KR20170037695A - System and method for preventing a vehicle accitdent using traffic lights - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for preventing a vehicle accident using a traffic light are provided. The system for preventing a vehicle accident using a traffic lightaccording to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image acquisition part for photographing the front of a vehicle and acquiring an image; an image analysis part for analyzing the image, detecting a signal lamp and sensing the signal state of the signal lamp; an alarm generation part for generating an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle; and a control part for controlling the alarm generation part based on the signal state of the signal lamp.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light,

The present invention relates to a system and method for preventing a vehicle accident using a traffic light. More particularly, the present invention relates to a traffic accident prevention system and method using a traffic signal, And more particularly, to a system and a method for preventing an accident of a vehicle.

In general, automobiles have become an indispensable product in modern society because advanced technology has been applied to improve mobility and usability. In recent years, various sensors have been installed in automobiles for the safe operation of the driver. For example, there are devices that warn the user that there is an obstacle through the sensor, display the distance to the obstacle on the screen, or recognize the lane on the road or the vehicle ahead.

However, a lot of accidents still occur while driving the vehicle, and accidents occur frequently in places where traffic lights are installed, such as intersections and crosswalks. For example, the rear vehicle may collide with the preceding vehicle due to carelessness of the driver or sudden braking of the front vehicle. In addition, there are cases where the traffic lights continue to ignore the stop signal despite the red or yellow signal, or to stop over the stop line.

Accordingly, it is possible to warn the driver in consideration of the signal state of the traffic light, and if the vehicle can be controlled, the possibility of an accident can be reduced and the driver's convenience can be increased.

Korea Patent Publication No. 2015-0059967 (published on June 3, 2015)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vehicle accident prevention system and method using a signal lamp that gives an alarm signal to a driver of a vehicle according to a signal state of a traffic light and can control the vehicle in consideration of a signal state of the traffic light to provide.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other matters not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light, comprising: an image acquisition unit that captures an image of a vehicle ahead and acquires an image; An image analyzer for analyzing the image to detect a signal lamp and detecting a signal state of the signal lamp; An alarm generating unit for generating an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle; And a controller for controlling the alarm generator based on a signal state of the signal lamp.

Also, the image acquiring unit may use any one of CCD and CMOS as an image sensor.

In addition, the image analyzer may set a region of interest in the image, and may detect a specific pattern having an area having a predetermined brightness or more in the region of interest, using the signal lamp.

The image analyzing unit may detect a signal state of the signal lamp by detecting a color and a shape of a lamp illuminated in the signal lamp.

In addition, the image analyzer may sense at least one of a red signal, a yellow signal, a left-turn signal, and a green signal as a signal state of the signal light.

A speed sensing unit for sensing a speed of the vehicle; And a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle.

The image analyzing unit may analyze the image to detect a stop line.

The control unit may control the vehicle to stop in front of the stop line based on the signal state of the traffic light and the speed of the vehicle.

The control unit may control the vehicle to stop at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle based on the signal state of the traffic light and the distance to the preceding vehicle.

The apparatus may further include a direction signal sensing unit for sensing a signal of the turn signal lamp of the vehicle.

The control unit may control the alarm generating unit based on a signal state of the signal lamp and a signal of the turn signal lamp.

The control unit controls the alarm generating unit to continue driving the vehicle when the signal state of the signal lamp is a green signal when the vehicle is running, and when the signal state of the signal lamp is a red or yellow signal The control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop and to cause the vehicle to stop in an emergency when the vehicle continues to run, the signal state of the signal lamp is a left turn signal, and the turn signal lamp is a left turn turn indicator , When the signal state of the signal lamp is the left turn signal and the turn signal lamp is the turn turning indicator or off, the alarm generating unit is controlled to stop the vehicle And when the vehicle continues to travel, It is possible to control so as to stop an emergency.

The control unit controls the alarm generating unit to start the vehicle when the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal when the vehicle is in a signal standby state and the signal state of the traffic light is a left turn signal, And controls the alarm generating unit to start the vehicle when the turn signal lamp is a turn signal indicating that the turn signal is a left turn signal. When the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal and the vehicle travels in the leftward direction, the control unit controls the alarm generating unit so as to control the alarm generating unit To guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to run It can be controlled to an emergency stop of the vehicle.

In addition, when the vehicle is running in violation of the warning of the alarm generating unit, the control unit displays the position in association with the GPS, records the violation, records the violation as a point, Visualize and display the point, and transmit the displayed position, the recorded violation status, and the recorded point to the external terminal.

The control unit may control the vehicle to stop in front of the stop line or at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle based on the signal state of the traffic light and the distance between the vehicle speed and the preceding vehicle.

The information processing apparatus may further include a communication unit for receiving signal information related to the signal lamp.

The signal information may include a signal state of the signal lamp, a switching remaining time of the signal state, and a next signal state of the signal lamp.

The image analyzing unit analyzes the image to detect a preceding vehicle or a stop line of the vehicle. When the stop of the vehicle is determined according to the signal information, the control unit maintains a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle and stops The vehicle can be controlled to stop the vehicle or stop in front of the stop line.

The image analyzing unit may detect a signal state of each of the plurality of signal lamps by detecting a color and a shape of a lamp illuminated in the plurality of signal lamps when a plurality of signal lamps are detected in the image.

In addition, the control unit can determine the main signal state by combining the signal states of the plurality of signals.

The control unit may control to start the vehicle based on the main signal state and the direction signal of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a stop state.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle accident prevention method using a traffic light, comprising: capturing an image of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle to obtain an image; Analyzing the image to detect a signal lamp, and sensing a signal state of the signal lamp; Generating an alarm to the driver of the vehicle based on the signal state of the traffic light; And stopping or starting the vehicle when the vehicle is running or stopping in violation of the alert.

The method may further include detecting the stop line or the preceding vehicle by analyzing the image.

The method may further include receiving a signal state of the traffic light if the traffic light is not detected.

The method may further include receiving a signal state of the signal lamp, a switching remaining time of the signal state, and a next signal state of the signal light.

The method may further include detecting a signal of the driving speed and the turn signal of the vehicle.

Further, the step of generating the alarm may include the step of guiding at least one of the stop position of the vehicle or the braking distance of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle.

The step of generating the alarm may include generating the alarm based on the signal state of the signal lamp and the signal of the turn signal lamp when the vehicle is stopped or slowing down to a predetermined speed or less.

In addition, the step of stopping or starting may include a step of accelerating the vehicle to a predetermined speed or accelerating the speed of the preceding vehicle of the vehicle.

The step of generating the alarm may include generating the alarm based on the signal state of the signal lamp and the signal of the turn signal lamp when the vehicle is traveling over a predetermined speed.

The step of stopping or starting the vehicle may include decelerating the vehicle to stop at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle, or decelerating the vehicle to stop before the stop line.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the present invention, an alarm signal is given to a driver of a vehicle according to a signal state of a traffic light, and the vehicle can be controlled in consideration of a signal state of the traffic light.

It also improves driver convenience and reduces the risk of traffic accidents.

1 is a block diagram of a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing a vehicle equipped with a camera for applying a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a signal state of a signal lamp to be sensed by a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing an image acquired by a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view for explaining an example of detecting a traffic light and a signal state in a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view for explaining a travel control when a preceding vehicle exists in front of a vehicle to which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
7 is a view for explaining a case where a vehicle to which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention travels at an intersection.
8 is a signal flow diagram in which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with a control server for controlling a traffic light.
9 is a flowchart of a vehicle accident prevention method using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, components and / or sections, it is needless to say that these elements, components and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element or section from another element, element or section. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first element, the first element or the first section mentioned below may be the second element, the second element or the second section within the technical spirit of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. As used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "made of" means that a component, step, operation, and / or element may be embodied in one or more other components, steps, operations, and / And does not exclude the presence or addition thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view showing a vehicle equipped with a camera for applying a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a signal state of a signal lamp to be sensed by a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view showing an image acquired by a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a view for explaining an example of detecting a traffic light and a signal state in a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a view for explaining driving control when a preceding vehicle exists in front of a vehicle to which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

1, a vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an image acquisition unit 105, an image analysis unit 110, an alarm generation unit 115, a control unit 120, A speed sensing unit 125, a distance measuring unit 130, a direction signal sensing unit 135, a communication unit 140, a storage unit 145, a GPS receiving unit 150, and the like. For example, a vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light may include an image acquisition unit 105 for capturing an image of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle, an image analyzing unit 105 for detecting a traffic light, An image analyzer 110, an alarm generator 115 for generating an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle, and a controller 120 for controlling the alarm generator based on the signal state of the signal lamp.

The image acquiring unit 105 acquires a forward image. As shown in FIG. 2, the image acquisition unit 105 may be a camera module 102. Here, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be used as an image sensor. The image generated through the camera module 102 may be directly displayed to the driver. The image acquiring unit 105 may acquire an image of the vehicle 50 ahead of the vehicle 50 and transmit the acquired image to the image analyzing unit 110. The image obtaining unit 105 may convert the obtained image in the traveling direction to an image data form and transmit the image data to the image analyzing unit 110.

In addition, the image acquisition unit 105 may convert the image into a compressed format in which the image is compressed to facilitate data transfer. The image data in the form of a compressed format may have various formats such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) -1 or MPEG-4. The camera module constituting the image obtaining unit 105 may be a camera capable of shooting at night so as to detect an accurate situation of the vehicle at night. That is, it may be a camera module 102 including an infrared sensor module for detecting infrared rays. In particular, the infrared sensor module is preferably a near-infrared sensor module for sensing near-infrared rays, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a far-infrared sensor module for detecting far-infrared rays.

The image analysis unit 110 may detect an object by analyzing the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 105, and may detect a specific event. Here, an object includes a specific object that can be distinguished from other parts in an image such as a traffic light, a preceding vehicle, a person, and a stop line, and an event includes a case where a specific situation such as a position change of an object, And includes all situations in which the image data of the image can be changed. Specifically, the image analysis unit 110 extracts feature information of the object to be detected from the image input from the image acquisition unit 105, and extracts the feature using the extracted feature have.

At this time, the image analysis unit 110 may set the region of interest in the image and derive the feature information of the detected event in the region of interest. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the obtained image may include a traffic light 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the image analysis unit 110 extracts a region of interest , ROI), and a specific pattern having an area having a predetermined brightness or more in the ROI 15 can be detected by the traffic light 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the signal lamp 10 may have a lamp 12 for displaying a red signal, a yellow signal, a left turn signal, and a green signal. Such a signal lamp 10 may be arranged such that each lamp 12 is horizontally arranged as shown in Fig. 3 or vertically as shown in Fig. Therefore, the signal lamp 10 has a plurality of lamps 12 arranged horizontally or vertically in a rectangular shape, and at least one lamp 12 is turned on, so that a specific pattern having a region having a predetermined brightness or more is transmitted to a signal lamp (10). Here, the image analysis unit 110 detects the horizon in the image, and the signal lamp 10 is located on the detected horizon, so that the region of interest 15 can be set on the horizon.

Also, the image analysis unit 110 can derive the signal state of the lamp 12, which is the feature information of the detected signal lamp 10. As described above, the signal lamp 10 has a lamp 12 for displaying a red signal, a yellow signal, a left turn signal, and a green signal, and has a color of red, yellow, green, . The image analysis unit 110 may detect the signal state of the signal lamp 12 by detecting the color and shape of the lamp 12 illuminated in the signal lamp 10, A red signal, a yellow signal, a left-turn signal, and a green signal as a signal state of the signal lamp 10.

For example, the image analysis unit 110 determines the hue of the lamp 12 by converting an RGB image of the lamp 12 illuminated in a predetermined section into an HSI (Hue, Saturation, Intensity) image. When RGB is converted into HSI, the conversion formulas of hue (color), saturation (saturation), and intensity (brightness) are expressed by the following equations (1) to (3), respectively.

&Quot; (1) "

&Quot; (2) "

&Quot; (3) "

In addition, the image analysis unit 110 determines the shape of the lamp 12 by binarizing and labeling the image of the illuminated lamp 12. Binarization All pixels in an image are represented only in black and white. As a criterion for this, a pixel having a low value based on a predetermined threshold value may be expressed as a black pixel and a pixel having a high value. The predetermined threshold value may be an average of brightness values of all the pixels, or iterative selection, two peak method, or the like. Alternatively, the user can set the threshold directly. Then, the labeling operation is used to determine whether the lamp 12 to be lighted is circular or arrow-shaped.

In particular, when a plurality of signal lamps 10 are detected in the image, the image analysis unit 110 detects the color and shape of the lamp 12 illuminated in the plurality of signal lamps 10, ) May be detected. The signal states of the plurality of signal lights 10 sensed in this way are transmitted to the control unit 120 and the control unit 120 can determine the main signal state by combining the signal states of the plurality of signal lights 10. [ For example, when the vehicle 50 is stopped behind a large truck, it may be difficult to detect the signal lamp 10 ahead of the image, and in this case, the signal light 10 It is possible to detect the signal state and estimate the signal state of the signal light 10 ahead by combining the signal states of the signal lights 10 on the right and left sides. For example, if the left and right pedestrian traffic lights 10 are all green signals, the vehicle signal lamp 10 at the front can be turned into a green signal, and accordingly, a preliminary signal indicating that it may be a green signal can be guided to the driver.

Also, the image analysis unit 110 may detect a preceding vehicle or a stop line of the vehicle 50 that photographs the forward image by analyzing the image. For example, the image analysis unit 110 may detect a line having a thickness of a predetermined size and a white line in the image and detect the line as a stop line. In addition, the image analysis unit 110 may binarize and label the image to determine and extract the preceding vehicle. Here, the image analyzing unit 110 may detect the image using a learning machine such as AdaBoost or SVM (Support Vector Machine) or a non-learning method using vector similarity of the extracted features, The learning method and the non-learning method can be appropriately selected depending on the object (stop line, preceding vehicle, etc.) and the complexity of the background.

The alarm generating unit 115 generates an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle. The alarm generating unit 115 can alerts the driver by visual means using an LCD or the like as well as an audible means such as an alarm sound. That is, the alarm generating unit 115 may include a display module (not shown) for visually displaying the alarm to the driver or an alarm module (not shown) for audibly alarming the driver. Here, the display module may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) A plasma display panel (PDP), and the like, and serves to display image information. In addition, the alarm module generates an alarm event to the driver, and these alarm events may include voice alerts and automatic braking of different volumes depending on the degree of danger. In addition, the alarm generating unit 115 may include a tactile means for alerting the driver to vibration or the like.

Specifically, when the signal state of the signal lamp 10 is a red signal or a yellow signal, the alarm generating unit 115 can generate an alarm signal if the vehicle 50 is not running and is running. When the signal state is a green signal, the alarm generating unit 115 can generate an alarm signal when the vehicle is not traveling and is stopped. In addition, in the case of the left turn signal, the alarm generating unit 115 may not generate an alarm signal when the vehicle is in the stop state with the left turn direction indicator turned on. In addition, the alarm generating unit 115 can generate an alarm signal in consideration of a stop line, a preceding vehicle, and the like. For example, the alarm generating unit 115 may generate an alarm signal to maintain the vehicle at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle based on the distance from the preceding vehicle. In particular, the alarm generating unit 115 can provide the driver with the braking distance and the stop position of the vehicle in a specific numerical value or the like in consideration of the speed of the vehicle and the like. Such an alarm generating unit 115 can alarm the driver by using navigation or a display module of a smart phone or a speaker in conjunction with navigation (not shown) installed in the vehicle 50 or a smartphone (not shown) of the driver .

The control unit 120 controls the overall operation of the vehicle accident prevention system 100. For example, the control unit 120 may control the alarm generating unit 115 based on the signal state of the traffic light, so that the alarm generating unit 115 alerts the driver. Also, the control unit 120 may control the running of the vehicle 50. [ For example, the control unit 120 may control the braking device (not shown) of the vehicle 50 to stop or start the vehicle 50. The specific control operation of the control unit 120 will be described later.

The speed sensing unit 125 may sense the speed of the vehicle 50. The distance measuring unit 130 may measure the distance between the vehicle 50 and the preceding vehicle and may include a direction signal sensing unit 135, Can sense a signal of a turn signal indicating the direction of the left or right turn of the vehicle 50. [ The speed of the sensed vehicle 50, the distance to the preceding vehicle, the signal of the turn signal, and the like are transmitted to the controller 120. The control unit 120 can alert the driver by controlling the alarm generating unit 115 based on various information transmitted from the speed sensing unit 125, the distance measuring unit 130, and the direction signal sensing unit 135, Or the running of the vehicle 50 can be directly controlled to prevent a dangerous situation.

For example, the control unit 120 can control the vehicle 50 to stop in front of the stop line based on the signal state of the traffic light 10 and the speed of the vehicle 50. Specifically, when the signal state of the traffic light is a red signal or a yellow signal, the control unit 120 controls the braking device of the vehicle 50 in consideration of the braking distance according to the speed of the vehicle 50, (50) can be stopped. Here, the stop line can be detected by the image analysis unit 110. [ At this time, the distance to the stop line can be calculated from the distance between the vehicle 50 and the stop line according to the size of the stop line. For example, the image analysis unit 110 calculates an initial search window area at an initial position of an object stop line, calculates a color probability distribution, finds a center pixel of the object inside and outside the search window area, Returns the pixel position in case of convergence, and reduces the search window size. It is possible to estimate the size of the object stop line by, for example, estimating the pixel of the object by repeatedly performing the above steps, converting it to the actual scale using the correction table, and then outputting it. Since the size of the stop line changes according to the distance from the stop line, the distance from the stop line can be estimated according to the estimated stop line size.

The control unit 120 can also control the vehicle 50 to stop at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle based on the signal state of the signal lamp 10 and the distance to the preceding vehicle. Specifically, the control unit 120 controls the braking device of the vehicle 50 on the basis of the distance from the preceding vehicle when the signal state of the traffic light is a red signal or a yellow signal or when the preceding vehicle is stopped, It is possible to keep the distance and stop. Here, the preceding vehicle may be detected by the image analyzing unit 110 as well as the distance measuring unit 130. [ 6, when the preceding vehicle is detected by the image analysis unit 110 in the vehicle 50 having the camera module 102, the control unit 120 controls the braking device to detect the preceding vehicle and the predetermined vehicle The vehicle 50 can be stopped at a distance D away from the vehicle.

Further, the control unit 120 can control the alarm generating unit 105 based on the signal state of the signal lamp 10 and the signal of the turn signal lamp. Specifically, when the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal, the signal of the turn signal lamp is OFF, and the vehicle 50 is stopped, the control unit 120 controls the alarm generating unit 105 to generate a warning sound Can be generated. When the signal state of the signal lamp is the left turn signal and the signal of the turn signal lamp is the left turn signal and the vehicle 50 is stopped, the control unit 120 controls the alarm generating unit 105 to generate a warning sound Can be generated.

For example, when the vehicle is traveling, the control unit 120 controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to continue running when the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal. If the signal state of the traffic light is red or yellow The control unit controls the alarm generating unit 105 to guide the vehicle to stop and to control the vehicle to stop emergency when the vehicle continues to run, and the signal state of the signal lamp is a left turn signal, When the signal state of the signal lamp is a left-turn signal and the turn signal lamp is a turn-right turn indicator or off, the alarm generating unit controls the alarm generating unit to continue driving the vehicle, (105) to guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to travel, It is possible to control the vehicle to stop the emergency.

The control unit 120 controls the alarm generating unit 105 to start the vehicle when the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal when the vehicle is in a signal standby state, When the signal state of the signal lamp is a left-turn signal and the vehicle advances in a straight-ahead direction, the alarm control unit controls the alarm generating unit to start the vehicle if the turn signal is a left turn signal, When the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal and the vehicle travels in the direction of the left turn, the control unit controls the generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to run, Controls the alarm generating unit 105 to guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to run It can be controlled to an emergency stop of the vehicle.

In particular, when the vehicle is running in violation of the warning of the alarm generating unit 105, the control unit 120 displays the position in cooperation with the GPS, records the violation, records the violation as a point, It is possible to visually display the point, and transmit the displayed position, the recorded violation status, and the recorded point to an external terminal (not shown). Here, the control unit 120 receives the GPS information from the GPS receiving unit 150 and can know the position of the vehicle. In addition, the control unit 120 can determine whether the vehicle is in a safe driving state by day, month, etc. based on a signal violation of the vehicle or the like, and convert the data into a graph or a score so that self-inspection can be performed. . These records are transmitted to a mobile device (not shown), which is an external terminal including a web, a PC, a smart phone, and the like, so that a vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light can be interlocked with the mobile device so that the vehicle can be viewed by the mobile device. Such a mobile device may be a general mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone, a Personal Communications Services phone (PCS phone), a synchronous / asynchronous IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication-2000), a 2G / 3G / 4G, To a network 50 such as a terminal capable of providing a wireless network service, a Palm personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a WAP phone (wireless application protocol phone) And may be an apparatus having an interface for a wireless LAN connection such as an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN network card. In addition, each of the terminals 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 may be an information communication device such as a computer, a notebook, a tablet, or the like, in addition to the mobile communication terminal.

The control unit 120 controls the vehicle 50 running in consideration of the signal state of the signal lamp 10, the signal of the turn signal lamp, the speed of the vehicle or the distance to the preceding vehicle, Or stop the vehicle 50 that is stopping the vehicle.

The communication unit 140 receives signal information related to a traffic light. Here, the signal information may include a signal state of the signal lamp 10, a remaining time of switching the signal state, a next signal state of the signal lamp 10, and the like. The signal state of the signal lamp 10 may be acquired through image analysis of the image analysis unit 110. The signal lamp 10 of the signal lamp 10 may be obtained by the lamp 12 of the signal lamp 10, 12 can not be identified by the image analysis, the signal state of the signal lamp 10 can be received through the communication unit 140. In addition, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle 50 stops or runs by receiving the remaining time of signal state switching of the signal lamp 10, the next signal state of the signal lamp 10, and the like.

For example, even if the signal lamp 10 recognizes the signal as a green signal through image analysis, it may immediately turn into a yellow signal, and the vehicle 50 may not be suitable for passing through an intersection or a crosswalk. The control unit 120 controls the alarm generating unit 115 in consideration of the remaining time of switching the signal state of the signal lamp 10 and the speed of the vehicle 50 and the distance between the vehicle 50 and the stop line, The vehicle 50 can be stopped by generating an alarm signal or controlling the braking device of the vehicle 50. [ For example, when the stop of the vehicle 50 is determined according to the signal information, the control unit 120 controls the vehicle 50 to stop at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle, Can be controlled.

The communication unit 140 may transmit and receive information, data, and the like with the mobile device through the network so that the mobile device and the system 100 can be interlocked. For example, as described above, it is possible to transmit the marked position of the signal violation, the recorded violation status, and the recorded point to the mobile device as the external terminal.

7 is a view for explaining a case where a vehicle to which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention travels at an intersection. 8 is a signal flow diagram in which a vehicle accident prevention system using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with a control server for controlling a traffic light.

7 and 8, a signal lamp 10 is installed at an intersection, and the signal light is regularly changed by the control server 200 in the signal lamp 10. As described above, the communication unit 140 can receive signal information related to a traffic light and receives the signal information from the control server 200 that controls the traffic light 10. The vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light can photograph the image of itself (S110) and analyze it (S120), detect the signal lamp 10, signal state, stop line, preceding vehicle, The control server 200 receives various signal information related to a traffic light from the control server 200 and generates an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle or directly controls the vehicle to stop or start the vehicle .

Here, the communication unit 140 can communicate with the control server 200 that controls the traffic lights based on short-range wireless communication or long-distance wireless communication. In general, when the control server 200 is installed in the traffic light 10, it is more likely to communicate based on short-range wireless communication. At this time, the near field wireless communication can use one of Bluetooth, Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), and Wibree. Wireless LAN, Wireless MAN, WiMAX, Long Term Evolution (LTE), or the like may be used to transmit signal information based on long-distance wireless communication. Of course, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other wireless communication schemes may be employed without being limited to the above-mentioned near-field and long-distance wireless communication.

The storage unit 145 serves to store various kinds of information. For example, the storage unit 145 may store a program for controlling the vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light, and the image obtained by the image acquisition unit 105 may be stored in the storage unit 145 by the image analysis unit 110 (For example, a vertical or horizontal type, a two-color signal lamp or a three-color signal lamp or a four-color signal lamp) of the signal lamp 10 and a signal pattern of the signal lamp 10 (For example, green, yellow, etc.) of the traffic light 10, and the like.

The storage unit 145 may be a hard disk, a flash memory, a Compact Flash card, an SD card (Secure Digital Card), an SM card (Smart Media Card), a MMC (Multimedia Card) Or the like, and may be provided in a vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a signal lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, or may be provided in a separate device.

The GPS receiving unit 150 receives the GPS information and can confirm the position of the vehicle 50 through the GPS receiving unit 150. The positional information of the signal lamp 10 can be displayed on a map such as a navigation system or the like and the position of the vehicle 50 can be accurately detected by checking the position of the vehicle 50 with the GPS information, It is possible to quickly receive necessary signal information and the like through the communication unit 140.

Each of the components of FIG. 1 may denote software or hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, the components are not limited to software or hardware, and may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium and configured to execute one or more processors. The functions provided in the components may be implemented by a more detailed component or may be implemented by a single component that performs a specific function by combining a plurality of components.

The vehicle accident prevention system 100 using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on a vehicle as a separate module, but may be integrally mounted on a black box or the like installed in a vehicle. In such a case, the vehicle accident prevention system 100 may be modularized and mounted inside a black box or the like.

9 is a flowchart of a vehicle accident prevention method using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a vehicle accident prevention method using a traffic light according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes capturing an image of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle to obtain an image (S10), analyzing the image (S20) (S30), a warning is issued to the driver of the vehicle based on the signal state of the traffic light (S40), and when the vehicle is running or stopping in violation of the alarm, (S50).

At this time, the stop line or the preceding vehicle can be detected by analyzing the image, and when the signal lamp can not be detected through the image analysis, the signal state of the signal lamp can be received from the outside. It is also possible to receive the signal remaining state of the signal state and the next signal state of the signal light in addition to the signal state of the signal light.

Further, it is possible to sense a signal of a running speed and a turn signal of the vehicle, and to guide at least one of the stop position of the vehicle or the braking distance of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle. In particular, when the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a speed lower than a predetermined speed, an alarm is generated to the driver based on the signal state of the signal lamp and the signal of the turn signal lamp, or when the vehicle is running while exceeding the predetermined speed, The alarm may be generated based on a signal state of a traffic light and a signal of the turn signal lamp.

When starting the vehicle, the vehicle may be accelerated to a predetermined speed or accelerated to a speed of the preceding vehicle of the vehicle. If the vehicle is to be stopped, the vehicle is stopped at a predetermined distance from the preceding vehicle Decelerating the vehicle or stopping the vehicle in front of the stop line.

Meanwhile, the vehicle accident prevention method using a traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as one module by software and hardware, and the embodiments of the present invention described above can be created as a program that can be executed in a computer, And can be implemented in a general-purpose computer that operates the program using a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is implemented in the form of a carrier wave such as a ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, an optical medium such as a CD or a DVD, and a transmission through the Internet. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed to a network-connected computer system so that computer-readable codes may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, You will understand. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

100: Vehicle accident prevention system using traffic lights
105: image acquisition unit 110: image analysis unit
115: alarm generating unit 120:
125: speed sensing unit 130: distance measuring unit
135: Direction signal detection unit 140:
145: Storage unit 150: GPS receiver

Claims (10)

An image acquiring unit for acquiring an image of the front of the vehicle;
An image analyzer for analyzing the image to detect a signal lamp and detecting a signal state of the signal lamp;
An alarm generating unit for generating an alarm signal to the driver of the vehicle; And
And a control unit for controlling the alarm generating unit based on a signal state of the signal lamp. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the image analyzing unit comprises:
And detects a signal state of the signal lamp by detecting a color and a shape of a lamp illuminated in the signal lamp. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the image analyzing unit comprises:
Wherein the at least one of the red signal, the yellow signal, the left-turn signal, and the green signal is detected as a signal state of the signal light. The method according to claim 1,
A speed sensing unit for sensing a speed of the vehicle; And
Further comprising: a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance from the preceding vehicle of the vehicle. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a direction signal detecting unit for detecting a signal of the turn signal lamp of the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein,
And controls the alarm generating unit based on a signal state of the signal lamp and a signal of the turn signal lamp. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein,
When the vehicle is running,
If the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal, the control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to continue running,
Wherein the control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop when the signal state of the traffic light is a red or yellow signal and controls the vehicle to stop emergency when the vehicle continues to run,
When the signal state of the signal lamp is a left-turn signal and the turn signal lamp is a left-turn turn signal lamp, controls the alarm generator to guide the vehicle to continue running,
When the signal state of the traffic light is a left-turn signal and the turn signal lamp is a right turn indicator or off, the control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to run, Vehicle accident prevention system using traffic light to control. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein,
When the vehicle is in a signal standby state,
If the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal, controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to start,
When the signal state of the signal lamp is a left-turn signal and the turn signal lamp is a left-turn direction indicator, the control unit controls the alarm generator to guide the vehicle to start,
When the signal state of the traffic light is a left turn signal and the vehicle travels in a straight forward direction, the control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop, and when the vehicle continues to run, controls to stop the vehicle ,
The control unit controls the alarm generating unit to guide the vehicle to stop when the signal state of the traffic light is a green signal and the vehicle travels in the left direction and controls the vehicle to stop emergency when the vehicle continues traveling , Vehicle accident prevention system using traffic lights. Capturing an image of the front of the vehicle to obtain an image;
Analyzing the image to detect a signal lamp, and sensing a signal state of the signal lamp;
Generating an alarm to the driver of the vehicle based on the signal state of the traffic light; And
And stopping or starting the vehicle when the vehicle is running or stopping in violation of the alarm. 10. The method of claim 9,
Further comprising the step of receiving a signal state of the traffic light when the traffic light is not detected.

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