Dual-Marker Vehicle Recognition Across Varying Inter-Vehicle Distances

Solution Overview

Problem

The limited space on travelling vehicles makes it difficult to affix large and small markers side by side, which complicates reliable recognition of other vehicles regardless of inter-vehicle distance.

Innovation Solution

A travelling vehicle system that includes a body with both a small and a large marker, an imager, a pattern recognizer, and a state determiner. The markers have distinct display patterns with varying reflectance regions, allowing the system to reliably recognize the markers at different distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large marker is used for distant recognition, then recognition reliability at far distances is improved, but the marker cannot be reliably recognized when the inter-vehicle distance is small because it exceeds the image capturing range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition reliabilityVSAvoidrecognition adaptability to distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The marker system is segmented into two distinct markers: a large marker for distant recognition and a small marker for close-distance recognition. Each marker is optimized for its specific distance range, with the large marker having a surface area that does not entirely fit within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small, and the small marker having a surface area that entirely fits within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable recognition across all distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a small marker is used for close-distance recognition, then recognition reliability at small distances is improved, but the marker cannot be reliably recognized when the inter-vehicle distance is large because it appears too small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition reliabilityVSAvoidrecognition adaptability to distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The marker system is segmented into two distinct markers: a large marker for distant recognition and a small marker for close-distance recognition. Each marker is optimized for its specific distance range, with the large marker having a surface area that does not entirely fit within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small, and the small marker having a surface area that entirely fits within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable recognition across all distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If only one marker is used on the travelling vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the recognition reliability across varying inter-vehicle distances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker configuration complexityVSAvoidrecognition reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marker system is segmented into two distinct markers: a large marker for distant recognition and a small marker for close-distance recognition. Each marker is optimized for its specific distance range, with the large marker having a surface area that does not entirely fit within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small, and the small marker having a surface area that entirely fits within the image capturing range when the inter-vehicle distance is small. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable recognition across all distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-marker system provides universal recognition capability across all inter-vehicle distances. The large marker serves the function of distant recognition, while the small marker serves the function of close-distance recognition. Together, they provide multi-functional recognition that works universally regardless of whether the inter-vehicle distance is small or large, ensuring reliable detection in all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system enables more reliable recognition of other travelling vehicles regardless of inter-vehicle distance, ensuring accurate detection and control of vehicle states and distances.

Implementation Method 1

the small marker includes a display pattern including a third region with a lower reflectance than the reflectance of the first region of the large marker and a fourth region with a lower reflectance than the reflectance of the third region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12286144B2Travelling vehicle and travelling vehicle system

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 MURATA MASCH LTD

AI summary

A travelling vehicle includes a body including a small marker and a large marker, an imager, a pattern recognizer, and a state determiner. The large marker includes a display pattern including a first region, a second region with a lower reflectance than a reflectance of the first region, and a region where the small marker is located. The small marker has a display pattern including a third region with a lower reflectance than the reflectance of the first region and a fourth region with a lower reflectance than the reflectance of the third region and a lower reflectance than the reflectance of the second region.