Method for increasing the power of a traffic sign recognition system
First Claim
1. A process for improving performance of a system for recognizing traffic signs, said system including a camera and a therewith associated evaluation unit for image recognition or image display, said process comprising:
- utilizing information originating from at least one of(a) a map-based navigation system and(b) a traffic information systemin the evaluation or display of contents of traffic signs, wherein the system for traffic sign recognition is capable of operating at a normal performance level and at least one enhanced performance level, and wherein said system is caused to operate at said enhanced performance level when it is determined on the basis of map-based information or traffic information that the vehicle is passing through an area in which recognition of traffic signs may be problematic,wherein within said problematic areas supplemental subdivided recognition processes are carried out, comprising;
a) when entering or leaving communities, carrying out a specific search for signs indicating entry of a community and leaving of a community,b) when in the area of traffic influencing facilities, changing signs or traffic lights, searching for any change in the type and manner of the representation of the traffic signs,c) when in an area in which poor visibility due to fog or rain may be present and a higher probability of contrast-poor images may be required, effecting an increase in the contrast enhancement of the image data.
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Abstract
A method and device that increase the performance of prior art systems that recognize and display the contents of traffic signs. The amount of computer capacity required for real time operation is reduced and the display quality of the contents of known traffic signs is improved. The system for recognizing and/or displaying traffic signs comprises a camera and an evaluation unit connected thereto for image recognition and/or display. The system uses information stemming from at least one map-based navigation system and/or one travel information system in order to recognize and/or display the contents of traffic signs.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A process for improving performance of a system for recognizing traffic signs, said system including a camera and a therewith associated evaluation unit for image recognition or image display, said process comprising:
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utilizing information originating from at least one of (a) a map-based navigation system and (b) a traffic information system in the evaluation or display of contents of traffic signs, wherein the system for traffic sign recognition is capable of operating at a normal performance level and at least one enhanced performance level, and wherein said system is caused to operate at said enhanced performance level when it is determined on the basis of map-based information or traffic information that the vehicle is passing through an area in which recognition of traffic signs may be problematic, wherein within said problematic areas supplemental subdivided recognition processes are carried out, comprising; a) when entering or leaving communities, carrying out a specific search for signs indicating entry of a community and leaving of a community, b) when in the area of traffic influencing facilities, changing signs or traffic lights, searching for any change in the type and manner of the representation of the traffic signs, c) when in an area in which poor visibility due to fog or rain may be present and a higher probability of contrast-poor images may be required, effecting an increase in the contrast enhancement of the image data.
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2. A process for improving performance of a system for recognizing traffic signs, said system including a camera and a therewith associated evaluation unit for image recognition or image display, said process comprising:
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utilizing information originating from at least one of (a) a map-based navigation system and (b) a traffic information system in the evaluation or display of contents of traffic signs, wherein the system for recognition of traffic signs, during the processing of image data provided by an image sensor; examines these image data for the presence of traffic signs, extracts data corresponding to traffic signs, separates the extracted data into upper and lower classes and in association therewith extracts class-specific characterizing data, and supplies these extracted class-specific characterizing data to a separate classification. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A vehicle-mounted device for enhancing the performance of a system for recognizing traffic signs, which system includes a camera and a therewith associated evaluation unit for image recognition or for image display,
wherein said system is associated with at least one of (a) a map-based navigation system and (b) a traffic information system so as to utilize information originating therefrom in the process of recognition or display of contents of traffic signs, wherein a processing unit is provided in the system for recognition of traffic signs, which processing unit includes a program according to which it examines image data supplied by an image sensor for the presence of traffic signs, then extracts these data, separates these into upper and lower classes and in this context extracts class specific characterizing data and separately supplies these to a classifier.
Specification