Vehicle Traffic Sign Validation via Zone Condition and Data Age

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road sign recognition systems lack effective validation of detected signs, particularly in zone conditions, leading to uncertainty for drivers regarding applicable speed limits, which can result in higher penalties.

Innovation Solution

A driver assistance system that uses image obtaining means to detect regulation indicators, determines speed limits, and processes state information to confirm validity, displaying the limit only when valid and revoking it when the vehicle exceeds the limit or leaves the zone, with options to modify display based on data age.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If road sign recognition systems display detected speed limits to drivers, then drivers are informed of regulation values, but drivers may receive incorrect or outdated information leading to penalties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of speed limit informationVSAvoiduncertainty about applicable speed limits
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of detected road signs by checking multiple indicators and confirming zone conditions before displaying speed limit information to the driver, ensuring accuracy before the information is presented

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors for additional road signs and validates detected speed limits against subsequent indicators, using feedback from ongoing detection to confirm or correct previously displayed information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If the system displays regulation values for extended periods to ensure drivers see them, then drivers have time to react, but the information may become outdated or incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay duration of regulation valueVSAvoidvalidity of regulation value
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the display duration based on validated zone conditions, maintaining display longer when zone indicators confirm the regulation applies to a specific area, while automatically revoking display when validation fails or the vehicle exits the zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of moving object

If the system increases threshold duration for zone conditions to maintain display, then drivers remain informed throughout the zone, but the system may display incorrect limits longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold duration for zone validationVSAvoiddriver awareness of current limit
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires preliminary detection of zone entry indicators before extending display duration, ensuring that increased threshold duration only applies when properly validated zone conditions are established

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3207494B1Systems and methods for traffic sign validation
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV SA
  • EP3207494B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3207494B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3207494B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A driver assistance system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes image obtaining means configured to obtain data regarding one or more regulation indicators in proximity to the vehicle, determine a regulation value based on the data, and at least one sensor means configured to provide state information related to a state of the vehicle. Processing means are also included, the processing means being configured to determine whether a zone condition applies based on the data, confirm a validity of the detected regulation value based on the state information, the determined regulation value, the zone condition, and an age of the data, wherein when the age exceeds a predetermined threshold duration associated with the state information, the processing means is configured to revoke the validity, and wherein, upon determination of a zone condition, the processing means is configured to increase the predetermined threshold duration. The processing means is also configured to cause the regulation value to be displayed when the validity is confirmed and to prevent display of the regulation value when the validity is revoked.