Lane-Keeping Assist Confidence Control for Stable Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistance systems for autonomous driving experience frequent and unwanted switching between active and inactive states of lane-keeping assist features, leading to driver vigilance requirements and erroneous guidance, which undermines the purpose of enabling autonomous driving.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine a point value of a confidence indicator to manage lane-keeping assistance by comparing it with threshold values, adjusting an operating parameter based on historical data, and issuing control commands to activate or deactivate the feature accordingly, thereby smoothing transitions and reducing erroneous guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated activation and deactivation mechanisms are implemented for lane-keeping assistance features, then autonomous driving capability is improved, but frequent unwanted switching between active and inactive states occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous driving capabilityVSAvoidstability of lane-keeping assist activation state
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of the operating parameter before activating or deactivating lane-keeping assistance. By assessing whether the parameter exceeds a threshold value in advance, the system avoids premature or incorrect switching, thereby maintaining stable autonomous operation while preventing frequent unwanted state changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the operating parameter related to lane perception quality and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the activation state of lane-keeping assistance. When the parameter indicates poor perception conditions, the system deactivates the feature; when conditions improve, it reactivates. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable automation while preventing frequent switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If automated management of lane-keeping assistance activation is implemented, then driver vigilance requirements are reduced, but erroneous guidance occurs in certain situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver vigilance requirementVSAvoidaccuracy of guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the operating parameter (which reflects lane perception quality) to automatically manage the activation of lane-keeping assistance. When perception quality is poor, the system deactivates the feature to prevent erroneous guidance; when quality is good, it activates to reduce driver vigilance requirements. This feedback-based approach simultaneously achieves both goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The operating parameter acts as an intermediary that mediates between the detection device data and the activation decision. Instead of directly controlling activation based on raw sensor data, the system evaluates the operating parameter first, which synthesizes perception quality information. This intermediary evaluation prevents erroneous guidance while enabling automated management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If repeated switching between active and inactive states occurs, then driver vigilance is constantly required, but the primary purpose of autonomous driving is defeated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous driving functionVSAvoiddriver vigilance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the operating parameter before switching states. By evaluating whether the parameter threshold is exceeded in advance, the system avoids unnecessary switching that would require constant driver vigilance. This preliminary check ensures that autonomous driving functions remain active only when conditions are appropriate, maintaining both automation and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3917814B1Method for managing a lane-keeping assistance feature provided by a driving assistance system for a motorised land vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3917814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3917814B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a point value of a functional parameter used for managing a maintenance support functionality in the lane provided by a driver assistance system of a motor-driven land vehicle, and to an associated system and a motor-driven land vehicle.