Vehicle Imaging System Distinguishing Tail Lights from Stop Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle exterior light control systems struggle to accurately distinguish between vehicle tail lights and flashing red stop lights, leading to unnecessary reduction in illumination levels when a flashing red stop light is detected at a greater distance than necessary, causing distraction and nuisance to the driver.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that analyzes image data to identify red light sources and determines whether they are flashing at a known frequency, distinguishing between vehicle tail lights and flashing red stop lights by detecting the absence of the red light source within a predetermined time period, thereby controlling the exterior lights to maintain high beams until the vehicle is closer to the stop light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system reduces illumination levels when detecting red light sources at greater distances, then the driver's safety is improved by early warning, but the driver experiences unnecessary distraction and nuisance due to false detection of flashing stop lights
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the response behavior based on the detected flashing frequency. When a red light source is detected, the system analyzes its temporal characteristics and modulates the illumination level control accordingly - maintaining high beams for non-flashing lights (tail lights) while reducing illumination only for confirmed flashing stop lights, thereby adapting the safety response to the specific situation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic detection of red light sources over time to identify flashing patterns. By monitoring the temporal periodicity of detected red lights and comparing against known stop light flashing frequencies, the system distinguishes between stationary tail lights and intermittent stop lights, enabling selective illumination control that avoids unnecessary driver distraction
2Illumination intensity
If the system maintains high beams when detecting red light sources, then the illumination level is preserved, but the driver's safety is compromised by failing to detect actual stop lights at appropriate distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the detection parameter from simple presence detection to frequency-based analysis. By measuring the temporal frequency of red light emissions and comparing against predetermined thresholds for stop light flashing rates, the system accurately distinguishes between tail lights and stop lights, enabling reliable detection that triggers appropriate illumination level adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temporal pattern of detected red light sources and adjusting the illumination level response accordingly. The feedback loop analyzes whether detected red lights exhibit flashing behavior consistent with stop lights, and only reduces illumination levels when the feedback confirms actual stop light presence, thereby maintaining safety while avoiding false responses
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system for a vehicle is provided for distinguishing between tail lights of another vehicle and a flashing red stop light. The system includes an imager configured to image a forward external scene and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a processor configured to receive and analyze the image data to identify red light sources and to further analyze each red light source to determine if the red light source is detected for a predetermined time period. If the red light source is not detected within a predetermined time period after it is detected, the processor determines that the red light source is a flashing red stop light. Otherwise, if the red light source is detected for a predetermined time period, the processor determines that the red light source may be a tail light of another vehicle.