Structured Light Path Sensing for Road Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular path sensing systems face challenges in accurately detecting road surface features and obstacles, especially under suboptimal lighting conditions or on texture-less surfaces, due to limitations in stereo vision systems without structured light patterns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a forward-looking and rearward-looking vehicular path sensing system that projects a structured light pattern onto the road surface, using a stereo vision system with cameras and laser light sources to generate distinct light spots, allowing for real-time detection of road elevation and obstacles by measuring disparities and determining down-range and elevation coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If stereo vision systems are used without structured light patterns, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates under suboptimal lighting conditions or on texture-less surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces structured light patterns as an intermediary element between the stereo vision system and the road surface. These projected light patterns serve as artificial visual markers that enhance the detectability of road surface features and obstacles, particularly in suboptimal lighting conditions or on texture-less surfaces where natural features are insufficient for accurate stereo vision measurement.
2Measurement precision
If structured light patterns are projected onto the road surface, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional light projection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the structured light projection system with the existing vehicular lighting system, allowing the same optical components to serve dual purposes: illuminating the road for normal vision and projecting structured light patterns for enhanced path sensing. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for separate dedicated projection hardware, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If structured light patterns are used for path sensing, then the detection of road elevation and obstacles is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to additional light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structured light projection function with the vehicle's existing headlight or illumination system. By merging these functions into a single integrated system, the patent avoids the energy consumption penalty of operating completely separate projection systems, as the same electrical power supply and optical infrastructure serve both normal illumination and structured light pattern projection.
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
This solution enables precise detection of road surface features and obstacles, improving safety and handling by providing accurate elevation profiles and obstacle detection, even under challenging conditions, and can be integrated with electronic suspension control systems for enhanced vehicle dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
a forward-looking and rearward-looking vehicular path sensing system that projects a structured light pattern onto the road surface, using a stereo vision system with cameras and laser light sources to generate distinct light spots
Implementation Method 2
allowing for real-time detection of road elevation and obstacles by measuring disparities and determining down-range and elevation coordinates
Data Source
AI summary
A structured light pattern is projected onto the path of a vehicle so as to generate a plurality of light spots, and an image thereof is captured from the vehicle. A world-space elevation of at least a portion of the light spots is responsive to a pitch angle of the vehicle determined responsive to image-space locations of down-range-separated light spots.