Driver Assistance Feature Cascades for Poor Road Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle driver assistance systems are ineffective in poor road conditions such as rain or snow, requiring driver intervention as they are designed for ideal conditions only.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that uses an imaging device to generate images of the road trajectory, determining conditions and adjusting driver assistance feature cascades accordingly to compensate for non-ideal conditions, such as using different sets of feature cascades for normal and imperfect road conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If driver assistance systems are designed to operate only in perfect road conditions, then the system operation is simple and reliable in ideal conditions, but the system becomes ineffective and requires driver intervention in poor road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver assistance system effectivenessVSAvoidroad condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The driver assistance system dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected road conditions. The system transitions from static operation (designed for perfect conditions only) to dynamic operation where parameters such as feature cascades are modified in real-time based on environmental feedback from imaging devices detecting rain, snow, or other poor conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on road conditions. When poor conditions are detected, the system modifies feature cascades and other operational parameters to maintain effectiveness. This allows the same hardware system to adapt its behavior across different environmental conditions without requiring separate systems for each condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the driver assistance system uses a fixed set of feature cascades for perfect conditions, then the system design and operation is simple, but the system cannot compensate for non-ideal road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem design complexityVSAvoidsystem performance in poor conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic parameter adjustment where feature cascades are modified based on detected road conditions. This maintains reasonable design complexity while significantly improving reliability in poor conditions through real-time adaptation of operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from imaging devices that detect road conditions to adjust feature cascades. This closed-loop approach allows the system to automatically compensate for non-ideal conditions without requiring complex manual reconfiguration, maintaining ease of operation while improving performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If the system requires driver intervention in poor road conditions, then the system design remains simple, but the automation level decreases and driver workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver assistance automation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity for condition detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver assistance system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting road conditions through integrated imaging devices and modifying its own feature cascades accordingly. This eliminates the need for driver intervention in poor conditions while maintaining automation, as the system serves itself by adapting to environmental changes without external input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by using the same driver assistance infrastructure to operate across multiple road conditions (perfect, rainy, snowy, etc.). Rather than requiring separate systems or manual mode switching, the universal design allows automatic adaptation to various conditions, maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4379674A1Systems and method for controlling driver assistance features of a vehicle based on images of a road surface condition
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
  • EP4379674A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379674A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4379674A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling driver assistance features of a vehicle based on images of a vehicle trajectory condition. In one form, the present disclosure provides a system comprising a memory, an imaging device positioned in a vehicle that is configured to generate images of a surface in front of the vehicle, and at least one processor configured to determine a vehicle trajectory condition based on images generated by the imaging device; when the vehicle trajectory condition is determined to be a first condition based on the images, operate a driver assistance system of the vehicle with a first set of feature cascades; and when the vehicle trajectory condition is determined to be a second condition based on the images, operate the driver assistance system of the vehicle with a second set of feature cascades.