Vehicle Light Pattern Positioning Beyond GPS Lag
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS location data is not highly precise and has inherent lag, leading to inaccurate vehicle location determination, which can result in missed freeway exits, especially at high speeds, and is insufficient for detecting safety hazards like swerving vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system that correlates GPS data with video images from infrastructure cameras using a unique light pattern emitted by vehicles to accurately determine their physical location, combining image analysis with GPS information for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS location data is used to determine vehicle location, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient and has inherent lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS location data with video image analysis from infrastructure cameras to determine vehicle location. The system merges two different measurement approaches (satellite-based GPS and camera-based visual positioning) to achieve higher precision than either method alone, while the automated correlation process keeps the added complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a unique light pattern (such as a specific headlight blinking pattern) as an intermediary identifier that links the vehicle to its video image in the camera system. This intermediary enables the correlation between GPS data and visual data without requiring direct complex communication between the GPS system and camera system
2Loss of time
If GPS data alone is used for vehicle location determination, then the system is simple, but the response time is slow due to inherent lag
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing video images and pre-processing them to identify vehicle light patterns before location determination is needed. When a vehicle's location is required, the system can quickly correlate the pre-processed image data with GPS information, reducing the response time compared to processing everything from scratch
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely satellite-based mechanical/GPS timing system with an optical-based visual recognition system that can provide more immediate location feedback. The light pattern recognition and image correlation process occurs in real-time or near real-time, reducing the lag inherent in GPS signal processing
3Measurement precision
If a unique light pattern is emitted by the vehicle for identification, then the measurement precision of vehicle location is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional light emitters and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vehicle's existing light emitters (headlights, taillights, brake lights) serve a dual function: their primary function for illumination and safety, and a secondary function for emitting unique identification patterns. The control logic for generating identification patterns utilizes the existing lighting system, avoiding the need for separate dedicated identification light emitters and reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a computer-assisted or autonomous driving (CA/AD) vehicle with a controller to control one or more light emitters to produce a light pattern that uniquely identify the vehicle. It may also be directed to a system to receive image data from one or more video cameras located in a location vicinity of the CA/AD vehicle emitting a pattern of light, and to analyze the received image data to determine a physical location of the vehicle.