Object Detection Description and Operation (Traffic Sign Assist): Notes

The traffic sign assistant is a convenience detects designated traffic signs via the vehicle direction camera control module and displays them in the driver information center.

The traffic sign assistant is made up of the following components:

• Vehicle direction camera control module
• Instrument cluster

Vehicle Direction Camera Control Module 

If the vehicle is driving, the camera observes the road borders inside it's field of view. The camera is able to see the scene inside it's field of view, which is 40° horizontal and 26° vertical. The camera is designed in a kind, that it can see traffic signs up to a distance of 10 m (33 ft) in front of the vehicle. It can also see traffic signs up to a horizontal distance of 8.5 m (28 ft) and a height of 6 m (20 ft). Traffic signs which are not in the field of view can not be detected.

Inside the field of view the camera constantly searches for traffic signs. If the camera detects a traffic sign, it will permanently check the quality of the detection, when the traffic sign is coming closer. The position of the traffic sign is calculated and computed with other information like vehicle speed, lane information and other seen traffic signs. By this the camera is able to estimate, whether the seen traffic sign is a valid one. If the traffic sign is a valid one, it will be reported to the driver in the moment when it leaves the field of view, i.e. 10 m (33 ft) in front of the car.

Instrument Cluster 

The vehicle direction camera control module sends the messages to the instrument cluster via CAN-Bus. Therefore the traffic signs are displayed on the driver information center. On the page TRAFFIC SIGN DETECTION the last recognized traffic sign will be displayed. Speed limits and no passing signs are displayed as popup on each page of the driver information center menu.