Vehicle Camera Position Control for Unobstructed Traffic Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a preceding vehicle is in front, it shields the camera's view, preventing recognition of traffic lights, and maintaining a safe distance to avoid this can result in unnecessarily large inter-vehicle space, causing discomfort to passengers.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the imaging-enabled area based on camera angle of view and map information to determine if the vehicle is within the area where the traffic light can be captured, and adjusts the vehicle's position to avoid shielding by the preceding vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the own vehicle maintains a large inter-vehicle distance to prevent the traffic light from being shielded by the preceding vehicle, then the traffic light recognition reliability is improved, but the passenger comfort deteriorates due to unnecessarily large inter-vehicle space
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the inter-vehicle distance parameter based on the imaging-enabled area determination. When the own vehicle is in the imaging-enabled area, a smaller inter-vehicle distance is maintained; when outside this area, a larger distance is maintained to ensure traffic light visibility. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing both recognition reliability and passenger comfort based on real-time spatial conditions.
2Reliability
If the own vehicle maintains a sufficient inter-vehicle distance to ensure the traffic light is visible to the camera, then the traffic light recognition is improved, but the inter-vehicle distance becomes needlessly large causing passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic inter-vehicle distance control based on the determination of whether the own vehicle is positioned in the imaging-enabled area. The required inter-vehicle distance is adjusted dynamically: reduced when within the imaging-enabled area where the camera can capture the traffic light, and increased when outside this area. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for consistently large inter-vehicle distances while ensuring traffic light recognition reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera is positioned to capture a wide angle of view, then the imaging range is improved, but the precision of traffic light detection may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the imaging-enabled area using map information and camera parameters before actual traffic light detection. By pre-calculating the area where the camera can capture the traffic light based on the camera's angle of view and position, the system ensures that the camera is positioned optimally for detection. This preliminary spatial assessment allows the use of a wide angle of view camera while maintaining detection precision through proper positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling a vehicle in which a camera (20) configured to capture an image of a predetermined range of an angle of view in front of an own vehicle (1) is mounted on the own vehicle and a traffic light is recognized based on an image captured by the camera (20), the method including: based on map information including information of an installation position of the traffic light and information of a lane controlled by the traffic light and a range of the angle of view of the camera (20) mounted on the own vehicle (1), calculating (S6) an imaging-enabled area in which an image of the traffic light can be captured on the lane by the camera (20); determining (S7) whether or not the own vehicle (1) is positioned in the imaging-enabled area; and when the own vehicle (1) is positioned in the imaging-enabled area, controlling (S11, S13) the own vehicle (1) in such a way that the traffic light is not shielded from the range of the angle of view of the camera (20) by a preceding vehicle of the own vehicle (1).