Autonomous Vehicle Mobile Access Points for Smart City Network Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks are inadequate for supporting communication environments involving mobile and static nodes, particularly failing to effectively communicate among and with autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically configurable network of autonomous vehicles using a combination of fixed and mobile nodes, including Mobile Access Points (MAPs) that can connect vehicles to wired infrastructure and each other, providing robust, scalable, and secure connectivity through various communication protocols like 802.11p, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current communication networks are used, then infrastructure management is supported, but communication among autonomous vehicles and mobile nodes is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic network architecture where autonomous vehicles and mobile nodes can seamlessly switch between wired and wireless connectivity modes. Mobile Access Points (MAPs) enable vehicles to dynamically establish communication links based on their movement and infrastructure availability, transforming the static network into an adaptive system that maintains reliability while accommodating mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Mobile Access Points (MAPs) serve as intermediary devices between autonomous vehicles and the fixed infrastructure. These MAPs mounted on vehicles create ad-hoc wireless networks that mediate communication between moving nodes and stationary infrastructure, enabling reliable data exchange without requiring direct wired connections to every vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If wired infrastructure connections are used, then communication stability is improved, but mobility and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidvehicle mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into multiple independent layers: wired infrastructure connections for stable data transmission, wireless ad-hoc networks for mobile connectivity, and MAPs as intermediate nodes. This segmentation allows vehicles to maintain stability through wired connections when available while preserving mobility through wireless segments when moving between infrastructure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor data collection is implemented, then anomaly detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and data processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial data collection by focusing sensors on detecting specific anomaly indicators rather than continuously monitoring all parameters at maximum resolution. Sensors activate selectively based on contextual cues and predefined thresholds, providing sufficient detection accuracy while reducing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous full-scale monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Autonomous vehicles perform self-service data processing by pre-processing sensor data onboard using embedded systems. Vehicles filter, aggregate, and preliminary analyze data before transmission, reducing the energy burden of continuous high-power processing and minimizing the data volume that requires energy-intensive wireless transmission to central servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10595175B2Methods and systems for detecting anomalies and forecasting optimizations to improve smart city or region infrastructure management using networks of autonomous vehicles

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 NEXAR LTD

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for detecting anomalies and forecasting optimizations to improve smart city or region infrastructure management using networks of autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle may receive initial information relating to infrastructure utilized by a plurality of autonomous vehicles, and may acquire, during operation in the infrastructure, real-time information relating to the infrastructure and/or to other ones of the plurality of autonomous vehicles. The acquired information may be processed, and based on the processing of the acquired information and the initial information, anomalies and/or problems affecting the infrastructure and/or operation of the plurality of autonomous vehicles in the infrastructure may be detected.