Hybrid Vehicle Route Determination Using Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS-based vehicle route determination systems face inaccuracies at the start and end of trips, as well as in areas with GPS dead-spots, leading to incomplete and unreliable route data.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes sensor information, such as accelerometer data, and modeling techniques like observation and transition models to determine vehicle routes, even when GPS is unavailable, by combining sensor data with user-provided route information and historical data to predict and correct route segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based route determination is used, then position information can be obtained, but accuracy is poor in dead-spots and at trip start/end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS data with sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) to create a hybrid positioning system. When GPS is unavailable or inaccurate, the system merges sensor-derived position estimates with the last known GPS position to maintain continuous and accurate route determination throughout the trip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor-based position estimation as an intermediary solution between GPS dead-spots. The sensor data acts as a bridge to maintain position tracking when GPS signals are unavailable, allowing the system to interpolate positions during periods of GPS unavailability.
2Reliability
If sensor information is used to determine route segments, then GPS unavailability is compensated, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trip into GPS-available portions and GPS-unavailable portions. Sensor-based processing is applied only to segments where GPS is unavailable or inaccurate, while GPS data is used directly where available. This segmentation reduces the overall computational burden by limiting complex sensor processing to only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sensor-based position estimation partially, only for the portions of the trip where GPS is unavailable or inaccurate. Rather than processing sensor data continuously throughout the entire trip, the system activates sensor processing only when needed, reducing computational complexity while maintaining reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise determination of vehicle routes from start to end, providing accurate metrics like fuel economy and wear and tear, and enhances GPS precision by supplementing or replacing GPS data in areas of poor signal.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor information includes accelerometer information
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for determined a route or distance traveled of a vehicle. A computer-implemented method for determining a route of a vehicle during a trip comprises obtaining sensor information from a vehicle and obtaining position information from the vehicle using a global positioning system (GPS) component. Next, a route of the vehicle may be determined based at least in part on the position information and route information provided by a user onboard the vehicle during the trip. For portions of the trip in which the GPS component is not available or accurate, at least a portion of a corresponding route segment may be determined using the sensor information without the position information.