Optical Angle Sensor Vehicle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle positioning systems, such as radar and LIDAR sensors, are costly and may interfere with each other, limiting their effectiveness in providing accurate and independent positioning information for situational awareness and autonomous driving applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensing system using a transmitter that modulates light with a predetermined pattern, combined with multiple optical angle and time-of-flight sensors, filters out interference to determine the position of nearby vehicles and objects with improved accuracy and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar or LIDAR sensors are used for vehicle positioning, then positioning information can be obtained, but the system cost increases and interference between sensors occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional radar or LIDAR sensors with an optical sensing system that uses a camera and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive mechanical or electronic sensing hardware while achieving comparable or superior positioning accuracy through computational methods. The camera-based system processes visual information to determine vehicle positions, thereby reducing system cost and eliminating sensor interference issues.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple active sensors (radar, LIDAR) with a passive optical sensing system using a camera. This eliminates electromagnetic interference between sensors while maintaining positioning accuracy through image processing. The system uses visual information from the camera to track and position vehicles without the need for multiple active transmitting sensors.
3Reliability
If traditional positioning systems are used, then positioning information is provided, but situational awareness and safety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it captures images for positioning information, provides visual data for situational awareness, and enables safety monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for each purpose, reducing system complexity while improving reliability through comprehensive environmental perception.
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 optical sensing system provides accurate and independent positioning information of nearby vehicles and objects, enhancing situational awareness and reducing interference, thereby improving safety and efficiency in vehicle navigation, including autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter that produces light and modulates the produced light based on a predetermined pattern
Implementation Method 2
a first optical angle sensor to receive from an object first reflected light at a first angle between the object and the first angle sensor
Implementation Method 3
a first optical sensor to receive from an object first reflected light from the object at a first time under illumination of the light transmitted from the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor can include a transmitter for transmitting a light and one or more optical receivers or sensors to receive light reflected from other vehicles and objects. The apparatus can include a first optical angle sensor to receive from an object first reflected light at a first angle between the object and the first angle sensor. The apparatus can further include a second optical angle sensor to receive second reflected light from the object at a second angle between the object and the second angle sensor. The first reflected light and the second reflected light can be the transmitted light reflected from the object. Circuitry can receive the first and second angles from the first and second optical angle sensors and can process the measured first and second angles to determine the position of the object.