Clear Path Detection via Road Modeling and Image Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous driving systems face challenges in accurately identifying and processing road conditions to determine a clear path for vehicle navigation, requiring significant processing power and often bulky equipment, which can be slow or ineffective in complex situations.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines image analysis from camera systems with road geometry data to detect a clear path, involving monitoring images, analyzing road geometry, and modifying the path based on this analysis for navigation, without the need for individual object classification, thereby reducing computational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual object classification is performed to identify clear path, then object detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric features (edges, lines, curves) from road images using edge detection and Hough transform algorithms, rather than performing complete object classification. This extraction approach identifies clear path boundaries by detecting road edges and lane markers, achieving accurate path detection without the computational burden of full object recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The clear path detection process is segmented into distinct stages: edge detection, line detection using Hough transform, curve detection, and path synthesis. Each stage processes specific geometric features independently, allowing parallel computation and reducing overall processing time while maintaining detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If complete object recognition system is used to identify clear path, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional image processing system that performs edge detection, line detection, curve detection, and clear path synthesis using a unified set of computer vision algorithms. The same processing pipeline handles various road conditions (straight roads, curved roads, intersections) without requiring separate specialized equipment for each scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical object recognition systems with computational image processing methods. Instead of using multiple specialized sensors and bulky processing equipment, the system uses software-based edge detection, Hough transform algorithms, and curve fitting to achieve accurate clear path detection from standard camera images
3Measurement precision
If detailed object classification is performed, then clear path identification accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary edge detection and feature extraction before conducting the actual clear path analysis. By pre-processing the image to identify edges, lines, and curves in advance, the system reduces the computational load during path synthesis, thereby improving processing speed without sacrificing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial object classification by focusing only on detecting geometric features relevant to clear path boundaries (edges, lines, curves) rather than classifying all objects in the scene. This selective approach processes only the necessary information for path identification, maintaining accuracy while reducing processing time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle including fusion of clear path detection by image analysis and road geometry data describing road geometry includes monitoring an image from a camera device on the vehicle, analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, monitoring the road geometry data, analyzing the road geometry data to determine an impact of the data to the clear path, modifying the clear path based upon the analysis of the road geometry data, and utilizing the clear path in navigation of the vehicle.