Method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle and computing device using same

Abstract

To provide a method for carrying out positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle.SOLUTION: The computing device of a specific autonomous vehicle is configured to: receive, from a server, map data within a given distance from a position of the specific autonomous vehicle; acquire a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; and determine a validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object-based sector, the specific vehicle-based sector and the map object data, and when determining that the specific sensing data is valid, carry out positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by refer to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle and a computing device using the same, and more particularly, to a method for accurately performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle even when a difference occurs between structure information sensed by a sensor of a specific autonomous vehicle and structure information on a map due to a curve in the road or an inclination of a structure on the road, and a computing device using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, autonomous driving technology, which allows a vehicle to recognize the driving environment, determine dangers, plan a driving route, and operate autonomously without direct operation by the driver, has been attracting attention as a technology to provide a safe driving environment and improve convenience for drivers.

[0003] Generally, maps used by autonomous vehicles for driving are based on a top-down perspective, and 3D objects (buildings, walls, etc.) are expressed on the map as lines to improve the efficiency of map construction. Here, if there is an inclination on the road or 3D object (i.e., not perpendicular to the ground), some difference occurs between the data sensed by the sensor of the autonomous vehicle and the 3D object data on the map, which may result in inaccurate positioning of the autonomous vehicle.

[0004] In this way, when the positioning of the autonomous vehicle is inaccurate, the estimated position of the autonomous vehicle may be mapped on a map so as to be different from the actual position, and therefore the route generated by the autonomous vehicle may differ from the actual driving route of the autonomous vehicle. In this case, due to the difference between the route generated by the autonomous vehicle on the map and the actual driving route, the route generated by the autonomous vehicle may pass through a wall in the actual driving route, which may cause problems such as increasing the possibility of a collision accident of the autonomous vehicle.

[0005] For these reasons, when there is a curve in the road or an inclination in a three-dimensional object (i.e., a three-dimensional structure), a method for performing precise positioning that takes into account the difference between the data sensed by the autonomous vehicle and the data on the map is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve all of the above problems.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is for a computing device of a specific autonomous vehicle to obtain a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector by referring to map object data for at least one object included in map data and specific sensing data obtained from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and to use the same to determine the validity of specific sensing data measured by a sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, thereby performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to perform positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle with a weighted value corresponding to specific matching result data set as a first weighted value and a weighted value corresponding to a specific autonomous vehicle with a second weighted value when a length of preceding accumulated time, which is obtained by referring to a total length of time during which a preceding vehicle obtained preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector, is sufficient, and when specific matching error data obtained as a difference between specific sensing data of a specific autonomous vehicle and map object data exceeds a threshold, the first weighted value is set lower than the second weighted value, and when the specific matching error data is equal to or lower than the threshold, the first weighted value is set higher than the second weighted value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving map data within a certain distance from a location of the specific autonomous vehicle from a server by a computing device of the specific autonomous vehicle; (b) receiving, by the computing device, map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector (the specific object-based sector is an area corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific vehicle-based sector is a region corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector are ... and (c) the computing device determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data when the specific sensing data is determined to be valid.

[0010] In one example, in step (c), the computing device determines the validity of the specific sensing data by further referring to (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, which correspond to a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector.

[0011] In one example, prior to step (a), the method further includes a step of (a0) generating a first object reference sector through an nth object reference sector by allocating an area for each direction range based on the object, and generating a first vehicle reference sector through an mth vehicle reference sector by allocating an area for each virtual heading direction range based on each of predetermined points on a road on which the specific autonomous vehicle may travel, and in step (b), one of the first object reference sector through the nth object reference sector is determined as the specific object reference sector by referring to a direction in which the object views the specific autonomous vehicle, and one of the first vehicle reference sector through the mth vehicle reference sector is determined as the specific vehicle reference sector by referring to a specific position and a specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0012] In one example, prior to step (a), the method further includes: (a1) combining each of the first object reference sector through the nth object reference sector with each of the first vehicle reference sector through the mth vehicle reference sector to form nxm pairs (the nxm pairs include the 1_1th pair through the n_mth pair); and (a2) storing preceding matching data in each of the 1_1th pair through the n_mth pair by corresponding data between the object and a plurality of preceding vehicles that have traveled within a certain distance from the position of the object.

[0013] In one example, in step (c), the validity of the specific sensing data is determined by further referring to specific preceding matching data among the preceding matching data obtained from the multiple preceding vehicles, the specific preceding matching data corresponding to a specific point on the road corresponding to the specific position and the specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0014] In one example, in step (c), the computing device receives from the server a specific prior correction value generated by referring to the specific prior matching data, and performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to the specific matching result data and the specific prior correction value.

[0015] In one example, in step (c), if the length of the preceding cumulative time obtained by referring to the sum of the lengths of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector is less than a first threshold, the computing device performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle without adjusting the specific matching result data.

[0016] In one example, in step (c), if the length of the preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to the total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the matching error data obtained by the computing device by referring to the difference between the specific sensing data and the map object data exceeds a second threshold, it is determined that the object cannot be identified for the specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, and positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed without transmitting the specific matching result data to the server.

[0017] In one example, in step (c), for a specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, when the length of the preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to the sum of the length of time the preceding vehicle obtained the preceding sensing data is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a weighting value corresponding to the specific matching result data is a first weighting value, and a weighting value corresponding to the specific preceding correction value is a second weighting value, if specific matching error data obtained as a difference between the specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle and the map object data exceeds the third threshold and is equal to or less than the second threshold, positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighting value set lower than the second weighting value, and if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the third threshold, positioning of the autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighting value set higher than the second weighting value.

[0018] In one example, in step (c), the specific sensing data includes at least a portion of: (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (iii) a specific length of time during which the specific autonomous vehicle is located within a certain distance of the object; and (iv) the number of points that the specific sensor matches with the map object data.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle includes at least one memory for storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions. The processor includes: (I) a process for receiving map data within a certain distance from a position of the specific autonomous vehicle from a server; (II) a process for determining a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector (the specific object-based sector is a sector that is a distance from the object to the specific vehicle-based sector) by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle. and (III) a process of determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data when the specific sensing data is determined to be valid.

[0020] In one example, in the (III) process, the processor determines the validity of the specific sensing data by further referring to (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, which correspond to a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector.

[0021] In one example, prior to the process (I), (I0) a process of generating a first object reference sector through an nth object reference sector by allocating an area for each direction range based on the object, and generating a first vehicle reference sector through an mth vehicle reference sector by allocating an area for each virtual heading direction range based on each of predetermined points on a road on which the specific autonomous vehicle may travel is further performed, and in the process (II), one of the first object reference sector through the nth object reference sector is determined as the specific object reference sector by referring to the direction in which the object views the specific autonomous vehicle, and one of the first vehicle reference sector through the mth vehicle reference sector is determined as the specific vehicle reference sector by referring to a specific position and a specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0022] In one example, prior to the process (I), the process further includes: (I1) combining each of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector with each of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector to form nxm pairs (the nxm pairs include the 1_1th pair to the n_mth pair); and (I2) storing preceding matching data by corresponding each of the 1_1th pair to the n_mth pair with data between the object and a plurality of preceding vehicles that have traveled within a certain distance from the object's position.

[0023] In one example, in the (III) process, the validity of the specific sensing data is determined by further referring to specific preceding matching data among the preceding matching data obtained from the multiple preceding vehicles, the specific preceding matching data corresponding to a specific point on the road corresponding to the specific position and the specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0024] In one example, in the (III) process, the processor receives from the server a specific advance correction value generated by referring to the specific advance matching data, and performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to the specific matching result data and the specific advance correction value.

[0025] In one example, in the (III) process, if the length of the preceding cumulative time obtained by referring to the sum of the lengths of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a particular pair consisting of the particular object reference sector and the particular vehicle reference sector is less than a first threshold, the computing device does not adjust the particular matching result data.

[0026] In one example, in the (III) process, if the length of the preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to the total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the matching error data obtained by the processor by referring to the difference between the specific sensing data and the map object data exceeds a second threshold, it is determined that the object cannot be identified for the specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, and positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed without transmitting the specific matching result data to the server.

[0027] In one example, in the (III) process, for a specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, when the length of the preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to the sum of the length of time during which the preceding vehicle obtained the preceding sensing data is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a weighting value corresponding to the specific matching result data is a first weighting value, and a weighting value corresponding to the specific preceding correction value is a second weighting value, if specific matching error data obtained as a difference between the specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle and the map object data exceeds the third threshold and is equal to or less than the second threshold, positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighting value set lower than the second weighting value, and if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the third threshold, positioning of the autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighting value set higher than the second weighting value.

[0028] In one example, in the (III) process, the specific sensing data includes at least a portion of: (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (iii) a specific length of time during which the specific autonomous vehicle is located within a certain distance of the object; and (iv) the number of points that the specific sensor matches with the map object data. Effect of the Invention

[0029] The present invention has the following advantages.

[0030] The present invention has the effect of having a computing device of a specific autonomous vehicle acquire a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector by referring to map object data for at least one object included in map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and using the same to determine the validity of specific sensing data measured by a sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, thereby performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle.

[0031] In addition, the present invention has an effect that, when a length of preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to a total length of time during which a preceding vehicle obtained preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector is sufficient, a weighted value corresponding to specific matching result data is set as a first weighted value and a weighted value corresponding to a specific preceding correction value is set as a second weighted value, when specific matching error data obtained as a difference between specific sensing data of a specific autonomous vehicle and map object data exceeds a threshold, positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighted value set lower than the second weighted value, and when the specific matching error data is equal to or lower than the threshold, positioning of the autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weighted value set higher than the second weighted value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart of a method for performing positioning of a particular autonomous vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific autonomous vehicle and an object within a certain distance in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a difference between specific sensing data and an actual object when a road has a slope in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first object reference sector through an nth object reference sector and a first vehicle reference sector through an mth vehicle reference sector in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of determining a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching error data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different from one another, but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a specific shape, structure, and characteristic described herein may be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly interpreted. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar features throughout the various aspects.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to enable those skilled in the art to easily practice the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a computing device 100 for performing positioning of a particular autonomous vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a computing device 100 for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of the present invention may include a memory 110 having instructions stored therein for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, and a processor 120 for performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle according to the instructions stored in the memory 110.

[0036] In particular, a computing device 100 for performing positioning of a particular autonomous vehicle may utilize a combination of devices (which may include computer processors, memory, storage, input and output devices, and other components of existing computing devices; electronic communication devices such as routers, switches, etc.; electronic information storage systems such as network attached storage (NAS) and storage area networks (SAN)) and computer software (i.e., instructions that cause a computing device to function in a particular manner) to achieve the desired system performance.

[0037] The processor of the computing device 100 may include hardware components such as a micro processing unit (MPU) or central processing unit (CPU), a cache memory, a data bus, etc. The computing device may further include software components such as an operating system and an application for performing a specific purpose.

[0038] However, this does not exclude the case where the computing device includes an integrated processor in which the medium, processor and memory for implementing the present invention are integrated.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention configured as above, a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle using a computing device 100 for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle will be described as follows.

[0040] First, a process for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart of a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing a specific autonomous vehicle and an object within a certain distance in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing the difference between specific sensing data and an actual object when there is a slope in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] First, referring to FIG. 2, in the present invention, a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 may include a step S201 in which a computing device 100 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 receives map data within a certain distance from a server of the position of the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0043] In this case, the map data may be data in which the boundary surfaces of the driving routes for each lane and objects around the driving routes (objects may be structures around the road such as buildings and walls) are configured in the form of polylines. An example of map data showing a specific autonomous vehicle 310, a specific heading direction 311, and an object 320 is shown in FIG.

[0044] In addition, in the present invention, the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 may include a step S202 in which the computing device 100 acquires a specific object reference sector and a specific vehicle reference sector by referring to map object data for at least one object 320 included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor 312 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310. The specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector will be described in detail later.

[0045] In this case, the specific sensor 312 may include at least one of a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, a position sensor, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, and a camera for sensing information around the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0046] In addition, a specific object-based sector may be an area corresponding to the direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is viewed from the object 320, and a specific vehicle-based sector may be an area corresponding to the heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0047] In addition, in the present invention, the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 may include a step S203 in which the computing device 100 determines the validity of specific sensing data by referring to a specific object reference sector, a specific vehicle reference sector, and map object data, and if it is determined that the specific sensing data is valid, performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data.

[0048] 4, when a specific sensor 312 senses an object 320 when there is a slope on the road as shown in the left side of Fig. 4, the object 320 sensed by the specific sensor 312 (shown by dotted lines in the right side of Fig. 4) may not match with the object stored in the map data (shown by solid lines in the right side of Fig. 4) as shown in the right side of Fig. 4. The specific matching result data mentioned in step S203 may be data for such a mismatch, and by performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 by referring to the specific matching result data, more precise positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be performed even in an environment such as a slope on the road.

[0049] In this case, as a basis for determining the validity of specific sensing data, reference may be further made to (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object 320 measured by a specific sensor 312 of a specific autonomous vehicle 310, and (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle 310 and the object 320 measured by a specific sensor 312 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310, corresponding to a specific pair consisting of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector.

[0050] For example, the lowest point among the points on the right side of Fig. 4 can be set to a specific minimum measurement height, and the highest point among the points on the right side of Fig. 4 can be set to a specific maximum measurement height. Also, the distance between the point on the right side of Fig. 4 that is closest to a specific autonomous vehicle can be set to a specific minimum measurement distance, and the distance between the point on the right side of Fig. 4 that is farthest from a specific autonomous vehicle can be set to a specific maximum measurement distance.

[0051] Here, the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 does not limit the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of the present invention, but rather certain processes can be added to perform positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle.

[0052] Next, the determination of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a simplified reference sector in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a simplified process of determining a specific object reference sector and a specific vehicle reference sector in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention. First, a description will be given with reference to Fig. 5. Referring to the left side of Fig. 5, a first object-based sector to an n-th object-based sector can be generated by allocating a region for each direction range based on an object 320. In the example of Fig. 5, a first object-based sector to an eighth object-based sector are generated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Next, referring to the right side of Fig. 5, a first vehicle-based sector to an m-th vehicle-based sector can be generated by allocating a region for each virtual heading direction range based on each of predetermined points on a road on which a specific autonomous vehicle 310 may travel.

[0054] In this case, the step of generating the first object reference sector through the n-th object reference sector and the first vehicle reference sector through the m-th vehicle reference sector may be performed before step S201.

[0055] Next, the determination of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0056] In the present invention, in a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, one of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector may be determined as a specific object reference sector by referring to a direction in which the object 320 views the specific autonomous vehicle 310, and one of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector may be determined as a specific vehicle reference sector by referring to a specific position (i.e., current position) and a specific heading direction 311 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0057] For example, the left side of FIG. 6 shows a specific autonomous vehicle 310, a specific heading direction 311, and an object 320. Referring to the middle drawing of FIG. 6, the first object reference sector to the eighth object reference sector are generated around the object 320, and the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is located within the area displayed by the third object reference sector. Therefore, the third object reference sector may be determined as the specific object reference sector. Also, referring to the right side of FIG. 6, the first vehicle reference sector to the eighth vehicle reference sector are generated around the specific autonomous vehicle 310, and the specific heading direction 311, which is the direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is heading, is located within the seventh vehicle reference sector. Therefore, the seventh vehicle reference sector may be determined as the specific vehicle reference sector. It can be seen that the third object reference sector and the seventh vehicle reference sector determined in this manner are shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0058] On the other hand, when a specific heading direction 311 corresponds to a boundary between two vehicle reference sectors, the specific vehicle reference sector may be determined to be one of the two vehicle reference sectors, but in some cases, information on all boundaries between each vehicle reference sector (i.e., a total of m boundaries including the boundary between the first vehicle reference sector and the second vehicle reference sector, the boundary between the second vehicle reference sector and the third vehicle reference sector, ... the boundary between the mth vehicle reference sector and the first vehicle reference sector) may be managed separately and used for matching.

[0059] For example, if a particular heading direction 311 is located on the boundary between the sixth vehicle reference sector and the seventh vehicle reference sector, the particular vehicle reference sector may be determined to be either the sixth vehicle reference sector or the seventh vehicle reference sector, but information regarding the boundary between the sixth vehicle reference sector and the seventh vehicle reference sector may be managed separately and used for matching.

[0060] The determination of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector can be performed in step S202.

[0061] Also, each of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector and each of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector may be combined with each other to form nxm pairs. That is, the nxm pairs may include pairs 1_1 to n_m. For example, in the examples of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, there are eight object reference sectors and eight vehicle reference sectors, respectively, so there may be a total of 64 pairs including pairs 1_1 to 8_8.

[0062] In addition, each of the 1_1 pair to the n_m pair may store leading matching data by corresponding data between the object 320 and a plurality of leading vehicles that have traveled within a certain distance from the object's position. In this case, the leading matching data may include at least a part of (i) leading minimum measured height and leading maximum measured height of the object 320 measured by the leading sensor of the leading vehicle, (ii) leading minimum measured distance and leading maximum measured distance between the leading vehicle and the object 320 measured by the leading sensor of the leading vehicle, (iii) leading cumulative time length, which is the total time during which the leading vehicle was located within a certain distance from the object 320, (iv) number of points where the leading sensor matches with the map object data, and (v) error between leading sensing data sensed by the leading vehicle and the map object data.

[0063] Here, the error between the previous sensing data and the map object data may include at least some of a vertical error, a horizontal error, a yaw angle error, a roll angle error, and a pitch angle error.

[0064] In addition, in the present invention, in step S203 of the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, the validity of specific sensing data can be determined by further referring to specific preceding matching data corresponding to a specific point on a road corresponding to a specific position and a specific heading direction 311 of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 among the preceding matching data obtained from multiple preceding vehicles.

[0065] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when a specific autonomous vehicle 310 corresponds to the 3_7 pair, if the preceding matching data corresponding to a preceding vehicle that has traveled in a state corresponding to the 3_7 pair before the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is set as the 3_7 preceding matching data, the validity of specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be determined by further referring to the 3_7 preceding matching data.

[0066] In the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle according to the present invention, in step S203, the computing device 100 may receive a specific prior correction value generated by referring to specific prior matching data from a server, and perform positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 by referring to the specific matching result data and the specific prior correction value. In this case, the positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 may be performed using a value obtained by adding the specific prior correction value to the specific matching result data, but is not limited thereto.

[0067] Here, the specific prior correction value may be a value generated by the server processing the prior matching data stored in the pair corresponding to the specific autonomous vehicle 310 in a predetermined manner.

[0068] Next, a process of performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching error data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching error data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] 7, the computing device of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 may first determine whether the length of the preceding cumulative time is equal to or greater than a first threshold value S701. That is, for a specific pair consisting of a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector, it may determine whether the length of the preceding cumulative time acquired by referring to the total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

[0071] In this case, if the length of the preceding accumulated time is less than the first threshold, the computing device 100 may perform positioning (S702) of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 without adjusting the specific matching result data.

[0072] That is, in this case, the specific preceding matching data cannot be acquired due to a lack of prior matching data stored in the pair corresponding to the specific autonomous vehicle 310, and only the specific matching result data can be used to perform positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310. In this case, the specific matching result data is uploaded to the server and can be used as prior matching data when other autonomous vehicles are operated thereafter.

[0073] On the other hand, if it is determined that the length of the preceding accumulated time is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the computing device 100 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 may check (S703) whether the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the second threshold. If the specific matching error data is not equal to or less than the second threshold (i.e., if the specific matching error data is higher than the second threshold), it may determine that the object 320 cannot be identified for the specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector, and may perform (S704) positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 without transmitting the specific matching result data to the server.

[0074] That is, in this case, the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is unable to identify the object 320 at all as a result of referring to the specific matching error data, and the specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be located using only the specific matching result data. Here, since the specific matching result data is not related to the identification of the object 320 at all, it is not uploaded to the server.

[0075] Meanwhile, if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the second threshold, it may be determined whether the specific matching error data obtained as a difference between the specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 and the map object data exceeds a third threshold (S705). In this case, the third threshold may be a value lower than the second threshold.

[0076] If a weighting value corresponding to specific matching result data is a first weighting value and a weighting value corresponding to a specific advance correction value is a second weighting value, when specific matching error data exceeds a third threshold, positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be performed with the first weighting value set lower than the second weighting value.

[0077] In other words, if the specific matching error data exceeds the third threshold, it is determined that the specific matching result data (corresponding to the data sensed by the specific autonomous vehicle) is less reliable than the specific advance correction value (corresponding to the data sensed by the leading autonomous vehicle), and the specific advance correction value can be reflected more in the positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0078] Conversely, if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the third threshold, the positioning of the autonomous vehicle may be performed with the first weight value set higher than the second weight value. That is, the specific matching result data may be determined to be more reliable than the specific prior correction value, and the specific matching result data may be more heavily reflected in the positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0079] Furthermore, in the method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of the present invention, the specific sensing data may include at least a portion of: (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object 320 measured by a specific sensor 312 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310; (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle 310 and the object 320 measured by a specific sensor 312 of the specific autonomous vehicle 310; (iii) a specific length of time during which the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is located within a certain distance from the object 320; and (iv) the number of points that the specific sensor 312 matches with the map object data.

[0080] Here, the specific sensing data may include attitude information (including at least a portion of the roll angle, pitch angle, and yaw angle) of the specific autonomous vehicle 310. If the attitude information of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 is included, the yaw angle error, roll angle error, and pitch angle error of the specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be obtained by referring to this, and the validity of the specific sensing data can be determined by comparing it with the yaw angle error, roll angle error, and pitch angle error of the preceding vehicle, and the specific autonomous vehicle 310 can be used to position the specific autonomous vehicle 310.

[0081] In addition, the above-described embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer components and stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions stored in the computer-readable recording medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention, or may be those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes, such as those produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes executed by a computer using an interpreter, and the like. The hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to execute the processes of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described above using specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, this is provided merely to aid in a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Various modifications and variations may be made from such descriptions by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

[0083] Therefore, the concept of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and all modifications equivalent to or equivalent to the scope of the claims, as well as the scope of the claims described below, are within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving, by a computing device of the particular autonomous vehicle, map data within a certain distance of a location of the particular autonomous vehicle from a server; (b) acquiring a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, the specific object-based sector being an area corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific vehicle-based sector being an area corresponding to a heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle; and (c) determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and when it is determined that the specific sensing data is valid, performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data; Including, In the step (c), The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, characterized in that the computing device determines the validity of the specific sensing data by further referring to (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, which correspond to a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector.

2. A method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving, by a computing device of the particular autonomous vehicle, map data within a certain distance of a location of the particular autonomous vehicle from a server; (b) acquiring a specific object-based sector and a specific vehicle-based sector by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, the specific object-based sector being an area corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific vehicle-based sector being an area corresponding to a heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle; and (c) determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and when it is determined that the specific sensing data is valid, performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data; Including, Prior to step (a), (a0) further including the step of generating a first object-based sector through an n-th object-based sector by allocating an area for each direction range based on the object, and generating a first vehicle-based sector through an m-th vehicle-based sector by allocating an area for each virtual heading direction range based on each of predetermined points of a road on which the specific autonomous vehicle may travel, In the step (b), A method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, wherein one of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector is determined as the specific object reference sector by referring to a direction in which the object views the specific autonomous vehicle, and one of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector is determined as the specific vehicle reference sector by referring to a specific position and a specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

3. Prior to step (a), (a1) forming nxm pairs (the nxm pairs include a 1_1 pair to an n_m pair) by combining each of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector and each of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector with each other; and (a2) storing preceding matching data for each of the 1_1 pair to the n_m pair by corresponding data between the object and a plurality of preceding vehicles that have traveled within a certain distance from the position of the object. The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 2, further comprising:

4. In the step (c), The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 3, characterized in that the validity of the specific sensing data is determined by further referring to specific preceding matching data corresponding to a specific point on a road corresponding to the specific position and the specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle among the preceding matching data obtained from the multiple preceding vehicles.

5. In the step (c), The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 4, characterized in that the computing device receives from the server a specific prior correction value generated by referring to the specific prior matching data, and performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to the specific matching result data and the specific prior correction value.

6. In the step (c), 6. The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein when a length of a preceding cumulative time obtained by referring to a total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector is less than a first threshold, the computing device performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle without adjusting the specific matching result data.

7. In the step (c), 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining that the object cannot be identified for the specific pair formed of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, and performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle without transmitting the specific matching result data to the server, when a length of preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to a total length of time during which the leading vehicle obtained preceding sensing data for the specific pair formed of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and matching error data obtained by the computing device by referring to a difference between the specific sensing data and the map object data exceeds a second threshold.

8. In the step (c), 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when a length of the preceding accumulated time acquired by referring to a total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired the preceding sensing data for the specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a weight value corresponding to the specific matching result data is a first weight value, and a weight value corresponding to the specific preceding correction value is a second weight value, if specific matching error data acquired as a difference between the specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle and the map object data exceeds the third threshold and is equal to or less than the second threshold, performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle with the first weight value set lower than the second weight value, and if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the third threshold, performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle with the first weight value set higher than the second weight value.

9. In the step (c), 2. The method for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the specific sensing data includes at least a portion of: (i) the specific minimum measured height and the specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (ii) the specific minimum measured distance and the specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (iii) a specific length of time during which the specific autonomous vehicle is located within a certain distance from the object; and (iv) a number of points that the specific sensor matches with the map object data.

10. 1. A computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, comprising: At least one memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute said instructions; The processor performs the following processes: (I) receiving map data within a certain distance from a position of the specific autonomous vehicle from a server; (II) acquiring a specific object reference sector and a specific vehicle reference sector (the specific object reference sector is an area corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific vehicle reference sector is an area corresponding to a heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle) by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; and (III) determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data when it is determined that the specific sensing data is valid; In the process (III), The processor determines the validity of the specific sensing data by further referring to (i) a specific minimum measured height and a specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, and (ii) a specific minimum measured distance and a specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle, which correspond to a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector.

11. A computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, comprising: At least one memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute said instructions; The processor performs the following processes: (I) receiving map data within a certain distance from a position of the specific autonomous vehicle from a server; (II) acquiring a specific object reference sector and a specific vehicle reference sector (the specific object reference sector is an area corresponding to a direction in which the specific autonomous vehicle is viewed from the object, and the specific vehicle reference sector is an area corresponding to a heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle) by referring to map object data for at least one object included in the map data and specific sensing data acquired from a specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; and (III) determining validity of the specific sensing data by referring to the specific object reference sector, the specific vehicle reference sector, and the map object data, and performing positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to specific matching result data generated by matching the map object data and the specific sensing data when it is determined that the specific sensing data is valid; Prior to the process (I), (I0) further performing a process of generating a first object-based sector through an n-th object-based sector by allocating an area for each direction range based on the object, and generating a first vehicle-based sector through an m-th vehicle-based sector by allocating an area for each virtual heading direction range based on each of predetermined points on a road on which the specific autonomous vehicle may travel, In the process (II), A computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle, wherein one of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector is determined as the specific object reference sector by referring to a direction in which the object views the specific autonomous vehicle, and one of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector is determined as the specific vehicle reference sector by referring to a specific position and a specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle.

12. Prior to the process (I), 12. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: (I1) a process of combining each of the first object reference sector to the nth object reference sector and each of the first vehicle reference sector to the mth vehicle reference sector to form nxm pairs (the nxm pairs include a 1_1 pair to an n_m pair); and (I2) a process of storing preceding matching data by corresponding each of the 1_1 pair to the n_m pair with data between the object and a plurality of preceding vehicles that have traveled within a certain distance from the position of the object.

13. In the process (III), 13. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 12, characterized in that the validity of the specific sensing data is determined by further referring to specific preceding matching data corresponding to a specific point on a road corresponding to the specific position and the specific heading direction of the specific autonomous vehicle among the preceding matching data acquired from the multiple preceding vehicles.

14. In the process (III), 14. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 13, characterized in that the processor receives from the server a specific advance correction value generated by referring to the specific advance matching data, and performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle by referring to the specific matching result data and the specific advance correction value.

15. In the process (III), 15. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle as described in claim 14, wherein when a length of a preceding cumulative time obtained by referring to a total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair consisting of the specific object reference sector and the specific vehicle reference sector is less than a first threshold, the computing device performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle without adjusting the specific matching result data.

16. In the process (III), 15. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of claim 14, wherein when a length of a preceding accumulated time obtained by referring to a total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired preceding sensing data for a specific pair formed of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and matching error data obtained by the processor by referring to a difference between the specific sensing data and the map object data exceeds a second threshold, the computing device determines that the object cannot be identified for the specific pair formed of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector, and performs positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle without transmitting the specific matching result data to the server.

17. In the process (III), 17. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of claim 16, wherein: when the length of the preceding accumulated time acquired by referring to a total length of time during which the preceding vehicle acquired the preceding sensing data for the specific pair consisting of the specific object-based sector and the specific vehicle-based sector is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a weight value corresponding to the specific matching result data is a first weight value, and a weight value corresponding to the specific preceding correction value is a second weight value, if specific matching error data acquired as a difference between the specific sensing data of the specific autonomous vehicle and the map object data exceeds the third threshold and is equal to or less than the second threshold, positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weight value set lower than the second weight value, and if the specific matching error data is equal to or less than the third threshold, positioning of the specific autonomous vehicle is performed with the first weight value set higher than the second weight value.

18. In the process (III), 11. The computing device for performing positioning of a specific autonomous vehicle of claim 10, wherein the specific sensing data includes at least a portion of: (i) the specific minimum measured height and the specific maximum measured height of the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (ii) the specific minimum measured distance and the specific maximum measured distance between the specific autonomous vehicle and the object measured by the specific sensor of the specific autonomous vehicle; (iii) a specific length of time during which the specific autonomous vehicle is located within a certain distance from the object; and (iv) a number of points that the specific sensor matches with the map object data.

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