Vehicle Image Recognition Excluding Sunlight Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle image recognition systems face challenges in accurately recognizing the external environment due to factors like sunlight or headlight interference, leading to frequent switching between front and rear views, which can result in inadequate recognition of the running environment.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle running-environment recognition apparatus detects image areas affected by these factors, determines alternative image areas or switches recognition methods based on the size and position of imaging devices, and adjusts the environment recognition processing to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If image switching processing between front view and rear view is performed frequently to handle sunlight or headlight interference, then the system can adapt to adverse conditions, but the running environment cannot be satisfactorily recognized due to insufficient processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting the specific position and size of adverse condition areas (sunlight or headlight interference) within the image, and selectively excluding only those specific regions from recognition processing. This allows the system to maintain high recognition accuracy for non-affected areas while adapting to adverse conditions by processing images from both front and rear views simultaneously, rather than switching between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image into affected and non-affected areas by detecting the position and size of adverse condition regions. The image processing is then performed separately on different segments: excluded processing on affected areas and normal recognition processing on non-affected areas, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple image regions without time loss.
2Ease of operation
If conventional image recognition is performed in adverse conditions, then the system maintains simple operation, but false recognition occurs due to sunlight or headlight interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection step that identifies adverse condition areas (sunlight or headlight interference) before performing recognition processing. This intermediary detection mechanism automatically determines which regions should be excluded from processing, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving recognition reliability by preventing false recognition in affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of adverse condition areas (sunlight or headlight interference) before executing the main recognition processing. By pre-identifying affected regions and their positions, the system can prepare exclusion masks or adjustment parameters in advance, ensuring reliable recognition results without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle running-environment recognition apparatus including an input unit for inputting an image signal from in-vehicle imaging devices for photographing external environment of a vehicle, an image processing unit for detecting a first image area by processing the image signal, the first image area having a factor which prevents recognition of the external environment, an image determination unit for determining a second image area based on at least any one of size of the first image area, position thereof, and set-up positions of the in-vehicle imaging devices having the first image area, an environment recognition processing being performed in the second image area, the first image area being detected by the image processing unit, and an environment recognition unit for recognizing the external environment of the vehicle based on the second image area.