Vehicle Control Using Infrastructure Cameras Around Blind Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems relying on in-vehicle cameras cannot detect targets, such as those ahead of a curve, leading to potential sudden braking and reduced safety when controlling vehicles in predetermined areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of infrastructure cameras outside the vehicle to detect targets within a predetermined area, allowing for advanced deceleration control and reducing the necessity of sudden braking by considering targets undetectable by in-vehicle sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only in-vehicle camera is used for target detection, then the detection system is simple, but targets ahead of curves cannot be detected leading to sudden braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines in-vehicle camera detection with infrastructure camera detection to form a comprehensive target detection system. The infrastructure camera mounted on poles or buildings provides additional detection coverage for areas invisible to the in-vehicle camera, such as targets ahead of curves, thereby improving safety without relying solely on one detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure camera acts as an intermediary detection device that bridges the detection gap between the vehicle and distant or obscured targets. By positioning cameras on infrastructure elements like poles and buildings, the system gains extended detection capability for targets that would otherwise be undetectable until the vehicle is too close.
2Reliability
If infrastructure camera is added to detect hidden targets, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure camera system serves multiple functions: it detects targets ahead of curves, provides early warning for collision risks, and works in conjunction with in-vehicle cameras to create a comprehensive detection network. This multi-functional approach maximizes the safety benefit while justifying the added system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure camera enables preliminary detection of targets before the vehicle reaches a distance where the in-vehicle camera could detect them. This advance detection allows the system to prepare for potential collisions earlier, improving safety response time and reducing the need for sudden braking maneuvers.
3Reliability
If target detection range is extended beyond in-vehicle camera view, then collision risk is reduced, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent camera units (in-vehicle camera and infrastructure camera) that each capture data from their respective fields of view. This segmentation allows for independent data processing and fusion, managing complexity by handling data from each camera separately before integrating the information for comprehensive collision risk assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system for controlling a vehicle traveling in a predetermined area is provided. The vehicle control system acquires vehicle information indicating a position of the vehicle. The vehicle control system sets a determination region around the vehicle based on the vehicle information. The vehicle control system acquires an image captured by an infrastructure camera that is installed outside the vehicle and images a situation of the predetermined area. The vehicle control system determines whether or not a target is present in the determination region based on the image captured by the infrastructure camera. The vehicle control system decelerates the vehicle when the target is present in the determination region.