Stop-sign recognition based on color/shape processing

Abstract

This paper presents a robust vision-based stop-sign reconition technique based on sequential processing of color and shape. The primary red-green-blue color coordinate system is first transformed into the saturation-hue-brightness color coordinate system. This color coordinate system allows the red color area of a stop sign to be bounded under various brightness conditions caused by weather, sun angle, or shadows. A combination of a median filter, a morphological filter, Sobel edge operator, and Hough transform is then employed to obtain the boundary contour. It is demonstrated that the parameters of eight straight lines representing the octagonal sides are sufficient for this purpose. Experimental results indicate that stop signs are successfully distinguished from other traffic sighs and background clutter.