Autonomous Vehicle Positioning via Reference Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles require more precise position information than human operators for accurate transition from human-drive to autonomous-drive mode, and existing GPS systems often provide insufficient accuracy, leading to a 30-foot margin of error which is inadequate for precise navigation in complex environments like sidewalks or manufacturing facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a landing strip with a reference indicator, such as a QR Code or RFID tag, that allows an autonomous vehicle to detect its precise location and transition into autonomous mode by reading encoded data, combining GPS with additional sensors and data processing to achieve higher accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS systems are used for position information, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient with a 30-foot margin of error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference indicators (QR codes, RFID tags, or visual markers) as intermediary objects placed throughout the environment. These intermediaries provide precise position information that mediates between the simple GPS system and the requirement for high measurement precision. The vehicle's detector reads these intermediaries to achieve accurate positioning without requiring a completely complex system overhaul.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the positioning system into multiple components: GPS for general location, reference indicators for precise location, and detectors for reading the indicators. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the reference indicators providing localized precision supplements to the broader GPS system.
2Measurement precision
If reference indicators are added to improve position accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the detector multi-functional by enabling it to read various types of reference indicators (QR codes, RFID tags, visual markers) and to operate in both autonomous and non-autonomous modes. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple positioning methods (GPS, reference indicator reading, sensor data) into a unified positioning system. The computer integrates data from all sources to determine the vehicle's position, merging simple and complex approaches to achieve reliable high-precision positioning without requiring any single component to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode.