Vehicle Object Detection Using Overlapping Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle object detection systems require multiple sensors with overlapping fields of view to determine object position, leading to increased costs and installation space requirements, while maintaining a high spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple independently controlled light sources and sensors, where each light source illuminates a distinct area and corresponding sensors detect reflected light to determine object position, allowing for higher resolution by overlapping detection areas without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors with overlapping fields of view are used to determine object position, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple sensors to achieve overlapping detection areas, the patent inverts the approach by using multiple light sources to create overlapping illumination areas that are detected by fewer sensors. This reduces sensor quantity while maintaining the overlapping area effect needed for high spatial resolution position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple light sources to create multiple illumination areas that effectively 'copy' the detection coverage function. Each light source illuminates a specific area, and the combination of overlapping illumination areas from multiple light sources replicates what would otherwise require multiple sensors, thereby reducing sensor requirements while maintaining detection capability.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are installed to cover different detection areas, then measurement coverage is improved, but cost and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing multiple light sources instead of multiple sensors. The light sources create overlapping illumination areas that allow fewer sensors to achieve comprehensive detection coverage, thereby reducing the number of sensors needed while expanding the effective detection coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light source serves multiple functions: it illuminates a specific area for detection and contributes to creating overlapping regions with adjacent light sources. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve broad detection coverage with fewer sensors, as each sensor can detect reflected light from multiple illumination areas.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to improve position determination accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the approach: instead of adding more sensors to improve position determination accuracy, it adds multiple light sources that create overlapping illumination areas. The existing sensors can then accurately determine object position by analyzing reflected light from these overlapping areas, achieving high precision without increasing sensor quantity or system complexity.
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 solution enables cost-effective, high spatial resolution object position determination in vehicle surroundings by using multiple light sources and sensors to overlap detection areas, reducing the need for extensive sensor installation and maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (11) which is designed to emit light (15)
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor (12) for receiving light (16) reflected from the object (17)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The apparatus has first sensors (12) that are adapted for receiving a light (16) generated from a light source (11) of a vehicle (10). The detection sections are arranged in a row in two different directions of the sensors. The second sensors are adapted for receiving light reflected from the scene light, and are assigned to the scene. The processing unit (13) is adapted to determine a position of an object (17) in the vicinity of the vehicle in response to signals of the first and second sensors.