Low-Cost GPS Route Identification for Engine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-resolution GPS databases for vehicle route optimization are expensive and time-consuming to maintain, often requiring additional records and causing vehicles to be out of service during updates, and low-cost GPS systems suffer from noise and uncertainty in altitude data, making them unsuitable for controlling internal combustion engines and transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A route identification system utilizing a low-cost GPS unit, data storage, and processing module that collects and analyzes GPS and vehicle operating data to control vehicle devices, such as internal combustion engines, by interpolating and synchronizing data between runs to provide specific, vehicle-specific route control, optimizing fuel efficiency without relying on external databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution GPS databases are used for route optimization, then route identification accuracy is improved, but system cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects GPS and vehicle operating data automatically during normal vehicle operation, building route databases without external intervention. The vehicle itself serves as the data collection device, eliminating the need for separate database maintenance operations and external recording systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low-cost GPS systems instead of expensive high-resolution GPS databases. By accepting that individual GPS measurements have noise and uncertainty, the system accumulates data from multiple runs to achieve accurate route identification, replacing expensive persistent infrastructure with inexpensive temporary measurements.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution GPS databases are used for route optimization, then route identification accuracy is improved, but vehicle availability decreases due to updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs database building and updates automatically during normal vehicle operation without requiring the vehicle to be taken out of service. Data collection, processing, and database updates occur in the background during regular use, maintaining continuous vehicle availability while improving route identification accuracy over time.
3Device complexity
If low-cost GPS systems are used, then system cost is reduced, but data accuracy deteriorates due to noise and uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines GPS data with vehicle operating data (engine parameters, transmission state, acceleration, braking) to compensate for GPS measurement noise and uncertainty. By merging multiple data sources collected during the same route runs, the system achieves accurate route identification and vehicle control despite using low-cost GPS hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and processing during normal vehicle operation, accumulating GPS and vehicle operating data across multiple runs before using it for control decisions. This preliminary action during idle periods prepares accurate route models that can be applied during subsequent operations, improving accuracy without requiring expensive real-time GPS systems.
4Measurement precision
If vehicle-specific data collection is implemented, then route control precision is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects, processes, and stores vehicle-specific GPS and operating data during normal operation without requiring external intervention. The vehicle's own control unit performs all data processing tasks, eliminating the need for complex external processing infrastructure and maintaining simple system architecture while achieving high precision route control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation.