Autonomous Driving Trigger Input Control at Signalized Intersections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous driving systems face challenges in maintaining accurate traffic signal recognition, leading to difficulties in obtaining a driver's decision at appropriate times during autonomous driving.

Innovation Solution

The system requests a driver's trigger input when approaching a target point, such as an intersection, and adjusts vehicle control to pass through or stop based on the input, allowing the vehicle to pass through if the input is detected and decelerate/stop if not, with re-requests for input if the traffic signal state changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the autonomous driving system operates without driver intervention, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential recognition errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous driving operation efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic signal recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a trigger input unit as an intermediary between the autonomous driving system and the driver. This mediator allows the system to operate autonomously while providing a communication channel for driver intervention when recognition accuracy is compromised, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by detecting driver inputs (such as steering wheel operations or pedal operations) and using this feedback to determine when human judgment is needed. The feedback mechanism allows the system to switch between autonomous operation and driver decision-making based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the system requests driver input frequently, then reliability is improved by obtaining driver decisions, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased driver burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver decision accuracyVSAvoiddriver operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters such as the threshold for requesting driver input and the types of operations that constitute valid trigger inputs. By adjusting these parameters, the system can balance the need for driver decisions with the desire to minimize driver burden, optimizing both reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the vehicle stops to obtain driver decision, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver decision confirmationVSAvoidtime to reach destination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by requesting driver input only in specific situations where recognition accuracy is questionable, rather than requiring driver decisions for all traffic signals. This selective approach maintains reliability when needed while minimizing time loss during normal autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3584135B1Autonomous driving system and control method of autonomous driving system
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3584135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584135B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3584135B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An autonomous driving system configured to perform an autonomous driving of a vehicle includes a trigger input request unit configured to perform a trigger input request for requesting a driver of the vehicle to perform a trigger input for causing the vehicle to pass through a target point if the autonomously driving vehicle approaches the target point set in advance and positioned on a traveling route of the vehicle, a trigger input detection unit configured to detect the driver's trigger input, and a vehicle control unit configured to cause the vehicle to pass through the target point if the trigger input is detected, and causes the vehicle to decelerate and stop without passing through the target point if the trigger input is not detected.