Variable Directivity Radar for Road Sign Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road information detection methods are inefficient due to the need for units to transmit data nationwide, and they struggle with accurate recognition in adverse weather conditions, such as nighttime, rain, or fog, and can disrupt landscape aesthetics with large bar codes.
Innovation Solution
A road information detection apparatus that emits a beam with a variable directivity pattern from a vehicle to a road sign with multiple flat portions, using a transceiver circuit to scan and detect reflected wave intensity and emission angles, generating a heat map to analyze road information regardless of weather or time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to recognize bar codes for road information, then road information can be acquired, but recognition accuracy deteriorates in nighttime, rainy weather, fog, or other adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical camera-based bar code recognition system with a radar-based detection system. The radar apparatus transmits electromagnetic waves and detects reflected waves to measure distances to multiple flat portions of road signs, generating heat maps that represent road information. This substitution eliminates dependency on visible light, enabling accurate road information acquisition in nighttime, rain, fog, and other adverse weather conditions where camera-based systems fail.
2Loss of information
If bar codes are used as road signs, then road information can be transmitted, but the size of road signs increases, resulting in landscape deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical recognition of large bar codes to radar-based distance measurement of flat portions. By detecting the distances to multiple flat portions and generating heat maps, the system can encode and transmit road information using the spatial arrangement and reflectivity characteristics of road sign surfaces. This approach enables road information transmission without requiring large bar codes, thereby maintaining landscape aesthetics.
3Extent of automation
If wireless communication receivers are used to acquire road information data, then automated driving control becomes possible, but extensive transmission infrastructure is required nationwide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables vehicles to autonomously detect and acquire road information using their own radar systems, eliminating the need for external wireless communication transmission infrastructure. Each vehicle acts as its own information-gathering device, transmitting electromagnetic waves and processing reflected signals to generate road information heat maps. This self-service approach achieves automated driving control capability without requiring nationwide deployment of data transmission units or communication infrastructure.
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 accurate acquisition of road information regardless of weather conditions and time of day, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure changes and maintaining landscape aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
emitting a beam via a transmission antenna having a variable directivity pattern
Implementation Method 2
receives, as reflected wave signals, reflected waves produced when the beam is reflected by the plurality of flat portions
Data Source
AI summary
A road information detector acquires road information by emitting a beam via a variable directivity transmission antenna to a road sign having plural flat portions and includes a transceiver that controls the antenna to scan the beam by switching an emission angle including an azimuth angle relative to the front direction of a vehicle and receives, as reflected wave signals, waves reflected by the flat portions, a distance and reflected wave intensity detector that detects a distance between the vehicle and each of the flat portions and a reflected wave intensity of each of the reflected waves, an emission angle detector that detects the emission angle based on the reflected wave signal, and a road information analyzer that acquires the road information by generating a heat map based on the emission angles, distances, and reflected wave intensities and analyzing the heat map using a threshold value of the wave intensity.