Dynamic Ground Obstacle Signaling for Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current obstacle signaling systems for vehicles fail to effectively reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians, particularly those wearing headphones, due to lack of dynamic and immediate ground-based visual signals that correspond to the vehicle's trajectory and presence of obstacles, leading to false positives and driver alert saturation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted system that determines a dynamic danger zone based on the vehicle's trajectory and curvature, using a 3D laser module for obstacle detection and light signaling on the ground within this zone, triggered by obstacle presence or independently to alert drivers and pedestrians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed ground markings are used for obstacle signaling, then the signaling is always visible, but it cannot dynamically indicate actual collision risks and generates false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static ground markings into dynamic visual signals by introducing a light signaling device that projects illuminated patterns onto the ground. The projected light area dynamically changes based on the vehicle's real-time position, trajectory, and detected obstacles, allowing the system to accurately indicate actual collision risks rather than providing fixed, static markings that generate false positives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light projection as an intermediary between the obstacle detection system and the visual signaling function. The light projection unit acts as a mediator that translates detection data into intuitive ground-based visual cues, bridging the gap between sensor data and pedestrian understanding without requiring complex direct display mechanisms.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection and alert systems are continuously activated, then all potential risks are detected, but false positives overload the driver and reduce attention to real dangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by projecting light signals only in specific localized areas corresponding to actual detected obstacles rather than illuminating entire zones. The light projection unit targets precise ground areas where obstacles are detected, providing spatially differentiated signaling that highlights real dangers without creating uniform noise that would overwhelm the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by activating light signaling only when and where obstacles are detected, rather than continuously illuminating all potential hazard zones. This selective activation reduces false positives and information overload while maintaining comprehensive surveillance through the obstacle detection device.
3Reliability
If dynamic light signaling is projected on the ground based on vehicle trajectory, then accurate real-time danger zones are indicated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated system where the obstacle detection device, trajectory calculation unit, and light projection unit work together as a unified whole. The danger zone determination block combines vehicle position, trajectory, and obstacle data to control the light projection, creating a cohesive system that achieves accurate real-time signaling without requiring separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The light projection unit serves multiple functions: it visualizes the danger zone boundary, indicates obstacle locations, and provides trajectory information through dynamic pattern changes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling devices while maintaining comprehensive and accurate danger indication.
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 provides reliable, active, and autonomous dynamic signaling of dangers, reducing false positives and ensuring drivers and pedestrians are alerted to actual hazards without noise pollution, thereby enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
the obstacle detection device is adapted to detect, at said current instant, whether an obstacle is present or not at said current instant, in the determined current danger zone
Implementation Method 2
a 3D laser module and is adapted to produce said light signaling with said 3D laser module
Implementation Method 3
The light signaling device is adapted to produce light signaling over a ground area according to the current danger zone determined
Data Source
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AI summary
Obstacle warning system (10) for a vehicle (1), adapted to: - determine a current danger zone, at each current time considered during the movement of the vehicle (1) along its trajectory, according to the envelope delimited by the vehicle's dimensions along the future trajectory estimated from said time and based at least on the current radius of curvature of the trajectory; - detect, at said current time, whether an obstacle is present or not at said current time, in the current danger zone determined and, in the event that an obstacle has been detected, trigger at least one alarm; - produce a light signal over an area on the ground according to said current danger zone determined.