Vehicle Positioning via Light Sensor and Guiding Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle guidance systems, particularly in adverse weather conditions, face limitations in maintaining vehicle position on the roadway due to poor visibility and camera-based systems' performance degradation, which affects safety and efficiency in lane maintenance and platooning operations.

Innovation Solution

A light sensor-based system that detects light wavelengths to determine a vehicle's position on the roadway, using a network of guiding devices emitting light beams with unique characteristics to provide real-time feedback to drivers and control systems for corrective actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a camera-based system is used to observe lane markings, then the driver can receive feedback on vehicle position relative to lane edges, but the system experiences performance degradation in adverse weather conditions due to camera resolution limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle position detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem performance in adverse weather

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces light-emitting guiding devices as intermediary elements placed along the roadway. These devices emit light that reflects off the road surface to create visible guidance patterns. The light acts as an intermediary carrier of position information that is detectable by the vehicle's light sensor even in adverse weather conditions where camera-based lane marking detection fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive optical detection system (camera observing reflected light from lane markings) with an active light-based system. Instead of relying on ambient light reflection from painted lane markings, the system uses active light emission from guiding devices that creates detectable light patterns on the road surface, substituting passive optical detection with active light field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If painted lines are used to delineate roadway edges, then visual indication of lane position is provided, but the lines become completely covered by heavy precipitation such as snow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of roadway interfaceVSAvoidcoverage by precipitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs light emission and reflection to create visible guidance patterns that change appearance based on vehicle position. The guiding devices emit light that reflects off the road surface to create illuminated patterns (such as light bars or sequences) that are visible to drivers and vehicle sensors. This light-based visual indication remains effective in adverse weather conditions where painted lines are covered by snow or precipitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If manual control is used for vehicle spacing and lane maintenance, then drivers can operate vehicles, but human limitations in perception and response precision restrict lane capacity to approximately 2200 vehicles per hour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane capacityVSAvoidvehicle spacing and position perception accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where light-emitting guiding devices provide continuous visual and sensor-detectable information about vehicle position and lane boundaries. This feedback loop enables both drivers and automated systems to maintain precise position and spacing information, facilitating higher lane capacities through improved perception and response accuracy compared to manual control alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances vehicle positioning accuracy and safety by providing precise guidance in adverse weather conditions, enabling effective lane maintenance and improved platooning operations with reduced human error and fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

A light sensor-based system that detects light wavelengths to determine a vehicle's position on the roadway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight wavelength detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10210763B2Vehicle positioning and guidance system

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A system for guiding a driver of a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a light sensor configured to detect light; and a processor configured to determine a position of vehicle on a roadway based on a characteristic of the detected light.