Vehicular Imaging System for Traffic Sign Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems for vehicles lack the ability to efficiently identify and respond to traffic control signage, such as speed limit signs, while driving, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions due to inadequate real-time information provided to drivers.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system equipped with a camera and image processor that captures and processes exterior scenes to recognize traffic control signs, determining their information and alerting the driver through a display or alert system, adjusting vehicle accessories like headlamps, and integrating with other vehicle systems for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an imaging system captures images of the exterior scene, then real-time information about traffic control signs can be obtained, but the system complexity increases due to the need for image processing and analysis components
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into distinct functional modules: image capture device, image processor, and output interface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images of the exterior scene, processing these images to identify traffic control signs, and providing both visual and audible information to the driver. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each task.
2Reliability
If the image processor determines and displays traffic control sign information in real-time, then driver safety is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image processor continuously captures and pre-processes images of the exterior scene even before specific traffic control signs are identified. This preliminary action ensures that when a sign is detected, the processing is already underway or complete, reducing the perceived processing time and enabling immediate information delivery to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the driver through visual displays and audible alerts when traffic control signs are detected. This immediate feedback loop ensures driver safety by promptly informing them of relevant information without significant delay.
3Reliability
If the system provides both visual and audible alerts to the driver, then information delivery reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between visual and audible alert modes based on driving conditions and driver preferences. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide reliable information delivery while optimizing energy consumption by activating only the necessary output interface based on current operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular control system includes a forward viewing camera disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle. Road curvature of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the camera. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a traffic lane of the road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined. Upon approach of the vehicle to a curve in the road, speed of the vehicle is reduced to a reduced speed for traveling around the curve in the road at least in part responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) processing of image data captured by the forward viewing camera and (b) data relevant to a current geographical location of the equipped vehicle.