Autonomous Driving Support Apparatus Dynamic Map Capability Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

To ensure safe autonomous driving, users must confirm whether their vehicle is capable of autonomous driving, considering both onboard sensors and dynamic map data, as users may unknowingly ride in vehicles that can perform autonomous driving only in emergencies or not at all.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous driving support apparatus that determines, based on dynamic map data and use condition information, whether the vehicle can perform autonomous driving, allowing users to recognize its capabilities through a system that includes a dynamic map data generation apparatus, an autonomous driving provision server, and an autonomous vehicle with a control unit, determination unit, and navigation unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If autonomous driving support apparatus determines driving capability based on dynamic map data and use condition information, then user recognition of autonomous driving capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser recognition of autonomous driving capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the autonomous driving capability determination into distinct functional modules: a determination unit that evaluates driving capability based on dynamic map data and use condition information, and a notification unit that communicates the result to the user. This segmentation allows the complex determination process to be isolated and managed separately, reducing the perceived system complexity while improving information delivery to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous driving support apparatus acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's autonomous driving system and the user. It receives dynamic map data and use condition information, processes this information through the determination unit, and provides the user with clear notification about autonomous driving capability. This intermediary role simplifies the user's understanding by translating complex system states into actionable information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system provides comprehensive determination of autonomous driving capability, then safety is improved, but information processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of autonomous drivingVSAvoidinformation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of autonomous driving capability by evaluating dynamic map data and use condition information before the user initiates autonomous driving. The determination unit assesses whether the current environment and vehicle conditions meet the requirements for autonomous driving, and the notification unit informs the user in advance. This preliminary action ensures safety by preventing autonomous driving initiation when conditions are not met, while reducing processing time during actual driving operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3531397B1Autonomous driving support apparatus and autonomous driving support method
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3531397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3531397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An autonomous driving support apparatus (100) is mounted on an autonomous vehicle (10) to perform autonomous driving using dynamic map data. A dynamic map storage unit (141) stores the dynamic map data. A use condition storage unit (142) stores use condition information in which a use condition of the dynamic map data is set. A determination unit (120) determines whether or not the autonomous driving by the autonomous vehicle (10) is possible, based on the dynamic map data stored in the dynamic map storage unit (141) and the use condition information stored in the use condition storage unit (142).