Vehicle Control System Reflection Detection via Stereo Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems that use stereo-imaging to recognize the exterior environment may mistakenly recognize reflections on windshields as obstacles, leading to unnecessary pre-crash brake control or adaptive cruise control interventions, which can result in unsafe braking or acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes an imaging unit for stereo-imaging and an image processor to detect reflections on the windshield by analyzing representative distances within a monitoring region, allowing for the determination of the presence or absence of reflections and forcibly terminating driving support control processes if reflections are detected, thereby preventing misrecognition of obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereo-imaging is used to recognize the vehicle exterior environment, then the ability to detect obstacles is improved, but the risk of misrecognizing reflections as obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the distance image into multiple strip regions vertically and calculates representative distances for each region. This segmentation allows the system to analyze distance distribution patterns across different vertical zones, making it possible to identify reflections by detecting abnormal concentration of similar distances in specific regions, thereby resolving the contradiction between obstacle detection capability and reflection misrecognition risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs determination processes selectively based on specific conditions (e.g., when representative distances are concentrated in certain strip regions, when vehicle speed is below thresholds). This partial application of the determination logic prevents unnecessary control interventions while maintaining safety when reflections are actually present, thus improving reliability without sacrificing obstacle detection accuracy
2Reliability
If pre-crash brake control is executed based on target object recognition, then collision prevention capability is improved, but unnecessary braking due to misrecognition occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination processes to detect reflections before executing pre-crash brake control. By calculating representative distances, dividing the distance image into strip regions, and checking for abnormal distance concentrations in advance, the system identifies reflections prior to control intervention, preventing unnecessary braking while maintaining collision prevention capability for real obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the determination process (comparing representative distances and their distributions) to decide whether to execute or inhibit pre-crash brake control. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust control actions based on the analyzed distance patterns, ensuring that braking is only applied when actual obstacles are present rather than reflections
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
Enhances the accuracy of obstacle detection by distinguishing reflections from actual objects, reducing the likelihood of unsafe vehicle interventions and improving the reliability of driving support control systems.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit that performs stereo-imaging by a pair of cameras that capture an advance direction of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
determining the presence or absence of a reflection on the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system executes a distance calculation process of detecting, corresponding points between a pair of captured images obtained by stereo-imaging, working out a coordinate shift between the corresponding points as a parallax, and calculating a distance up to each corresponding point based on the parallax; and a representative distance calculation process of dividing a distance image, in which a distance of each corresponding point is represented, into multiple strip regions that partition the image in a vertical direction, and working out, for each strip region, a distance for which a frequency is equal to or higher than a predefined value, as a representative distance. The system further executes a determination process of counting the number of representative distances within a monitoring region, and determining a magnitude relationship between the count value and a threshold value, to determine thereby the presence or absence of reflection.