Road Projection System for Traffic Light State Anticipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers face challenges in adjusting their vehicle speed to avoid traffic congestion at intersections due to lack of real-time information about traffic light conditions, leading to frequent stops and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A road projecting method and system that displays passable and impassable regions on a map using different colors and provides voice prompts based on the vehicle's speed and preset speed, allowing drivers to anticipate traffic light states and adjust their speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the driver adjusts speed only when close to the traffic light based on current speedometer information, then the driver can react to current road conditions, but the adjustment time is short and it causes vehicle stop at the intersection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stop time at intersectionVSAvoidtraffic light state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring and displaying traffic light state information before the vehicle reaches the intersection. The road projection display shows the current and predicted traffic light states at the intersection location, allowing the driver to plan speed adjustments in advance rather than reacting when already close to the intersection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary - the road projection display - that provides traffic light state information between the driver and the actual traffic light. This intermediary delivers visual information about traffic light states directly on the road surface, enabling the driver to make informed decisions without being limited by distance or reaction time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the driver stops at the intersection to avoid red light, then the driver can avoid running red light, but it causes congestion and requires reacceleration leading to high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtraffic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic light states and providing real-time visual information to the driver through road projection. The display shows both current and predicted traffic light states, enabling the driver to receive feedback about upcoming signal changes and adjust speed accordingly to maintain momentum through green lights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by transforming static traffic light information into dynamic visual projections that change with vehicle position and traffic light state. The road projection displays different information (current state vs. predicted state) based on the driver's approach to the intersection, enabling optimal speed parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If no traffic light information is provided to the driver, then the system remains simple, but the driver cannot anticipate traffic light states and must stop frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of passing vehicles per unit timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by creating a visual replica of traffic light state information projected directly onto the road surface. Instead of using complex interfaces or requiring driver attention to secondary displays, the system copies the essential traffic light information onto the road itself, making it naturally integrated into the driver's field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3608891B1Traffic signal-based road projection method and system
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 AIYICHENG TECH TIANJIN
  • EP3608891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3608891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3608891B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a road projecting method and system for a traffic light. A passable region and an impassable region are determined according to a current state and a time period of the traffic light and a preset travelling speed of a vehicle; on a map, the passable region is displayed in a first manner, and the impassable region is displayed in a second manner; and the first manner is different from the second manner. The road projecting method and system for a traffic light provided by the present invention divides the road on which the vehicle is running into the passable region and the impassable region on the map, and the passable region and the impassable region are displayed in different manners; therefore, when a driver is farther from the traffic light, the driver can know in advance the state of the traffic light when the vehicle runs to the intersection, thereby avoiding congestion caused by stop of a large number of vehicles close to the intersection and improving the traffic efficiency.