Vision-Based Road Marking Projection for Signal-Weak Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road marking painting machines face positioning accuracy issues in areas where satellite signals are weak, such as tunnels or behind buildings, limiting their usage.

Innovation Solution

A construction assisting device that acquires a captured image of the road surface, determines a position for projecting a road marking based on objects in the image, and uses an optical device to project the marking onto the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If satellite signal positioning is used for road marking painting, then positioning can be performed in open areas, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in places where satellite signals are weak such as tunnels or behind buildings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system that uses road surface objects (manholes, manhole covers, road markings) as reference points for localization. Instead of relying directly on satellite signals, the system captures images of these intermediaries and uses computer vision algorithms to determine the painting machine's position, thereby resolving the contradiction between availability and precision in signal-denied environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with an optical-mechanical vision system. By substituting satellite signal reception with camera-based image capture and processing, the system achieves reliable positioning in tunnels and urban canyons where satellite signals are blocked, while maintaining measurement precision through object recognition algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If satellite positioning is used for automatic painting, then the painting machine can operate automatically in open areas, but the device complexity increases due to signal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic painting capabilityVSAvoidsignal reception system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex satellite signal reception and processing systems with a simpler optical camera system and image processing algorithm. This substitution maintains automatic painting capability while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for specialized satellite receivers and signal processing hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses naturally present road surface objects (manholes, markings) as self-provided reference points for positioning, eliminating the need for additional positioning infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces device complexity by leveraging existing environmental features rather than requiring complex external signal systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250259330A1Construction assisting method, construction assisting device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing information processing program

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A construction assisting method includes acquiring a captured image showing a road surface and an object on the road surface, determining, based on the object on the road surface included in the captured image, a position on the road surface ono which a first image used for painting a road marking on the road surface is projected, and causing an optical device to project the first image onto the position on the road surface.