Work Vehicle Obstacle Detection With Adaptive Camera Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstacle detection systems for work vehicles, such as tractors, suffer from low object discrimination accuracy, leading to erroneous detections of tall grass or floating matter as obstacles, resulting in unnecessary warnings for the driver.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of imaging devices and active sensors, where the image processing device performs obstacle discrimination using a time division system, adjusting processing cycles based on vehicle speed and direction, and the active sensors provide accurate distance measurements to confirm obstacle presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a radar device with low object discrimination accuracy is used for obstacle detection, then the detection range and coverage are improved, but the accuracy of distinguishing actual obstacles from false targets (tall grass, floating matter) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging devices (cameras) with different imaging ranges (wide-angle and telephoto lenses) to create a comprehensive detection system. The wide-angle camera captures broad areas for coverage, while the telephoto camera provides detailed views for accurate discrimination, merging their strengths to resolve the contradiction between detection range and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different imaging devices and processing modes based on detection needs. When potential obstacles are detected, the system activates specific cameras and adjusts processing cycles accordingly, allowing the system to adapt between wide coverage and detailed inspection modes to maintain both detection range and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If obstacle discrimination processing is performed continuously for all imaging devices, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial processing by performing full obstacle discrimination processing only on images from specific imaging devices or specific regions of interest, rather than continuously processing all images from all devices. This selective approach maintains detection accuracy for critical areas while reducing overall processing time and computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic processing cycles where different imaging devices are processed at different intervals. High-priority devices or regions undergo more frequent analysis, while other areas are processed less frequently, creating a periodic pattern that balances detection accuracy with processing time requirements.
3Productivity
If the processing target cycle per unit time is extended for all imaging devices, then the processing load is reduced, but the response time for detecting obstacles in critical areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing target cycles to different imaging devices based on their specific roles and the importance of their detection areas. Critical areas with shorter cycles maintain fast detection response, while less critical areas use longer cycles for improved processing efficiency, creating local variations in processing parameters that optimize overall system performance.
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
This configuration enhances obstacle detection accuracy, reducing false alarms and ensuring that only actual obstacles are detected, thereby improving the reliability of the system for safe vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of imaging devices 81 to 84, each of which captures an image of surroundings of the work vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of active sensors, each of which measures a distance to a measurement target object present in surroundings of the work vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention enables an obstacle, present in the surroundings of a work vehicle, to be accurately detected. This obstacle detection system for a work vehicle has: a plurality of imaging devices (81-84) that take images of the surroundings of a work vehicle; and an image processing device (86) that performs, according to a time division system, an obstacle identification process for identifying an obstacle on the basis of the images from the plurality of imaging devices (81-84). The image processing device (86) changes a to-be-processed cycle per unit time for the plurality of imaging devices (81-84) in the time division system in accordance with the vehicle speed and the traveling direction of the work vehicle.