Dynamic Surroundings Projection for Smartpole User Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intelligent street lighting systems lack user-specific and location-dependent services, failing to provide personalized information to identified users and objects.

Innovation Solution

A smartpole system that includes an energy storage device, sensors for object detection, and a projector for dynamic visual and auditory information output, capable of user-specific and location-dependent service delivery through modular design and communication interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a driver relies on mirrors and blind spots to monitor surroundings, then the driver can maintain awareness of the environment, but the driver's attention is divided and reaction time is delayed when hazards appear in unprotected zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurroundings monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the physical environment by capturing images from multiple cameras and projecting them onto a display surface. This virtual representation allows the driver to monitor all surrounding areas simultaneously without physically turning the head or relying on delayed mirror feedback, thereby improving both monitoring reliability and reaction time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional mirror reflections to a three-dimensional virtual environment representation. By projecting depth information and spatial relationships onto a display, the driver gains enhanced situational awareness in previously blind zones without the time loss associated with checking multiple mirrors and blind spots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the driver turns the head to check blind spots, then the driver can directly observe hazards in unprotected zones, but the driver loses focus on the road ahead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblind spot detection accuracyVSAvoiddriving focus maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the view of the road ahead with the view of blind spots and surrounding areas into a single integrated display. This allows the driver to maintain focus on the road while simultaneously observing hazards in previously unprotected zones, eliminating the need to divert attention from the road to check mirrors or blind spots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it shows the road ahead, monitors blind spots, detects hazards, and provides spatial context all in one view. This multi-functionality allows the driver to maintain single-point focus on the display rather than switching attention between multiple mirrors, the road, and blind spots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If conventional mirrors and blind spot monitoring are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot provide comprehensive real-time awareness of all surrounding areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system structureVSAvoidsurroundings information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent cameras positioned at different locations (front, rear, side mirrors) that capture specific zones. Each camera independently monitors its designated area, and the processed images are projected together to form a complete virtual environment representation, thereby achieving comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3854073B1Dynamic projection of the surroundings
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 INNOGY SE
  • EP3854073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3854073B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3854073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates inter alia to a method comprising the following: detecting an object (160) within a detection radius (150) which is predefined or defined according to predetermined rules; determining a projection information indicative of at least one visually and/or audiovisually reproducible information; and outputting or causing the output of the projection information. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out and/or controlling this method, and to a system comprising one or more devices for carrying out and/or controlling this method.