Obstacle Notification Apparatus Dynamic Threshold Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional obstacle notification systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between obstacles and noise elements, leading to erroneous notifications due to varying road surfaces and environmental conditions, which can cause uncomfortable alerts for drivers.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle notification apparatus that incorporates a camera to analyze image data and adjust the threshold for determining obstacles based on the presence of noise elements, using a noise-associated threshold value when noise elements are detected to reduce false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a small threshold value for determination is used to detect obstacles, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the risk of erroneous determination due to noise elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold value changeable based on environmental conditions. The threshold determination unit dynamically adjusts the threshold value for obstacle detection according to information from the environment information acquisition unit (such as road surface conditions, weather, time of day). This allows the system to maintain high detection sensitivity when appropriate while reducing erroneous determinations from noise elements like road surfaces or rain, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection sensitivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the threshold value parameter based on environmental conditions. The threshold determination unit changes the threshold value parameter according to environmental information (road surface type, weather conditions, illumination levels, time of day). This parameter adaptation enables the system to distinguish between actual obstacles and noise elements under varying conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining low threshold for sensitivity and avoiding false positives from noise elements
2Reliability
If a large threshold value for determination is used to reduce false alarms, then the reliability is improved, but the detection sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the threshold value based on environmental conditions rather than using a fixed large threshold. When environmental conditions indicate low noise (e.g., controlled environments, certain road surfaces), the threshold is lowered to maintain detection sensitivity. When noise elements are present (e.g., rain, snow, uneven road surfaces), the threshold is raised to reduce false alarms. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the threshold to current conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold value parameter is changed based on environmental information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit. The system modifies this critical parameter according to factors such as road surface type, weather conditions, illumination levels, and time of day. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability by raising the threshold when noise elements are present while preserving detection sensitivity when conditions are favorable
3Reliability
If the obstacle notification apparatus notifies the driver of all detected objects, then the completeness of notification is improved, but the usefulness deteriorates due to unnecessary notifications from noise elements
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the notification decision parameter (threshold value) based on environmental conditions. When environmental information indicates the presence of noise elements (rain, snow, uneven road surfaces, dark conditions), the threshold is adjusted to prevent notification of these noise elements. When conditions are favorable, the system notifies the driver of detected obstacles. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining notification completeness for actual obstacles while filtering out unnecessary notifications from noise elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the notification behavior different based on local environmental conditions. Rather than applying a uniform notification policy, the system adjusts its notification behavior according to specific environmental factors (road surface conditions, weather, time of day, illumination). This allows the system to notify drivers of obstacles in favorable conditions while suppressing notifications in conditions where noise elements are likely, thereby resolving the contradiction between completeness and usefulness
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
This approach effectively reduces the risk of unnecessary notifications by applying a higher threshold when noise elements are present, enhancing the system's sensitivity to actual obstacles while minimizing false detections.
Implementation Method 1
an image data acquiring section that acquires image data taken by a camera
Implementation Method 2
a probing wave transmitting and receiving apparatus transmitting the probing wave in a traveling direction of the vehicle and receiving the reflected wave
Data Source
AI summary
An obstacle notification apparatus of the embodiment is mounted in a vehicle, and includes a probing result acquiring section that sequentially acquires reception intensity of a reflected wave corresponding to a probing wave reflected back by an object, the reflected wave being received by a probing wave transmitting and receiving apparatus transmitting the probing wave in a traveling direction of the vehicle and receiving the reflected wave; an obstacle determining section that determines whether or not an obstacle, which is an object presence of which a driver of the vehicle is to be notified of, is present in the traveling direction of the vehicle, by using the reception intensity of the reflected wave acquired by the probing result acquiring section; a notification processing section that performs a notification process for notifying the driver of the presence of the obstacle based on determination of the presence of the obstacle by the obstacle determining section; an image data acquiring section that acquires image data taken by a camera including, within an image taking range, an arrival range of the probing wave transmitted by the probing wave transmitting and receiving apparatus; and a noise element detecting section that detects presence of a noise element by analyzing the image data acquired by the image data acquiring section, the noise element being an element which is able to reflect the probing wave and which is preset as an element of which the driver need not be notified. The obstacle determining section determines whether or not the obstacle is present by using a less easily satisfied condition in a case where the noise element detecting section has detected the noise element than that used in a case where the noise element detecting section has not detected the noise element.