Dynamic Vehicle Speed Measurement Range Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed measurement technologies for motor vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring both slow and fast-moving vehicles, leading to inaccurate results or measurement aborts due to varying numbers of recorded values, which complicates the detection of speed violations on roads like motorways where both trucks and cars may exceed speed limits.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the size of the measuring range based on the number of measured values, using a sensor unit to emit a measuring beam and derive speed from first measured values in a partial measurement area, comparing it to a limit speed, and taking evidence with a camera if exceeded, with the option to adapt the measuring range dynamically based on estimated speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the working range is made large to capture fast-moving vehicles, then the number of measurements for fast vehicles increases, but the measurement may be interrupted for slow-moving vehicles due to excessive measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speed rangeVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the evaluation range dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit determines the evaluation range based on the measured speed of the vehicle, adjusting it in real-time. For faster vehicles, a larger evaluation range is used to capture sufficient measurements, while for slower vehicles, a smaller range prevents excessive measurements and potential interruptions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between capturing fast vehicles and avoiding interruptions for slow vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the working range is made small to avoid interruptions for slow vehicles, then measurement continuity is maintained, but insufficient measurements are obtained for fast-moving vehicles leading to inaccurate results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuityVSAvoidspeed measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the evaluation range according to vehicle speed. The control unit calculates an appropriate evaluation range based on the measured speed, ensuring that fast-moving vehicles receive a larger range for accurate measurement while slow-moving vehicles receive a smaller range to maintain measurement continuity. This speed-dependent adaptation ensures both measurement continuity and accuracy across different vehicle speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed evaluation range is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement accuracy varies significantly with vehicle speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement system complexityVSAvoidspeed measurement consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation without significantly increasing device complexity. The control unit uses the already-measured vehicle speed to determine the appropriate evaluation range, requiring only computational logic rather than additional hardware. This approach maintains measurement precision consistency across different speeds while keeping the device structure relatively simple, as it leverages existing measurement data to drive the adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by using the measured vehicle speed as input to determine the evaluation range. The control unit continuously monitors the vehicle speed and adjusts the evaluation range accordingly, creating a closed-loop system where measurement results inform the measurement process itself. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent measurement accuracy across varying speeds without requiring complex pre-programmed ranges for every possible speed scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures high process reliability for both slow and fast-moving vehicles by optimizing the measuring range, ensuring fairness in speed violation detection and reducing measurement aborts, thus providing accurate and consistent results across different speeds.

Implementation Method 1

providing a sensor unit for emitting a measuring radiation (4) into a working area (5) defining a maximum measuring range and for receiving a measuring radiation reflected by the motor vehicle (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2878971B1Method for measuring the speed of a motor vehicle moving along a road
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 JENOPTIK ROBOT GMBH
  • EP2878971B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2878971B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2878971B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for measuring the speed of a motor vehicle (2) moving on a roadway (1) comprising the following steps: a) providing a sensor unit (3) for emitting a measuring radiation (4) into a working area (5) defining a maximum measuring range and receiving a measuring radiation reflected by the motor vehicle; b) specifying a number of initial measured values; c) acquiring initial measured values ​​obtained by the received measuring radiation in a first partial measuring area (8) of the working area; d) stopping the acquisition of initial measured values ​​according to step c) when the specified number of measured values ​​according to step b) is reached; e) deriving a travel speed of the moving motor vehicle from initial measured values ​​obtained by the received measuring radiation in the first partial measuring area (8) of the working area; f) comparing the travel speed with a limit speed;(g) Taking evidence using a camera (6) if the speed of travel is greater than the speed limit.;