Image Processing Device for Emergency Vehicle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants of vehicles in autonomous driving states may fail to perceive the approach of emergency vehicles, necessitating a change to manual driving, but existing systems do not effectively notify them of the emergency vehicle's approach.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that acquires information on the position of emergency vehicles and determines approach conditions, changing the displayed image to an overhead view including the emergency vehicle's position, to notify the occupant and facilitate manual driving preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle operates in autonomous driving mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the occupant's awareness of emergency vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image processing device as an intermediary system that detects emergency vehicles and presents their information to the occupant through a display device. This mediator bridges the gap between the autonomous driving system and the occupant, providing awareness without requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting the presence and position of emergency vehicles and presenting this information back to the occupant through visual displays. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the occupant remains informed about the driving environment while maintaining autonomous operation.
2Productivity
If the system maintains autonomous driving state, then the productivity is improved, but the safety response to emergency vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of emergency vehicles and presents their information to the occupant before any emergency maneuver is required. This advance notification allows the occupant to prepare mentally and physically, ensuring rapid response when needed while maintaining autonomous driving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The display presentation dynamically adapts based on the relative position and approach speed of emergency vehicles. The system adjusts the timing and manner of information presentation according to the evolving situation, optimizing both productivity and safety response.
3Device complexity
If the display shows only standard views, then the device complexity is minimized, but the notification effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a novel overhead view dimension for displaying emergency vehicle positions, in addition to standard front/rear views. This additional dimensional perspective provides comprehensive spatial awareness without significantly increasing device complexity, effectively solving the notification problem.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes an information acquisition unit, a condition determination unit, and an image change unit. The information acquisition unit acquires information indicating a position of an emergency vehicle. The condition determination unit determines, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit, (a) a first condition which is satisfied when the emergency vehicle is determined to be approaching the subject vehicle, and (b) a second condition which is satisfied when a distance from the emergency vehicle to the subject vehicle or an estimated reach time required for the emergency vehicle to reach the subject vehicle is equal to or less than a preset threshold. The image change unit changes the image in response to the first condition and the second condition being satisfied during an autonomous driving state of the subject vehicle. The image after change is an overhead view image.