Intersection Stop Positioning Using Traffic Light Camera Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers may feel a sense of incongruity when a vehicle stops at an intersection during autonomous driving, as the stop position differs from that during manual driving, leading to discomfort due to unfamiliarity with the position and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A driving support device that includes a front imaging unit to identify traffic lights, a stop position determination unit to set a stop position where the traffic light is within the imaging range before the farthest waiting point, and a display unit to show the traffic light, helping the driver understand the reason for the stop position through images and highlighting the traffic light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle stops at the farthest stop position for waiting for right turn in the intersection, then the vehicle can wait for right turn effectively, but the driver feels a sense of incongruity because the stop position differs from manual driving expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image display unit as an intermediary between the autonomous driving system and the driver. The display unit shows the traffic light image captured by the front imaging unit, allowing the driver to visually confirm the relationship between the vehicle's stop position and the traffic light. This mediator bridges the information gap, helping the driver understand why the vehicle stopped at a position different from manual driving expectations, thereby maintaining driver acceptance while preserving autonomous driving efficiency.
2Loss of information
If the vehicle stops at a position where the traffic light is within the imaging range of the front imaging unit, then the driver can understand the stop position through the displayed image, but the vehicle may not be at the optimal farthest stop position for waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the front imaging unit captures the traffic light image, the image processing unit processes it to determine the traffic light's position relative to the vehicle, and the display unit presents this information to the driver. This feedback loop allows the driver to verify that the vehicle is stopped at an appropriate position for observing the traffic light, while the stop position determination unit simultaneously ensures the vehicle is positioned optimally for right turn waiting by considering the farthest stop position constraints.
3Reliability
If the stop position is determined based on traffic regulations in the lane, then the vehicle complies with traffic rules, but the stop position may not align with the driver's expectation of stopping in front of the traffic light
Solution Approach 1:
The image display unit serves as a mediator that reconciles the conflict between traffic regulation compliance and driver perception. By displaying the captured traffic light image on the display unit, the system provides visual evidence showing that the vehicle is stopped at a position that allows proper observation of the traffic light, even if this position is not directly in front of it. This helps the driver understand that the stop position complies with traffic regulations while still enabling effective traffic light monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
The driving support device includes a display device, a front camera, a traffic light identification unit, a stop position determination unit, a travel control unit, and a display control unit. The display device displays information related to driving support for the vehicle. The front camera captures an image of the front of the vehicle. The traffic light identification unit identifies a traffic light to be obeyed based on the image captured by the front camera. The stop position determination unit determines a stop position such that the traffic light to be obeyed fits within an imaging range of the front camera at an area before a stop position farthest point. The travel control unit controls the vehicle to travel to the stop position. The display control unit causes the display device to display an image including at least the traffic light to be obeyed and recognized by the front camera.