Vehicle Object Sensor Activation Using Free-Space Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Front-side and rear-side ultrasonic sensors in vehicles often interfere with each other, leading to erroneous object detection, especially when a vehicle with a constantly activated front-side ultrasonic sensor is near another vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents and driver inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that control the activation of object detection sensors based on image analysis to determine free space and relative kinematic relationships between vehicles, using a combination of image acquisition units, controllers, and predefined algorithms to selectively activate or deactivate the sensors, reducing interference and improving driver convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the front-side ultrasonic sensor is set to operate at all times, then the driver can detect obstacles in front of the vehicle in complex traveling environments, but the sensor causes noise interference for ultrasonic sensors of other vehicles in the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor activation state changeable based on detected conditions. The controller dynamically switches between active and inactive states of the front-side ultrasonic sensor according to whether a preceding vehicle is detected and the nature of the traveling environment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining constant detection reliability and avoiding noise interference to other vehicles.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the front-side ultrasonic sensor is activated only when PDW switch is turned on, then the probability of erroneous detection by other vehicles is reduced, but the driver cannot keep eyes on the road while operating the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically determine when sensor activation is needed without requiring manual driver input. The controller autonomously monitors the traveling environment using the image acquisition device and decides whether to activate the sensor, eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate the PDW switch and keeping eyes on the road.
3Reliability
If the front-side ultrasonic sensor is activated in narrow paths or parking lots, then obstacle detection is improved, but the driver must operate the PDW switch which increases accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically detecting narrow paths and parking lots through image analysis and autonomously activating the sensor in these environments. The driver does not need to manually operate any switches, eliminating the distraction and accident risk while maintaining reliable obstacle detection in critical environments.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the front-side ultrasonic sensor is deactivated when a preceding vehicle is detected, then noise interference is reduced, but the sensor may miss detecting obstacles in front of the host vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the sensor activation decision dependent on the specific characteristics of the traveling environment. The controller analyzes whether the area in front of the host vehicle is a free space or a narrow path/parking lot, and only deactivates the sensor when both a preceding vehicle is detected AND the area is determined to be a free space. This localized environmental assessment ensures the sensor remains active when obstacles might be present while reducing interference in open areas.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling activation of an object detection sensor, the apparatus including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image of an area in front of the host vehicle, and a controller configured to control the activation of the object detection sensor on the basis of the presence or absence of a free space in front of the host vehicle that is determined from the image of the area in front of the host vehicle that is acquired by the image acquisition unit and on the basis of a relative kinematic relationship between a preceding vehicle extracted from the image of the area in front of the host vehicle and the host vehicle.