Electronic Horizon for Proactive Vehicle Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) face limitations in providing effective precautionary actions for upcoming road conditions, particularly in environments affected by environmental conditions like fog, rain, or snow, and in situations where digital map data complements sensor information but is not sufficient for reliable driver assistance.
Innovation Solution
A feature for a motor vehicle that uses a data representation of the road network, known as an electronic horizon, to identify conditions warranting precautionary actions, such as warnings or vehicle control modifications, by integrating sensor data and digital map information to provide proactive alerts or control adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensor mechanisms (radar, cameras) are used to determine road conditions, then real-time detection capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates in environmental conditions like fog, rain, or snow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces digital map data as an intermediary information source that mediates between sensor detection and driver assistance decisions. When sensor detection becomes unreliable due to environmental conditions, the system switches to or supplements with pre-stored digital map data about road geometry, intersections, and road network features, ensuring continuous reliable operation regardless of weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing digital map data about road conditions, geometry, and network features before the vehicle reaches those locations. This advance preparation ensures that when the vehicle encounters environmental conditions that degrade sensor performance, reliable information is already available in the system without requiring real-time sensor input.
2Reliability
If digital map data is used to provide road network information, then reliability is improved, but the system cannot provide information about current road conditions or sensor-observable features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges digital map data and sensor data into a unified driver assistance system. The system combines pre-stored reliable map information about road geometry and network features with real-time sensor observations of current road conditions, traffic, and environmental factors. This fusion allows the system to provide both reliable baseline information and adaptive current state information simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced driver assistance systems use multiple data sources, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal electronic horizon data structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously. This single data structure stores and manages both digital map data and sensor observations, providing a unified interface for various driver assistance applications. The electronic horizon can be used for route guidance, collision avoidance, intersection warnings, and adaptive cruise control, reducing the need for separate processing systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A feature for a motor vehicle that takes precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network in the vicinity ahead of the vehicle. The feature uses a data representation of the road network extending from the current vehicle position out to an extent. The data representation of the road network is used to identify conditions, if any, that warrant taking a precautionary action. The type of conditions about which actions are to be taken may be identified in a data file. A precautionary action is taken as the vehicle approaches the location of the condition. The precautionary action may be a message provided to the vehicle driver to alert the driver about the condition. Alternatively, the action may be a modification of the vehicle operation, such as slowing down or stopping the vehicle, speeding up the vehicle, changing direction, and so on.