Wrong-way Detection Using Traffic Sign Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrong-way detection apparatuses face accuracy issues in determining if a vehicle is traveling the wrong way, particularly on ordinary roads due to the similarity in traffic sign sizes from different directions, and are limited to specific environments like highways.
Innovation Solution
A wrong-way determination apparatus that extracts and discriminates traffic signs based on their front or backside markings from captured images, using a computer program to determine if a vehicle is traveling the wrong way without relying on size differences, and is capable of functioning on various types of roads with different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wrong-way detection apparatus uses size difference of traffic signs to determine wrong-way running, then it can detect wrong-way running on highways, but the accuracy is reduced on ordinary roads where the size difference is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from traffic sign size to traffic sign orientation (front-side vs. back-side recognition). This parameter change allows the system to work effectively on both highways and ordinary roads, as the orientation difference remains significant regardless of road type or distance between lanes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting wrong-way running by identifying what the traffic sign should be (front-side), the system inverts the approach by detecting what the traffic sign actually shows (front-side or back-side) and determining wrong-way running from this recognition result. This inversion enables accurate detection on ordinary roads where size differences are minimal.
2Ease of operation
If the wrong-way detection apparatus relies on size difference between traffic signs, then the detection is straightforward on highways, but the accuracy deteriorates on ordinary roads with minimal size difference
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the detection parameter from size to orientation characteristics (front-side markings vs. back-side). This maintains ease of operation through clear binary classification while significantly improving reliability on ordinary roads where size-based detection fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the asymmetric nature of traffic signs (front-side has markings, back-side does not) to create a reliable detection method. This asymmetric characteristic provides a clear distinction that works consistently across different road types, maintaining both ease of operation and high reliability.
3Reliability
If the wrong-way detection apparatus uses traffic sign size for determination, then it works in controlled highway environments, but cannot reliably detect wrong-way running on ordinary roads with disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection method that functions reliably across multiple road types (highways, ordinary roads, roads with disturbances). The orientation-based detection approach serves as a multi-functional solution that adapts to different environments without requiring separate detection strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from size-based to orientation-based detection, the system achieves both high reliability in controlled environments and broad adaptability to various road types. The orientation parameter is less affected by environmental variations such as distance, road configuration, and surrounding disturbances.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wrong-way determination apparatus, a discriminating unit recognizes a mark contained in the shape of at least one sign candidate and, and discriminates between a front-side or backside of the at least one sign candidate based on the mark. A wrong-way determining unit determines whether a vehicle is travelling the wrong way based on a result of the front-side or backside discrimination.