Autonomous Vehicle Zone Updates with Verified Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating zones for autonomous vehicles are time-consuming and costly, often requiring shutdowns due to the need for thorough testing and verification of safety software, and lack efficiency in handling frequent parameter adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with processing circuitry that handles a set of zones for autonomous vehicles, allowing updates to be confirmed by a verifying entity, using error-detecting codes to ensure accuracy and efficiency, thereby minimizing shutdowns and speeding up the update process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If verified safety software is used for zone updates, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming development, testing, and review processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of zone updatesVSAvoidupdate speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates verification functionality from the main autonomous vehicle control software. A dedicated verifying entity independently validates zone updates without requiring full safety software certification processes, thus improving update speed while maintaining reliability through specialized verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A verifying entity acts as an intermediary between zone update providers and autonomous vehicles. This intermediary performs validation and verification of zone updates, ensuring safety while enabling faster updates without requiring complete safety software re-certification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If physical tests are performed by test engineers after each update, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to production halts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical field testing with automated computational verification. The verifying entity uses algorithmic validation and error-detecting codes to verify zone updates remotely, eliminating the need for test engineers to physically test each update and thereby maintaining production continuity while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If zone updates require temporary stop of production, then reliability is improved through thorough verification, but productivity deteriorates due to operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate accuracyVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Zone updates are verified in advance by the verifying entity using automated validation processes and error-detecting codes before deployment. This preliminary verification ensures update accuracy while enabling seamless deployment without operational interruptions, as the verification is completed beforehand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If centralized safety software is used for verification, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to dedicated verification infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification thoroughnessVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verifying entity is designed as a universal verification platform that can validate multiple types of zone updates for different autonomous vehicles using standardized procedures and error-detecting codes. This multi-functional approach ensures thorough verification while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating verification capabilities into a single versatile entity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4704062A1Updating zones for autonomous vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS AB
  • EP4704062A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4704062A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4704062A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer system (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to handle a set of zones (1) arranged for one or more autonomous vehicles (5) is provided. The processing circuitry (602) is configured to obtain an indication of the set of zones (1) and an update (2) to the set of zones (1). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to produce an updated set of zones (3), based on the update and the indication of the set of zones (1). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to provide an indication of the update (2) or the updated set of zones (3) to a verifying entity (12). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to, in response to obtaining a confirmation that the update (2) or the updated set of zones (3) provided to the verifying entity (12) is approved, provide an indication of the update (2) or the updated set of zones (3) to the one or more autonomous vehicles (5).