Variable Threshold Airborne Substance Detection Rangefinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems, such as those using stereoscopic cameras, incorrectly determine airborne substances like mist or exhaust gas as obstacles due to fixed thresholds, leading to unnecessary activation of automatic brakes and potential interference with following vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring apparatus that uses a rangefinder to measure distances to objects in a search range, calculates a variation measure, and adjusts a variable threshold based on these distances to accurately differentiate between airborne substances and obstacles, preventing incorrect determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed threshold is used to determine airborne substances, then the determination process is simple, but the accuracy deteriorates because objects close to the own vehicle are incorrectly identified as airborne substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed threshold to a variable threshold that changes based on distance. The threshold is dynamically adjusted according to the measured distance to the object, allowing the system to adapt to different ranging scenarios and accurately distinguish airborne substances from obstacles at various distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the threshold from a constant value to a variable value that depends on distance. By making the threshold a function of distance, the system can accurately determine airborne substances while avoiding false positives for objects at different distances from the own vehicle.
2Reliability
If a fixed threshold is used for airborne substance determination, then the system operation is simple, but false positives increase causing unnecessary automatic brake activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the threshold based on distance measurements, improving reliability by reducing false positives. Although this increases operational complexity, it ensures more accurate identification of actual obstacles versus airborne substances, preventing unnecessary brake activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from distance measurements to adjust the threshold dynamically. By incorporating distance information into the threshold determination, the system improves reliability in identifying airborne substances while maintaining a relatively streamlined operation through automated threshold adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If distance-based variable threshold is used, then airborne substance determination accuracy is improved, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the threshold parameter from fixed to variable based on distance. This approach improves measurement precision for airborne substance determination while the added calculation complexity is managed through efficient algorithms that compute distance-based thresholds in real-time.
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
The system improves accuracy in determining the presence of airborne substances by dynamically adjusting thresholds with distance, reducing false positives and minimizing unnecessary braking actions.
Implementation Method 1
a rangefinder configured to, for each of a plurality of unit areas forming a search range around the own vehicle, measure a distance to an object located in the search range
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring apparatus is provided. When a determination process of determining whether or not the part of an object located in a search range is an airborne substance, a rangefinder measures a distance to the object located in the search range for each of a plurality of unit areas forming the search range, a variation measure calculator calculates a variance of the distances (individual distances) measured for the respective unit areas, a variable threshold setter variably sets a variation measure threshold based on the individual distances, and a determiner determines that at least part of the object is an airborne substance if the calculated variance exceeds the variation measure threshold.