Vehicle Object Detection Using Ultrasonic-Guided Candidate Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection devices face a high calculational burden when processing image data, and ultrasonic sensors offer lower accuracy in detecting object direction due to their single-sensor limitations.
Innovation Solution
An object detection device combining ultrasonic sensors and cameras, where the ultrasonic sensor detects distance and sets denser candidate points within a detection range based on the detected distance, allowing the camera to focus on feature extraction and position calculation with reduced computational burden by comparing candidate points only within the detected direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image processing is used to detect objects, then detection accuracy is improved, but calculational burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into two stages: first, the ultrasonic sensor performs rough detection to identify a specific detection range and direction; second, the camera performs detailed image processing only within this limited range. This segmentation reduces the overall calculational burden while maintaining detection accuracy in the critical area.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensor performs preliminary detection before the camera captures images. This preliminary action identifies the detection range and direction, allowing the subsequent image processing to be focused and optimized, thereby reducing the calculational burden of the main detection task.
2Device complexity
If a single ultrasonic sensor is used to detect objects, then calculational burden is reduced, but detection accuracy of object direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the strengths of two different sensors: the ultrasonic sensor provides rough detection with low computational requirements, while the camera provides high-precision directional detection. By combining these two sensors and their detection results, the system achieves both low calculational burden and high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensor acts as an intermediary that guides the camera's detection focus. The ultrasonic detection results are used to determine the detection range and direction, which then becomes the input for the camera's image processing, creating a coordinated two-stage detection system.
3Measurement precision
If candidate points are set densely across the entire detection range, then detection accuracy is improved, but calculational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different candidate point densities to different spatial regions: dense candidate points are set only within the ultrasonic-detected range and direction, while sparse or no candidate points are set in other areas. This local differentiation maintains detection accuracy where needed while reducing overall computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of setting candidate points uniformly across the entire detection range, the system applies partial action by concentrating candidate points only in the relevant detection range identified by the ultrasonic sensor. This partial coverage is sufficient for accurate detection while avoiding unnecessary calculations in irrelevant areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances detection accuracy while maintaining a low computational burden by concentrating calculations on the detected range and direction, improving the overall performance of object detection.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor is configured to detect a distance to the object by emitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave
Data Source
AI summary
In an object detection device to be installed to a vehicle and detect an object outside the vehicle, a position calculator sets multiple candidate points representing a candidate position of the object, based on positions of feature points extracted from a first image captured at a first time. The multiple candidate points are set to be denser within a detection range set based on a distance to the object detected by the ultrasonic sensor than outside the detection range. The position calculator estimates positions of the multiple candidate points at a second time which is after the first time, based on the positions of the multiple candidate points and movement information of the vehicle, and calculates the position of the object by comparing the estimated positions of the multiple candidate points at the second time and the positions of the feature points extracted from a second image captured at the second time.