Blind Spot Detection Using Sound Source Direction Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-in-blind-spot detection systems fail to accurately identify vehicles in blind spots without communication between vehicles and require complex equipment setups, leading to false alarms and incomplete detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-in-blind-spot detecting apparatus equipped with microphones to extract and analyze vehicle sounds, determining the direction of the sound source to indicate the presence of a vehicle in a blind spot, allowing for simple mounting on a vehicle and effective detection without requiring communication between vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication apparatus is used to detect vehicle-in-blind-spot, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and requirement for cooperative vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex communication-based detection systems with a sound-based detection system using microphones and signal processing. The sound detection apparatus uses acoustic waves to detect vehicles in blind spots, eliminating the need for communication apparatus and cooperative vehicles while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses only the operator's vehicle equipped with sound detection apparatus, without requiring other vehicles to have communication apparatus. The system serves itself by using ambient sound environment and vehicle-generated sounds for detection
2Reliability
If sound detection is used to detect all approaching vehicles, then detection coverage is improved, but false alarms increase due to inability to distinguish blind spot vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by analyzing the directional characteristics of sounds. The sound source direction detection unit determines whether sounds come from above the vehicle (indicating blind spot location) versus other directions. This directional filtering allows the system to detect only blind spot vehicles while ignoring approaching vehicles from other directions, eliminating false alarms
3Measurement precision
If radar and map information are used to determine blind spot area, then blind spot identification is improved, but inability to detect actual vehicles in blind spot occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges blind spot area identification (from radar and map information) with sound detection and direction analysis. The presenting unit combines spatial information about blind spot areas with detected sound sources and their directions to determine actual vehicle presence in blind spots, providing complete information rather than just area identification
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
Enables accurate detection and notification of vehicles in blind spots, enhancing driver safety by providing clear and relevant information without the need for complex communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microphone which detects a sound
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-in-blind-spot detecting apparatus detects a vehicle positioned in a blind spot by mounting the apparatus on an operator's vehicle. The vehicle-in-blind-spot includes a presenting unit which presents information; at least one microphone which detects a sound; a vehicle sound extracting unit which extracts a vehicle sound from the sound detected by the microphone; and a sound source direction detecting unit which detects a sound source direction of the vehicle sound extracted by the vehicle sound extracting unit. A vehicle-in-blind-spot determining unit causes the presenting unit to present the information indicating that a vehicle is found in a blind spot in the case where the sound source direction of the vehicle sound detected by the sound source direction detecting unit is a first direction representing above the vehicle-in-blind-spot detecting apparatus with respect to a ground.