Vehicle Driver Assistance Edge Line Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle driver assistance systems for maneuvering vehicles, such as truck trailers, relative to objects like loading docks are complex and unreliable, particularly when determining the precise distance between the vehicle and the dock edge during backing up.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle driver assistance apparatus comprising an image capture device that processes image data to identify edge lines and calculate the distance between the vehicle and the object, providing real-time feedback to the driver through a display device, and optionally includes a driver alert system for safe maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple lasers and cameras are used to determine distance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the distance measurement function from complex multi-sensor systems (lasers and cameras) and implements it using a single image capture device. By taking out only the essential imaging function and processing it through edge line detection and geometric calculation, the system achieves accurate distance measurement without the complexity of multiple active sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a passive optical copying approach by capturing images of the dock edge and creating digital representations through image processing. Instead of using active laser ranging, the system copies the visual information from the scene and processes it to extract distance data, simplifying the hardware while maintaining measurement capability.
2Device complexity
If a simple camera-based system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the image data to enhance edge line detection before distance calculation. The system performs image enhancement, edge detection, and geometric feature extraction in advance, which prepares the data for accurate distance computation using simple trigonometric relationships based on the known camera geometry and detected edge positions.
3Measurement precision
If external devices on the dock are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distance measurement function entirely from the dock infrastructure and relocates it to the vehicle-mounted image capture device. By separating the measurement function from the dock and implementing it on the moving vehicle side, the system eliminates the need for dock installation while maintaining measurement capability through vehicle-mounted imaging and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle driver assistance apparatus is provided for a vehicle. The vehicle driver assistance apparatus comprises an image capture device arranged to capture image data which is representative of an object in vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle driver assistance apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) process the captured image data to identify an edge line associated with the object, and (ii) process the captured image data further based upon the identified edge line to identify a distance between the vehicle and the edge line of the object.