Vision-based method and apparatus for monitoring vehicular traffic events

• US 6,442,474 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Trajkovic, Miroslav, Gutta, Srinivas
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/731,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/119, 348/148, 348/149, 340/936, 340/937, 382/104
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring traffic using vision-based technologies to recognize events and violations. The disclosed traffic monitoring system includes one or more image capture devices focused on a roadway where vehicles travel. The captured images are processed by the traffic monitoring system to identify one or more predefined events or traffic violations. A number of rules can be utilized to define various traffic-related events, including traffic violations. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined traffic event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the traffic monitoring system.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a vehicular traffic event, comprising:

establishing at least one rule defining said vehicular traffic event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed when said rule is satisfied;

processing at least one image of vehicular traffic to identify said condition; and

performing said action item if said rule is satisfied,

wherein said vehicular traffic event is a traffic violation selected from the group consisting of an illegal turn, an excessive speed and a failure to stop at a stop sign.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises the step of subtracting subsequent images to derive a vehicle speed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said processing step further comprises the step of determining if said vehicle speed exceeds a posted limit.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said processing step further comprises the step of determining if said vehicle speed fails to indicate that said vehicle stopped at a stop sign.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises the step of employing image subtraction on subsequent images to derive a vehicle trajectory and wherein said vehicle trajectory is compared to one or more templates corresponding to an illegal turn.

6. A method for detecting a vehicular traffic event, comprising:

obtaining at least one image of vehicular traffic;

analyzing said image using video content analysis techniques to identify at least one predefined feature in said image associated with said vehicular traffic event; and

identifying said vehicular traffic event if said predefined feature is recognized in one of said images,

wherein said vehicular traffic event is a traffic violation selected from the group consisting of an illegal turn, an excessive speed and a failure to stop at a stop sign.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said method further comprises the step of issuing a ticket for said traffic violation.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said analyzing step further comprises the step of subtracting subsequent images to derive a vehicle speed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said analyzing step further comprises the step of determining if said vehicle speed exceeds a posted limit.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said analyzing step further comprises the step of determining if said vehicle speed fails to indicate that said vehicle stopped at a stop sign.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said analyzing step further comprises the step of employing image subtraction on subsequent images to derive a vehicle trajectory and wherein said vehicle trajectory is compared to one or more templates corresponding to an illegal turn.

12. A system for detecting a vehicular traffic event, comprising:

a memory for storing computer readable code and a user profile; and

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to;

establish at least one rule defining said vehicular traffic event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed when said rule is satisfied; and

process at least one image of vehicular traffic to identify said condition,

wherein said vehicular traffic event is a traffic violation selected from the group consisting of an illegal turn, an excessive speed and a failure to stop at a stop sign.

13. An article of manufacture for detecting a vehicular traffic event, comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising;

a step to establish at least one rule defining said vehicular traffic event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed when said rule is satisfied;

a step to process at least one image of vehicular traffic to identify said condition,

wherein said vehicular traffic event is a traffic violation selected from the group consisting of an illegal turn, an excessive speed and a failure to stop at a stop sign.