Road Magnetic Marker Layout for Direction-Independent Vehicle Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems using magnetic markers on roads require vehicles to travel along a specific route to read information, limiting their effectiveness in open spaces where vehicle direction is variable.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-oriented system that forms a magnetic distribution in an information providing area on a plane, with identifiable signs to determine position and orientation, allowing information reading regardless of vehicle direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic markers are arrayed along a lane to provide information, then information can be provided to vehicles, but information cannot be read unless the vehicle travels along the specific route where magnetic markers are disposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear arrangement of magnetic markers along a lane to two-dimensional area-based magnetic distributions on the road surface. This dimensional change allows vehicles to read information regardless of their entry direction, resolving the contradiction between reliable information reading and route adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric sign patterns (different arrangements of white and black signs) to indicate different directions of entry into the information providing area. This asymmetry enables the system to distinguish between vehicles entering from different directions, allowing reliable information reading adapt to various entry routes without requiring vehicles to follow specific predetermined paths.
2Extent of automation
If magnetic markers are disposed along a lane for automatic driving, then automatic driving and driving assists can be achieved, but the system is limited to fixed routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the magnetic marker system from linear lane markings to two-dimensional information providing areas, enabling automated vehicles to read information in open spaces where direction is variable, thus maintaining automation capability while increasing route flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The information providing area serves multiple functions: it provides directional information, position information, and route guidance information to automated vehicles. The same magnetic distribution structure can serve different purposes depending on the sign pattern and magnetic arrangement, making the system universally applicable to various automated driving scenarios.
3Loss of information
If a combination of magnetic polarities is used to indicate information, then information can be encoded in the magnetic markers, but the vehicle must sequentially detect markers along a specific path to read the information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from sequential one-dimensional detection along a lane to simultaneous two-dimensional detection within an information providing area. This allows the vehicle's magnetic sensor to read the entire magnetic distribution pattern at once, significantly reducing information reading time while maintaining high encoding capacity through sign combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic distribution pattern and sign arrangements are pre-configured to provide complete information sets within each information providing area. Vehicles can obtain all necessary information in a single pass through the area without needing to sequentially detect multiple markers along an extended path, reducing reading time while preserving information encoding capacity.
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 information reading by identifying the position and orientation of the information providing area, ensuring accurate data retrieval irrespective of the vehicle's entry direction.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic markers disposed on a road for vehicles have been known... The magnetic markers can be detected by using, for example, a magnetic sensor included in a vehicle... in the information providing area, a magnetic distribution indicating the information is formed
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic markers can be detected by using, for example, a magnetic sensor included in a vehicle... the vehicle sequentially detects the magnetic polarities of the magnetic markers and identifies a combination of magnetic polarities
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle-oriented system (1) for providing information to a vehicle (5) side by using an information providing area (11) provided on a plane where a vehicle (5) moves, a magnetic distribution indicating the information by a plurality of N-pole magnetic markers (10N) is formed in the information providing area (11), and a sign (100) for identifying a position and orientation of the information providing area (11) is provided in the information providing area (11). Therefore, information can be provided by a magnetic method irrespective of a forwarding direction of the vehicle (5).