Blind Spot Object Sensing Using Reflections From Other Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing technologies face challenges in detecting objects within blind spots in a moving body's surrounding environment, such as a vehicle, as they rely on cameras and radars that struggle to accurately identify objects in obscured regions.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device equipped with a detection unit, distance measuring unit, and control unit that radiates physical signals and analyzes reflected signals to detect blind spots and objects within them, using radar and camera data to determine distance and object presence, enabling the detection of objects in blind spots and assessing risk levels for collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras and radars are used for detecting objects in blind spots, then the sensing device can monitor the surrounding environment, but the detection accuracy in obscured regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses another moving body as an intermediary to detect objects in the blind spot region. The other moving body travels toward the blind spot and detects objects that the own vehicle cannot directly observe, then transmits this detection information back to the own vehicle. This intermediary approach allows the own vehicle to indirectly detect objects in obscured regions where direct sensing is ineffective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by having another moving body advance into the blind spot region before the own vehicle needs to make critical decisions. This preliminary action allows the system to gather information about objects in the blind spot region in advance, improving the timing and accuracy of collision avoidance decisions.
2Area of stationary object
If the own vehicle directly senses the blind spot region, then the detection range is limited to visible areas, but objects in obscured regions cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs another moving body as a mobile sensor platform that physically enters the blind spot region to collect information that would otherwise be lost. This intermediary vehicle acts as an extension of the own vehicle's sensing capability, allowing the system to recover information from obscured regions without requiring the own vehicle to physically access those areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct line-of-sight detection to indirect detection through another moving body. By using a different spatial approach where another vehicle enters the blind spot region, the system effectively adds a new dimensional perspective for detecting objects that are invisible from the own vehicle's position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively detects objects in blind spots, enhancing collision avoidance capabilities by determining risk levels and enabling appropriate control measures, such as automatic braking or warnings, thereby improving safety in moving body systems.
Implementation Method 1
The detection unit radiates a physical signal from the moving body to the surrounding environment and detects a reflected signal of the radiated physical signal
Implementation Method 2
The distance measuring unit detects distance information indicating a distance from the moving body to the surrounding environment
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensing device (1) detects an object existing in a blind spot in a surrounding environment of a moving body (2) . The sensing device includes a detection unit (11), a distance measuring unit (12), and a control unit (13). The detection unit radiates a physical signal (Sa) from the moving body to the surrounding environment and detects a reflected signal (Sb) of the radiated physical signal. The distance measuring unit detects distance information indicating a distance from the moving body to the surrounding environment. The control unit analyzes a detection result made by the detection unit. The control unit detects a blind spot region (R1) indicating a blind spot in the surrounding environment and another moving body (5) traveling toward the blind spot region in front of the moving body based on the distance information, and detects an object (4) in the blind spot region based on the reflected signal reflected by the other moving body in a detection result of the detection unit.