Structured Light Reversing Alarm for Obstacle Height Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle reversing safety systems have limited field of view and accuracy in detecting obstacles due to restricted mirror views and limited range of camera systems, making it difficult for drivers to estimate distances and heights of obstacles, leading to potential safety threats.
Innovation Solution
An alarm method using structured light that projects light planes onto obstacles and uses a camera unit to calculate height and distance information, processing this data to determine reversing safety and trigger appropriate alarms based on vehicle speed and friction coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If mirrors with convex lenses are used to expand field of view, then field of view is improved, but distance estimation accuracy deteriorates due to image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical mechanical systems (mirrors and convex lenses) with a structured light active sensing system. By projecting light planes and capturing their reflections, the system directly measures distance and height through optical triangulation, eliminating the need for drivers to estimate distances from distorted mirror images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces structured light planes as an intermediary between the sensing system and obstacles. These light planes serve as measurable intermediaries that reflect off obstacles and provide precise distance and height information through the camera unit, replacing the indirect and imprecise visual estimation method.
2Loss of information
If cameras are used to capture images for obstacle detection, then visual information is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because planar images make it difficult to judge distance and height accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from capturing two-dimensional planar images to measuring three-dimensional spatial information. By projecting structured light planes and analyzing their reflections, the system directly obtains distance and height data, adding dimensional information that was missing in conventional 2D image-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter being measured from 2D image coordinates to 3D spatial parameters (distance and height). The structured light projection enables direct measurement of these physical parameters through optical triangulation, rather than requiring drivers to infer them from planar images.
3Reliability
If fixed camera systems are installed to monitor rear areas, then obstacle detection is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the capturing range cannot vary with vehicle turning angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed camera system into a dynamic active sensing system. The structured light projecting module and camera unit work together to dynamically adapt the sensing range and angle, allowing the system to cover different areas as the vehicle turns, unlike fixed passive camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional sensing system that can simultaneously perform distance measurement, height measurement, and obstacle detection. The structured light system serves multiple purposes: providing visual information, measuring spatial parameters, and adapting to different vehicle orientations, making it more versatile than single-function fixed cameras.
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 reversing safety by providing accurate distance and height information of obstacles, enabling timely warnings and reducing visual dead spaces, thus improving driver awareness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a structured-light camera unit disposed at said vehicle for receiving a plurality of light pattern messages formed by reflecting the projection of said plurality of light planes from the surface of said one or more obstacles
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an alarm method for reversing a vehicle, in particular for a land vehicle, by sensing obstacles using structured light. When a vehicle reverses, the structured-light projecting module installed on the rear side of the vehicle projects structured light continuously, A plurality of light pattern messages are reflected to the structured-light camera unit. Then the height of and the distance to the obstacle are calculated. According to the height of the obstacle, whether the obstacle may influence the vehicle will be judged. If so, sounds will be emitted for reminding the driver according to the distance to the obstacle and the alarm distance information. Thereby, the reversing safety can be improved.