Traffic Mirror Object Size Calculation for Obstructed View Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for predicting potential hazards at obstructed or restricted views, such as intersections, face challenges in recording sufficient data for accurate predictions due to the brief duration of hazardous events, leading to insufficient data and reduced effectiveness in providing driving assistance.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus equipped with a processor and memory, which detects traffic mirrors and objects within them using image capturing, calculates size differences, and generates driving assist information to aid safe vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If driving recorders are used to record data representing driving situations, then driving safety can be improved, but sufficient data indicating unusual events cannot be recorded due to the short duration of hazardous events
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing images and detecting traffic mirrors before hazardous events occur. Image capturing apparatus mounted on the vehicle continuously records the surrounding environment, and the traffic mirror detection unit is ready to identify traffic mirrors in advance, so when an unusual event occurs, the system can immediately process and analyze the already-captured images without missing critical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical data recording system with an optical-based image capture and processing system. Instead of relying on data recorders to capture numerical driving parameters, the system uses image capturing apparatus to visually record the driving environment, traffic mirrors, and objects reflected in them, converting physical optical information into analyzable image data for hazard detection.
2Device complexity
If direct data from driving recorders is used for hazard prediction, then the prediction system can be kept simple, but the recordable area becomes narrower and data becomes insufficient at obstructed views
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic mirror acts as an intermediary that expands the recordable area. The image capturing apparatus captures images of traffic mirrors, and the reflection in these mirrors provides visual information about areas that are otherwise obstructed from direct view. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to access and analyze data from regions that would be invisible to direct camera viewing, effectively expanding the monitorable area without increasing device complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If traffic mirrors are used to expand the view at obstructed locations, then the observable area increases, but the system complexity increases due to additional image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into distinct functional units: traffic mirror detection unit, object detection unit, and size calculation unit. Each unit performs a specific task - detecting traffic mirrors in captured images, identifying objects within those mirrors, and calculating object sizes based on mirror dimensions. This segmentation allows the complex processing to be broken down into manageable, specialized components that can be implemented efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by focusing processing resources only on relevant portions of the captured images. Instead of analyzing entire images in full detail, the system specifically targets and processes regions containing traffic mirrors and objects within them. The object size calculation uses only the necessary mirror dimensions and reference data, avoiding unnecessary processing of unrelated image areas, thus reducing overall computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus capable of assisting safe driving of a vehicle at a place such as an intersection where the view from the vehicle is obstructed or restricted is provided. A detection processing unit detects a traffic mirror in an image and an object in the traffic mirror on the basis of image information representing an image captured by an image capturing apparatus mounted in a vehicle. And a calculating unit calculates a difference between a size of the detected traffic mirror and a reference size and calculates a size of the object by using the calculated difference. Driving assist information for the vehicle is generated on the basis of the calculated size of the object, and the generated driving assist information is output.