Vehicle Drive Assist Shadow Detection Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle drive assist systems face delays in detecting moving objects emerging from shadows, leading to delayed collision avoidance operations due to the time required to confirm the presence of such objects using multiple detection methods.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control system that initiates collision avoidance when the first detecting portion (e.g., camera) identifies a moving object and the second detecting portion (e.g., radar) detects an object expanding towards the determination area, allowing for early execution of collision avoidance without unnecessary operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system waits for both the first detecting portion and the second detecting portion to confirm the moving object's presence, then unnecessary collision avoidance operations are avoided, but the detection timing is delayed when the object suddenly appears from a shadow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of collision avoidance executionVSAvoiddetection timing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using the first detecting portion (camera) alone to identify moving objects emerging from shadows before confirming with the second detecting portion (radar). This preliminary action allows the system to start processing potential threats earlier, reducing detection delay while maintaining reliability through subsequent confirmation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its detection strategy based on the situation. When a moving object is detected by the first detecting portion, the system transitions from a conservative dual-confirmation approach to a more responsive single-detection approach, allowing quicker response to suddenly appearing objects while still avoiding unnecessary operations through intelligent judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system executes collision avoidance only when both detecting portions confirm the moving object, then false positives are reduced, but the response speed decreases for objects emerging from shadows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of false collision avoidanceVSAvoidcollision avoidance response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The first detecting portion (camera) performs preliminary detection and identification of moving objects before the second detecting portion (radar) completes its confirmation process. This preliminary action enables the system to prepare for collision avoidance earlier, improving response speed while the subsequent radar confirmation maintains reliability by filtering false positives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the first detecting portion to trigger enhanced monitoring and preparation for collision avoidance, while the second detecting portion provides confirmatory feedback to validate the threat. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond faster to genuine threats while maintaining high reliability through cross-validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple detection methods to confirm object presence, then detection accuracy improves, but the time to determine certain presence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidtime to confirm object presence
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first detecting portion (camera) performs preliminary detection and provides initial identification of the moving object's characteristics, position, and movement trajectory. This preliminary measurement reduces the time needed for the second detecting portion (radar) to confirm the object's presence, as the search space and parameters are already narrowed down by the initial detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the detection capabilities of the first detecting portion (optical camera) and the second detecting portion (radar) into a unified detection framework. The camera provides high-resolution visual information for early detection, while the radar provides reliable distance and velocity measurements. By combining these methods in a coordinated manner, the system achieves both high detection accuracy and reduced confirmation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick collision avoidance by executing the operation after the camera detects the moving object but before the radar confirms its presence, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary interventions and ensuring timely response to emerging threats.

Implementation Method 1

a first detecting portion for detecting an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a second detecting portion for detecting the object by a different method from the first detecting portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3007149B1Driving assistance device for vehicles and onboard computer
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3007149B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3007149B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3007149B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A system ECU (9) executes a collision avoidance operation in the following manner when a moving object that has suddenly appeared from a shadow of a predetermined object present around a vehicle moves toward a determination area set around the vehicle. That is, the system ECU (9) executes the collision avoidance operation at an early timing that is after a camera (6) detects the moving object, but before a radar (5) detects the moving object and the predetermined object, or more specifically, when an object expanding toward the determination area is detected by the radar (5). As a result, the collision avoidance operation is able to be performed quickly when a moving object that has appeared suddenly from the shadow of an object moves toward the determination area, while avoiding as much as possible unnecessary execution of the collision avoidance operation.