Single Image Sensor Driving Assistance via Focus Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driving assistance systems lack comprehensive image-based solutions for establishing the relationship between a carrier's dynamic moving trajectory and obstacles, particularly in visual blind spots, which can lead to increased collision risks during maneuvers like parking or navigating narrow roads.
Innovation Solution
An image-based driving assistance method and system that employs image processing and identification techniques, including lane departure warning, track guidance, and viewpoint conversion algorithms, using a single image sensing device and radar detectors to provide real-time guidance and obstacle detection, enabling safe maneuvering without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple types of sensors (distance sensors and image sensors) are installed to provide comprehensive driving assistance information, then the reliability of obstacle detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single image sensor to perform multiple detection functions that traditionally required separate distance sensors and image sensors. The image sensor captures both visual information for lane/obstacle identification and depth information through focus adjustment, allowing one device to replace multiple sensor types while maintaining comprehensive driving assistance capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the focus of the image sensor to measure distances to obstacles. By changing the focus parameter of the single image sensor, the system obtains depth information without requiring separate distance sensors, thus reducing device complexity while preserving reliability
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to provide sufficient information for safe driving, then the measurement precision of distance and trajectory is improved, but the ease of installation and operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions including lane identification, obstacle detection, and distance measurement through focus adjustment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate distance sensors and simplifies installation while maintaining precise measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of image sensing and distance measurement into a single image sensor device. By combining these functions, the system reduces the number of components that need to be installed and calibrated, thereby improving ease of installation and operation while preserving measurement precision
3Ease of operation
If a single image sensing device is used to reduce hardware requirements, then the ease of installation is improved, but the quantity of information available for comprehensive guidance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the single sensor limitation by utilizing focus adjustment to extract depth information from the image sensor. This parameter change enables the system to recover distance information that would otherwise require separate sensors, thereby maintaining information completeness while preserving installation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for multiple physical sensors with a computational approach using focus adjustment on a single image sensor. By substituting hardware multiplication with optical parameter manipulation and image processing, the system maintains comprehensive information availability while using minimal hardware
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
The system effectively reduces collision risks by providing accurate real-time guidance and obstacle detection, enhancing driving safety with minimal hardware requirements, making it cost-effective and easy to install across various vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a surrounding image relating to a surrounding environment of a carrier while the carrier is moving by use of an image sensing device
Implementation Method 2
performing an image-based motion vector estimation based upon a variation of the surrounding image so as to determine a moving status of the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for assisting driver are provided in the present disclosure, in which images captured by a single image sensing device is processed by a controller having capability of image processing and identification and distance estimation in image space for providing a complete assisting image-information while the carrier is moving forward or backward. By means of the method and system of the presented disclosure, it can identify the image characteristic to be a basis for lane departure assistance/alarm while the carrier is moving forwardly as well as generate assisting track and change view angle or issue an alarm according to the distance estimation while the carrier is moving backwardly. The present disclosure may be utilized and applied in different kinds of carrier type to solve the problem of guiding of carrier maneuvering, and assist carrier lane changing, parking assistance and blind spot detection.