0097] Additionally, the focal length associated with each of imaging devices 122, 124 and / or 126 may be selectable (e.g., by including appropriate lenses, etc.) such that each device captures images of objects at a desired distance range relative to vehicle 200. For example, in some embodiments, imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 may capture images of close-up objects within a few meters of the vehicle. Imaging devices 122, 124 and 126 may also be configured to capture images of objects at greater ranges (e.g., 25 m, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m, or more) from the vehicle. Further, the focal lengths of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be selected such that one imaging device (e.g., imaging device 122) may capture images of objects relatively close to the vehicle (e.g., within 10 m or within 20 m), and the other imaging devices (e.g., imaging devices 124 and 126) may capture images of objects farther from vehicle 200 (e.g., greater than 20 m, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m, etc.).

[0098] According to some embodiments, the FOV of one or more of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may have a wide angle. For example, it may be advantageous to have an FOV of 140 degrees, particularly for imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 that may be used to capture images of an area near vehicle 200. For example, imaging device 122 may be used to capture images of an area to the right or left of vehicle 200, and in such embodiments, it may be desirable for imaging device 122 to have a wide FOV (e.g., at least 140 degrees).

[0099] The field of view associated with each of the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may depend on the respective focal length. For example, as the focal length increases, the corresponding field of view decreases.

[0100] Imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be configured to have any suitable field of view. In one particular example, imaging device 122 may have a horizontal FOV of 46 degrees, imaging device 124 may have a horizontal FOV of 23 degrees, and imaging device 126 may have a horizontal FOV between 23 degrees and 46 degrees. In another example, imaging device 122 may have a horizontal FOV of 52 degrees, imaging device 124 may have a horizontal FOV of 26 degrees, and imaging device 126 may have a horizontal FOV between 26 degrees and 52 degrees. In some embodiments, the ratio of the FOV of imaging device 122 to the FOV of imaging device 124 and / or imaging device 126 may vary from 1.5 to 2.0. In other embodiments, the ratio may vary between 1.25 and 2.25.

[0101] System 100 may be configured such that the field of view of imaging device 122 overlaps, at least partially or completely, with the field of view of imaging device 124 and / or imaging device 126. In some embodiments, system 100 may be configured such that the field of view of imaging devices 124 and 126 is within, e.g., a range of, the field of view of imaging device 122 (e.g., narrower than the field of view of 122) and shares a common center with the field of view of 122. In other embodiments, imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may capture adjacent FOVs or may have partial overlap in their FOVs. In some embodiments, the fields of view of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be adjusted such that the center of imaging device 124 and / or 126 with the narrower FOV may be located in the lower half of the field of view of device 122 with the wider FOV.

[0102] 2F is a schematic representation of an example vehicle control system consistent with disclosed embodiments. As highlighted in FIG. 2F, vehicle 200 may include throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240. System 100 may provide inputs (e.g., control signals) to one or more of throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240 via one or more data links (e.g., any wired and / or wireless link for transmitting data). For example, based on analysis of images acquired by imaging devices 122, 124, and / or 126, system 100 may provide control signals to one or more of throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240 to move vehicle 200 (e.g., by causing acceleration, turning, lane change, etc.). Further system 100 may receive inputs from one or more of throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240 that indicate operating conditions of vehicle 200 (e.g., speed, whether vehicle 200 is braking and / or turning, etc.). Further details are provided in connection with Figures 4-7 below.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 3A , the vehicle 200 may also include a user interface 170 for interaction with a driver or passenger of the vehicle 200. For example, the user interface 170 in a vehicle application may include a touch screen 320, a knob 330, a button 340, and a microphone 350. The driver or passenger of the vehicle 200 may also use a handle (e.g., located on or near the steering column of the vehicle 200, including, for example, a turn signal handle), a button (e.g., located on the steering wheel of the vehicle 200), etc. to interact with the system 100. In some embodiments, the microphone 350 may be located adjacent to the rearview mirror 310. Similarly, in some embodiments, the imaging device 122 may be located near the rearview mirror 310. In some embodiments, the user interface 170 may also include one or more speakers 360 (e.g., a speaker of a vehicle audio system). For example, the system 100 may provide various notifications (e.g., warnings) via the speaker 360.

[0104] 3B-3D are illustrations of an exemplary camera mount 370 configured to be positioned behind a rearview mirror (e.g., rearview mirror 310) and facing a vehicle windshield, consistent with disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3B, camera mount 370 may include imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. Imaging devices 124 and 126 may be positioned behind glare shield 380, which may be flush with the vehicle windshield and may include a film and / or anti-reflective material composition. For example, glare shield 380 may be positioned such that it is adjusted to face the vehicle windshield with a matching tilt. In some embodiments, each of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be positioned behind glare shield 380, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3D. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular configuration of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126, camera mount 370, and glare shield 380. FIG. 3C is an illustration of the camera mount 370 shown in FIG. 3B from a front perspective.

[0105] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, numerous variations and / or modifications may be made from the disclosed embodiments above. For example, not all components are essential to the operation of system 100. Furthermore, any component may be located in any suitable portion of system 100, and the components may be reconfigured into various configurations while still providing the functionality of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the above configurations are examples, and regardless of the configuration described above, system 100 may provide a wide range of functionality, such as analyzing the surroundings of vehicle 200 and navigating vehicle 200 in response to the analysis.

[0106] As described in further detail below, consistent with various disclosed embodiments, system 100 may provide various features related to autonomous driving and / or driver assistance technology. For example, system 100 may analyze image data, location data (e.g., GPS location information), map data, speed data, and / or data from sensors included in vehicle 200. System 100 may collect data for analysis, for example, from image capture unit 120, location sensor 130, and other sensors. Additionally, system 100 may analyze the collected data to determine whether vehicle 200 should take a particular action and then automatically take the determined action without human intervention. For example, when vehicle 200 is traveling without human intervention, system 100 may automatically control the brakes, accelerator, and / or steering of vehicle 200 (e.g., by sending control signals to one or more of throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240). Additionally, system 100 may analyze the collected data and issue alerts and / or warnings to occupants of the vehicle based on the analysis of the collected data. Additional details regarding various embodiments provided by system 100 are provided below.

[0107] Forward-facing multi-intake system

[0108] As described above, the system 100 may provide a driver assistance function using a multi-camera system. The multi-camera system may use one or more cameras facing the front of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the multi-camera system may include one or more cameras facing the side of the vehicle, or the rear of the vehicle. In one embodiment, for example, the system 100 may use a two-camera capture system, where a first camera and a second camera (e.g., imaging devices 122 and 124) may be located at the front and / or side of the vehicle (e.g., vehicle 200). The first camera may have a field of view that is larger, smaller, or overlaps the field of view of the second camera. Furthermore, the first camera may be connected to a first image processor to perform monocular image analysis of the image provided by the first camera, and the second camera may be connected to a second image processor to perform monocular image analysis of the image provided by the second camera. The outputs (e.g., processed information) of the first and second image processors may be combined. In some embodiments, the second image processor may receive images from both the first and second cameras to perform stereo analysis. In another embodiment, the system 100 may use a three-camera capture system, with each camera having a different field of view. Such a system may therefore make decisions based on information derived from objects located at various distances both in front of and to the sides of the vehicle. Reference to monocular image analysis may refer to cases where image analysis is performed based on images captured from a single viewpoint (e.g., from a single camera). Stereo image analysis may refer to cases where image analysis is performed based on two or more images captured with one or more changes to imaging parameters. For example, captured images suitable for performing stereo image analysis may include images captured from two or more different positions, from different fields of view, using different focal lengths, with parallax information, etc.

[0109] For example, in one embodiment, system 100 may implement a three-camera configuration with imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. In such a configuration, imaging device 122 may provide a narrow field of view (e.g., 34 degrees or other value selected from the range of about 20 to 45 degrees), imaging device 124 may provide a wide field of view (e.g., 150 degrees or other value selected from the range of about 100 to about 180 degrees), and imaging device 126 may provide an intermediate field of view (e.g., 46 degrees or other value selected from the range of about 35 to about 60 degrees). In some embodiments, imaging device 126 may operate as a main, or primary, camera. Imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be positioned behind rearview mirror 310 and positioned substantially alongside one another (e.g., 6 cm apart). Additionally, in some embodiments, as described above, one or more of the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 may be mounted behind a glare shield 380 that is flush with the windshield of the vehicle 200. Such a shield may act to reduce the effect of any reflections from the interior of the vehicle on the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126.

[0110] In another embodiment, as described above in connection with Figures 3B and 3C, the wide field of view camera (e.g., imaging device 124 in the above example) may be mounted lower than the narrow field of view camera and the primary field of view camera (e.g., image devices 122 and 126 in the above example). This configuration may provide a free line of sight from the wide field of view camera. To reduce reflections, the camera may be mounted near the windshield of vehicle 200 and may include a polarizer on the camera to attenuate reflected light.

[0111] A three-camera system may offer certain performance characteristics. For example, some embodiments may include the possibility of verifying the detection of an object by one camera based on the detection obtained from another camera. In the three-camera configuration described above, the processing unit 110 may include, for example, three processing devices (e.g., three EyeQ series processor chips, as described above), each processing device dedicated to processing images captured by one or more of the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126.

[0112] In a three-camera system, the first processing device may receive images from both the primary camera and the narrow FOV camera and may perform visual processing of the narrow FOV camera, for example to detect other vehicles, pedestrians, lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other road objects. Additionally, the first processing device may calculate pixel disparity between images from the primary camera and the narrow FOV camera to generate a 3D reconstruction of the environment of the vehicle 200. The first processing device may then combine the 3D reconstruction with 3D map data or 3D information calculated based on information from another camera.

[0113] The second processing device may receive images from the primary camera and perform visual processing to detect other vehicles, pedestrians, lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other road objects. In addition, the second processing device may calculate camera displacement, calculate pixel disparity between the sequence of images based on the displacement, and generate a 3D reconstruction of the scene (e.g., structure from motion). The second processing device may send the structure from motion based 3D reconstruction to the first processing device for combination with the stereo 3D image.

[0114] A third processing device may receive images from a wide FOV camera and process the images to detect vehicles, pedestrians, lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other road objects. The third processing device may execute additional processing instructions to further analyze the images to identify objects moving within the images, such as vehicles changing lanes, pedestrians, etc.

[0115] In some embodiments, having the capture and processing of streams of image-based information occur independently may provide an opportunity for providing redundancy within the system. Such redundancy may include, for example, using a first imaging device and images processed from that device to verify and / or supplement information obtained by capturing and processing image information from at least a second imaging device.

[0116] In some embodiments, system 100 may use two imaging devices (e.g., imaging devices 122 and 124) when providing driving assistance to vehicle 200, and may use a third imaging device (e.g., imaging device 126) to provide redundancy and verify the analysis of data received from the other two imaging devices. For example, in such a configuration, imaging devices 122 and 124 may provide images for stereo analysis by system 100 for driving vehicle 200, and imaging device 126 may provide images for monocular analysis by system 100 to provide redundancy and verification of information obtained based on images captured from imaging devices 122 and / or imaging device 124. That is, imaging device 126 (and corresponding processing device) may be considered to provide a redundant subsystem (e.g., providing an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system) to provide a check on the analysis derived from imaging devices 122 and 124. Additionally, in some embodiments, redundancy and validation of the received data may be supplemented based on information received from one or more sensors (e.g., radar, lidar, acoustic sensors, information received from one or more transceivers outside the vehicle, etc.).

[0117] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above camera configurations, camera placements, camera numbers, camera locations, etc. are examples only. These components, etc. described with respect to the overall system, may be combined and used in a variety of different configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further details regarding the use of multi-camera systems to provide driver assistance and / or autonomous vehicle functionality follow below.

[0118] 4 is an example functional block diagram of memory 140 and / or 150 that may be stored / programmed with instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Although the following refers to memory 140, those skilled in the art will recognize that instructions may be stored in memory 140 and / or 150.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 4, memory 140 may store monocular image analysis module 402, stereo image analysis module 404, velocity and acceleration module 406, and driving response module 408. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular configuration of memory 140. Furthermore, application processor 180 and / or image processor 190 may execute instructions stored in any of modules 402, 404, 406, and 408 included in memory 140. Those skilled in the art will understand that references in the following description to processing unit 110 may refer to application processor 180 and image processor 190, individually or collectively. Thus, any of the following process steps may be performed by one or more processing devices.

[0120] In one embodiment, the monocular image analysis module 402 may store instructions (such as computer vision software) that, when executed by the processing unit 110, perform monocular image analysis of a set of images captured by one of the imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. In some embodiments, the processing unit 110 may combine additional sensory information (e.g., information from radar, lidar, etc.) with information from the set of images to perform the monocular image analysis. As described in connection with FIGS. 5A-5D below, the monocular image analysis module 402 may include instructions for detecting a set of features in the set of images, such as lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, highway exit ramps, traffic lights, hazards, and any other features associated with the vehicle's environment. Based on the analysis, the system 100 (e.g., via the processing unit 110) may cause the vehicle 200 to make one or more driving responses, such as turning, changing lanes, changing acceleration, etc., as described below in connection with the driving response module 408.

[0121] In one embodiment, stereo image analysis module 404 may store instructions (e.g., computer vision software) that, when executed by processing unit 110, perform a stereo image analysis of a first and second set of images acquired by a combination of imaging devices selected from any of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may combine information from the first and second sets of images with additional sensory information (e.g., information from radar) to perform the stereo image analysis. For example, stereo image analysis module 404 may include instructions for performing a stereo image analysis based on a first set of images acquired by imaging device 124 and a second set of images acquired by imaging device 126. As described in connection with FIG. 6 below, stereo image analysis module 404 may include instructions for detecting a set of features in the first and second sets of images, such as lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, highway exit ramps, traffic lights, hazards, etc. Based on the analysis, processing unit 110 may cause vehicle 200 to make one or more driving responses, such as turning, changing lanes, changing acceleration, etc., as described below in connection with driving response module 408. Additionally, in some embodiments, stereo image analysis module 404 may implement techniques associated with trained systems (such as neural networks or deep neural networks) or untrained systems, such as systems that may be configured to use computer vision algorithms to detect and / or label objects in the environment in which sensory information is captured and processed. In one embodiment, stereo image analysis module 404 and / or other image processing modules may be configured to use a combination of trained and untrained systems.

[0122] In one embodiment, the speed and acceleration module 406 may store software configured to analyze data received from one or more computing devices and electromechanical devices in the vehicle 200 configured to cause a change in the speed and / or acceleration of the vehicle 200. For example, the processing unit 110 may execute instructions associated with the speed and acceleration module 406 to calculate a target speed of the vehicle 200 based on data derived from the execution of the monocular image analysis module 402 and / or the stereo image analysis module 404. Such data may include, for example, a target position, speed, and / or acceleration, a position and / or speed of the vehicle 200 relative to nearby vehicles, pedestrians, or road objects, position information of the vehicle 200 relative to lane markings of the road, etc. Additionally, the processing unit 110 may calculate a target speed for the vehicle 200 based on sensory input (e.g., information from a radar) and input from other systems of the vehicle 200, such as the throttling system 220, the braking system 230, and / or the steering system 240 of the vehicle 200. Based on the calculated target speed, the processing unit 110 may send electronic signals to the throttling system 220, the braking system 230, and / or the steering system 240 of the vehicle 200 to cause a change in speed and / or acceleration, for example, by physically depressing the brakes of the vehicle 200 or turning off the accelerator relaxation.

[0123] In one embodiment, driving response module 408 may store software executable by processing unit 110 to determine a desired driving response based on data derived from execution of monocular image analysis module 402 and / or stereo image analysis module 404. Such data may include position and speed information associated with nearby vehicles, pedestrians, road objects, target position information for vehicle 200, and / or the like. Additionally, in some embodiments, the driving response may be based (partially or fully) on map data, a predetermined position of vehicle 200, and / or a relative speed or relative acceleration between vehicle 200 and one or more objects detected from execution of monocular image analysis module 402 and / or stereo image analysis module 404. Driving response module 408 may also determine a desired driving response based on sensory input (e.g., information from radar) and input from other systems of vehicle 200, such as throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240 of vehicle 200. Based on the desired driving response, processing unit 110 may send electronic signals to throttling system 220, braking system 230, and steering system 240 of vehicle 200 to effect a predetermined angle of rotation to cause the desired driving response, for example by turning the steering wheel of vehicle 200. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may use the output of driving response module 408 (e.g., the desired driving response) as an input to the execution of velocity and acceleration module 406 for calculation of a change in speed of vehicle 200.

[0124] Additionally, any of the modules disclosed herein (e.g., modules 402, 404, and 406) may implement techniques associated with trained systems (such as neural networks or deep neural networks) or untrained systems.

[0125] FIG. 5A is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500A for generating one or more driving responses based on monocular image analysis consistent with disclosed embodiments. In step 510, the processing unit 110 may receive a plurality of images 128 via a data interface between the processing unit 110 and the image acquisition unit 120. For example, a camera (such as an imaging device 122 having a field of view 202) included in the image acquisition unit 120 may capture a plurality of images of an area in front of the vehicle 200 (or, for example, the side or rear of the vehicle) and transmit them to the processing unit 110 via a data connection (e.g., digital, wired, USB, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.). The processing unit 110 may execute the monocular image analysis module 402 in step 520 to analyze the plurality of images, as described in further detail below in connection with FIGs. 5B-5D. By performing the analysis, the processing unit 110 may detect a set of features in the set of images, such as lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, highway exit ramps, traffic lights, etc.

[0126] Processing unit 110 may also execute monocular image analysis module 402 in stage 520 to detect various road obstacles, such as, for example, truck tire parts, fallen road signs, loose cargo, small animals, etc. Road obstacles may vary in structure, shape, size, and color, making detection of such obstacles more challenging. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may execute monocular image analysis module 402 to perform multi-frame analysis on multiple images to detect road obstacles. For example, processing unit 110 may estimate camera motion between successive image frames and calculate disparity in pixels between frames to build a 3D map of the road. Processing unit 110 may then use the 3D map to detect the road surface, as well as obstacles present on the road surface.

[0127] In step 530, processing unit 110 may execute driving response module 408 to cause vehicle 200 to produce one or more driving responses based on the analysis performed in step 520 and techniques such as those described above in connection with FIG. 4. Driving responses may include, for example, turning, changing lanes, changing acceleration, etc. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may use data derived from execution of speed and acceleration module 406 to produce one or more driving responses. In addition, multiple driving responses may occur simultaneously, sequentially, or any combination thereof. For example, processing unit 110 may cause vehicle 200 to change into one lane and then accelerate, for example, by sequentially transmitting control signals to steering system 240 and throttling system 220 of vehicle 200. Alternatively, processing unit 110 may cause vehicle 200 to brake and change lanes at the same time, for example, by simultaneously transmitting control signals to braking system 230 and steering system 240 of vehicle 200.

[0128] FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500B for detecting one or more vehicles and / or pedestrians in a set of images, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Processing unit 110 may execute monocular image analysis module 402 to implement process 500B. In stage 540, processing unit 110 may determine a set of candidate objects representing possible vehicles and / or pedestrians. For example, processing unit 110 may scan one or more images and compare the images to one or more predefined patterns to identify possible locations within each image that may contain an object of interest (e.g., a vehicle, a pedestrian, or parts thereof). The predefined patterns may be designed to achieve a high rate of "false hits" and a low rate of "losses." For example, processing unit 110 may use a low threshold similarity with the predefined patterns for identifying candidate objects as possible vehicles or pedestrians. Doing so may enable processing unit 110 to reduce the probability of missing (e.g., not identifying) a candidate object representing a vehicle or pedestrian.

[0129] At stage 542, processing unit 110 may filter the set of candidate objects to remove certain candidates (e.g., irrelevant or less relevant objects) based on classification criteria. Such criteria may be derived from various properties associated with object types stored in a database (e.g., a database stored in memory 140). The properties may include object shape, dimensions, texture, position (e.g., relative to vehicle 200), etc. Thus, processing unit 110 may use one or more sets of criteria to reject erroneous candidates from the set of candidate objects.

[0130] At stage 544, processing unit 110 may analyze multiple frames of images to determine whether objects in the set of candidate objects represent vehicles and / or pedestrians. For example, processing unit 110 may track detected candidate objects across sequential frames and accumulate frame-by-frame data associated with the detected objects (e.g., size, position relative to vehicle 200, etc.). In addition, processing unit 110 may estimate parameters for the detected objects and compare the object's frame-by-frame position data to a predicted position.

[0131] In stage 546, processing unit 110 may construct a set of measurements for the detected objects. Such measurements may include, for example, position, velocity, and acceleration values ​​(relative to vehicle 200) associated with the detected objects. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may construct the measurements based on estimation techniques using a series of time-based observations, such as a Kalman filter or linear quadratic estimation (LQE), and / or based on available modeling data for different object types (e.g., cars, trucks, pedestrians, bicycles, road signs, etc.). A Kalman filter may be based on a measurement of the scale of the object, where the scale measurement is proportional to the time to impact (e.g., the amount of time it takes vehicle 200 to reach the object). Thus, by performing stages 540-546, processing unit 110 may identify vehicles and pedestrians appearing in the set of captured images and derive information (e.g., position, velocity, size) associated with the vehicles and pedestrians. Based on the identifier and the derived information, the processing unit 110 may cause one or more driving responses in the vehicle 200, as described in connection with FIG. 5A above.

[0132] In stage 548, processing unit 110 may perform optical flow analysis of one or more images to reduce the probability of detecting "false hits" and the probability of missing candidate objects representing vehicles or pedestrians. Optical flow analysis may refer to analyzing the motion patterns for vehicle 200, separate from the motion of the road surface, in one or more images associated with other vehicles and pedestrians, for example. Processing unit 110 may calculate the motion of the candidate object by observing different positions of the object across multiple image frames captured at different times. Processing unit 110 may use the position and time values ​​as inputs to a mathematical model for calculating the motion of the candidate object. Thus, optical flow analysis may provide another way to detect vehicles and pedestrians that are nearby vehicles 200. Processing unit 110 may perform optical flow analysis in combination with stages 540-546 to provide redundancy for vehicle and pedestrian detection and increase the reliability of system 100.

[0133] FIG. 5C is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500C for detecting road markings and / or lane shape information in a set of images, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Processing unit 110 may execute monocular image analysis module 402 to implement process 500C. In stage 550, processing unit 110 may detect a set of objects by scanning one or more images. To detect lane markings, lane shape information, and other related road marking segments, processing unit 110 may filter the set of objects to remove those determined to be irrelevant (e.g., slight potholes, small rocks, etc.). In stage 552, processing unit 110 may group together segments detected in stage 550 that belong to the same road marking or lane marking. Based on the grouping, processing unit 110 may develop a model, such as a mathematical model, to represent the detected segments.

[0134] In stage 554, processing unit 110 may construct a set of measurements associated with the detected segment. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may generate a projection of the detected segment from the image plane onto a real-world plane. The projection may be characterized using a third-order polynomial with coefficients corresponding to physical properties such as position, slope, curvature, and derivatives of curvature of the detected road. In generating the projection, processing unit 110 may take into account changes in the road surface as well as pitch and roll changes associated with vehicle 200. Additionally, processing unit 110 may model the road elevation by analyzing position and motion cues indicated on the road surface. Additionally, processing unit 110 may estimate pitch and roll changes associated with vehicle 200 by tracking a set of feature points in one or more images.

[0135] In stage 556, processing unit 110 may perform a multi-frame analysis, for example, by tracking the detected segments across successive image frames and accumulating frame-by-frame data associated with the detected segments. As processing unit 110 performs the multi-frame analysis, the set of measurements constructed in stage 554 may become more reliable and be associated with progressively higher confidence levels. Thus, by performing stages 550, 552, 554, and 556, processing unit 110 may identify road markings appearing in the set of captured images and derive lane shape information. Based on the identifiers and the derived information, processing unit 110 may cause vehicle 200 to produce one or more driving responses, as described in connection with FIG. 5A above.

[0136] At stage 558, processing unit 110 may consider additional sources of information to further develop a safety model of vehicle 200 in the context of its surroundings. Processing unit 110 may use the safety model to define a context in which system 100 may safely execute autonomous control of vehicle 200. To develop the safety model, in some embodiments, processing unit 110 may consider the positions and movements of other vehicles, detected road edges and obstacles, and / or general road shape descriptions extracted from map data (such as data from map database 160). By considering additional sources of information, processing unit 110 may provide redundancy for detecting road markings and lane shapes and may increase the reliability of system 100.

[0137] FIG. 5D is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500D for detecting traffic lights in a set of images, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Processing unit 110 may execute monocular image analysis module 402 to implement process 500D. At stage 560, processing unit 110 may scan the set of images and identify objects that appear at locations in the images that may contain traffic lights. For example, processing unit 110 may filter the identified objects to build a set of candidate objects, eliminating those objects that are unlikely to correspond to traffic lights. Filtering may be based on various characteristics associated with traffic lights, such as shape, size, texture, location (e.g., relative to vehicle 200), etc. Such characteristics may be based on multiple examples of traffic lights and traffic control signals and may be stored in a database. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may perform a multi-frame analysis on the set of candidate objects that reflect possible traffic lights. For example, processing unit 110 may track candidate objects across successive image frames, estimate the real-world locations of the candidate objects, and filter out those objects that are moving, which are unlikely to be traffic lights. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may perform color analysis on the candidate objects and identify the relative locations of detected colors that appear within potential traffic lights.

[0138] In stage 562, processing unit 110 may analyze the shape of the junction. The analysis may be based on any combination of: (i) the number of lanes detected on either side of vehicle 200, (ii) marks (such as arrows) detected on the road, and (iii) a description of the junction extracted from map data (such as data from map database 160). Processing unit 110 may perform the analysis using information derived from execution of monocular analysis module 402. Furthermore, processing unit 110 may determine a match between the traffic lights detected in stage 560 and the lane in which nearby vehicle 200 appears.

[0139] As vehicle 200 approaches the junction, in stage 564, processing unit 110 may update the confidence level associated with the analyzed junction geometry and the detected traffic lights. For example, the number of traffic lights estimated to appear at the junction compared to the number of traffic lights that actually appeared at the junction may affect the confidence level. Thus, based on the confidence level, processing unit 110 may delegate control to the driver of vehicle 200 to improve safety conditions. By performing stages 560, 562, and 564, processing unit 110 may identify traffic lights appearing in the set of captured images and analyze the geometry information of the junction. Based on the identification and analysis, processing unit 110 may cause one or more driving responses of vehicle 200, as described in connection with FIG. 5A above.

[0140] 5E is a flowchart illustrating an example process 500E for generating one or more driving responses for vehicle 200 based on a vehicle path, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In step 570, processing unit 110 may construct an initial vehicle path associated with vehicle 200. The vehicle path may be represented using a set of points represented by coordinates (x,z), with the distance d between any two points in the set of points being the distance d between the points. i may range from 1 to 5 meters. In one embodiment, processing unit 110 may construct an initial vehicle path using two polynomials, such as a left road polynomial and a right road polynomial. Processing unit 110 may calculate the geometric midpoint of the two polynomials and the misalignment, if any (zero misalignment may correspond to moving through the center of the lane), from each point included in the resulting vehicle path by a predetermined misalignment (e.g., smart lane misalignment). The misalignment may be in a direction perpendicular to a segment between any two points of the vehicle path. In another embodiment, processing unit 110 uses one polynomial and an estimated lane width to misalign each point of the vehicle path by half the estimated lane width plus a predetermined misalignment (e.g., smart lane misalignment).

[0141] In step 572, processing unit 110 may update the vehicle path constructed in step 570. Processing unit 110 may update the vehicle path by calculating the distance d k is the distance d i The vehicle path constructed in step 570 may be reconstructed using a higher resolution so that the distance d k may be in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 meters. Processing unit 110 may reconstruct the vehicle path using a parabolic spline algorithm, which may generate a cumulative distance vector S that corresponds to the total length of the vehicle path (i.e., based on a set of points representing the vehicle path).

[0142] In step 574, the processing unit 110 calculates the look-ahead point ((x l ,z l ) may be determined. The processing unit 110 may extract look-ahead points from the cumulative distance vector S, which may be associated with a look-ahead distance and a look-ahead time. The look-ahead distance may have a lower limit in the range of 10 to 20 meters and may be calculated as the product of the speed of the vehicle 200 and the look-ahead time. For example, as the speed of the vehicle 200 decreases, the look-ahead distance may also decrease (e.g., until a lower limit is reached). The look-ahead time may be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 seconds and may be inversely proportional to the gain of one or more control loops associated with causing the vehicle 200 to produce a driving response, such as a heading error tracking control loop. For example, the gain of the heading error tracking control loop may depend on the bandwidth of the yaw angular rate loop, the steering actuator loop, the vehicle lateral dynamics, etc. Thus, the higher the gain of the heading error tracking control loop, the lower the look-ahead time.

[0143] In step 576, processing unit 110 may determine a heading error and yaw angular rate command based on the look ahead point determined in step 574. Processing unit 110 may calculate the arctangent of the look ahead point, e.g., arctan(x l / z l Processing unit 110 may determine the heading error by calculating the heading error (yaw rate command). Processing unit 110 may determine the yaw rate command as the product of the heading error and the high-level control gain. If the look ahead distance is not at a lower limit, the high-level control gain may be equal to (2 / look ahead time). Otherwise, the high-level control gain may be equal to (2*velocity of vehicle 200 / look ahead distance).

[0144] 5F is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500F for determining whether a leading vehicle is changing lanes, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In step 580, processing unit 110 may determine driving information associated with a leading vehicle (e.g., a vehicle moving in front of vehicle 200). For example, processing unit 110 may determine a position, a velocity (e.g., direction and speed), and / or an acceleration of the leading vehicle using techniques described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B above. Processing unit 110 may also determine one or more road polynomials, lookahead points (associated with vehicle 200), and / or a snail trail (e.g., a set of points describing a path occupied by a leading vehicle) using techniques described in connection with FIG. 5E above.

[0145] In step 582, processing unit 110 may analyze the driving information determined in step 580. In one embodiment, processing unit 110 may calculate a distance between the snail trail and the road polynomial (e.g., along the trajectory). If the difference in this distance along the trajectory exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., 0.1 to 0.2 meters for straight roads, 0.3 to 0.4 meters for moderately curvy roads, and 0.5 to 0.6 meters for sharply curvy roads), processing unit 110 may determine that the leading vehicle is likely to change lanes. If multiple vehicles are detected moving ahead of vehicle 200, processing unit 110 may compare the snail trails associated with each vehicle. Based on the comparison, processing unit 110 may determine that a vehicle whose snail trail does not match the snail trails of other vehicles is likely to change lanes. Additionally, processing unit 110 may compare the curvature of the snail trail (associated with the leading vehicle) to an expected curvature of the road segment along which the leading vehicle is traveling. The expected curvature may be extracted from map data (e.g., data from map database 160), road polynomials, snail trails of other vehicles, prior knowledge about the road, etc. If the difference between the curvature of the snail trail of the road segment and the expected curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold, processing unit 110 may determine that the leading vehicle is about to change lanes.

[0146] In another embodiment, processing unit 110 may compare the leading vehicle's instantaneous position to a look-ahead point (associated with vehicle 200) for a specific period of time (e.g., 0.5 to 1.5 seconds). If the distance between the leading vehicle's instantaneous position and the look-ahead point changes during the specific period of time, and the cumulative sum of the changes exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g., 0.3 to 0.4 meters for straight roads, 0.7 to 0.8 meters for moderately curvy roads, and 1.3 to 1.7 meters for sharply curvy roads), processing unit 110 may determine that the leading vehicle is likely to change lanes. In another embodiment, processing unit 110 may analyze the shape of the snail trail by comparing the lateral distance traveled along the trajectory to the expected curvature of the snail trail. The expected radius of curvature is calculated (δ z 2 +δ x 2 ) / 2 / (δ x ), where δ x represents the lateral distance traveled, and δ z represents the longitudinal distance traveled. If the difference between the lateral distance traveled and the expected curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., 500 to 700 meters), processing unit 110 may determine that the leading vehicle is likely to change lanes. In another embodiment, processing unit 110 may analyze the position of the leading vehicle. If the position of the leading vehicle obscures the road polynomial (e.g., the leading vehicle overlays on top of the road polynomial), then processing unit 110 may determine that the leading vehicle is likely to change lanes. In cases where another vehicle is detected ahead of the leading vehicle and the leading vehicle is in a position such that the snail trails of the two vehicles are not parallel, processing unit 110 may determine that the (closer) leading vehicle is likely to change lanes.

[0147] In step 584, processing unit 110 may determine whether leading vehicle 200 is changing lanes based on the analyses performed in step 582. For example, processing unit 110 may make the determination based on a weighted average of the individual analyses performed in step 582. Under such a scheme, for example, a determination by processing unit 110 that the leading vehicle is likely to change lanes based on a particular type of analysis may be assigned a value of "1" (with a "0" representing a determination that the leading vehicle is unlikely to change lanes). Different analyses performed in step 582 may be assigned different weights, and the disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular combination of analyses and weights.

[0148] 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 600 for generating one or more driving responses based on stereo image analysis, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In step 610, processing unit 110 may receive first and second multiple images via data interface 128. For example, a camera included in image acquisition unit 120 (such as imaging devices 122 and 124 having fields of view 202 and 204) may capture first and second multiple images of an area in front of vehicle 200 and transmit them to processing unit 110 via a digital connection (e.g., USB, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.). In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may receive the first and second multiple images via two or more data interfaces. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular data interface configuration or protocol.

[0149] In step 620, processing unit 110 may execute stereo image analysis module 404 to perform stereo image analysis of the first and second plurality of images to generate a 3D map of the road in front of the vehicle and detect features in the images, such as lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, highway exit ramps, traffic lights, road obstacles, etc. The stereo image analysis may be performed in a manner similar to the steps described in connection with FIG. 5A-5D above. For example, processing unit 110 may execute stereo image analysis module 404 to detect candidate objects (e.g., vehicles, pedestrians, road markings, traffic lights, road obstacles, etc.) in the first and second plurality of images, filter out a subset of the candidate objects based on various criteria, perform multi-frame analysis, construct measurements, and determine confidence levels of the remaining candidate objects. In performing the above steps, processing unit 110 may consider information from both the first and second plurality of images, rather than only information from one set of images. For example, processing unit 110 may analyze differences in pixel-level data (or other data subsets of the two streams of captured images) for a candidate object that appears in both the first and second multiple images. As another example, processing unit 110 may estimate the position and / or velocity (e.g., relative to vehicle 200) of a candidate object, if there are two image streams, by observing that an object appears in one of the multiple images but not in the other image, or appears relative to other differences that may exist for the object that does appear. For example, the position, velocity, and / or acceleration relative to vehicle 200 may be determined based on the trajectory, location, movement characteristics, etc., of features associated with an object that appears in one or both of the image streams.

[0150] In stage 630, processing unit 110 may execute driving response module 408 to cause vehicle 200 to produce one or more driving responses based on the analysis performed in stage 620 and techniques such as those described above in connection with FIG. 4. The driving responses may include, for example, turning, changing lanes, changing acceleration, changing speed, braking, etc. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may use data derived from execution of speed and acceleration module 406 to produce one or more driving responses. Additionally, multiple driving responses may occur simultaneously, sequentially, or any combination thereof.

[0151] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 700 for generating one or more driving responses based on an analysis of three sets of images, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In step 710, processing unit 110 may receive a first, second, and third plurality of images via data interface 128. For example, cameras included in image acquisition unit 120 (such as imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 having fields of view 202, 204, and 206) may capture a first, second, and third plurality of images of an area in front of and / or to the side of vehicle 200 and transmit them to processing unit 110 via a digital connection (e.g., USB, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.). In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may receive the first, second, and third plurality of images via three or more data interfaces. For example, each of imaging devices 122, 124, 126 may have an associated data interface for communicating data to processing unit 110. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular data interface configuration or protocol.

[0152] In step 720, processing unit 110 may analyze the first, second, and third plurality of images to detect features in the images, such as lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, highway exit ramps, traffic lights, roadway obstacles, etc. The analysis may be performed in a manner similar to the steps described in connection with FIGS. 5A-5D and 6 above. For example, processing unit 110 may perform monocular image analysis (e.g., by execution of monocular image analysis module 402 and based on the steps described in connection with FIGS. 5A-5D above) on each of the first, second, and third plurality of images. Alternatively, processing unit 110 may perform stereo image analysis (e.g., by execution of stereo image analysis module 404 and based on the steps described in connection with FIG. 6 above) on the first and second plurality of images, the second and third plurality of images, and / or the first and third plurality of images. Processed information corresponding to the analysis of the first, second, and / or third plurality of images may be combined. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may perform a combination of monocular and stereo image analysis. For example, processing unit 110 may perform monocular image analysis on the first plurality of images (e.g., by executing monocular image analysis module 402) and stereo image analysis on the second and third plurality of images (e.g., by executing stereo image analysis module 404). The configuration of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126, including positions and fields of view 202, 204, and 206, respectively, may affect the type of analysis performed on the first, second, and third plurality of images. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to a particular configuration of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126 or to the type of analysis performed on the first, second, and third plurality of images.

[0153] In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may run tests on system 100 based on the images acquired and analyzed in stages 710 and 720. Such tests may provide an indication of the overall performance of system 100 for a particular configuration of imaging devices 122, 124, and 126. For example, processing unit 110 may determine the rate of "false hits" (e.g., when system 100 incorrectly determines the presence of a vehicle or pedestrian) and "misses."

[0154] At stage 730, processing unit 110 may cause vehicle 200 to generate one or more driving responses based on information derived from two of the first, second, and third plurality of images. The selection of two of the first, second, and third plurality of images may depend on various factors, such as, for example, the number, type, and size of objects detected in each of the plurality of images. Processing unit 110 may also make the selection based on image quality and resolution, the effective field of view reflected in the image, the number of frames captured, the degree to which one or more objects of interest actually appear in the frames (e.g., the percentage of frames in which the object appears, the proportion of the object appearing in each such frame, etc.), and the like.

[0155] In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may select information derived from two of the first, second, and third plurality of images by determining the extent to which information derived from one image source matches information derived from the other image source. For example, processing unit 110 may combine processed information derived from each imaging device 122, 124, and 126 (whether by monocular analysis, stereo analysis, or any combination of both) and determine visual indicators (e.g., lane markings, detected vehicles and their positions and / or paths, detected traffic lights, etc.) that are consistent across the images captured from each imaging device 122, 124, and 126. Processing unit 110 may also filter out information that is inconsistent across the captured images (e.g., vehicles changing lanes, lane models showing vehicles too close to vehicle 200, etc.). Thus, processing unit 110 may select information derived from two of the first, second, and third plurality of images based on a determination of consistent and inconsistent information.

[0156] Driving responses may include, for example, turns, lane changes, changes in acceleration, etc. Processing unit 110 may generate one or more driving responses based on the analysis performed in stage 720 and techniques such as those described above in connection with FIG. 4. Processing unit 110 may also generate one or more driving responses using data derived from execution of speed and acceleration module 406. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 may generate one or more driving responses based on the relative position, relative velocity, and / or relative acceleration of vehicle 200 and an object detected in any of the first, second, and third multiple images. The multiple driving responses may occur simultaneously, sequentially, or any combination thereof.

[0157] The analysis of the captured images may enable the generation and use of a sparse map model for navigation of the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the analysis of the captured images may enable localization of the autonomous vehicle using the identified lane markings. Embodiments for detection of specific characteristics based on one or more specific analyses of the captured images, and for navigation of the autonomous vehicle using the sparse map model will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8A through 28.

[0158] A sparse road model for autonomous vehicle navigation

[0159] In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may use a sparse map for navigation of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the sparse map may be for navigation of an autonomous vehicle along a road segment. For example, the sparse map may provide sufficient information to navigate an autonomous vehicle without storing and / or updating a large amount of data. As described in more detail below, an autonomous vehicle may use the sparse map to navigate one or more roads based on one or more stored trajectories.

[0160] Sparse Maps for Autonomous Vehicle Navigation

[0161] In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may generate a sparse map for an autonomous vehicle's navigation. For example, the sparse map may provide sufficient information about the navigation without requiring excessive data storage or data transfer rates. As described in more detail below, a vehicle (which may be an autonomous vehicle) may navigate one or more roads using the sparse map. For example, in some embodiments, the sparse map may include data related to roads and potential landmarks along the roads that may be sufficient for the vehicle's navigation, but that also exhibits low data consumption. For example, the sparse data map described in more detail below may require significantly less storage space and data transfer bandwidth compared to a digital map that includes detailed map information, such as image data collected along the roads.

[0162] For example, rather than storing detailed representations of road segments, the sparse data map may store a three-dimensional polynomial representation of a preferred vehicle path along a road. This path may require very little data storage space. Additionally, in the described sparse data map, landmarks may be identified and included in the sparse map road model to aid in navigation. These landmarks may be located at any interval suitable to enable vehicle navigation, but in some cases, such landmarks need not be identified and included in the model at high density and short intervals. Rather, in some cases, navigation may be possible based on landmarks spaced at least 50 meters, at least 100 meters, at least 500 meters, at least 1 kilometer, or at least 2 kilometers apart. As described in more detail elsewhere, the sparse map may be generated based on data collected or measured by a vehicle equipped with various sensors and devices, such as imaging devices, global positioning system sensors, motion sensors, etc., as the vehicle moves along the roadway. In some cases, the sparse map may be generated based on data collected during multiple drives of one or more vehicles along a particular road. Generating a sparse map using multiple drives of one or more vehicles can be referred to as "crowdsourcing" the sparse map.

[0163] Consistent with disclosed embodiments, an autonomous vehicle system may use a sparse map for navigation. For example, the disclosed systems and methods may distribute the sparse map to generate a road driving model for the autonomous vehicle, and may navigate the autonomous vehicle along a road segment using the sparse map and / or the generated road driving model. A sparse map consistent with the present disclosure may include one or more three-dimensional contours that may represent a predetermined trajectory that the autonomous vehicle may traverse as it travels along the associated road segment.

[0164] A sparse map consistent with the present disclosure may also include data representing one or more road features. Such road features may include recognized landmarks, road signature profiles, and any other road-related features useful in navigating a vehicle. A sparse map consistent with the present disclosure may enable autonomous navigation of a vehicle based on a relatively small amount of data included in the sparse map. For example, rather than including detailed representations of roads, such as data detailing road edges, road curvatures, images associated with road segments, or other physical features associated with road segments, disclosed embodiments of the sparse map may require relatively little storage space (and relatively little bandwidth when portions of the sparse map are transferred to the vehicle) and still provide sufficient autonomous vehicle navigation. The low data consumption of the disclosed sparse map may be achieved in some embodiments by storing representations of road-related elements that require less data but still enable autonomous navigation, as described in more detail below.

[0165] For example, rather than storing detailed representations of various aspects of roads, the disclosed sparse map may store a polynomial representation of one or more trajectories that a vehicle may follow along a road. Thus, rather than storing (or rather having to transfer) details about the physical properties of the road that enable driving along the road, with the disclosed sparse map, a vehicle may drive along a particular road segment, in some cases, without having to interpret the physical aspects of the road, but rather by adjusting the path it travels according to a trajectory (e.g., a polynomial spline) along the particular road segment. In this way, the vehicle may drive primarily based on the stored trajectory (e.g., a polynomial spline), which may require significantly less storage space than approaches that include storage of roadway images, road parameters, road layouts, etc.

[0166] In addition to the polynomial representation of the stored trajectory along the road segment, the disclosed sparse map may also include small data objects that may represent road features. In some embodiments, the small data objects may include digital signatures, which are derived from digital images (or digital signals) acquired by sensors (e.g., cameras or other sensors, such as suspension sensors) mounted on a vehicle moving along the road segment. The digital signatures may have a reduced size relative to the signals acquired by the sensors. In some embodiments, the digital signatures may be generated to be compatible with a classification function configured to detect and identify road features from signals acquired by the sensors during subsequent driving, for example. In some embodiments, the digital signatures may be generated such that the digital signatures have as small a consumption as possible while maintaining the ability to correlate or match the road features with a stored signature based on an image of the road feature captured by a camera mounted on a vehicle moving along the same road segment at a subsequent time (or a digital signal generated by a sensor, if the stored signature is not based on an image and / or includes other data).

[0167] In some embodiments, the size of the data object may further be associated with the uniqueness of the road feature. For example, for road features detectable by a vehicle-mounted camera, and if the vehicle-mounted camera system is coupled with a classifier that allows for differentiation of image data corresponding to a particular type of road feature, e.g., a road sign, as associated with that road feature, and if such a road sign is locally unique in the region (e.g., if there is no matching road sign or road sign of the same type in the immediate vicinity), it may be sufficient to store data indicating the type of road feature and its location.

[0168] As described in more detail below, road features (e.g., landmarks along a road segment) may be stored as small data objects that may represent the road features in a relatively small number of bytes while providing sufficient information to recognize and use such features for navigation. In one example, road signs may be identified as recognized landmarks upon which vehicle navigation may be based. Representations of road signs may be stored in a sparse map, including, for example, a few bytes of data indicating the type of landmark (e.g., a stop sign) and a few bytes of data indicating the location (e.g., coordinates) of the landmark. Navigation based on such data-light representations of landmarks (e.g., using representations sufficient for landmark-based positioning, recognition, and navigation) may provide a desired level of navigation functionality associated with the sparse map without significantly increasing the data overhead associated with the sparse map. This lean representation of landmarks (and other road features) may take advantage of sensors and processors included on board such vehicles that are configured to detect, identify, and / or classify specific road features.

[0169] For example, when a sign, or even a particular type of sign, is locally unique in a given area (e.g., there are no other signs or other signs of the same type), the sparse map may use data indicative of the type of landmark (the sign, or the particular type of sign), and during a drive (e.g., autonomous driving), when a camera mounted on the autonomous vehicle captures an image of an area containing a sign (or a particular type of sign), a processor may process the image to detect the sign (if the sign is in fact shown in the image), classify the image as a sign (or a particular type of sign), and correlate the location of the image with the location of the sign stored in the sparse map.

[0170] Representation of road features

[0171] In some embodiments, the sparse map may include at least one line representation of road surface features extending along the road segment and a number of landmarks associated with the road segment. In certain aspects, the sparse map may be generated via "crowdsourcing," e.g., by image analysis of a number of images acquired as one or more vehicles traverse the road segment.

[0172] In addition to the target trajectory and the identified landmarks, the sparse may include information related to various other road features. For example, FIG. 9A shows a representation of the curves along a particular road segment that may be stored in the sparse map. In some embodiments, a single lane of a road may be modeled by a three-dimensional polynomial description of the left and right sides of the road. Such polynomials representing the left and right sides of a single lane are shown in FIG. 8A. Regardless of how many lanes a road may have, the road may be represented using polynomials in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 8A. For example, the left and right sides of a multi-lane road may be represented by polynomials similar to those shown in FIG. 8A, and intermediate lane markings included on a multi-lane road (e.g., dashed markings represented at lane boundaries, solid yellow lines representing boundaries between lanes moving in different directions, etc.) may also be represented using polynomials such as those shown in FIG. 8A.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 8A, the lane 800 may be represented using a polynomial (e.g., a first order, second order, third order, or any suitable order polynomial). For illustrative purposes, the lane 800 is shown as a two-dimensional lane and the polynomial is shown as a two-dimensional polynomial. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the lane 800 includes a left side 810 and a right side 820. In some embodiments, more than one polynomial may be used to represent the location of each side of a road or lane boundary. For example, each of the left side 810 and the right side 820 may be represented by multiple polynomials of any suitable length. In some cases, the polynomials may have a length of about 100 m, although other lengths greater than or less than 100 m may also be used. In addition, the polynomials may overlap one another to facilitate seamless transitions in navigating based on subsequently encountered polynomials as the host vehicle travels along the roadway. For example, each of the left side 810 and the right side 820 may be represented by multiple third order polynomials divided into segments approximately 100 meters long (an example of a first predetermined range), overlapping each other for approximately 50 meters. The polynomials representing the left side 810 and the polynomials representing the right side 820 may or may not be of the same order. For example, in some embodiments, some of the polynomials may be second order polynomials, some may be third order polynomials, and some may be fourth order polynomials.

[0174] In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the left side 810 of the lane 800 is represented by two groups of third order polynomials. The first group includes polynomial segments 811, 812, and 813. The second group includes polynomial segments 814, 815, and 816. The two groups are substantially parallel to each other, but follow the position of each side of the road. The polynomial segments 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, and 816 have a length of about 100 meters, with about 50 meters of overlap with adjacent segments in line. As previously noted, however, polynomials of different lengths and overlap amounts may also be used. For example, the polynomials may have a length of 500 m, 1 km, or more, and the overlap amount may vary from 0 to 50 m, 50 m to 100 m, or more than 100 m. In addition, as shown in Figure 8A as representing a polynomial that extends in 2D space (e.g., the surface of a piece of paper), it should be understood that the polynomial may represent a curve that extends in three dimensions (e.g., including a height component) to represent elevation changes in a road segment in addition to the XY curvature. In the example shown in Figure 8A, the right side 820 of lane 800 may be further represented by a first group having polynomial segments 821, 822, and 823, and a second group having polynomial segments 824, 825, and 826.

[0175] Returning to the target trajectory of the sparse map, FIG. 8B shows a three-dimensional polynomial that represents a target trajectory for a vehicle moving along a particular road segment. The target trajectory represents not only the XY path that the host vehicle should travel along a particular road segment, but also the altitude change that the host vehicle will experience as it moves along the road segment. Thus, each target trajectory in the sparse map may be represented by one or more three-dimensional polynomials, such as the three-dimensional polynomial 850 shown in FIG. 8B. The sparse map may include multiple trajectories (e.g., millions or billions or more trajectories representing the trajectories of the vehicle along various road segments along roadways around the world). In some embodiments, each target trajectory may correspond to a spline connecting the three-dimensional polynomial segments.

[0176] With regard to data consumption of the polynomial curves stored in the sparse map, in some embodiments, each third order polynomial may be represented by four parameters, requiring 4 bytes of data each. A suitable representation may be obtained with a third order polynomial requiring approximately 192 bytes of data per 100 meters. This may translate to approximately 200 kB per hour in data usage / transfer requirements for a host vehicle moving at approximately 100 km / hr.

[0177] A sparse map may describe the lane network using a combination of shape descriptors and metadata. The shape may be described by polynomials or splines as described above. The metadata may describe the number of lanes, special properties (such as carpool lanes), and possibly other sparse labels. The total consumption of such metrics may be negligible.

[0178] Thus, the sparse map according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one linear representation of a road surface feature extending along a road segment, each linear representation representing a path along the road segment that substantially corresponds to the road surface feature. In some embodiments, as described above, the at least one linear representation of the road surface feature may include a spline, a polynomial representation, or a curve. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the road surface feature may include at least one of a road edge or a lane marking. In addition, as described below with respect to "crowdsourcing," the road surface feature may be identified via image analysis of multiple images acquired as one or more vehicles traverse the road segment.

[0179] FIG. 9A illustrates a polynomial representation of a trajectory captured during the process of building or maintaining a sparse map. The polynomial representation of the target trajectory included in the sparse map may be determined based on two or more trajectories that reconstruct the trajectories of previous traffic of a vehicle along the same road segment. In some embodiments, the polynomial representation of the target trajectory included in the sparse map may be an aggregation of two or more trajectories that reconstruct the trajectories of previous traffic of a vehicle along the same road segment. In some embodiments, the polynomial representation of the target trajectory included in the sparse map may be an average of two or more trajectories that reconstruct the trajectories of previous traffic of a vehicle along the same road segment. Other mathematical operations may also be used to construct a target trajectory along a road path based on reconstructed trajectories collected from vehicles traveling along a road segment.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 9A, a road segment 900 may be traveled by multiple vehicles 200 at different times. Each vehicle 200 may collect data related to the path the vehicle took through the road segment. The path traveled by a particular vehicle may be determined based on camera data, accelerometer information, speed sensor information, and / or GPS information, among other potential sources. Such data may be used to reconstruct a trajectory of the vehicle traveling along the road segment, and based on these reconstructed trajectories, a target trajectory (or multiple target trajectories) may be determined for a particular road segment. Such a target trajectory may represent a preferred path of a host vehicle (e.g., guided by an autonomous driving system) as the vehicle travels along the road segment.

[0181] In the example shown in FIG. 9A, a first reconstructed trajectory 901 may be determined based on data received from a first vehicle traversing the road segment 900 in a first time period (e.g., day 1), a second reconstructed trajectory 902 may be obtained from a second vehicle traversing the road segment 900 in a second time period (e.g., day 2), and a third reconstructed trajectory 903 may be obtained from a third vehicle traversing the road segment 900 in a third time period (e.g., day 3). Each trajectory 901, 902, and 903 may be represented by a polynomial, such as a three-dimensional polynomial. It should be noted that in some embodiments, any reconstructed trajectory may be combined on-board a vehicle traversing the road segment 900.

[0182] Additionally or alternatively, such reconstructed trajectories may be determined at the server side based on information received from vehicles traversing the road segment 900. For example, in some embodiments, the vehicles 200 may send data to one or more servers related to their movement along the road segment 900 (e.g., steering angle, heading, time, position, speed, sensed road geometry, and / or sensed landmarks, among others). The server may reconstruct a trajectory for the vehicles 200 based on the received data. The server may also generate a target trajectory for guiding the travel of an autonomous vehicle that will travel along the same road segment 900 at a later time based on the first, second, and third trajectories 901, 902, and 903. Although the target trajectory may be associated with a single previous traffic of the road segment, in some embodiments, each target trajectory included in the sparse map may be determined based on two or more reconstructed trajectories of vehicles traversing the same road segment. In FIG. 9A, the target trajectory is represented by 910. In some embodiments, the target trajectory 910 may be generated based on an average of the first, second, and third trajectories 901, 902, and 903. In some embodiments, the target trajectory 910 included in the sparse map may be an aggregation (e.g., a weighted combination) of two or more reconstructed trajectories. Adjusting the driving data to construct a trajectory is further described below with respect to FIG.

[0183] 9B and 9C further illustrate the concept of a target trajectory associated with road segments present within a geographic region 911. As shown in FIG. 9B, an initial road segment 920 within the geographic region 911 may include a multi-lane road that includes two lanes 922 designated for vehicle movement in a first direction and two additional lanes 924 designated for vehicle movement in a second direction opposite the first direction. The lanes 922 and 924 may be separated by a double yellow line 923. The geographic region 911 may also include a branch road segment 930 that intersects with the road segment 920. The road segment 930 may include a two-lane road, with each lane designated for traveling in a different direction. The geographic region 911 may also include other road features, such as a stop line 932, a stop sign 934, a speed limit sign 936, and hazard signs 938.

[0184] 9C , the sparse map may include a local map 940 including a road model for assisting the autonomous navigation of a vehicle within the geographic region 911. For example, the local map 940 may include target trajectories for one or more lanes associated with road segments 920 and / or 930 within the geographic region 911. For example, the local map 940 may include target trajectories 941 and / or 942 that the autonomous vehicle may access or rely on when traversing lane 922. Similarly, the local map 940 may include target trajectories 943 and / or 944 that the autonomous vehicle may access or rely on when traversing lane 924. Additionally, the local map 940 may include target trajectories 945 and / or 946 that the autonomous vehicle may access or rely on when traversing road segment 930. Target trajectory 947 represents a preferred path for the autonomous vehicle to follow when transitioning from lane 920 (particularly, for target trajectory 941 associated with the rightmost lane of lane 920) to road segment 930 (particularly, for target trajectory 945 associated with a first side of road segment 930). Similarly, target trajectory 948 represents a preferred path for the autonomous vehicle to follow when transitioning from road segment 930 (particularly, for target trajectory 946) to a portion of road segment 924 (particularly, for target trajectory 943 associated with the left lane of lane 924, as shown).

[0185] The sparse map may also include representations of other road-related features associated with the geographic region 911. For example, the sparse map may also include a representation of one or more landmarks identified in the geographic region 911. Such landmarks may include a first landmark 950 associated with the stop line 932, a second landmark 952 associated with the stop sign 934, a third landmark 954 associated with the speed limit sign 954, and a fourth landmark 956 associated with the hazard sign 938. Such landmarks may be used, for example, to aid the autonomous vehicle in determining its current position relative to any of the indicated target trajectories, and the vehicle may adjust its heading to match the direction of the target trajectory to the determined location.

[0186] In some embodiments, the sparse map may also include a road signature profile. Such a road signature profile may be associated with any identifiable / measurable variation in at least one parameter associated with a road. For example, in some cases, such a profile may be associated with variations in road surface information, such as variations in surface roughness of a particular road segment, variations in road width for a particular road segment, variations in distance between painted dashed lines along a particular road segment, variations in road curvature along a particular road segment, etc. FIG. 9D illustrates an example of a road signature profile 960. The profile 960 may represent any of the parameters listed above or others, and in one example, the profile 960 may represent measurements of road surface roughness, e.g., obtained by monitoring one or more sensors that provide an output indicative of an amount of suspension displacement as the vehicle moves along a particular road segment.

[0187] Alternatively, or simultaneously, profile 960 may represent variations in road width determined based on image data acquired via a camera mounted on a vehicle traveling a particular road segment. Such a profile may be useful, for example, in determining a particular position of an autonomous vehicle relative to a particular target trajectory. That is, as it traverses a road segment, the autonomous vehicle may measure a profile related to one or more parameters associated with the road segment. If the measured profile can be correlated / matched with a predefined profile that plots parameter variations versus position along the road segment, then the measured predefined profile may be used (e.g., by overlaying a corresponding portion of the measured predefined profile) to determine a current position along the road segment, and thus, relative to a target trajectory for the road segment.

[0188] In some embodiments, the sparse map may include different trajectories based on different characteristics associated with the user of the autonomous vehicle, environmental conditions, and / or other parameters related to driving. For example, in some embodiments, different trajectories may be generated based on different user preferences and / or profiles. Sparse maps including such different trajectories may be provided to different autonomous vehicles of different users. For example, some users may prioritize avoiding toll roads, while other users may prioritize obtaining the shortest or fastest route, regardless of whether there are toll roads on the route. The disclosed system may generate different sparse maps with different trajectories based on such different user preferences or profiles. As another example, some users may prioritize traveling in the fast lane, while other users may prioritize maintaining a position in the center lane at all times.

[0189] Different trajectories may be generated and included in the sparse map based on different environmental conditions, such as day and night, snow, rain, fog, etc. An autonomous vehicle operated under different environmental conditions may be provided with a sparse map generated based on such different environmental conditions. In some embodiments, a camera provided on the autonomous vehicle may detect environmental conditions and provide such information back to a server that generates and provides the sparse map. For example, the server may generate a sparse map or update an already generated sparse map to include trajectories that may be more suitable or safer for autonomous driving under the detected environmental conditions. Updating the sparse map based on environmental conditions may be performed dynamically as the autonomous vehicle moves along a road.

[0190] Also, other different parameters related to driving can be used as a criterion for generating and providing different sparse maps for different autonomous vehicles. For example, when an autonomous vehicle travels at high speed, turns can be tighter. Trajectories associated with specific lanes, rather than roads, can be included in the sparse map so that the autonomous vehicle can be kept in a specific lane as it follows a specific trajectory. When images captured by a camera mounted on the autonomous vehicle indicate that the vehicle has drifted outside of the lane (e.g., crossed a lane marking), actions can be triggered in the vehicle to return the vehicle to a designated lane that follows a specific trajectory.

[0191] FIG. 10 illustrates an example road driving model of an autonomous vehicle represented by a number of three-dimensional splines 1001, 1002, and 1003. The curves 1001, 1002, and 1003 illustrated in FIG. 10 are for illustrative purposes only. Each spline may include one or more three-dimensional polynomials connecting a number of data points 1010. Each polynomial may be a first order polynomial, a second order polynomial, a third order polynomial, or any suitable combination of polynomials having different orders. Each data point 1010 may be associated with driving information received from a number of vehicles. In some embodiments, each data point 1010 may be associated with data related to a landmark (e.g., size, location, and identification information of the landmark) and / or a road signature profile (e.g., road shape, road roughness profile, road curvature profile, road width profile). In some embodiments, some data points 1010 may be associated with data related to landmarks and other data points may be associated with data related to road signature profiles.

[0192] FIG. 11 shows raw location data 1110 (e.g., GPS data) received from five separate maneuvers. One maneuver may be separated from another maneuver if it was traveled by different vehicles at the same time, traveled by the same vehicle at different times, or traveled by different vehicles at different times. To account for errors in the location data 1110 and different positions of vehicles in the same lane (e.g., one vehicle may drive closer to the left of the lane than another vehicle), the remote server may generate a map overview 1120 using one or more statistical techniques to determine whether variations in the raw location data 1110 represent actual divergence or statistical error. Each route in the overview 1120 may be linked back to the raw data 1110 that forms the route. For example, the route between A and B in the overview 1120 is linked to raw data 1110 from maneuvers 2, 3, 4, and 5, but not from maneuver 1. The outline 1120 may not be detailed enough to be used to navigate a vehicle (because, for example, it combines driving from multiple lanes on the same road, unlike the splines described above), but it may provide useful topological information and may be used to define intersections.

[0193] Restrictions on safety and comfort of travel

[0194] In addition to a driving model, an autonomous vehicle (whether fully autonomous, e.g., a self-driving vehicle, or partially autonomous, e.g., with one or more driver assistance systems or functions) typically uses driving policies that ensure the safety of other drivers and pedestrians, as well as the comfort of interior passengers.

[0195] Thus, an autonomous vehicle may sense driving conditions in the host vehicle's environment. For example, the vehicle may rely on inputs from various sensors and sensing systems associated with the host vehicle. These inputs may include images or image streams from one or more on-board cameras, GPS location information, accelerometer output, user feedback, or user input to one or more user interface devices, radar, lidar, etc. The sensing, which may include data from cameras and / or any other available sensors, along with map information, may be collected, analyzed, and devised into a "sensed state" that describes the information extracted from the scene in the host vehicle's environment. The sensed state may include sensed information related to target vehicles, lane markings, pedestrians, traffic lights, road geometry, lane geometry, obstacles, distances to other objects / vehicles, relative speeds, relative accelerations, among other potentially sensed information. Supervised machine learning may be implemented to provide a sensed state output based on the provided sensed data. The output of the sensing module may represent the sensed driving "state" of the host vehicle, which may be used in a driving policy, as described below.

[0196] Although the sensed conditions may be developed based on image data received from one or more cameras or image sensors associated with the host vehicle, the sensed conditions for use in traveling may be developed using any suitable sensor or combination of sensors. In some embodiments, the sensed conditions may be developed without relying on captured image data. Indeed, any of the navigation principles described herein may be applicable to sensed conditions developed based on captured image data, as well as to sensed conditions developed using other sensors that are not image-based. The sensed conditions may also be determined by sources external to the host vehicle. For example, the sensed conditions may be developed fully or partially based on information received from a source remote from the host vehicle (e.g., based on sensor information, processed condition information, etc., shared with other vehicles, shared with a central server, or from any other source of information related to the host vehicle's traveling conditions).

[0197] The autonomous vehicle may implement a desired driving policy to determine one or more driving actions to be taken by the host vehicle in response to the sensed driving conditions. When there are no other agents (e.g., target vehicles or pedestrians) present in the host vehicle's environment, the sensed state input may be processed in a relatively straightforward manner. When the sensed state requires negotiation with one or more other agents, the task becomes more complex. The technique used to generate the output from the driving policy (as described in more detail below) may include reinforcement learning. The output of the driving policy may include at least one driving action for the host vehicle, and may include a desired acceleration (which may lead to an updated speed change for the host vehicle), a desired yaw rate for the host vehicle, a desired trajectory, among other possible desired driving actions.

[0198] Based on the output from the driving policy, the autonomous vehicle may develop control instructions for one or more actuators or controlled devices associated with the host vehicle. Such actuators and devices may include an accelerator, one or more steering controls, brakes, signal transmitters, displays, or any other actuators or devices that may be controlled as part of a driving operation associated with the host vehicle. Aspects of control theory may be used to generate the control instructions. The instructions to the controllable components of the host vehicle may implement the desired driving goals or requirements of the driving policy.

[0199] Returning to the driving policy described above, in some embodiments, a system trained by reinforcement learning may be used to implement the driving policy. In other embodiments, the driving policy may be implemented without machine learning approaches by using algorithms defined to "manually" address various scenarios that may occur during autonomous driving. Such approaches, however, while feasible, may result in overly simple driving policies, losing the flexibility of a system trained based on machine learning. A trained system is better equipped to handle complex driving conditions, for example, by: determining whether a taxi is parked or has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers; determining whether a pedestrian intends to cross the street in front of the host vehicle; defensively staying calm from unexpected behaviors of other drivers; navigating dense traffic including target vehicles and / or pedestrians; determining when certain driving rules are suspended or when other rules are extended; predicting undetected but expected conditions (e.g., whether a pedestrian appears from behind a car or obstacle); and so on. Systems trained based on reinforcement learning are also better equipped to deal with state spaces that are continuous and high dimensional, along with action spaces that are continuous.

[0200] Training a system using reinforcement learning may involve learning a driving policy to map from sensed states to driving behaviors. The driving policy may be a function

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[0201] The system can be trained by exposing it to various driving conditions, having the system apply a policy, and providing rewards (based on a reward function designed to reward desired driving behavior). Based on the reward feedback, the system "learns" the policy and becomes trained to result in the desired driving behavior. For example, a learning system can be trained to improve the current state by:

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[0202] The goal of reinforcement learning (RL) is generally to find a policy π. Typically, at time t, the t and operation a t The reward function r measures the quality of the moment t However, at time t, action a t Taking π will affect the environment and therefore the value of future states. As a result, when deciding which action to take, not only should the current reward be taken into account, but future rewards as well. In some cases, when the system determines that a greater reward can be realized in the future if a lower reward option is taken currently, then the system should take a particular action even if that particular action is associated with a lower reward than another valid option. We formalize this by saying that if a policy π and an initial state s are

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[0203] Instead of limiting the planning time horizon to T,

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[0204] In any case, the optimal policy is

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[0205] There are several possible approaches to training a driving policy system. For example, imitation approaches (e.g., behavior cloning) can be used, where the system learns from state / action pairs, where the actions are those that would be selected by a good agent (e.g., a human) in response to a particular observed state. Suppose a human driver is observed. This observation leads to many forms (s t , a t ) may be obtained, observed, and used as a reference to train the driving policy system, where s t is the state of the human driver, and a t is the action of a human driver. For example,

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[0206] Another technique can be used for policy-based learning, where the policy can be expressed in parametric form and directly optimized using a suitable optimization technique (e.g., stochastic gradient descent).

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[0207] The system can also be trained by numerical-based learning (learning the Q or V function). We assume that a good approximation of the optimal value function V* can be learned. An optimal policy can be constructed (e.g., by relying on the Bellman equation). Some versions of numerical-based learning can be implemented offline (called "off-policy" training). Some drawbacks of value-based approaches may emerge from their strong dependence on Markov assumptions and the complex function approximations they require (approximating a value function can be more difficult than approximating a policy directly).

[0208] Another technique may include model-based learning and planning (learning the state transition probabilities and solving an optimization problem for the optimal V). A combination of these techniques may also be used to train a learning system. In this approach, the dynamics of a process may be learned, i.e., (s t , a t ) and the next state s t+1 Once this function is learned, an optimization problem can be solved to find the policy π whose value is optimal. This is called "planning". One advantage of this approach is that the learning part can be supervised, and the triplet (s t , a t , s t+1 ) can be added offline by observing the model. One drawback of this approach, similar to "imitation" approaches, is that small errors in the learning process can accumulate and result in improper execution of the policy.

[0209] Another approach to training the driving policy module 803 may include decomposing the driving policy function into semantically meaningful components. This allows for manual implementation of parts of the policy, which may ensure the safety of the policy, and implementation of other parts of the policy using reinforcement learning techniques, which may allow adaptability to many scenarios, human-like composure between defensive / aggressive behavior, and human-like negotiation with other drivers. From a technical perspective, reinforcement learning approaches may combine several approaches to present a manageable training process, where most of the training may be performed using either recorded data or a self-built simulator.

[0210] In some embodiments, training of the driving policy module 803 may rely on an “option” mechanism. As shown, consider a simple scenario of driving policies on a two-lane highway. In a direct RL approach, a policy π is

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[0211] Automatic Cruise Control (ACC) Policy

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[0212] ACC+Left Policy

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[0213] ACC+Right Policy

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[0214] These policies may be called "options". Depending on these "options",

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[0215] In practice, a policy function may be decomposed into a graph of options. The graph of options may represent a hierarchical set of decisions organized as a directed acyclic graph (DAG). There is a special node in the graph called the root node. This node has no incoming nodes. The decision process starts at the root node and traverses the graph until it reaches a "leaf" node (referring to a node with no outgoing decision lines). When a leaf node is encountered, the driving policy may output acceleration and steering commands associated with the desired driving behavior associated with the leaf node.

[0216] An internal node provides the implementation of a policy that selects a child from among its valid choices. The set of valid children of an internal node includes all nodes that are related to the particular internal node via decision lines.

[0217] Flexibility in the decision to manufacture the system can be obtained by allowing nodes to adjust their position in the hierarchy of the graph of alternatives. For example, any node may be allowed to declare itself as "critical". Each node may implement a function "is critical" that outputs "True" if the node is in a critical part of its policy implementation. For example, a node responsible for a take-over may declare itself as critical while in the center of a maneuver. This may impose a constraint on the set of valid children of node u that may include all nodes v that are children of node u, and that there exists a path from node v to a leaf node that passes through all nodes designated as critical. Such an approach may, on the one hand, make it possible to signal a desired path on the graph at each time step, but on the other hand, maintain the stability of the policy, especially while the critical parts of the policy are being implemented.

[0218] By defining a graph of options, the problem of learning a driving policy π:S→A can be decomposed into the problem of defining a policy for each node of the graph, where the policy at the internal node should select among the available child nodes. For some of the nodes, the respective policy can be implemented manually (e.g., by an if-then type algorithm prescribing a set of actions in response to observed states), and for other nodes, the policy can be implemented using a trained system formed by reinforcement learning. The choice between manual and trained / learned approaches can depend on the safety aspects associated with the task and its relative simplicity. The option graph can be constructed in such a way that some of the nodes are directly implemented, while other nodes can rely on trained models. Such an approach can ensure the safe operation of the system.

[0219] As explained above, the input to a driving policy is the "sensed state", which summarizes, for example, a map of the environment obtained from available sensors. The output of a driving policy is a set of desires (optionally together with a set of hard constraints) that define a trajectory, as the solution of an optimization problem.

[0220] As explained above, the graph of choices represents a hierarchical set of decisions organized as a DAG. There is a special node called the "root" of the graph. The root node is the only node that has no incoming edges (e.g., decision lines). The decision process starts at the root node and traverses the graph until it reaches a "leaf" node, i.e., a node with no outgoing edges. Each interior node should implement a policy that picks up a child from among its available children. Every leaf node should implement a policy that defines a set of aspirations (e.g., a set of driving objectives for the host vehicle) based on the entire path from the root to the leaf. The set of aspirations, together with a set of strict constraints defined directly based on the sensed conditions, establish an optimization problem whose solution is a trajectory for the vehicle. The strict constraints can be used to further increase the safety of the system, and the aspirations can be used to provide driving comfort and human-like driving behavior of the system. The trajectory provided as the solution of the optimization problem then defines the commands to be provided to the steering, braking, and / or engine actuators to complete the trajectory.

[0221] Various semantic meanings may be assigned to target vehicles in the host vehicle's environment. For example, in some embodiments, the semantic meanings may include any of the following designations: 1) not relevant: indicates that the detected vehicle in the scene is not currently relevant. 2) next lane: indicates that the detected vehicle is in an adjacent lane to this vehicle and should maintain an appropriate offset for this vehicle (the exact offset may be calculated in an optimization problem that constructs a trajectory given the desires and strict constraints, and may potentially be vehicle dependent. The stay leaf of the graph of choices sets the semantic type of the target vehicle, which defines the desire for the target vehicle). 3) give way: the host vehicle attempts to give way to the detected target vehicle, for example, by reducing speed (especially if the host vehicle determines that the target vehicle may cut into the host vehicle's lane). 4) take way: the host vehicle attempts to take the right of the way, for example, by increasing speed. 5) follow: the host vehicle wishes to follow behind this target vehicle and maintain smooth driving; 6) takeover left / right: this means the host vehicle wishes to initiate a lane change to the left or right lane.

[0222] Another example of a node is the Select Gap node. This node may be responsible for selecting a gap between two target vehicles in a particular target lane that the host vehicle wishes to enter. By selecting a node of the form IDj, depending on the value of j, the host vehicle arrives at a leaf that specifies the desire for the trajectory optimization problem. For example, the host vehicle wishes to perform a maneuver to arrive at the selected gap. Such a maneuver may first include accelerating / braking in the current lane and then changing heading to the target lane at the appropriate time to enter the selected gap. If the Select Gap node cannot find a suitable gap, it may transition to an Abort node, which defines the desire to move back to the center of the current lane and cancel the lane change.

[0223] As explained above, a node in the graph of options may declare itself as "critical", which may ensure that the selected option passes through the critical nodes. Formally, each node implements a function IsCritical. After performing a forward traversal of the graph of options from the root to the leaves to solve the trajectory planner optimization problem, a backward traversal may be performed from the leaves back to the root. Following this backward traversal, the IsCritical functions of all nodes in the traversal may be called, and a list of all critical nodes may be saved. In the forward pass corresponding to the next frame of time, the driving policy may require selecting a path that goes through all critical nodes from the root node to the leaves.

[0224] For example, in a situation where an overtaking maneuver starts and the driving policy arrives at the leaf corresponding to IDk, the stay node, for example, would not be desired to be selected when the host vehicle is in the middle of the overtaking maneuver. To avoid such non-smooth situations, the IDj node can specify itself as critical. During the maneuver, the success of the trajectory planner can be observed, and the function IsCritical will return a "True" value if the overtaking maneuver proceeded as intended. This approach can ensure that in the next frame of time, the overtaking maneuver (rather than flying to another location, a potentially inconsistent maneuver prior to the completion of the originally selected maneuver) continues. On the other hand, if the observation of the maneuver indicates that the selected maneuver does not proceed as intended, or if the maneuver becomes unnecessary or impossible, the function IsCritical can return a "False" value. This allows the selection gap node to select a different gap in the next frame of time, or to abort the overtaking maneuver entirely. This approach may, on the one hand, enable notification of a desired path through the graph of alternatives at each time step, but on the other hand, may help promote stability of the policy during critical parts of the execution.

[0225] The strict constraints, which will be described in more detail below, may be distinguished from the desire to drive. For example, the strict constraints may ensure safe driving by applying an additional layer of filtering of the planned driving behavior. The implied strict constraints may be manually programmed and defined, and may be determined from sensed conditions, rather than by using a trained system formed in reinforcement learning. However, in some embodiments, the trained system may learn the applicable strict constraints to apply and follow. Such an approach may encourage the driving policy module 803 to arrive at a selected behavior that already complies with the applicable strict constraints, which may reduce or eliminate the need for later modification of the selected behavior to comply with the applicable strict constraints. Nevertheless, even if the driving policy is trained to take into account the predetermined strict constraints, the strict constraints may be applied to the output of the driving policy as a redundant safety measure.

[0226] There are many examples of possible strict constraints. For example, a strict constraint may be defined with guard rails at the edges of the road. Under no circumstances may the host vehicle be allowed to pass the guard rails. Such a rule induces strict lateral constraints on the host vehicle's trajectory. Another example of a strict constraint may include road bumps (e.g., speed control bumps), which may induce strict constraints on the speed of driving before and while traversing the bump. Strict constraints may be critical safety considerations and therefore may be defined manually, rather than being defined solely by relying on a trained system that learns the constraints during training.

[0227] In contrast to hard constraints, the goal of the desire may be to enable or achieve a comfortable driving experience. As described above, an example desire may include a goal to place the host vehicle in a lateral position within the lane that corresponds to the center of the host vehicle's lane. Another desire may include the ID of the gap to fit into. Note that there is no requirement that the host vehicle be exactly in the center of the lane, but instead, a desire to be as close to the center as possible may ensure that the host vehicle tends to transition to the center of the lane even if there is a deviation from the center of the lane. The desire may not be safety critical. In some embodiments, the desire may require negotiation with other drivers and pedestrians. One approach to constructing the desire may rely on a graph of options, and the policies implemented in at least some nodes of the graph may be based on reinforcement learning.

[0228] For the nodes of the graph of choices to be implemented as trained nodes based on learning, the training process may include splitting the problem into a supervised learning phase and a reinforcement learning phase. In the supervised learning phase, (s t ,a t )from

number

number

number

number

[0229] A key element that may be provided in some scenarios is distinguishable paths with future losses / rewards that are fed back to the action decision. Due to the graph structure of the options, the implementation of the options including safety constraints is usually not distinguishable. To solve this problem, the selection of children in a learned policy node may be probabilistic. That is, the node may output a probability vector p, which assigns the probability that each child of a particular node will be used in the selection. Suppose a node has k children, and the action of the path from each child to the leaf is

number

number

number

[0230] Given s t , a t In

number

[0231] Additionally, in some embodiments, the system may implement a multi-agent approach. For example, the system may take into account data from various sources and / or images captured from multiple angles. Additionally, some disclosed embodiments may provide energy savings because they may take into account events that do not directly involve the host vehicle but may affect the host vehicle, or even events that may lead to unpredictable situations involving other vehicles (e.g., radar may "see through" the leading vehicle and "see" ahead of inevitable or more likely events that will affect the host vehicle).

[0232] Global and local accuracy

[0233] In the context of autonomous driving, a loss function may be defined to fully define (and therefore impose conditions on) the accuracy of measurements from cameras, sensors, etc. Thus, a scene may be defined as a finite set S of objects (vehicles, pedestrians, lane markings, etc.). S includes the host vehicle, which may be denoted as h. In this context, a configuration is a map p:S

number

[0234] The loss function is thus given by: In a set S, for two objects a and b, there are two configurations p and

number

number

[0235] Imposing constraints on the loss function is generally not practical. For example, if object a is a vehicle with configuration p(a) = (α,z,0) and object b is a lane marking with configuration p(b) = (-α,z,0), then

number

number

[0236] Therefore, a relative loss function can be defined such that:

number

[0237] By regularizing the loss function, a realistic loss constraint can be imposed that accounts for larger losses for more distant objects. However, there are two ways to define accuracy with a regularized loss function. One is ego accuracy, which is measured with respect to the host vehicle h as follows:

number

[0238] This requirement, however, is met when p(h) =

number

number

number

[0239] To avoid the dependency on the range z, an alternative definition of the paired precision can be used as follows:

number

[0240] p(a)=(α,z,0), p(b)=(-α,z,0),

number

number

number

[0241] therefore,

number

[0242] Furthermore, there are situations where you have an ego precision without a paired precision. In particular,

number

number

number

[0243] In one particular example, ε=0.2 and z=100 meters, so β=2 meters, which is a reasonable loss constraint of 2 meters per 100 meters. However, this means that

number

[0244] Thus, in some embodiments, the host vehicle's navigation system may use the camera's 2-D coordinate system rather than the vehicle's 3-D coordinate system. The system may then convert the map (e.g., the landmarks and splines of the sparse map) to the 2-D coordinate system and perform navigation in the 2-D coordinate system. In addition, the system may perform navigation in the 3-D coordinate system by converting decisions made in the 2-D coordinate system to the 3-D coordinate system. This enhances paired accuracy rather than ego accuracy, which provides greater safety and reliability. In addition, this technique increases the efficiency of the system because converting a map to 2-D is faster than converting an image to 3-D, and performing predictions and navigation in 2-D is faster than doing so in 3-D.

[0245] In one example embodiment, the navigation system may determine a location of the host vehicle. For example, the location may be within a geographic region. The navigation system may further access a map that includes the geographic region. For example, the navigation system may access a stored map or access a map from one or more remote servers that includes the geographic region. In some embodiments, the map may include a sparse map or road book (described below), or portions thereof, based on the geographic region. As described above, the sparse map may include at least one spline that represents a predetermined path to travel and / or at least one landmark. Thus, the at least one feature may include at least one landmark.

[0246] The navigation system may extract at least one feature from the map based on the location of the host vehicle. For example, the navigation system may determine the field of view of the host vehicle and extract at least one feature expected to be in the field of view based on the location. In some embodiments, the at least one feature may include lane markings, road edges, or other landmarks included in the map. For example, road edges may include at least one of lane markings, curbs, guard rails, or jersey walls.

[0247] The navigation system may receive at least one image representing the environment of the host vehicle from the at least one image sensor and may transform coordinates of the at least one feature from a coordinate system of the map to a coordinate system of the at least one image sensor. For example, the coordinate system of the map may include a three-dimensional coordinate system (e.g., a global coordinate system based on GPS, a coordinate system local to a road segment included in a geographic region, etc.) and the coordinate system of the at least one image sensor may include a two-dimensional coordinate system based on a field of view of the at least one image sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one feature may be transformed (e.g., using a position) from the three-dimensional coordinate system of the map to a three-dimensional coordinate system centered on the host vehicle and then projected onto the two-dimensional plane of the at least one image sensor (e.g., using a known relationship between the host vehicle and the field of view).

[0248] The navigation system may analyze the at least one image to identify at least one feature in the host vehicle's environment and may cause at least one navigation change of the host vehicle based on a comparison of the transformed coordinates with the coordinates of the identified at least one feature in the at least one image. For example, the navigation system may determine an expected location of the at least one feature in a two-dimensional coordinate system of the at least one image sensor based on the transformed coordinates and may retrieve one or more images from the at least one image sensor at and / or near the expected location. The proximity may be determined absolutely, e.g., within 10 pixels, within 20 pixels, etc., of the expected location, or relatively, e.g., within 10% of an expected dimension, such as a length or width, of the at least one feature, etc.

[0249] In some embodiments, at least one of the driving changes may include slowing down the host vehicle, accelerating the host vehicle, or actuating a steering mechanism of the host vehicle. For example, the host vehicle may slow down, accelerate, and / or steer based on a difference between an identified location of the at least one feature in the at least one image and an expected location based on the transformed coordinates.

[0250] In some embodiments, the at least one driving change may be determined in a coordinate system of the at least one image sensor. For example, a vector may be determined based on a difference between a determined location of the at least one feature in the at least one image and an expected location based on the transformed coordinates. The vector may represent the at least one driving change such that the at least one feature appears where expected. In such embodiments, the navigation system may transform the at least one driving change into a coordinate system of the map. For example, the navigation system may project a difference vector into a three-dimensional coordinate system (e.g., a global coordinate system or a host vehicle-centered coordinate system) based on a depth of the at least one feature in the at least one image and / or an expected depth of the at least one feature from the map.

[0251] Combining comfort and safety constraints

[0252] In some embodiments, the host vehicle may receive data from multiple sources, such as map data combined with cameras, lidar, radar, etc. The host vehicle's navigation system may use different schemes to combine data from these various sources. For example, in a unification scheme, the navigation system may verify the target object if it is detected by at least one source with a fast but low accuracy detection technique (i.e., verify that a possible object should be considered as an actual detected object). In a nodal scheme, the navigation system may accept the target object if it is detected by multiple sources, and in a multiplicative scheme, the navigation system may accept the target object if it is detected using a combination of data from multiple sources. The nodal and multiplicative schemes are slower but more accurate than the unification scheme. Thus, the selection of the nodal and multiplicative schemes, as well as the unification scheme, allows the accuracy of the system's reaction to be optimized without sacrificing safety. This solves the technical problem of how to accurately interpret sensor data from an autonomous vehicle without sacrificing safety.

[0253] 12 is an example functional block diagram of memory 140 and / or 150 that may be stored / programmed with instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Although the following refers to memory 140, those skilled in the art will recognize that instructions may be stored in memory 140 and / or 150.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 12, memory 140 may store object identification module 1202, constraint module 1204, verification module 1206, and travel change module 1208. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular configuration of memory 140. Furthermore, application processor 180 and / or image processor 190 may execute instructions stored in any of modules 1202, 1204, 1206, and 1208 included in memory 140. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that references in the following description to processing unit 110 may refer to application processor 180 and image processor 190, individually or collectively. Thus, any of the following process steps may be performed by one or more processing devices.

[0255] In one embodiment, the object identification module 1202 may store instructions (such as computer vision software) that, when executed by the processing unit 110, receive a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle. At least one of the first data source and the second data source includes a sensor mounted on the host vehicle. For example, the object identification module 1202 may receive a first output from a first sensor mounted on the host vehicle and a second output from a second sensor mounted on the host vehicle. Thus, the first data source may include at least one of a camera, a lidar, or a radar mounted on the host vehicle, and the second data source may include at least one of a camera, a lidar, or a radar mounted on the host vehicle that is separate from the first data source.

[0256] Alternatively, the object identification module 1202 may receive a first output from a first sensor mounted on the host vehicle and a second output from a map accessed by the processing unit 110. Thus, the first data source may include at least one of a camera, lidar, or radar mounted on the host vehicle, and the second data source may include map data.

[0257] In one embodiment, object identification module 1202 may store instructions (such as computer vision software) that, when executed by processing unit 110, identify a representation of a target object in the first output. For example, object identification module 1202 may perform all or a portion of process 500B described above to identify a representation of a target object.

[0258] In one example, the object identification module 1202 may determine a set of candidate objects representing a target object (e.g., a vehicle, a pedestrian, a non-moving object, a lane marking, etc.) by scanning the first output, comparing the first output to one or more predefined patterns, and identifying possible locations within the first output that may contain the object of interest (e.g., a vehicle, a pedestrian, a non-moving object, a lane marking, etc.). The predefined pattern may match the type of output from the first sensor. For example, if the first sensor is a camera, the predefined pattern may be visual, and if the first sensor is a microphone, the predefined pattern may be audio. In some embodiments, the predefined pattern may be configured to achieve a high rate of "false hits" and a low rate of "losses." For example, to reduce the probability of losing (e.g., not identifying) a candidate object representing a target object, the object identification module 1202 may use a low threshold similarity as the predefined pattern for identifying a candidate object as a possible target object.

[0259] The object identification module 1202 may further filter the set of candidate objects to eliminate certain candidates (e.g., irrelevant or less relevant objects) based on classification criteria. Such criteria may be derived from various properties associated with the object type stored in a database, e.g., a database stored in memory 140 (not shown) and / or a database accessed from one or more remote servers. The properties may include object shape, dimensions, texture, position (e.g., relative to the host vehicle), speed (e.g., relative to the host vehicle), etc. Thus, the object identification module 1202 may use one or more sets of criteria to reject erroneous candidates from the set of candidate objects.

[0260] In embodiments in which the first output includes multiple frames over time, the object identification module 1202 may also analyze the multiple frames of the first output to determine whether an object in the set of candidate objects represents a target object. For example, the object identification module 1202 may track detected candidate objects over sequential frames and accumulate frame-by-frame data associated with the detected objects (e.g., size, position relative to the host vehicle, speed relative to the host vehicle, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the object identification module 1202 may estimate parameters for the detected objects and compare the object's frame-by-frame position data to a predicted position. The use of "frame" does not imply that the first output must be an image, although it may be an image. As used herein, "frame" refers to any discretized sequence of measurements over time received from the first sensor, the second sensor, or any additional sensors.

[0261] The object identification module 1202 may further construct a set of measurements for each detected object. Such measurements may include, for example, position, velocity, and acceleration values ​​(e.g., relative to the host vehicle) associated with the detected object. In some embodiments, the target object module 2004 may construct the measurements based on estimation techniques using a series of time-based observations, such as a Kalman filter or linear quadratic estimation (LQE), and / or based on available modeling data for different object types (e.g., cars, trucks, pedestrians, bicycles, road signs, etc.). The Kalman filter may be based on a measurement of the scale of the object, where the scale measurement is proportional to the time to impact (e.g., the amount of time it takes for the host vehicle to reach the object).

[0262] In an embodiment where the first output includes multiple frames over time, the object identification module 1202 may perform optical flow analysis of one or more images to reduce the probability of detecting "false hits" and the probability of missing candidate objects representing vehicles or pedestrians. Optical flow analysis may refer to analyzing the movement patterns for the vehicle 200, separate from the movement of the road surface, in one or more images associated with other vehicles and pedestrians, for example. The processing unit 110 may calculate the movement of the candidate object by observing different positions of the object across multiple image frames captured at different times. The processing unit 110 may use the position and time values ​​as inputs to a mathematical model for calculating the movement of the candidate object. Thus, the optical flow analysis may provide another way of detecting vehicles and pedestrians that are nearby vehicles 200. The processing unit 110 may perform the optical flow analysis in combination with stages 540-546 to provide redundancy for the detection of vehicles and pedestrians and increase the reliability of the system 100.

[0263] Additionally or alternatively, the object identification module 1202 may perform all or a portion of the process 500C described above to identify a representation of a target object. In an embodiment in which the object identification module 1202 is implemented as an additional layer of processing for a selected operation of the trained system, the object identification module 1202 may receive an identifier of a target object from the trained system. Thus, the object identification module 1202 may scan the first output, compare the first output to a pattern matching the target object received from the trained system, and identify the location of the target object within the first output. For example, the object identification module 1202 may receive an identification of another vehicle from the trained network, extract a pattern indexed as a vehicle pattern as well as a match with the type of first output (e.g., visual, audio, heat, etc.) stored in a database, e.g., a database (not shown) stored in memory 140 and / or a database accessed from one or more remote servers, and identify the location of the other vehicle within the first output by comparing the first output to the extracted pattern.

[0264] Alternatively, in an embodiment in which the object identification module 1202 is implemented as an additional layer of processing for a selected operation of the trained system, the object identification module 1202 may receive an identifier of the target object from the trained system as well as the location of the target object. If the received location is in the first output, the object identification module 1202 may perform classification (e.g., using the comparison described above) at and / or near the received location to identify the target object in the first output. If the received location is in another output (e.g., from another sensor), the object identification module 1202 may extract patterns stored in a database, e.g., a database (not shown) stored in memory 140 and / or a database accessed from one or more remote servers, indexed as patterns that match the target object (e.g., vehicle, pedestrian, non-moving object, etc.) and the type of object that matches the type of first output (e.g., visual, audio, heat, etc.), and may identify the location of the target object in the first output by comparing the first output with the extracted patterns. In addition to, or alternatively to, this comparison, the object identification module 1202 may build an atlas that includes information mapping locations on the output used by the trained system to locations on the first output, based on which the object identification module 1202 may determine a likely location of a representation of the target object in the first output based on its location in the output used by the trained system, and perform classification (e.g., using the comparison described above) to identify the location of the target object within the first output.

[0265] In one embodiment, the driving constraint module 1204 may store software executable by the processing unit 110 to determine whether a characteristic of a target object causes at least one driving constraint. The characteristic of a target object may cause a hard (safety) constraint or a soft (comfort) constraint. For example, the distance of the target object may cause a hard constraint based on a minimum or maximum distance (e.g., from other vehicles, from pedestrians, from road edges, from lane markings, etc.) and / or a soft constraint based on a preferred distance. In another example, the size of the target object may cause a hard constraint based on a minimum or maximum size (e.g., obstacle height, clearance height, etc.) and / or a soft constraint based on a preferred size. In yet another example, the position of the target object may cause a hard constraint based on a restricted area (e.g., within a current lane in which the host vehicle is traveling, within a certain threshold distance of the planned trajectory of the host vehicle, etc.) and / or a soft constraint based on a preferred area (e.g., a lane or sidewalk adjacent to the current lane in which the host vehicle is traveling, within the range of the planned trajectory, etc.).

[0266] In one embodiment, if at least one travel constraint is not caused by the characteristics of the target object, the validation module 1206 may validate the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output. For example, the combination may include a crossing scheme or a synergistic scheme. The crossing scheme may include a requirement that the target object is identified in both the first output and the second output for validation. For example, the target object may need to be identified in a radar, lidar, or camera comprising a first data source and a radar, lidar, or camera comprising a second data source to be validated. That is, the target object may be considered to be accepted if it is detected by multiple data sources. The synergistic scheme may include a combination of a first data source and a second data source to validate the target object. For example, the synergistic scheme may include the identification or acceptance of the target object based on combining partial data obtained from multiple data sources. One example of a synergistic scheme includes a camera estimation of the range of the target object, where the range is measured from a road elevation model (e.g., based on another camera) or from a lidar. Another example may include detecting a target object with a lidar and measuring the target object using a road elevation model based on the light flow from one or more cameras. Yet another example may include lane detection using a camera (e.g., the target object comprises a road edge or lane markings) and then validating the detection with map data. Yet another example may include detecting a target object using one or more cameras and using a lidar to determine free space in the host vehicle's environment.

[0267] On the other hand, if at least one travel constraint is caused by a property of the target object, the validation module 1206 may validate the identity of the representation of the target object based on the first output. For example, a unification scheme may be used such that only the first output is used to recognize or validate the target object.

[0268] The driving change module 1208 may use the output of the object identification module 1202 and / or the output of the validation module 1206 to implement a decision tree of driving adjustments. The driving adjustments may be based on data derived from the first sensor, the second sensor, any other sensors, map data, and one or more objects detected from the first output, the second output, and any other outputs. The driving change module 1208 may also determine a desired driving response based on inputs from other systems of the vehicle 200, such as the throttling system 220, the braking system 230, and the steering system 240 of the vehicle 200. Additionally or alternatively, the driving change module 1208 may receive one or more driving adjustments from another memory module (not shown) and / or from a trained system as described above. Thus, the driving change module 1208 may be implemented as an additional layer of processing related to selected operations of the trained system.

[0269] Thus, the driving change module 1208 may effect at least one driving change of the host vehicle in response to the validation. To effect the at least one driving change, the driving change module 1208 may send electronic signals to the throttling system 220, the braking system 230, and the steering system 240 of the vehicle 200 to cause a desired driving response, for example, by turning the steering wheel of the vehicle 200 to achieve a predetermined angle of rotation. In some embodiments, the at least one driving change may include any of the above adjustments to one or more driving actuators of the host vehicle in response to the validation.

[0270] Further, any of the modules disclosed herein (e.g., modules 1204, 1204, 1206, and 1208) may implement techniques associated with trained systems (such as neural networks or deep neural networks) or untrained systems. Additionally or alternatively, any of the modules disclosed herein (e.g., modules 1204, 1204, 1206, and 1208) may implement techniques as additional layers of processing related to selected operations of a trained system.

[0271] 13A and 13B provide schematic depictions of examples of safety and comfort constraints. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the host vehicle 1300 may detect other vehicles (such as vehicle 1301) ahead of the host vehicle 1300, other vehicles (such as vehicle 1303) behind the host vehicle 1300, and other vehicles (such as vehicle 1307) in lanes other than the lane in which the host vehicle 1300 is traveling as target objects.

[0272] Characteristics of such detected objects may cause driving constraints. For example, distance 1309 between host vehicle 1300 and other vehicle 1301, distance 1311 between host vehicle 1300 and other vehicle 1307, and / or distance 1313 between host vehicle 1300 and other vehicle 1303 may cause driving constraints. Although not shown in Figures 13A and 13B, other characteristics associated with one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305 may include relative speed between host vehicle 1300 and one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305, collision time with one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305, etc.

[0273] In the examples described above, the triggered driving constraints may be associated with a distance (e.g., a minimum distance) between one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305, a relative speed (e.g., a maximum relative speed, e.g., near 0) between the host vehicle 1300 and one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305, a collision time (e.g., a minimum collision time, e.g., near infinity), with one or more vehicles 1301, 1303, and 1305, etc. Thus, the characteristic may trigger a hard (or safety) constraint. Alternatively, the characteristic may not trigger a driving constraint. For example, one or more soft constraints (or "wishes") may be associated with the characteristic.

[0274] 13C and 13D provide schematic depictions of further examples of safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments. As illustrated in FIGs. 13C and 13D, the host vehicle 1300 may detect a non-moving object 1315 as a target object on the roadway along which the host vehicle 1300 is traveling. Additionally or alternatively, the host vehicle 1300 may detect a lane marking as a target object.

[0275] 13C and 13D, the distance 1317 between the host vehicle 1300 and the non-moving object 1315 may be a characteristic that causes a driving constraint. Additionally or alternatively, the distance 1319 between the host vehicle 1300 and the lane marking may be a characteristic that causes a driving constraint. Although not shown in FIGURES 13C and 13D, other characteristics associated with the non-moving object 1315 or lane marking may include the relative speed between the host vehicle 1300 and the non-moving object 1315 or lane marking, the time of collision with the non-moving object 1315 or lane marking, etc.

[0276] In the above examples, the driving constraints may be associated with a distance (e.g., a minimum distance) to a non-moving object 1315 or lane marking, a relative speed (e.g., a maximum relative speed, e.g., near 0) between the host vehicle 1300 and the non-moving object 1315 or lane marking, a collision time (e.g., a minimum collision time, e.g., near infinity), etc. Thus, the characteristic may trigger a hard (or safety) constraint. Alternatively, the characteristic may not trigger a driving constraint. For example, one or more soft constraints (or "wishes") may be associated with the characteristic.

[0277] 14 provides a flowchart illustrating an example process 1400 for running a host vehicle based on safety and comfort constraints consistent with disclosed embodiments. Process 1400 may be performed by at least one processing device, such as processing device 110.

[0278] At stage 1402, the processing device 110 may receive a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle. For example, as described above with respect to the object identification module 1202, the first data source may include at least one of a camera, a lidar, or a radar mounted on the host vehicle.

[0279] At stage 1404, the processing device 110 may receive a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle. For example, as described above with respect to the object identification module 1202, the second data source may include map data accessed by the at least one processing device.

[0280] In some embodiments, then, at least one of the first data source and the second data source includes a sensor mounted on the host vehicle. In some embodiments, both the first data source and the second data source may include a sensor. For example, the first data source and the second data source may include different cameras, the first data source may include a camera and the second data source may include a radar, the first data source may include a camera and the second data source may include a lidar, etc. In other embodiments, the other of the first data source and the second data source may include another data source, such as map data.

[0281] At stage 1406, the processing device 110 may identify a representation of the target object in the first output. For example, the processing device 110 may identify the target object as described above for the object identification module 1202.

[0282] At stage 1408, the processing device 110 may determine whether characteristics of the target object cause at least one driving constraint. For example, as described above with respect to the driving constraint module 1204, the characteristics may include the size of the target object, the distance of the target object from the host vehicle, or the position of the target object in the environment of the host vehicle.

[0283] At stage 1410a, as described above for the verification module 1206, if at least one driving constraint is not caused by a characteristic of the target object, the processing device 110 may verify the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output.

[0284] In some embodiments, verifying the identification of the representation of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output may include determining whether the representation of the target object is identified in both the first output and the second output. For example, the combination may include an intersection scheme, as described above for verification module 1206.

[0285] Additionally or alternatively, verifying the identity of the representation of the target object based on the combination of the first output and the second output may include determining a characteristic of the target object using the second output projected onto the first output. For example, the combination may include a synergistic scheme, as described above for the verification module 1206. In one example, if the second output includes map data and the first output includes at least one image of the host vehicle's environment, the projection may include detecting one or more road edges in the at least one image with the map data. In another example, if the second output includes output from a lidar and the first output includes at least one image of the host vehicle's environment, the projection may include detecting free space in the at least one image with the second output.

[0286] At stage 1410b, as described above for the verification module 1206, if at least one travel constraint is caused by a characteristic of the target object, the processing device 110 may verify the identity of the representation of the target object based on the first output.

[0287] In response to the verification, the processing device 110 may cause at least one driving change of the host vehicle, at stage 1412. For example, as described above with respect to the driving change module 1208, the at least one driving change may include slowing down the host vehicle, accelerating the host vehicle, or actuating a steering mechanism of the host vehicle.

[0288] Method 1400 may further include additional steps. For example, method 1400 may include determining the at least one driving change based on whether at least one driving constraint is triggered. For example, as described above with respect to driving change module 1208, the at least one driving change may include a first change if the at least one driving constraint is triggered, but a second, different change if the at least one driving constraint is not triggered. In such embodiments, the second change may include a tighter adjustment of the steering mechanism, a lighter application of the braking mechanism, a lighter acceleration, etc. than the first change.

[0289] Batch adjustments for driving

[0290] As described above, a remote server may crowdsource a sparse map from multiple vehicles. However, global adjustment of multiple driving may result in error accumulation in the sparse map. For example, ego-motion drift during driving may distort the shape of the road and may be exaggerated during global aggregation. In addition, using GPS data to perform global adjustment is often inaccurate due to errors in GPS measurements.

[0291] Thus, rather than adjusting drives globally to develop a sparse map, a remote server may adjust a batch of drives locally to develop a roadbook. As used herein, the term "roadbook" may refer to a sparse map (described above) or other representation of location data (e.g., stored as one or more splines) and / or landmark data (e.g., stored as landmark locations and / or descriptive data related to landmark appearance, identity, etc.) stored in coordinates local to road segments rather than global coordinates. Adjustment of such data may result in more reliable adjustments and smaller, more localized maps. Additionally, the local roadbook may be extrapolated to global coordinates with greater accuracy than if the drives were adjusted in global coordinates without prior local adjustments. For example, ego drift may be taken into account during local adjustments, such that ego drift would not propagate if the local roadbook were extrapolated to global coordinates. In addition, local adjustments can be performed using visual cues, such as lane markings, which can be located more accurately than using GPS data, which includes inherent errors and drift.

[0292] Additionally, global adjustments may not account for moving shadows, different lighting, glare due to rain, and other variations in images and data from multiple runs due to different times and days the runs were performed. Thus, batch adjustments of runs performed on the same day, during similar times, and / or during similar weather conditions further improve the accuracy of the roadbook.

[0293] 15 is an example functional block diagram of memory 140 and / or 150 that may be stored / programmed with instructions for performing one or more operations consistent with disclosed embodiments. Although the following refers to memory 140, those skilled in the art will recognize that instructions may be stored in memory 140 and / or 150.

[0294] As shown in FIG. 15, the memory 140 may store a driving information receiving module 1502, an adjustment module 1504, a storage module 1506, and a distribution module 1508. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular configuration of the memory 140. Furthermore, the application processor 180 and / or the image processor 190 may execute instructions stored in any of the modules 1502, 1504, 1506, and 1508 included in the memory 140. Those skilled in the art will understand that references to the processing unit 110 in the following description may refer to the application processor 180 and the image processor 190 individually or collectively. Alternatively, at least one processing device of a server remote from the host vehicle may execute instructions stored in any of the modules 1502, 1504, 1506, and 1508 included in the memory 140. Thus, any of the following process steps may be performed by one or more processing devices.

[0295] In one embodiment, the driving information receiving module 1502 may store instructions (e.g., computer vision software) that, when executed by the processing unit 110, receive driving information from multiple vehicles. For example, the driving information from multiple vehicles may be associated with a common road segment. The driving information may be received via one or more computer networks. For example, the multiple vehicles may upload information while driving, or the multiple vehicles may upload information after completing a drive, during an upload session, e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc.

[0296] In some embodiments, the journey information may include one or more images captured by one or more image sensors of the vehicle during the drive. Additionally or alternatively, the journey information may include information processed from the images, such as the location of, and / or descriptive information about, one or more landmarks identified in the images. Additionally or alternatively, the journey information may include vehicle location information, such as GPS data.

[0297] In one embodiment, the adjustment module 1504 may store instructions (such as computer vision software) that, when executed by the processing unit 110, adjust the driving information in a coordinate system local to a common road segment. For example, the driving information may be adjusted using landmarks identified in images from the vehicle's image sensor. In a simple scheme, the adjustment may include averaging the positions of the landmarks detected in the images. In a more complex scheme, the adjustment may include linear regression or other statistical techniques for merging the positions of the landmarks detected in the images. By using the images, the adjustment module 1504 may adjust the driving information in a local coordinate system rather than based on a global coordinate system, such as GPS data. In effect, the adjustment module 1504 may adjust GPS data included in the driving information based on the adjustment of the landmarks rather than adjusting the landmarks based on the adjustment of the GPS data.

[0298] In one embodiment, the storage module 1506 may store instructions (e.g., computer vision software) that, when executed by the processing unit 110, store the adjusted driving information in association with a common road segment. For example, the driving information may be stored in a database such that an identifier for the common road segment is stored with the adjusted driving information and used to index the adjusted driving information. The identifier for the common road segment may include one or more coordinates used to describe the common road segment (e.g., the global coordinates of the start of the common road segment and / or the end of the common road segment).

[0299] In one embodiment, distribution module 1508 may store instructions (e.g., computer vision software) that, when executed by processing unit 110, distribute the adjusted driving information to one or more autonomous vehicles for use in autonomously driving the one or more autonomous vehicles along a common road segment. For example, one or more vehicles may request driving information when the vehicles are approaching a common road segment or otherwise anticipating traffic on the common road segment. Distribution module 1508 may transmit the adjusted driving information to the requesting vehicles via one or more computer networks.

[0300] FIG. 16 shows examples of roadbooks 1620 and 1640 generated from combining trip information from many drives and an example global map 1650 generated from combining the roadbooks, consistent with disclosed embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 16, a first group of drives 1610 may include position data (e.g., GPS data) received from five separate drives along a common road segment. One drive may be separated from another drive if traveled simultaneously by separate vehicles, at different times by the same vehicle, or at different times by separate vehicles. The remote server may generate the roadbook 1620 using one or more statistical techniques to adjust the position data along the road segment. For example, the remote server may determine whether variations in the position data represent actual divergence or statistical error and adjust the position data using a coordinate system determined by images captured during the drive. Thus, the adjustments will be local to the road segment and self-conform rather than conforming to an external coordinate system, such as a global coordinate system.

[0301] Similarly, a second group of maneuvers 1630 may include position data (e.g., GPS data) received from five additional maneuvers along a common road segment. The remote server may generate the roadbook 1640 using one or more statistical techniques to adjust the position data along the road segment. For example, the remote server may determine whether variations in the position data represent actual divergence or statistical error and adjust the position data using a coordinate system determined by images captured during the maneuver. Thus, the adjustments will be local to the road segment and self-consistent, rather than aligned with an external coordinate system such as a global coordinate system.

[0302] The first group of drives 1610 and the second group of drives 1630 may be clustered by the remote server according to, for example, the date and time the drive was performed, the day the drive was performed, one or more weather conditions during the drive, etc. Thus, the roadbook 1620 and the roadbook 1640 may have improved accuracy compared to conventional techniques in which drives at different dates and times, different days, and / or different weather conditions are coordinated with each other.

[0303] As further illustrated in FIG. 16 , the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 may be extrapolated to a global coordinate system and adjusted as part of the global map 1650. For example, the remote server may again use one or more statistical techniques to adjust the position data along the road segments. To ensure that the adjustments of the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 are performed in a global coordinate system rather than a local coordinate system, the remote server may use GPS data or other data in the global coordinate system rather than images captured during the drive. Because the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 provide more accurate input than a single drive, the global map 1650 has higher accuracy than if the first group of drives 1610 and the second group of drives 1630 were directly adjusted in the global coordinate system.

[0304] Although illustrated with driving data, the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 (as well as the global map 1650) may further include one or more landmarks associated with road segments and shown in the images. For example, the landmarks may be adjusted when the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 are formed (or even used to adjust the driving data that forms the roadbooks 1620 and 1640). Similarly, the landmarks may be adjusted when the global map 1650 is formed (or even used to adjust the roadbooks 1620 and 1640 globally).

[0305] 17 provides a flowchart depicting an example process 1700 for coordinating trip information from multiple vehicles consistent with disclosed embodiments. Process 1700 may be performed by at least one processing device, such as processing device 110. Alternatively, process 1700 may be performed by at least one processing device of a server remote from the host vehicle.

[0306] At stage 1710, the server may receive driving information from the multiple vehicles. For example, the driving information from the multiple vehicles may be associated with a common road segment. In some embodiments, as described above with respect to the driving information receiving module 1502, the driving information may include Global Positioning System (GPS) information and / or one or more landmarks included in images captured by image sensors included in the multiple vehicles. For example, the one or more landmarks may include visible objects along the common road segment. In such embodiments, the objects may include at least one of road markings and road signs.

[0307] In some embodiments, the travel information may be received over a computer network (e.g., cellular, Internet, etc.) by use of radio frequencies, infrared frequencies, magnetic fields, electric fields, etc. The travel information may be transmitted using any known standard for transmitting and / or receiving data (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, 802.15.4, ZigBee, etc.).

[0308] Stage 1720 may involve the server coordinating the driving information within a coordinate system local to the common road segment, as described above for coordination module 1504. For example, the local coordinate system may include a coordinate system based on multiple images captured by image sensors included in multiple vehicles.

[0309] In some embodiments, adjusting the trip information may be based on one or more landmarks. For example, as described above, the server may adjust GPS data included in the trip information based on the adjustment of the landmarks, rather than adjusting the landmarks based on the adjustment of the GPS data.

[0310] At step 1730, the server may store the adjusted driving information in association with the common road segment, as described above for storage module 1506. For example, the driving information may be stored in a database such that an identifier for the common road segment is stored with the adjusted driving information and used to index the adjusted driving information.

[0311] At stage 1740, as described above for distribution module 1508, the server may distribute the adjusted driving information to one or more autonomous vehicles for use in autonomously driving the one or more autonomous vehicles along the common road segment. For example, one or more vehicles may request the driving information and the server may respond to the request and transmit the adjusted driving information over a computer network (e.g., cellular, Internet, etc.) by use of radio frequencies, infrared frequencies, magnetic fields, electric fields, etc. The adjusted driving information may be transmitted using any known standard for transmitting and / or receiving data (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, 802.15.4, ZigBee, etc.).

[0312] Method 1700 may further include additional steps. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of vehicles may capture driving information during a particular time period. In such embodiments, method 1700 may further include receiving additional driving information from a second plurality of vehicles, where the additional driving information from the second plurality of vehicles is captured during a second time period and associated with the common road segment, adjusting the additional driving information in a coordinate system local to the common road segment, where the local coordinate system is a coordinate system based on a plurality of images captured by image sensors included in the second plurality of vehicles, and storing the adjusted additional driving information in association with the common road segment.

[0313] Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of vehicles may capture driving information during a number of drives, where the number of drives does not exceed a threshold number of drives. In such embodiments, method 1700 may further include receiving additional driving information from a second plurality of vehicles, where the additional driving information from the second plurality of vehicles is captured via additional drives and associated with the common road segment, adjusting the additional driving information in a coordinate system local to the common road segment, where the local coordinate system is a coordinate system based on a number of images captured by image sensors included in the second plurality of vehicles, and storing the adjusted additional driving information in association with the common road segment.

[0314] In any of the embodiments described above, method 1700 may further include extrapolating the adjusted driving information to a global set of coordinates and storing the globally adjusted driving information in association with the common road segment. Additionally, in embodiments including additional driving information, method 1700 may further include extrapolating the adjusted driving information and the adjusted additional driving information to a global set of coordinates and storing the globally adjusted driving information and the additional driving information in association with the common road segment.

[0315] The above description has been presented for illustrative purposes. It is not exhaustive and is not limited to the precise form or embodiment disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. In addition, although aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described as being stored in memory, those skilled in the art will understand that the aspects may also be stored in other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, for example, hard disks or CD-ROMs, or other forms of RAM or ROM, USB media, DVDs, Blu-rays, 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, or other optical drive media.

[0316] Computer programs based on the written description and methods disclosed are within the skill of an experienced developer. Various programs or program modules can be created using any technique known to those skilled in the art, or designed in conjunction with existing software. For example, program sections or program modules can be designed in or with the .Net Framework, .Net Compact Framework (and related languages ​​such as Visual Basic, C, etc.), Java, C++, Objective-C, HTML, a combination of HTML / AJAX, XML, or HTML contained in a Java applet.

[0317] In addition, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, the scope of any and all embodiments may have equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations, and / or alterations that would be understood by a person skilled in the art based on this disclosure. The limitations of the claims should be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims, and not limited to the examples described herein or during prosecution of the application. The examples should be construed as non-exclusive. Furthermore, the steps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including rearranging steps and / or inserting or deleting steps. It is therefore intended that the specification and examples be considered as being indicative only of the true scope and intent as set forth in the following claims, and the full scope of equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for a host vehicle, the apparatus comprising: receiving a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle, the first data source including a first sensor mounted on the host vehicle and the second data source including a second sensor mounted on the host vehicle that is different from the first sensor; identifying a target object in the first output; determining a characteristic of the target object based on the first output; and determining whether the characteristic of the target object causes at least one driving constraint, and if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, verifying the identification of the target object based on the first output, and if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object, verifying the identification of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output; in response to the verification, effecting at least one driving change to the host vehicle according to a driving adjustment based on data derived from the target object whose identity has been verified; An apparatus comprising at least one processing device programmed to perform the steps of:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein verifying the identity of the target object based on the first output comprises comparing at least a portion of the first output to a predetermined pattern using a threshold.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one driving change includes decelerating the host vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one driving change includes accelerating the host vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one driving change includes actuating a steering mechanism of the host vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor includes at least one of a camera, a lidar, or a radar mounted on the host vehicle.

7. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein verifying the identification of the target object based on the combination of the first output and the second output comprises determining whether the target object is identified in both the first output and the second output.

8. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein verifying the identity of the target object based on the combination of the first output and the second output comprises determining the characteristic of the target object using a projection of the second output projected onto the first output.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second sensor includes at least a LIDAR, the second output includes an output from the LIDAR, the first output includes at least one image of an environment of the host vehicle, and the projection includes detecting free space in the at least one image using the second output.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the target object include a size of the target object.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the target object include a type of the target object.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the target object include a distance from the host vehicle to the target object.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the target object is represented by a polynomial representation.

14. 1. A method for a host vehicle, comprising: receiving, by at least one processing device, a first output from a first data source associated with the host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle, the first data source including a first sensor mounted on the host vehicle and the second data source including a second sensor mounted on the host vehicle that is different from the first sensor; said at least one processing device identifying a target object in said first output; determining, by the at least one processing device, a characteristic of the target object based on the first output; the at least one processing device determining whether the characteristic of the target object causes at least one driving constraint, and if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, the at least one processing device verifying the identification of the target object based on the first output, and if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object, the at least one processing device verifying the identification of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output; causing at least one driving change to the host vehicle in accordance with a driving adjustment based on data derived from the target object whose identity has been verified, in response to the verification, by the at least one processing device; A method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one driving change includes at least one of: decelerating the host vehicle, accelerating the host vehicle, or actuating a steering mechanism of the host vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first sensor includes at least one of a camera, a lidar, or a radar mounted on the host vehicle.

17. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein verifying the identification of the target object based on the combination of the first output and the second output comprises determining whether the target object is identified in both the first output and the second output.

18. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein verifying the identity of the target object based on the combination of the first output and the second output comprises determining the characteristic of the target object using the second output projected onto the first output.

19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein verifying the identity of the target object based on the first output comprises comparing at least a portion of the first output to a predetermined pattern using a threshold.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device, cause the at least one processing device to: receiving a first output from a first data source associated with a host vehicle and a second output from a second data source associated with the host vehicle, the first data source including a first sensor mounted on the host vehicle and the second data source including a second sensor mounted on the host vehicle that is different from the first sensor; identifying a target object in the first output; determining a characteristic of the target object based on the first output; determining whether the characteristic of the target object causes at least one driving constraint, verifying the identification of the target object based on the first output if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is caused by the characteristic of the target object, and verifying the identification of the target object based on a combination of the first output and the second output if it is determined that the at least one driving constraint is not caused by the characteristic of the target object; in response to said verification, effecting at least one driving change to said host vehicle according to a driving adjustment based on data derived from said target object whose identity has been verified; A non-transitory computer-readable medium for executing the method.

21. 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein verifying the identity of the target object based on the first output comprises comparing at least a portion of the first output to a predetermined pattern using a threshold.

Images