Vehicle Object Detection System for Occlusion Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle environment detection systems face confusion and safety hazards due to occluded objects that are not detectable by sensors or drivers, leading to potential dangers on the road.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle environment detection system comprising a main control unit and multiple sensors, including a first environment detection sensor and an environment observing unit, which determines object detectability and communicates specific types of information based on sensor capabilities, enabling tailored actions and warnings to address occluded objects, with safety control units managing responses such as automatic steering and braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the system issues warnings for all detected objects, then completeness of information is improved, but driver confusion increases when objects are occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the type of information communicated based on the detection status. When an object is detected by the first sensor but not by the environment observing unit, the system communicates a specific indication of occlusion rather than standard object information. This localized differentiation in information quality prevents driver confusion while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control unit acts as an intermediary that processes detection data from multiple sensors and determines detectability status. It mediates between the raw sensor data and the driver interface by analyzing whether objects are detectable by the environment observing unit, and only communicating appropriate information to avoid confusion about occluded objects.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect objects, then detection reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into distinct functional components: a first environment detection sensor for primary object detection, an environment observing unit for verifying detectability, and a main control unit for coordinating them. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while achieving high overall reliability through their coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The main control unit performs multiple functions: it processes data from the first environment detection sensor, analyzes detectability using environment observing unit data, determines occlusion status, and communicates appropriate information. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single coordinating unit rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
3Loss of information
If the system communicates detailed information about occluded objects, then information completeness is improved, but safety warnings may cause confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated information quality based on detection status. For occluded objects, the system communicates a specific indication that the object is not detectable by the environment observing unit, rather than providing the same level of detailed information as for fully detectable objects. This maintains information completeness while ensuring safety warnings remain reliable and unambiguous.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle environment detection system (1) that comprises a main control unit (2) and a first environment detection sensor (3). The main control unit (2) is adapted to determine if there is an object (7) that is detectable by the first environment detection sensor (3), and if that is the case, to first determine if the object (7) is detectable by an environment observing unit (5a, 5b), and then to communicate information regarding the object (7). This communication is performed in dependence of if the object (7) has been determined to be detectable by the environment observing unit (5a, 5b) or not.