Projected Lane Marking Patterns for Camera-Safe Driver Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light-based driver assistance systems project lane markings that can be inaccurately detected by vehicle cameras, leading to interference with other driver assistance systems like lane keeping and changing assists, as they resemble actual road surface markings.
Innovation Solution
The lane markings are designed to differ from standard road surface markings by incorporating patterns such as multiple parallel lines, polygonal elements, or herringbone patterns, making them distinct from the usual solid, broken, or double lines, thereby avoiding misinterpretation by camera-based image evaluation algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If solid lane markings are projected onto the road surface, then the driver can clearly visualize the available space, but the markings may be mistaken for actual road surface lane lines by camera-based detection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each lane marking into multiple segments (e.g., alternating illuminated and dark sections, or multiple parallel lines with spacing). This segmentation creates a pattern that differs from continuous solid road markings, allowing drivers to perceive the guidance function while enabling camera systems to distinguish them as projected markings rather than actual road lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different lighting patterns or intensities to different parts of the lane markings. For example, certain sections may have varying brightness levels, colors, or patterns (such as dashed vs. solid segments) that maintain visibility for drivers while creating distinctive local characteristics that camera algorithms can identify as projected rather than permanent road markings.
2Reliability
If the lane markings are made distinct from road surface markings to avoid misinterpretation, then detection accuracy improves, but the markings may become less recognizable as lane guides for drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color variations in the projected lane markings (e.g., different hues, intensities, or color patterns) to create distinctive visual characteristics. These color changes maintain driver recognition of the markings as lane guides while providing camera systems with additional spectral information to differentiate projected markings from standard road surface markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic patterns in the lane markings (e.g., alternating illuminated and dark sections, or repeating geometric patterns) that create a rhythm recognizable to drivers as guidance markings while providing temporal or spatial periodicity that camera algorithms can detect to distinguish them from continuous road surface markings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for operating a light-based driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. The driver assistance system projects a light distribution onto the road surface in front of the motor vehicle. The light distribution generates lane markings. The lane markings are two individual parallel lane markings at a distance (D) to one another that corresponds to the width of the motor vehicle. The individual lane markings do not look like a solid line.