Traffic Sign Recognition Device Using Navigation Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TSR devices malfunction in environments where traffic signs are obscured or not recognized due to weather or vehicle positions, leading to inadequate provision of speed limit information to drivers, especially in scenarios like road attribute changes, expressway entrances, or speed limit releases.
Innovation Solution
A TSR device and method that utilizes a camera and navigation terminal to acquire and process road and sign information, updating speed limits based on road attribute changes and sign information, ensuring accurate speed limit display through an electronic control unit, which includes a receiving unit, determination unit, speed limit decision unit, and output unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TSR device relies solely on camera recognition to detect traffic signs, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when signs are obscured or weather conditions are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines camera-based sign recognition with navigation terminal road information into a unified speed limit determination system. The electronic control unit integrates both data sources, using navigation data as backup when camera recognition fails or is uncertain, thereby improving reliability without requiring completely separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation terminal serves multiple functions: it provides road information for speed limit determination, acts as backup when camera recognition fails, and supplies contextual data about road attributes. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability across different operating conditions without adding dedicated backup hardware
2Loss of information
If TSR device uses only camera recognition, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of information occurs when signs are not recognized due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation terminal acts as an intermediary data source that provides road information including speed limits and road attributes. When camera recognition is unavailable or unreliable, the electronic control unit uses this intermediary navigation data to ensure continuous speed limit information delivery without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-acquires road information from the navigation terminal before camera recognition is needed. This preliminary data is stored and ready for immediate use when camera recognition fails, ensuring no information loss occurs during transitions between data sources
3Productivity
If TSR device updates speed limit based on every sign change, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple detection conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit continuously monitors both camera recognition results and navigation terminal data, comparing them to determine when speed limit updates are necessary. This feedback mechanism ensures updates occur promptly when needed while filtering out unnecessary updates, maintaining productivity without requiring overly complex control logic
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a TSR (Traffic Sign Recognition) device which acquires information on a traffic sign positioned on a road through a camera and recognizes and outputs the speed limit of the acquired traffic sign information. The TSR device may include a navigation terminal and an electronic control unit. The navigation terminal may create and display a driving path of a vehicle. The electronic control unit may provide a speed limit updated from the navigation terminal, when a road attribute contained in the road information is changed or the sign information is indication information indicating a speed limit change, based on road information on the driving path and the sign information acquired through the camera, the road information being received from the navigation terminal while the vehicle travels along the driving path.