18178748. AUTOMATED DETECTION OF SPECULAR REFLECTING ROAD SURFACES USING POLARIMETRIC IMAGE DATA simplified abstract (GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC)
Contents
AUTOMATED DETECTION OF SPECULAR REFLECTING ROAD SURFACES USING POLARIMETRIC IMAGE DATA
Organization Name
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventor(s)
Michael Baltaxe of Kfar Saba (IL)
Tzvi Philipp of Bet Shemesh (IL)
AUTOMATED DETECTION OF SPECULAR REFLECTING ROAD SURFACES USING POLARIMETRIC IMAGE DATA - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18178748 titled 'AUTOMATED DETECTION OF SPECULAR REFLECTING ROAD SURFACES USING POLARIMETRIC IMAGE DATA
The detection system for a host vehicle described in the patent application includes a camera, GPS receiver, compass, and electronic control unit (ECU). The camera captures polarimetric image data of the road surface illuminated by the Sun, forming an imaged drive scene. The GPS receiver provides the vehicle's present location as a date-and-time-stamped coordinate set, while the compass gives the directional heading of the vehicle. The ECU determines the Sun's location relative to the vehicle and camera using input data, including the present location and directional heading. It also detects specular reflecting areas on the road surface using the polarimetric image data and Sun's location, with the detected areas forming an output data set. The ECU then takes a control action aboard the host vehicle based on the output data set.
- Camera captures polarimetric image data of the road surface illuminated by the Sun
- GPS receiver provides the vehicle's present location as a date-and-time-stamped coordinate set
- Compass gives the directional heading of the vehicle
- ECU determines the Sun's location relative to the vehicle and camera using input data
- ECU detects specular reflecting areas on the road surface using polarimetric image data and Sun's location
- ECU executes a control action aboard the host vehicle based on the detected areas
Potential Applications: - Autonomous driving systems - Road safety applications - Navigation systems
Problems Solved: - Detection of specular reflecting areas on the road surface - Improving vehicle control based on environmental conditions
Benefits: - Enhanced road safety - Improved navigation accuracy - Increased efficiency in autonomous driving systems
Commercial Applications: - Automotive industry for autonomous vehicles - Transportation and logistics companies for fleet management
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the system differentiate between specular reflecting areas and other road surface features? 2. What are the potential limitations of the system in different weather conditions?
Frequently Updated Research: - Ongoing research on improving the accuracy and efficiency of detecting specular reflecting areas on road surfaces.
Original Abstract Submitted
A detection system for a host vehicle includes a camera, global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, compass, and electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data forming an imaged drive scene inclusive of a road surface illuminated by the Sun. The GPS receiver outputs a present location of the vehicle as a date-and-time-stamped coordinate set. The compass provides a directional heading of the vehicle. The ECU determines the Sun's location relative to the vehicle and camera using an input data set, including the present location and directional heading. The ECU also detects a specular reflecting area or areas on the road surface using the polarimetric image data and Sun's location, with the specular reflecting area(s) forming an output data set. The ECU then executes a control action aboard the host vehicle in response to the output data set.
