Traffic Light Recognition Using Adaptive ROI Across Video Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting tiny objects, such as traffic lights, in autonomous driving systems face challenges including decreased performance for large objects, reliance on accurate ground truth labeling, and limited adaptability to new situations.

Innovation Solution

A real-time tiny object detection methodology that does not require training, focusing on improving the inference method to enhance the detection rate for tiny objects by using prior information and detection results from previous images to adjust regions of interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If training-based methods are used to improve detection performance for tiny objects, then detection rate for tiny objects is improved, but detection performance for large objects decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection rate for tiny objectsVSAvoiddetection performance for large objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image processing into multiple stages: first performing detection on the entire image, then segmenting and enlarging specific regions containing tiny objects for secondary detection. This segmentation approach allows the system to maintain standard detection capabilities for large objects while applying enhanced processing specifically to tiny object regions, thus resolving the contradiction between improving tiny object detection and maintaining large object detection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing qualities to different regions of the image. Standard detection is applied to the entire image, while enhanced detection with enlargement is applied locally to specific regions containing tiny objects. This local quality enhancement allows improved tiny object detection without degrading the detection performance for large objects in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If training-based methods are used with accurate ground truth labeling, then detection performance is improved, but the requirement for additional labeling increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection performanceVSAvoidlabeling requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the detection system to improve its own performance through self-service mechanisms. By using detection results from previous frames and implementing adaptive region selection, the system automatically identifies and focuses on regions containing tiny objects without requiring external labeling input. The system learns from its own operational data to improve detection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by utilizing detection results from previous frames to inform current frame detection. The system feeds back detected object information across temporal frames, allowing it to adaptively adjust detection strategies and improve tiny object detection performance without requiring additional labeled training data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If training-based methods are used to achieve robust detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but adaptability to new situations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to new situations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation by allowing the detection system to adjust its behavior based on real-time conditions. The region of interest selection and enlargement factors are dynamically determined based on detection results from previous frames and current image characteristics. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to new situations and varying driving conditions without requiring retraining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from continuous operation to adapt to new situations. By incorporating detection results from previous frames and using this information to guide current frame detection, the system continuously learns and adapts to new environmental conditions, object types, and scenarios without requiring additional labeled training data or model retraining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4560582A1Method and apparatus with traffic light recognition model
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4560582A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4560582A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4560582A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of detecting a traffic light with an object recognition model configured to recognize traffic lights. The method includes: obtaining an input image from a camera included in a vehicle, the input image among frames, including previous frames, captured by the camera; estimating, based on prior information about traffic light objects, a first region of interest (RoI) for the input image; determining a second RoI based on the first RoI and based on detection results of the previous frames, wherein the detection of results correspond to recognition results of recognizing traffic lights in the previous frames by the object recognition model; and recognizing, by the object recognition model, a traffic light in the input image, wherein the recognizing is based on the input image and the second RoI.