Vehicle Frontward Region Recognition via Stereo Camera Parallax
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing running-environment recognition systems for vehicles are inadequate in sensing the frontward and distant regions, leading to insufficient safety improvements in vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A running-environment recognition apparatus equipped with a camera or stereo camera system that recognizes the frontward region of a vehicle, calculates the road surface and areas lower than it, and determines the boundary between the two, using distance data to enhance safety by preventing lane departures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensors monitor specified locations on the lateral side of the vehicle, then the road surface height at those locations can be detected, but the frontward region and distant region ahead of the vehicle cannot be sensed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from lateral-side monitoring to frontward-region monitoring by positioning the imaging device at the front of the vehicle, enabling detection of the distant region ahead that was previously inaccessible to lateral sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces ultrasonic sensors with an imaging device (camera) that captures visual information of the road surface and surrounding environment, enabling broader area detection through image processing rather than point-based ultrasonic measurement
2Reliability
If the running environment recognition apparatus uses camera or stereo camera systems to recognize the frontward region, then the safety is improved by preventing lane departures, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: capturing road surface information, detecting lane markings, identifying obstacles, and determining vehicle position, replacing the need for multiple specialized sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing imaging infrastructure (front camera) for running environment recognition, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensors and reducing overall system complexity
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
The system accurately recognizes the running environment, improving safety by enabling precise detection of road boundaries and preventing lane departures through effective control of steering and braking systems.
Implementation Method 1
measure a distance in the image information by means of a parallax that is caused when the plurality of cameras take respective images of an identical object
Data Source
AI summary
A running-environment recognition apparatus includes an information recognition section mounted in a vehicle and configured to recognize an information of at least a frontward region of the vehicle relative to a traveling direction of the vehicle; and a road-surface calculating section configured to calculate a road surface of a traveling road and a portion lower than the road surface in the frontward region of the vehicle, from the information recognized by the information recognition section.