Distance Estimating Device Using Map Reference Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance estimating devices for vehicles face challenges in accurately calculating distances to lane markings due to variations in vehicle height and orientation caused by passengers or luggage, leading to potential errors in sensor mounting and location.
Innovation Solution
A distance estimating device that uses multiple sensors to calculate distances to features on either side of the vehicle, determines a reference feature-to-feature distance, and corrects for errors using estimation filters to ensure accurate distance estimation even with changes in vehicle orientation or sensor mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to calculate distance to lane markings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in sensor mounting location and vehicle orientation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (first sensor and second sensor) to simultaneously measure distances to lane markings on both sides of the vehicle. By merging the measurements from multiple sensors and combining them with map information, the system achieves higher measurement precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by comparing the sum of distances measured by sensors with the reference distance obtained from map information. The estimation error calculated from this comparison is then used to correct the sensor measurements, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If installation location information is used to calculate distances, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when sensor mounting errors or vehicle orientation changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the calculated distance from installation location information is compared against the reference distance from map data. The estimation error from this comparison feeds back to correct the distance calculations, ensuring reliability even when mounting errors or orientation changes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces map information as an intermediary reference to mediate between the sensor measurements and the final distance calculation. This intermediary provides a reliable reference frame that compensates for errors in sensor mounting or vehicle orientation changes.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and correction processes are implemented, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the processing system multi-functional by using it to both calculate distances from sensor data and compare with map information for error correction. This universal processing approach handles multiple tasks (distance calculation, error estimation, correction, and validation) within a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity despite multiple sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A distance estimating device has a processor configured to calculate first and second right side distances between a moving object and a right side feature and first and second left side distances between the moving object and a left side feature, determine a reference feature-to-feature distance between the right and left side feature at the current location, and estimate a right side and left side distance combination, where the feature-to-feature distance between a right left side feature obtained for each combination of first right side distance corrected by an estimation error or second right side distance and first left side distance corrected by an estimation error or second left side distance, is closest to a reference distance, determining it to be the distance between the moving object and the right side feature and the distance between the moving object and the left side feature, for the current location.