Vehicle Distance Estimation Device Flare Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance estimation devices for vehicles struggle to accurately estimate the distance to a traffic light in dark surroundings due to flare phenomena in images, which cause incorrect light size measurements.
Innovation Solution
A distance estimation device that includes an image acquisition unit, a light size acquisition unit, and a distance estimation unit, where the light size acquisition unit removes flare from the image by using a known flare brightness pattern stored in a storage unit, allowing for accurate light size measurement even in dark conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the light size of the traffic light is measured directly from the captured image in dark surroundings, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to flare causing incorrect light size measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing flare brightness patterns in the storage unit before actual distance estimation. These patterns are acquired in advance under various dark surrounding conditions and light color combinations. When estimating distance, the system retrieves the appropriate pre-stored pattern matching the current conditions and subtracts it from the captured image, eliminating the need for complex real-time flare analysis and improving both speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by storing multiple flare brightness patterns corresponding to different light colors (red, yellow, green) of traffic lights. The system identifies the light color in the captured image and selects the corresponding flare pattern from storage. This parameter-based selection allows the system to adapt to different wavelengths and characteristics of light, thereby improving measurement precision under varying conditions.
2Measurement precision
If flare removal processing is performed on all lights in the image, then the measurement precision improves, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased calculation load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing flare removal processing selectively only on the specific traffic light region that is the target of distance estimation, rather than processing all lights in the entire image. The light size acquisition unit identifies the traffic light region of interest and applies flare pattern subtraction only to that localized area. This approach maintains measurement precision for the target object while significantly reducing the calculation load and improving processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying flare removal processing only to the extent necessary for accurate measurement - specifically, only to the traffic light region and only when dark surrounding conditions are detected. The system does not perform exhaustive flare removal on the entire image or under all lighting conditions, thereby achieving the minimum necessary processing for accurate distance estimation while optimizing productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the known flare brightness pattern is stored for each light color of the traffic light, then the measurement precision improves by selecting the appropriate pattern, but the device complexity increases due to larger storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by organizing flare brightness patterns in the storage unit according to light color parameters (red, yellow, green). The system changes the selected pattern based on the detected light color of the traffic light. This parameter-based organization allows the system to achieve high measurement precision by selecting the appropriate wavelength-specific flare pattern, while the storage complexity remains manageable through systematic categorization rather than storing all possible variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a distance estimation device that estimates the distance from the vehicle to a traffic light. The distance estimation device includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image captured by a camera for imaging the surroundings of the vehicle, a light size acquisition unit that acquires a light size of a light of the traffic light reflected in the image, and a distance estimation unit that estimates the distance from the vehicle to the traffic light based on the light size. The light size acquisition unit removes flare of the light in the image, and acquires the light size in the image after the flare is removed.