Vehicle Guidance Marking Detection Using Dual-Wavelength Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle guidance systems on surfaces, such as in industrial settings, are prone to errors due to indistinguishable 'false tracks' formed by dirt, grooves, or expansion joints, leading to unreliable navigation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves illuminating markings with a first and second light of different wavelengths in a predetermined sequence, allowing the detector to differentiate between the correct and incorrect markings based on their reflectance spectrum, ensuring accurate vehicle guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wavelength illumination is used to detect markings on the surface, then the detection process is simple, but the system cannot distinguish between true markings and false markings caused by dirt, grooves, or expansion joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using illumination lights of different wavelengths to illuminate the marking. The marking has a definable remission spectrum that causes it to reflect different wavelengths of light differently, creating distinct brightness patterns that allow the detector to distinguish true markings from false markings. This changes the optical parameter (wavelength) of the illumination to solve the detection accuracy problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by illuminating the marking with first and second illumination lights of different wavelengths in a predeterminable sequence. The detector captures images at different times corresponding to different illumination wavelengths. This time-sequenced periodic illumination allows the system to gather multiple pieces of information about the marking's reflectance properties without requiring all illumination sources to be active simultaneously, thus managing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths illumination is used to distinguish true markings from false markings, then detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying the wavelength parameter of the illumination light. The marking's definable remission spectrum causes it to reflect different wavelengths differently, creating characteristic brightness patterns. By changing the illumination wavelength and observing the corresponding brightness change in the captured images, the system achieves precise marking identification without requiring complex analysis of multiple simultaneous wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by sequentially illuminating the marking with different wavelength lights in a predeterminable sequence and capturing images at corresponding times. This time-sequenced approach allows the detector to collect spectral information over time rather than requiring all wavelengths to be present simultaneously, simplifying the detector design while maintaining high measurement precision through the characteristic brightness patterns observed at different wavelengths.
3Reliability
If the marking is illuminated with light of a single wavelength, then the illumination system is simple, but the detector cannot differentiate the marking from false tracks with similar appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by illuminating the marking with first and second illumination lights of different wavelengths in a predeterminable sequence rather than continuously. The detector captures images at specific times corresponding to each illumination wavelength. This time-sequenced periodic illumination provides the necessary spectral information for reliable guidance while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous multi-wavelength illumination, as each wavelength is applied only for the duration needed to capture the corresponding 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
This approach provides a safe and reliable vehicle guidance by clearly identifying the correct route and distinguishing it from 'false markings', minimizing accidental deviations and ensuring precise navigation.
Implementation Method 1
the marking is recognizable by the detector due to its definable remission spectrum when illuminated with the first illuminating light with a brightness or darkness that differs from the brightness or darkness when illuminated with the second illuminating light
Data Source
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AI summary
With a view to particularly safe guidance of a vehicle on a surface using structurally simple means, a method for guiding a vehicle on a surface, wherein the vehicle is guided along a predetermined distance by means of a marking arranged at least sectionally on the surface and a detector designed for detecting the marking and assigned to the vehicle, is designed and further developed such that, for the purpose of detecting the marking on the surface, the marking is illuminated by means of a lighting device with a first illumination light and a second illumination light of different wavelengths and each of a predetermined duration in a predetermined sequence, such that the wavelength of the first illumination light and the wavelength of the second illumination light are selected such thatthat the marking is detectable by the detector due to its definable remission spectrum when illuminated by the first light source with a brightness or darkness that differs from the brightness or darkness when illuminated by the second light source, and that a corresponding detection result determined by the detector is used to guide the vehicle along the route. Furthermore, a suitable device for guiding a vehicle on a surface is specified.