Vehicle Speed Limit Detection via Navigation and Camera Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automatically determining speed limits on roads are unreliable due to imprecise cartography, incorrect navigation system information, and limitations in image processing systems, especially in complex traffic situations and varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
Combining navigation systems with image processing systems to fuse information and determine speed limits, using confidence indexes and weighting coefficients to ensure accurate and reliable speed limit determination, with a limped home mode to maintain operation in case of system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If navigation systems are used to determine speed limits, then speed limit information can be obtained in advance, but the information may be incorrect or incomplete due to imprecise cartography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines navigation system data with image processing system data to determine speed limits. The navigation system provides advance speed limit information from cartography, while the image processing system captures and recognizes speed limit signs on the road. By merging these two independent information sources, the system overcomes the limitations of each individual system - the navigation system's imprecise cartography is compensated by real-time image recognition, while the image processing system's limited detection range is supplemented by advance navigation data.
2Measurement precision
If image processing systems are used to detect speed limit signs, then current speed limits can be accurately identified, but the system fails in complex traffic situations and varying road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the image processing system continuously monitors actual speed limit signs on the road and compares them with navigation system predictions. When discrepancies are detected or when road conditions make image processing unreliable, the system can switch to or supplement with navigation system data. This feedback loop ensures consistent and reliable speed limit information regardless of traffic situations or road conditions.
3Device complexity
If only one system is used for speed limit determination, then the system is simpler, but it cannot provide reliable information under all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the weighting and trust levels assigned to different information sources based on operating conditions. When navigation data is reliable and advance notice is needed, the system prioritizes navigation system information. When image processing conditions are favorable, it prioritizes real-time sign recognition. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain high reliability without requiring both systems to operate at full complexity simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic process is provided for automatically determining a current speed limitation on a road being used by a motor vehicle, in which by means of a first system, making use in particular of a GPS aerial and cartographical details, a first set of information is established, in which at least one likely speed limitation is associated with a confidence index; by means of a second system, involving the use of a camera and image processing applications capable of identifying roadside speed limitation panels, a second set of information is established comprising at least one probable speed limitation, wherein the basis of the first and second sets of information, the current speed limitation is determined along the road in question.