Vehicle Dimension Estimation from Video Bounding Boxes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately estimate the overall size dimensions of a moving vehicle from image or video feeds, which is crucial for applications like tunnel control, parking guidance, and toll determination.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that process a sequence of image frames to extract a digital representation of a vehicle, determine a bounding box, and estimate dimensions such as length, width, and height by analyzing tire contact points and edge detection, using techniques like background subtraction and particle filtering, to output reliable dimension indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a stationary sensor is used to measure vehicle height, then the measurement speed is fast, but the measurement accuracy for overall vehicle dimensions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle dimension measurement into multiple independent components: height measurement (via stationary sensor), length measurement (via video sequence analysis), and width measurement (via bounding box analysis). Each dimension is measured using the most appropriate method for that specific parameter, resolving the contradiction by applying different measurement strategies to different aspects of vehicle dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point stationary sensor measurement to multi-frame video sequence analysis, adding the time dimension to the measurement process. By analyzing multiple frames over time and tracking vehicle movement, the system achieves accurate length and width measurements that complement the height measurement from stationary sensors.
2Loss of information
If license plate recognition systems are used, then vehicle identification is achieved, but overall vehicle size dimension determination is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the video processing system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both vehicle identification (through license plate recognition integration) and comprehensive dimension measurement (length, width, height). The same video sequence processing infrastructure serves dual purposes: identifying the vehicle and measuring its physical dimensions, eliminating the need for separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges license plate recognition functionality with video-based dimension measurement into a unified system. Both functions process the same video input stream, and the system combines the identification results with the measured dimensions to provide comprehensive vehicle characterization, resolving the information gap between identification and measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If multiple image processing techniques are applied (background subtraction, particle filtering, shadow removal), then the digital representation accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies background subtraction and shadow removal as preliminary processing steps before main dimension measurement. By pre-processing the video frames to remove background elements and shadows that could interfere with vehicle contour detection, the system improves measurement accuracy while organizing the processing complexity into a structured sequence of operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces particle filtering as an intermediary technique between raw video frames and final dimension extraction. This intermediate processing step refines the vehicle contour detection by filtering out noise and improving edge detection accuracy, thereby enhancing the digital representation quality while managing processing complexity through a dedicated intermediate layer.
4Measurement precision
If bounding box determination is performed for each frame in a video sequence, then the vehicle dimension estimation accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous bounding box determination across all video frames rather than processing only selected frames. This continuous processing ensures that vehicle dimension data is captured throughout the entire video sequence, improving measurement accuracy by utilizing all available data points while the system manages the processing load through efficient frame-by-frame analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where bounding box results from previous frames inform and optimize processing in subsequent frames. By using tracking information and previous measurement results to guide current frame processing, the system maintains high measurement accuracy while reducing redundant computations and optimizing processing time through intelligent reuse of previous analysis results.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining one or more dimension estimations for a vehicle. A sequence of image frames of a vehicle is received, and a digital representation of the vehicle is extracted from each image in the sequence of image frames. A bounding box is determined for the vehicle based upon the extracted digital representation for each digital representation of the vehicle and at least one dimension of the vehicle is estimated based upon the determined bounding box. An indication of the at least one estimated dimension is output. The indication of at least one estimated dimension is transferred as an input to a comparison technique for further processing the indication of the at least one estimated dimension. The comparison technique can include a parking determination process configured to determine a recommended spot for the vehicle based upon the indication of the at least one estimated dimension.