Autonomous Travel Assistance Using Shared Intersection Reference Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous travel assistance systems face challenges in accurately determining the presence and position of vehicles at blind spots or distant locations due to limitations with sensor devices like millimeter-wave radar and video cameras, especially when maps used by different vehicles have different coordinate systems.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a common position reference point for relative positioning, using a combination of satellite positioning, inertial navigation, and map database information to accurately specify the position of other vehicles, even across different navigation systems, by transmitting and receiving vehicle position information via communication systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor devices such as millimeter-wave radar or video cameras are used to specify presence and position of another vehicle, then it is possible to detect another vehicle, but it is difficult to accurately grasp presence and positions of vehicles positioned at blind spots or far places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a position reference point as an intermediary element that mediates between vehicles for position specification. Instead of directly measuring another vehicle's position using sensors, the system uses a common position reference point that both vehicles can reference, enabling accurate position determination even when direct sensor detection is difficult or impossible due to blind spots or distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sensor-based detection system with an information-based system. Instead of relying on physical sensor devices to detect vehicle positions, the system substitutes this with communication of position information and map data processing, where vehicles exchange position reference point information and calculate relative positions through information processing rather than direct physical detection
2Adaptability or versatility
If maps with different coordinate systems are used in navigation systems of respective vehicles, then each vehicle can use its own map data, but there is a difference in coordinate value between the maps making it difficult to accurately specify position of another vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential reference framework by establishing a common position reference point that serves as a universal coordinate anchor. All vehicles, regardless of their individual map coordinate systems, can reference this common position reference point, effectively creating a level playing field where position comparisons are made relative to the same reference rather than conflicting coordinate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the coordinate system parameter from being vehicle-specific to being reference-point-specific. By changing the reference framework from individual vehicle coordinate systems to a common position reference point, the system enables accurate position specification across different map coordinate systems through parameter transformation and common reference establishment
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
This approach enables accurate autonomous travel assistance by ensuring collision avoidance at intersections and diverging points, even when there are differences in map coordinates, and can handle errors in position reference points, improving safety and navigation accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an autonomous vehicle acquires a current position of the own vehicle on the basis of signals of a global positioning system (GPS) or quasi-zenith satellites (QZS)
Implementation Method 2
It is possible to specify presence and a position of another vehicle by using a sensor device such as a millimeter-wave radar
Data Source
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AI summary
A map database (200) stores map data (290). The map data includes position reference point data including identification information of a position reference point being set in an intersection area where traffic lanes intersect, join, or diverge and an absolute position of the position reference point. A communication system (111) receives the identification information of the position reference point and a relative position of another vehicle to the absolute position of the position reference point. A vehicle position information processing unit (113) acquires the absolute position of the position reference point from the position reference point data on the basis of the received identification information of the position reference point. Then, the vehicle position information processing unit (113) specifies a position of the other vehicle on the basis of the acquired absolute position of the position reference point and the received relative position of the other vehicle.