Visibility Range Estimation Using Object Luminance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining visibility range in vehicles, especially in foggy conditions, are limited by atmospheric phenomena like fog, which affect electromagnetic spectral ranges and lead to visibility limitations, requiring a more robust and real-time capable solution.
Innovation Solution
A tracking-based method that uses object luminance and distance data from multiple images to estimate the atmospheric extinction coefficient, allowing for rapid and real-time determination of visibility range, employing a one-dimensional equation and iterative methods like Newton's method for accurate estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional visibility range determination methods are used, then visibility range can be determined, but the method is not robust and not capable of real-time operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from contrast-based measurements to luminance-based measurements at multiple distances. By measuring luminance values at different object distances and applying the atmospheric extinction coefficient formula K = (1/d2 - 1/d1) × ln(L1/L2), the system achieves both robustness and real-time capability. This parameter change enables continuous monitoring without the limitations of traditional contrast measurement methods.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measuring positions are used to determine visibility range, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity of the measuring device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single image detection device perform multiple functions by capturing images of objects at different distances. The same camera or sensor array is used to detect both near and far objects, eliminating the need for separate measuring devices at each position. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing multiple measuring devices in different spatial positions, the patent introduces the dimension of object distance variation. By tracking objects at different distances from a single detection device and using the luminance difference across these distances, the system achieves accurate visibility range determination without requiring physically distributed sensors.
3Measurement precision
If tracking of objects at multiple distances is performed, then visibility range estimation accuracy improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for visibility range calculation from the image data - specifically, the luminance values of objects at known distances. By focusing on extracting L1 and L2 (luminance values) and d1 and d2 (distances) rather than processing complete image sequences, the computational complexity is significantly reduced while maintaining estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified mathematical model (the atmospheric extinction coefficient formula) that copies the essential physical relationship between luminance and distance. This model allows direct calculation of visibility range from measured luminance values without requiring complex simulations or iterative optimizations, thereby reducing computational burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust and rapid estimation of visibility range, improving driver safety by adapting vehicle speed and activating fog lights, and enhancing the reliability of sensors and systems operating in attenuated spectral ranges.
Implementation Method 1
Depending on the spectral range, more or less strong damping and scattering effects may occur due to atmospheric phenomena (rain, fog, . . . ). For cameras (spectral range approximately in the range of the visible light), mainly fog may in this way result in visibility limitations.
Implementation Method 2
Depending on the spectral range, more or less strong damping and scattering effects may occur due to atmospheric phenomena
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for tracking-based visibility range estimation for a vehicle, the method including a step of tracking an object detected in a first image at a first point in time and in a second image at a second point in time, a step of ascertaining a first object luminance of the object and a first distance to the object at the first point in time and also ascertaining a second object luminance of the object and a second distance to the object at the second point in time, and also a step of determining an atmospheric extinction coefficient using the first object luminance, the second object luminance, the first distance, and the second distance, the atmospheric extinction coefficient being in direct correlation to visibility range.