Laser Scanner Vehicle Type Recognition for Radiation Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle security checking methods using photoelectric switches and light curtains are inefficient and inaccurate in distinguishing the head and cargo portions of vehicles, leading to potential safety hazards due to misidentification of radiation exposure zones.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a laser scanner to create a three-dimensional image of a vehicle, allowing for precise recognition of the gap portion between the head and cargo portions, enabling controlled radiation dosing based on the identified vehicle type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If photoelectric switches or light curtains are used to recognize vehicle type, then the system can detect the presence of vehicles, but it cannot accurately distinguish the head portion from the cargo portion due to window interference and varying gap structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle type recognition accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional light beam blocking detection to three-dimensional spatial structure analysis by introducing multiple light beams at different heights and positions. This dimensional expansion enables the system to distinguish between windows (which may block light at certain heights) and actual gap portions between head and cargo, thereby improving recognition accuracy while maintaining safety.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the vehicle detection space into multiple segmented regions by deploying light beams at different heights (first height for head portion, second height for cargo portion) and positions. This segmentation allows independent analysis of different vehicle sections, enabling accurate identification of gap portions even when windows are present, thus resolving the contradiction between detection capability and recognition precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If a single photoelectric switch is used to detect the gap portion, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of gap detection is insufficient due to varying vehicle structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap portion detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional sensor system where multiple light beams serve different purposes: some detect the head portion, others detect the cargo portion, and their combined information identifies gap portions. This universal detection approach allows a single sensor system to handle various vehicle types (container trucks, van trucks, single frame trucks) with different gap structures, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds the height dimension to light beam detection, creating a three-dimensional detection network. By positioning light beams at different heights and analyzing their blocking patterns collectively, the system achieves high precision gap detection while maintaining relatively simple device structure through coordinated multi-beam operation rather than multiple independent sensors.

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

3Productivity

If photoelectric switches are positioned to detect through windows, then the detection coverage is improved, but false recognition of gap portions occurs leading to safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle checking efficiencyVSAvoiddriver safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection function by assigning different light beams to different detection tasks: first light beams detect the head portion, second light beams detect the cargo portion. By analyzing the combined blocking patterns of these segmented detection functions, the system can distinguish between windows (which block light but don't represent gaps) and actual gap portions, eliminating false recognition while maintaining detection coverage and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback analysis by continuously monitoring the blocking status of multiple light beams at different heights and using this information to verify gap portion identification. When windows are detected blocking light beams, the feedback mechanism cross-references this with other beam readings to prevent false gap recognition, thereby maintaining both productivity and driver safety through intelligent decision-making based on cumulative sensor feedback.

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

Enables accurate and rapid recognition of vehicle types, ensuring appropriate radiation dosing by distinguishing between the head and cargo portions, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency in vehicle security checking.

Implementation Method 1

a laser scanner for recognizing a gap portion between a first portion, which is a head portion, and a second portion, which is a cargo portion, of a vehicle to be checked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

scanning the vehicle to be checked using the laser scanner on a basis of columns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3035245B1Vehicle type recognition method and fast vehicle checking system using the same method
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3035245B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A vehicle type recognition method based on a laser scanner is provided in this invention, the method comprising steps of: detecting that a vehicle to be checked has entered into a recognition area; causing a laser scanner to move relative to the vehicle to be checked; scanning the vehicle to be checked using the laser scanner on a basis of columns, and storing and splicing data of each column obtained by scanning to form a three-dimensional image of the vehicle to be checked, wherein a lateral width value is specified for each single column of data; specifying a height difference threshold; and determining a height difference between the height at the lowest position of the vehicle to be checked in data of column N and the height at the lowest position of the vehicle to be checked in data of specified number of columns preceding and/or succeeding to the column N, if the absolute value of the height difference is larger than the specified height difference threshold, labeling a position of the vehicle to be checked corresponding to the data of the column N as a start position of a gap portion of the vehicle to be checked, a length corresponding to data of the first N columns being the length of the head portion of the vehicle to be checked in the three-dimension image. A fast vehicle type recognition system using the same method is also provided in this invention.