Visual Vehicle Following via Camera Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for a vehicle to follow another in a group are cumbersome, as they require electronic connection and can be distracting and prone to confusion when routes change, especially when vehicles are not electronically connected.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that use a camera to detect and track the second vehicle by obtaining identification data, assigning tracking metrics, and transmitting this data to a navigation system to guide the first vehicle without the need for electronic connection, allowing the user to focus on the road while following the second vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic connection between vehicles is used to enable following, then accuracy of position transfer is improved, but device complexity and requirement for electronic infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual identification data (license plate recognition, vehicle特征 detection) as an intermediary to establish vehicle identity and position without requiring direct electronic communication between vehicles. The camera system captures images and extracts identification features that serve as the mediator for tracking and following another vehicle in the convoy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic communication systems with optical detection systems (cameras). Instead of using electronic signals to transfer position data between vehicles, the system uses visual capture and image processing to identify and track the target vehicle, substituting a mechanical/optical system for an electronic one.
2Device complexity
If user manually tracks other vehicles visually, then no electronic connection is needed, but user distraction and safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic vehicle identification and tracking without requiring continuous user attention. The camera system and image processing algorithms autonomously capture images, identify the target vehicle, calculate position, and update navigation data, allowing the user to focus on driving while the system handles the following task automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images, processes identification data, calculates vehicle position, and provides feedback through the navigation system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically adjusts and maintains the following function without requiring user intervention, reducing distraction while maintaining awareness of the target vehicle's position.
3Device complexity
If visual tracking without electronic connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability when vehicles are out of sight decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification by capturing images and extracting identification data (license plate, vehicle features) before the target vehicle goes out of sight. This preliminary action stores critical identification information that can be used to maintain tracking even when visual contact is temporarily lost, improving reliability without requiring continuous electronic connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supporting a user of a first vehicle to follow a second vehicle includes obtaining a picture, by a camera, of at least a part of a surrounding of the first vehicle, detecting vehicles in the obtained picture, displaying a representation of the detected vehicles on a user interface to the user, obtaining input from the user from the user interface of which of the detected vehicles that is the second vehicle and that the user would like to follow, obtaining, via the camera, at least one identification data of the second vehicle, tracking the position of the second vehicle, and transmitting the position of the second vehicle to a navigation system of the first vehicle.