Crosswalk Traffic Light Control Using Multi-Zone Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic light control systems at crosswalks rely on complex image processing for pedestrian detection, which can be unreliable due to weather and brightness conditions, leading to fluctuating determinations of pedestrian intentions and gaze directions.
Innovation Solution
A traffic light control system that uses detectors to identify the presence or absence of moving objects in multiple areas around a crosswalk, controlling pedestrian and vehicle traffic lights based on the combination of these detections without requiring sophisticated image analysis, allowing for more robust and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex image processing is used to predict pedestrian crossing intention, then the system can detect pedestrian gaze direction and intent, but the determination becomes unstable and fluctuates under varying weather and brightness conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for control decisions - the presence or absence of moving objects in specific detection areas - rather than performing comprehensive image processing to analyze pedestrian gaze direction and intent. This simplifies the detection task to binary presence/absence detection in predefined zones, eliminating the instability caused by complex image analysis under varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces sophisticated, expensive image processing systems with simpler, more reliable detection methods that use basic moving object detection in predefined areas. This substitution uses less computationally intensive techniques that are more stable and maintain reliable operation without requiring complex analysis of pedestrian intent or gaze direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sophisticated image perception is used to determine pedestrian gaze direction, then the system can identify waiting pedestrians, but the robustness decreases under adverse weather and brightness conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection space into multiple predefined detection areas (first detection area, second detection area, third detection area) around the crosswalk. Instead of attempting to analyze pedestrian gaze direction through complex image processing, the system segments the problem into detecting whether moving objects are present in each specific area, which is more robust to weather and brightness variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of sophisticated image processing and gaze analysis with a simpler detection system that monitors moving object presence in predefined areas. This substitution uses basic motion detection capabilities rather than complex visual perception, achieving comparable functional results with significantly improved robustness under adverse environmental conditions.
3Extent of automation
If complex image processing is used for traffic light control, then the system can make informed decisions about pedestrian intent, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical information needed for traffic light control decisions - whether moving objects are present in specific detection areas - rather than performing comprehensive image processing to determine pedestrian intent, gaze direction, or other detailed attributes. This extraction approach maintains automated control functionality while dramatically reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified representation of the physical scene by detecting only the presence or absence of moving objects in predefined detection areas, rather than processing and analyzing the full complexity of the visual scene. This copied information model is sufficient for control decisions and eliminates the need for sophisticated image processing while maintaining automated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic light control device includes one or more memories, and one or more processors in communication with the one or more memories. The one or more processors configured to perform processes including acquiring detection results of a moving object in a plurality of detection target areas around a crosswalk including the crosswalk, perceiving a combination of presence or absence of the moving object in each of the areas based on the acquired detection results, and controlling a pedestrian traffic light and a vehicle traffic light based on the combination.