Traffic Light Lamp Layout Recognition for Arrow Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic light recognition systems struggle to accurately identify and orient traffic lights, especially those with unclear edges or distant from the vehicle, making it difficult to efficiently search for arrow lamps.
Innovation Solution
A traffic light recognizing apparatus equipped with a stereo camera and image processing units that detect lighting regions, set search areas based on lamp orientations, and determine the orientation of traffic lights using luminance evaluation and lamp arrangements to efficiently locate arrow lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If template matching is used to set traffic light region, then traffic light recognition is achieved, but search areas for arrow lamps cannot be efficiently determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traffic light recognition process into distinct stages: first detecting the traffic light body region using template matching, then detecting lamps within that region, and finally determining arrow lamp search areas based on lamp positions. This segmentation allows each stage to focus on specific tasks, improving overall efficiency and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the traffic light body region and lamp positions before determining the search areas for arrow lamps. By establishing the traffic light region and lamp arrangements in advance, the system creates a foundation that enables efficient and accurate search area determination for arrow lamps.
2Reliability
If traffic light edges are unclear or traffic light is distant, then recognition accuracy decreases, but system must still reliably identify arrow lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses detected lamps as intermediary elements to determine arrow lamp search areas. Instead of directly detecting arrow lamps from unclear traffic light edges, the system first identifies regular lamps within the traffic light body, then uses their positions to define search regions for arrow lamps, improving reliability under difficult conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adapts search area parameters based on detected lamp positions and orientations. By dynamically adjusting search area size, position, and orientation according to the detected lamp arrangement, the system maintains reliability even when traffic light edges are unclear or the traffic light is distant.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive lamp detection is performed, then all lamps are identified, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different detection strategies to different regions: it performs comprehensive lamp detection within the determined traffic light body region, while using orientation-based search only in specifically determined arrow lamp search areas. This localized approach ensures completeness where needed while reducing processing time in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of the traffic light body region and lamp positions before conducting comprehensive lamp detection. By establishing search constraints and region boundaries in advance, the system reduces the overall processing time while maintaining detection completeness within those defined regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic light recognizing apparatus includes: an imager configured to capture a color image of driving environment; a lighting region detector detecting a lighting region in a traffic light body on the image; a first lamp detector detecting a lamp in an ON state in the traffic light body based on the lighting region; a first search area setter setting search areas having the same dimensions as the lamp and horizontally and vertically aligned with the lamp on the image, in accordance with a lighting color of the lighting region; a second lamp detector evaluating luminances at an edge and in a center of each search area, and detecting lamps in an OFF state in the traffic light body; and an orientation determiner determining whether the traffic light body is horizontally or vertically disposed based on the arrangement of the lamps in the ON and OFF states.