Vehicle Curb Detection Control Using Lamp-Guided Camera Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face difficulties in safely navigating the entrance and exit of parking lots due to steep angles and poor lighting conditions, which can lead to collisions with boundary stones, as existing sensor-based systems struggle to accurately detect curbs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a lamp to project light onto the vehicle's floor surfaces, combined with a camera and controller to determine the distance to boundary stones and adjust the steering angle to maintain a safety distance, with the ability to output warnings and control the steering wheel using a lane keeping assistance system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is used to detect the front and rear of a vehicle, then the driver can recognize the boundary of the entrance and exit of the parking lot, but it is difficult to detect a curb (boundary stone) provided to minimize a direct collision between the side wall of the parking lot and the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using sensors that detect only in the front-rear direction to a camera system that captures images in multiple dimensions (left-right and front-rear). This dimensional expansion allows the system to detect curbs and boundary stones that extend laterally, solving the limitation of traditional sensors that cannot detect side boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lamp as an intermediary element that projects light onto the floor surface to illuminate the area where curbs and boundary stones are located. This illuminated area serves as a visual mediator that enhances the camera's ability to detect these objects, especially in poor lighting conditions, thereby improving detection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the body of a vehicle is increased to improve the user's convenience, then user convenience is improved, but the difficulty in entering and exiting the parking lot has been aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously monitors the distance between the vehicle and curbs/boundary stones, and the system provides real-time feedback to the driver through warnings or autonomous steering control. This feedback loop enables large vehicles to maneuver safely in tight spaces by constantly adjusting based on detected boundary positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates autonomous steering control that can automatically adjust the vehicle's steering angle to maintain a safe distance from curbs and boundary stones. This self-service capability allows the vehicle to compensate for its size and maneuverability limitations without requiring constant manual intervention from the driver.
3Measurement precision
If the lighting condition of the parking lot access road is not good, then it is difficult for a driver to accurately determine the boundary between the entrance and exit of the parking lot, but adding lighting infrastructure increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lamp serve multiple functions: it illuminates the floor surface for visibility, defines the illuminated area for distance measurement reference, and enhances the camera's ability to detect curbs and boundary stones. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lighting infrastructure while achieving both illumination and measurement reference purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp acts as a portable, vehicle-mounted intermediary lighting source that projects light onto the floor surface to create a visible illuminated area. This intermediary lighting solution provides sufficient illumination for boundary detection without requiring installation of permanent lighting infrastructure in the parking lot.
4Reliability
If a camera is used to obtain images for detecting boundary stones, then detection capability is improved, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the lamp to pre-illuminate the area of interest before the camera captures the image. By creating a controlled illuminated area with known characteristics, the system prepares the scene in advance, making the subsequent image processing simpler and more reliable. The illuminated area serves as a pre-defined reference region that reduces the complexity of searching for boundary stones in the entire image.
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 safe navigation of parking lot entrances and exits by accurately detecting boundary stones and adjusting the vehicle's position to prevent collisions, improving safety in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a lamp that projects a lamp light onto one of a left floor surface or a right floor surface of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for controlling driving of a vehicle are provided and the apparatus includes a lamp that projects a lamp light onto one of a left floor surface or a right floor surface of the vehicle, a camera that obtains an image of an area onto which the lamp light is projected, and a controller that determines whether to output a warning based on the image of the area onto which the lamp light is projected when the lamp light is projected onto a boundary stone located around at least one of the left floor surface or the right floor surface of the vehicle.