Fleet Operations Control Command Conversion for Mixed Vehicle Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing the coexistence of unmanned and manned vehicles struggle to provide effective driving assistance to operators, as control data transmitted to manned vehicles needs to be converted into perceivable natural language, complicating fleet operations management.

Innovation Solution

A driving assistance system that connects a fleet operations management server with a manned vehicle's terminal device via a wireless network, using a server-side communication control unit, control command value generation unit, and vehicle identification management unit to convert control command values into perceivable information for the operator, allowing seamless communication and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If control data is transmitted to manned vehicles in the same format as unmanned vehicles, then fleet operations management is simplified, but the operator cannot promptly interpret the control signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefleet operations management complexityVSAvoidoperator interpretability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication flow into two distinct pathways: one for unmanned vehicles that receives control command values directly, and another for manned vehicles that receives converted perceivable information. The server identifies the vehicle type and routes the control data accordingly, allowing each vehicle type to process information in its optimal format without complicating the overall management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that converts control command values into perceivable information for manned vehicles. This intermediary function translates between the standardized control format used for unmanned vehicles and the human-readable format needed for manned vehicles, eliminating the need for operators to interpret raw control signals while maintaining system-wide consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If control command values are converted into perceivable information for operators, then operator understanding is improved, but processing complexity at the server increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator understandingVSAvoidserver processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server implements a universal communication protocol that handles both unmanned and manned vehicles through a single interface. The vehicle identification information management unit stores and retrieves conversion rules for different vehicle types, allowing the server to automatically select the appropriate processing mode without requiring separate specialized systems for each vehicle type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses vehicle identification information to enable self-service processing: when control data is transmitted, the server automatically identifies the target vehicle type and applies the appropriate conversion rules without manual intervention. This self-identifying mechanism reduces server processing complexity by eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If different control data formats are used for unmanned and manned vehicles, then each vehicle type receives optimized information, but processing becomes complex at the server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle-specific optimizationVSAvoidserver processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains homogeneity in the underlying control command structure while allowing for heterogeneous presentation formats. All vehicles receive control data in a standardized internal format from the control command value generation unit, and the conversion to perceivable information for manned vehicles is performed through a uniform conversion process managed by the vehicle identification information management unit. This homogeneous approach to data structure simplifies server processing while still providing vehicle-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS9898011B2Driving assistance system and program for driving according to operations management

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a technology that, when an unmanned haulage vehicle and a manned haulage vehicle are allowed to exist together and are subjected to fleet operations management, can provide driving assistance to an operator of the manned vehicle by using control data similar to those to be transmitted to the unmanned haulage vehicle. To this end, the manned vehicle is provided with a terminal-side communication control unit, a control command value conversion unit and a control command value providing unit. The terminal-side communication control unit receives, from a fleet operations management server that performs operations management of the unmanned haulage vehicle, a control command value for allowing the unmanned haulage vehicle to travel autonomously. The control command value conversion unit converts contents of the control command value to perceivable information. The control command value providing unit provides the perceivable information to the operator.