Road Surface Projection Control for Vehicle Finding in Obstructed Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle finding systems, such as flashing hazard lamps or using a buzzer, are ineffective when obstructed by other vehicles or structures, making it difficult for users to locate their vehicles in large parking lots.
Innovation Solution
A road surface drawing control device that uses a road surface drawing device to illuminate symbols or characters around the vehicle, activated based on proximity to the user and communication with a remote operation terminal, ensuring visibility even when hazard lamps are obscured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If hazard lamps are used to signal the vehicle's position, then the vehicle can be identified by light, but the signal may be shielded by other vehicles or structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical light signaling (hazard lamps) to horizontal surface marking (road surface drawing). By projecting symbols onto the road surface, the system creates a two-dimensional visual signal that extends outward from the vehicle, making it visible from multiple angles and less susceptible to being blocked by surrounding objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The road surface acts as an intermediary medium between the vehicle and the user. Instead of directly emitting light signals that may be blocked, the system uses the road surface as a carrier to display symbolic information, creating an indirect but more reliable communication channel.
2Ease of operation
If a buzzer is used to locate the vehicle, then audio signal can be generated, but the sound may reverberate and make identification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic signaling system (buzzer) with an optical visual signaling system (road surface drawing). By substituting sound waves with light-based visual symbols projected on the road surface, the system eliminates reverberation issues while maintaining the vehicle location functionality.
3Reliability
If road surface drawing is always activated, then vehicle identification is always possible, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The road surface drawing system is designed to be dynamically controllable rather than continuously active. The electronic control unit activates the drawing function based on detected conditions such as user proximity or remote terminal operations, allowing the system to adapt its energy consumption to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses environmental sensors to automatically detect when road surface drawing is needed (e.g., when a user approaches or operates a remote terminal), eliminating the need for continuous manual activation and optimizing energy usage based on actual service requirements.
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
Enhances the likelihood of identifying the vehicle by highlighting road markings, improving user recognition and reducing energy consumption based on user proximity and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a road surface drawing device that draws a road surface around the vehicle... at least one drawing unit that irradiates light of the road surface drawing
Data Source
AI summary
A road surface drawing control device for a vehicle that comprises a target information acquisition device that acquires information on targets around the vehicle; a communication device that communicates with a keyless entry terminal device operated by a user of the vehicle; a road surface drawing device that draws a road surface around the vehicle; a road surface drawing ECU that controls the operation of the road surface drawing device, and when the road surface drawing ECU determines that the user of the vehicle is within a reference distance from the vehicle based on the target information acquired by the target information acquisition device or that the keyless entry terminal device has been operated based on the communication between the communication device and the keyless entry terminal device, the road surface drawing device is activated to draw the road surface.