White Line Recognition Using Depth Cues to Reject Guardrails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to adequately prevent misrecognition of white lines, particularly in environments involving sidewalks, where linear objects like guardrails can be mistaken for road markings.
Innovation Solution
A white line recognition system that includes a white line recognizer and a linear object detector, using a monocular camera and distance measurement sensor to differentiate between road markings and linear objects, preventing misrecognition by projecting object positions onto the image plane and searching for linear objects in corresponding space areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a monocular camera is used to recognize white lines, then the device complexity is reduced, but misrecognition of linear objects as white lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a monocular camera with a distance measurement sensor to form an integrated recognition system. The camera captures images for white line detection while the distance sensor provides depth information, and their results are merged to suppress misrecognition of linear objects as white lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measurement sensor acts as an intermediary that provides additional depth information to distinguish between actual white lines and linear objects like guardrails. This intermediate information helps the recognition system differentiate between true positives and false positives.
2Measurement precision
If only image data from a monocular camera is used, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the ability to distinguish linear objects from white lines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a third dimension (depth/distance) to the traditional two-dimensional image data by incorporating distance measurement sensor output. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to distinguish between linear objects at different distances and actual white lines on the road surface.
3Reliability
If the detection range of the distance measurement sensor is extended to cover the same direction as the camera, then the reliability of white line recognition is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance measurement sensor serves multiple functions: it measures distance for depth perception, helps distinguish linear objects from white lines, and provides spatial information for suppressing misrecognition. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity.
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
Effectively suppresses misrecognition of white lines by accurately distinguishing between road markings and linear objects, ensuring precise navigation on both roadways and sidewalks.
Implementation Method 1
an image captured by a monocular camera
Implementation Method 2
an output of a distance measurement sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A white line recognition device includes a storage medium storing computer-readable instructions and a processor connected to the storage medium, the processor executing the computer-readable instructions to recognize a linear feature located in an image captured by a monocular camera as a contour of a white line drawn on a road surface, and detect a linear object located at a distance from the road surface based on an output of a distance measurement sensor provided to have at least a detection range in the same direction as the monocular camera. Recognizing the linear feature includes preventing the linear feature from being recognized as the contour of the white line.