Object Detection Using Radar Distance and Camera Azimuth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems using radar and cameras for collision mitigation in vehicles face errors in determining object position, which can affect the operation of collision mitigation apparatuses, necessitating a more accurate method to determine object position.
Innovation Solution
An object detection apparatus that employs a millimeter-wave radar for accurate distance determination and a monocular camera for precise azimuth determination, using a sameness determination unit to combine these results for accurate object positioning in the XY-plane, where the X-axis represents the vehicle widthwise direction and the Y-axis represents the vehicle lengthwise direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor type (radar or camera) is used to detect object position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of object position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and camera sensors into an integrated detection system. The radar provides accurate distance measurements while the camera provides accurate azimuth information. By merging these two sensor types and their respective strengths, the system achieves high-precision 2D position detection (both distance and azimuth) that neither sensor could achieve alone, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If radar detection results are used for both distance and azimuth determination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of azimuth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different sensor types to different measurement tasks based on their respective strengths. The camera is specifically used for azimuth determination where it excels, while the radar is used for distance determination where it excels. This localized optimization of sensor usage achieves high precision in both measurement dimensions without requiring a single complex sensor to perform all functions.
3Measurement precision
If camera detection results are used for both distance and azimuth determination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of distance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns the radar sensor specifically to distance determination tasks where it provides superior measurement precision, while the camera handles azimuth determination. This localized functional assignment leverages the radar's strength in range measurement, directly improving distance detection accuracy while maintaining overall system manageability through clear task division.
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 configuration enables accurate detection of object position, reducing the likelihood of malfunction in braking or collision mitigation operations by leveraging the high accuracy of radar for distance and camera for azimuth, thereby enhancing the reliability of collision avoidance systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first object which is an object detected by an electromagnetic wave sensor configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
a second object which is an object detected by an image sensor configured to image-process a captured image
Data Source
AI summary
In an object detection apparatus, a sameness determination unit determines whether or not a first object and a second object are a same object, where the first object is an object detected by an electromagnetic wave sensor and the second object is an object detected by an image sensor. A position determination unit determines a position of the same object that is an object for which the first object and the second object are determined to be the same, where a Y-coordinate of or a distance to the same object in an XY-plane is determined employing a result of the detection of the first object and an X-coordinate or an azimuth of the same object with respect to a reference direction in the XY-plane is determined employing a result of the detection of the second object.