Dynamic Indicator Color Adjustment for Vehicle Drive-Assisting Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The visibility of indicators in vehicle drive assisting systems is compromised when the color of the captured image resembles the indicator's color, particularly at night or indoors due to lighting from head lamps, tail lights, or brake lights.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that dynamically changes the color of the drive assisting indicator based on the lighting conditions and the color of the captured image, using a color determinator to select complementary colors such as blue green or yellow when the image color is similar to red, to maintain visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the indicator is colored yellow or red for easy recognition, then the visibility of the indicator is improved under normal conditions, but the visibility deteriorates when the captured image color is similar to the indicator color due to lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindicator visibilityVSAvoidindicator visibility across different lighting conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator color is made dynamic rather than fixed. The color determinator dynamically determines the indicator color based on the detected background color from the captured image. The synthesizer then superimposes the indicator with dynamically adjusted color, ensuring visibility adapts to different lighting conditions such as nighttime or indoor environments where the background color may resemble traditional indicator colors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The color parameter of the indicator is changed based on the detected background color. The color determinator analyzes the background color from the captured image and selects an appropriate indicator color that provides sufficient contrast. This parameter change ensures the indicator remains visible across varying lighting conditions while maintaining its alert function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed color indicator is used for simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of indicator visibility under varying lighting conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindicator color controlVSAvoidindicator visibility reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the color determinator continuously monitors the background color from the captured image and adjusts the indicator color accordingly. The synthesizer receives this feedback and superimposes the indicator with the appropriately adjusted color. This feedback loop ensures the indicator maintains visibility reliability across different lighting conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2839991B1Image processing device and driving assisting method
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP2839991B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2839991B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2839991B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes an I/F, a synthesizer, and a color determinator. The I/F obtains a captured image, which is generated by imaging a subject in the vicinity of a vehicle. The synthesizer superimposes an indicator on the captured image. The color determinator, when color of the captured image is similar to a first color, changes color of the indicator from the first color.