Lateral Obstacle Detection via Triggered Laser Radar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring systems for moving bodies, such as vehicles, cannot effectively monitor obstacles on the lateral side due to high processing loads and power consumption, limiting their ability to detect adjacent vehicles or changes in distance during lane changes.

Innovation Solution

A measuring system comprising a stereo imaging unit for capturing the front area and a laser radar unit for measuring the lateral area, with a controller that initiates laser radar measurements when an object deviates from the imaging unit's capturing area and satisfies predetermined conditions, allowing efficient monitoring of lateral obstacles without continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a measuring device is provided on the lateral side of the moving body to monitor the lateral side at all times, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the processing load and electric power consumption increase, resulting in increased measuring cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral obstacle monitoring capabilityVSAvoidelectric power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The laser radar unit operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the laser radar to measure lateral obstacles only when the imaging unit detects that an object has deviated from the front measuring area, creating a periodic measurement cycle that reduces power consumption while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging unit performs preliminary detection in the front area, and when it detects object deviation, this triggers the laser radar measurement. This preliminary action by the imaging unit allows the system to prepare for lateral measurement only when necessary, avoiding continuous operation of the more power-intensive laser radar

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a measuring device is provided on the lateral side of the moving body to monitor the lateral side at all times, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the processing load increases, resulting in increased measuring cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral obstacle monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic measurement activation based on trigger events. The controller activates the laser radar only when the imaging unit detects object deviation, reducing the frequency of processing operations and thereby lowering the overall processing load while maintaining monitoring effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging unit serves as an intermediary trigger mechanism. It monitors the front area and, upon detecting object deviation, triggers the laser radar measurement. This intermediary role reduces the processing burden on the main system by using the imaging unit's detection results to control when detailed lateral measurements are performed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the laser radar unit operates continuously to measure lateral obstacles, then the measurement precision is improved, but the electric power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral obstacle detection accuracyVSAvoidelectric power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The laser radar unit performs measurements periodically based on trigger events from the imaging unit. When an object deviates from the front measuring area, the controller activates the laser radar to measure the lateral area, ensuring precise measurement only when needed rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This configuration reduces costs by minimizing the need for continuous lateral monitoring and enhances the system's ability to detect and measure lateral obstacles accurately, improving safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit respectively capturing a front area in a moving direction of a moving body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a laser radar unit configured to measure the lateral area different from the front area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3037842B1Measuring system, measuring process, and non-transitory recording medium
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3037842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3037842B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3037842B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A measuring system includes a first measuring unit which measures an object in front of a moving body in a first measuring area, a second measuring unit which measures the object in a second measuring area, the second measuring area being different from the first measuring area, a determining unit which determines whether a movement of the object satisfies a predetermined condition based on a measuring result of the first measuring unit, and a controller which causes the second measuring unit to start measuring the object in response to an event in which the determining unit determines that the object satisfies the predetermined condition and at least part of the object deviates from the first measuring area.