Map Data Prefetching by Lane Detail for Storage-Constrained Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing map processing devices face a challenge in reducing storage capacity while maintaining performance, particularly for high-detail map data required for autonomous driving assistance, as conventional prefetching technologies struggle to efficiently manage the capacity and performance balance.

Innovation Solution

The map processing device incorporates a map data prefetching unit that acquires and manages multiple types of map data, including lane connectivity and lane group connectivity data, to optimize storage capacity and performance by selectively prefetching data based on the vehicle's conditions and route requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the capacity of map data held in the map processing device is reduced to reduce storage cost, then storage capacity is reduced, but the performance of the map processing device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity of map dataVSAvoidperformance of map processing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The map data is segmented into multiple types based on detail level: lane connectivity data (high detail), lane group connectivity data (medium detail), and road connectivity data (low detail). The system selectively loads appropriate segments based on current operational needs, avoiding the need to store all map data at maximum detail level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by prefetching map data before it is actually needed. The map data prefetching unit acquires map data of a predetermined point in front of the host vehicle in advance, so that when the vehicle reaches that location, the required data is already available in storage, eliminating performance delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If map data with high degree of detail is used for lane-level driving assistance, then driving assistance performance is improved, but the capacity of map data held in the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving assistance performanceVSAvoidcapacity of map data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of map data are assigned different quality levels based on their importance to lane-level driving assistance. Areas near the host vehicle and critical junctions use high-detail lane connectivity data, while distant or less critical areas use lower-detail lane group or road connectivity data, optimizing the balance between performance and storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of map data detail loaded into memory based on real-time conditions such as vehicle position, upcoming route complexity, and computational resources available. This allows the system to maintain high performance when needed while minimizing storage requirements during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If conventional prefetching technology is applied to prefetch secondary route map data, then map data availability is improved, but the technology is ineffective for long-distance expressway routes where complete secondary route data cannot be prefetched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap data availabilityVSAvoidprefetching effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and prioritizes only the essential map data elements needed for safe driving assistance along secondary routes, rather than attempting to prefetch complete route data. By extracting critical lane connectivity information at key decision points and using lower-detail lane group connectivity data for intermediate sections, the system achieves effective prefetching even for long-distance expressway routes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4729886A1Map processing device and map processing method
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP4729886A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4729886A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4729886A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A map processing device according to the present invention includes a map data prefetching unit that can acquire a plurality of types of map data including lane connectivity data indicating connectivity information between lane sections in an extending direction of a lane and lane group connectivity data indicating connectivity information between lane group sections in an extending direction of a lane group including one or more lanes, wherein when acquiring map data of a predetermined point in front of a host vehicle from the plurality of types of map data, the map data prefetching unit acquires the map data of a type according to a condition of the predetermined point.