Digital Map Validation Using Driver Assistance Position Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for validating the timeliness of digital maps in automated driving systems are inefficient, relying on satellite image evaluations and involving high effort, which complicates the detection of changes in a vehicle's drivable environment and affects the accuracy and reliability of localization.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a control device to receive measurement data from vehicle sensors and compares it with data from driving assistance functions to validate the currentness of digital maps, determining if the vehicle position and drivable position are consistently determined, thereby detecting deviations and triggering necessary map updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite image evaluation is used to detect changes in vehicle environment, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines localization map data with planning map data into a unified validation process. By merging these two map types and comparing them against driver assistance function data, the system achieves comprehensive environmental change detection without requiring separate complex satellite image evaluation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational data from driver assistance functions (lane keeping assist, emergency braking assist, etc.) to validate the maps. Instead of relying on external satellite image services, the system self-validates by comparing its localization and planning maps against real-time sensor data already being collected during normal vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If frequent map updates are performed to ensure localization accuracy, then map currency is improved, but data transmission volume and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidmap creation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation by continuously comparing localization map data with planning map data before actual map updates are triggered. This preliminary check using existing operational data from driver assistance functions allows the system to identify when updates are truly necessary, preventing unnecessary update cycles and reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The validation process creates a feedback loop where driver assistance function data is used to verify map accuracy. When discrepancies are detected between localization and planning maps, this triggers targeted updates. The feedback mechanism ensures updates occur only when necessary, optimizing the balance between map currency and update frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor data is transmitted to validate map currency, then validation accuracy is improved, but data transmission load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential validation data from driver assistance functions that is necessary for map currency verification. Instead of transmitting all sensor data, it selectively extracts relevant information such as lane position data from lane keeping assist and distance data from emergency braking assist, reducing transmission volume while maintaining validation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The driver assistance function data serves multiple purposes: it is used for both vehicle control functions and for map validation. This multi-functionality means the same data collected for safety operations can simultaneously validate map accuracy, eliminating the need for separate dedicated validation data collection and reducing overall data transmission requirements.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3969846B1Method for validating a map actuality
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3969846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3969846B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for validating the up-to-dateness of at least one digital map, in particular by means of a control device, wherein the at least one digital map is received or retrieved, measurement data about the surroundings of a vehicle are received, a vehicle position within the at least one digital map is determined on the basis of landmarks, data of a driver assistance function are received, and in order to validate the up-to-dateness of the at least one digital map, a comparison is carried out between the vehicle position within the at least one digital map and the data of the driver assistance function. The invention furthermore relates to a transfer arrangement, a control device, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium.