Traffic Signal State Estimation Using Inter-Signal Relationships
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in accurately determining the state of upcoming traffic signals due to factors like color blending with backgrounds, movement, temporary relocation, and environmental conditions, which reduce confidence in estimation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the state of an upcoming traffic signal by using relationships between the states of other traffic signals in the environment, incorporating sensor data and information from other vehicles or authorities, and applying image and 3D processing techniques to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous vehicles use sensor data to determine traffic signal state, then navigation capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to color blending with backgrounds, movement, and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary traffic signals (other than the upcoming one) as mediators to infer the state of the target traffic signal. By using relationships between multiple traffic signals in the network, the system compensates for uncertainties in directly detecting the upcoming signal state, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining navigation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the states of multiple traffic signals and using this information to refine estimates of the upcoming signal state. The relationship-based estimation creates a feedback loop where observed states of other signals provide corrective information about the target signal, improving detection accuracy under challenging environmental conditions
2Device complexity
If the vehicle relies solely on direct sensing of the upcoming traffic signal, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to factors like color blending, movement, and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges information from multiple traffic signals to determine the state of the upcoming signal. By combining observations from several signals and using their known relationships, the system achieves higher reliability without requiring more complex detection hardware, as the existing sensors are used more effectively through multi-signal analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for using a relationship between activities of different traffic signals in a network to improve traffic signal state estimation are disclosed. An example method includes determining that a vehicle is approaching an upcoming traffic signal. The method may further include determining a state of one or more traffic signals other than the upcoming traffic signal. Additionally, the method may also include determining an estimate of a state of the upcoming traffic signal based on a relationship between the state of the one or more traffic signals other than the upcoming traffic signal and the state of the upcoming traffic signal.