Vehicle Light Source Detection Using Vanishing Point Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle light source detection devices take a long time to accurately detect vehicle head lamps in captured image data, leading to delayed recognition of oncoming vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle light source detection device comprising a light source appearance detection section, gradient calculation section, vanishing point estimation section, and reliability value calculation section, which quickly identifies vehicle light sources by estimating the vanishing point based on road gradients and adjusts the reliability value of detected light sources based on their proximity to the vanishing point, allowing for high-accuracy detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional vehicle light source detection devices trace detected light sources based on movement, then they can detect light sources, but it takes a long time to recognize the presence of a pair of light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the vanishing point position based on road gradient information before light source detection. This allows the system to immediately evaluate detected light sources against the pre-established vanishing point reference, eliminating the need for time-consuming movement-based tracing and enabling instant recognition of vehicle light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the vanishing point as an intermediary element that mediates between road gradient information and light source detection. By using the vanishing point as a reference marker, the system can quickly determine whether detected light sources belong to vehicles without requiring extended observation periods or complex movement analysis.
2Reliability
If the detection device uses movement-based tracing, then it can identify light sources, but the recognition speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the vanishing point position based on road gradient data before actual light source detection occurs. This pre-computation enables immediate comparison of detected light sources against the established reference point, achieving both high reliability in identification and high detection speed without requiring prolonged tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from movement-based tracking to position-based evaluation relative to the vanishing point. By transforming the detection criterion from temporal (movement over time) to spatial (position relative to vanishing point), the system achieves instant detection with high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle light source detection device in a light beam control system detects a position of a light source appeared and detected in captured image data. The device calculates a gradient of a road on which the own vehicle is running. The vehicle light source detection device estimates a vanishing point in the captured image data on the basis of the detected gradient of the road. The device further increases a reliability value of the detected light source when the point of the detected light source more approaches the vanishing point. When the reliability value of the detected light source is not less than a predetermined reference value, the device determines that the detected light source is a head lamp of an oncoming vehicle, and adjusts an irradiation range of the light beam of the head lamps of the own vehicle to avoid the oncoming vehicle.