Vehicle Environment Recognition With Pulsed Lane Light Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental perception systems in motor vehicles struggle to reliably detect lane markings on roads due to interference from projected light structures, which can be mistaken for actual lane markings or rendered unrecognizable by front cameras.
Innovation Solution
An environment detection system with a projector that emits linear light structures onto the roadway and a synchronized camera to detect reflections, using pulsed operation and timed modulation of light sources to distinguish lane markings from projected structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a projector projects light structures onto the roadway to assist lane departure warning, then driver assistance is improved, but the camera cannot reliably detect actual lane markings due to overexposure and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The projector operates in pulsed mode, projecting light structures only during specific time intervals (when the camera is not capturing images). The control unit synchronizes the projector's pulsed operation with the camera's imaging cycles, allowing the camera to capture clear images of lane markings during dark intervals and providing driver assistance through light structures during non-imaging intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-coordinates the timing between projector activation and camera imaging cycles. Before the camera captures an image, the control unit ensures the projector is in a dark state, preventing light interference. This preliminary timing arrangement allows both functions to coexist without mutual interference.
2Ease of operation
If the projector continuously projects light structures for driver assistance, then visual guidance is improved, but the camera data becomes contaminated and lane markings become unrecognizable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous projection, the projector operates periodically in pulsed intervals. During camera imaging periods, the projector remains dark to preserve lane marking information in camera data. During non-imaging periods, the projector activates to provide visual guidance to the driver, thus maintaining both functions without continuous interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The projector transitions between dynamic states (on/off) based on the camera's operational cycle. The control unit dynamically adjusts the projector's state according to whether the camera is currently capturing images, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to maintain both driver assistance and accurate lane marking detection.
3Measurement precision
If the camera continuously captures images for lane marking detection, then detection reliability is improved, but the projected light structures create persistent overexposure and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The camera operates in periodic imaging cycles rather than continuous capture. During each cycle, there are specific intervals when the camera captures images and intervals when it does not. The projector is synchronized to be dark during camera imaging intervals and active during non-imaging intervals, eliminating light interference during critical detection moments while maintaining driver assistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-synchronizes the camera's imaging timing with the projector's operational cycles. Before the projector activates its light structures, the control unit ensures the camera is in a non-capturing state, thereby preventing light interference from affecting image quality. This preliminary coordination eliminates harmful light effects during detection phases.
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 reliable detection of lane markings by separately evaluating camera data from different pulse states, allowing for clearer differentiation and identification of lane markings even under challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one camera arranged to detect an area in front of the motor vehicle, wherein the camera is sensitive to at least a sub-range of the frequency spectrum emitted by the at least one projector in order to detect reflections of the light projected by the projector
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an environment recognition system of a motor vehicle, said system comprising: at least one projector designed to project linear light structures onto an object in front of the motor vehicle; and at least one camera positioned to detect an area in front of the motor vehicle, wherein, in order to detect reflections of the light projected by the projector onto the object, the camera is sensitive to at least a partial range of the frequency spectrum output by the at least one projector, wherein the projector comprises an illuminant arrangement which can be modulated, wherein a controller is provided which is connected to the at least one camera and to the at least one projector, wherein at least one timer is provided in order to clock the projector and camera, wherein the projector is operated by the timer in a pulsed and controlled fashion.