Vehicle Alerting System for Traffic Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively detect and prevent accidents caused by drivers missing traffic lights due to glare, poor visibility, or drowsiness, and do not adequately alert drivers about impending collisions from running red lights or stop signs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted system with forwardly directed optical sensors and an image processing unit that captures and analyzes road images to determine if a vehicle is approaching a traffic light or sign within a safe braking distance, generating alerts via visual or audible signals to the driver and potentially neighboring vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drivers rely on visual perception of traffic lights, then they can detect traffic light states, but visibility is reduced due to sun glare, poor weather conditions, or driver drowsiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the driver's biological visual perception system with an electronic optical sensor system. The sensor captures images of traffic lights, and an image processing unit analyzes these images to determine traffic light states, substituting the mechanical/biological eye-brain system with an electronic detection system that is not affected by glare or drowsiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary alerting system between the traffic light and the driver. Instead of relying directly on the driver's vision, the system uses sensors to detect traffic light states and provides indirect feedback through alert signals (visual or audible) to the driver, mediating the information transfer and protecting against direct visual impairment.
2Loss of time
If drivers manually monitor traffic lights and road signs, then they can respond to traffic conditions, but reaction time is delayed due to human limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of traffic light states and vehicle positioning before the driver would naturally perceive them. By continuously monitoring traffic light states and calculating safe braking distances in advance, the system prepares alert signals ready for immediate transmission, eliminating the delay in human perception and reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously monitor traffic light states, the system calculates safe braking distances based on vehicle speed and position, and provides real-time alert feedback to the driver. This continuous feedback loop replaces the intermittent human monitoring process, reducing reaction time and improving traffic flow efficiency.
3Reliability
If the system provides alert signals to drivers, then collision risk is reduced, but driver alert fatigue may occur from excessive warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated alert signals based on specific local conditions. Instead of uniform warnings, the system analyzes the particular traffic situation (traffic light state, vehicle speed, distance to intersection) and provides targeted alerts only when necessary, making the alert system adaptive to local conditions rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
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
The system provides timely alerts to drivers to apply braking force, reducing the risk of collisions by accurately determining the distance and speed of vehicles relative to traffic lights or signs, even in adverse conditions, and transmitting warnings to nearby vehicles to prevent chain collisions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more forwardly directed optical sensors mounted on a same vehicle which are configured to capture road-related images
Data Source
AI summary
A running vehicle alerting system, comprising one or more forwardly directed optical sensors mounted on a same vehicle which are configured to capture road related images; an image processing unit configured to analyze the captured road-related images in real time and to determine, based on the analyzed images, whether the vehicle on which the one or more optical sensors are mounted is to be considered as a running vehicle that is spaced from a traffic light or a traffic sign by a distance shorter than a threshold safe braking distance and that is liable to endanger other vehicles; and an alert signal generating unit responsive to the determination of the vehicle as a running vehicle, for generating a collision avoiding alert signal.