Lane-Level Location Estimation via Peer Vehicle Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS modules used in location-based services provide only coarse precision, making it difficult for applications like navigation systems to determine the specific lane of a highway, and expensive high-precision GPS modules are impractical for consumer use.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices and vehicles communicate using short-range interfaces like WiFi, NFC, and Bluetooth to determine precise location estimates by exchanging location information with each other and nearby infrastructure, allowing for lane-level accuracy without requiring expensive dedicated hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS modules are used, then device cost is low, but location accuracy is coarse (5-10 meters)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including GPS, WiFi, cellular tower, and peer vehicle location information into a unified location estimation system. By merging these different measurement methods, the system achieves lane-level accuracy without requiring expensive dedicated hardware, as each component contributes to the overall precision through complementary strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces peer vehicles as intermediaries to transfer location information. Instead of each vehicle equipping itself with expensive high-precision hardware, the system uses communication interfaces to exchange location data with surrounding vehicles, which already have GPS and other sensors, thereby achieving high measurement precision at lower individual device cost.
2Measurement precision
If expensive high-precision GPS modules are used, then location accuracy improves to lane level, but device cost becomes impractical for consumer applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes communication interfaces serve multiple functions: they not only enable standard mobile communications but also facilitate peer-to-peer location information exchange. This multi-functionality allows ordinary consumer devices to participate in high-precision location services without requiring specialized expensive hardware, improving cost effectiveness while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables peer vehicles to serve each other's location determination needs. Each vehicle uses its own sensors and communication capabilities to provide location information to others, creating a distributed self-service system that eliminates the need for expensive centralized precision infrastructure or dedicated high-cost hardware in each device.
3Measurement precision
If peer device communication is used to determine location, then lane-level precision is achieved, but communication overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively using peer vehicle location information only when and where needed for lane-level precision, rather than continuously processing all available data. The system determines when peer communication is necessary based on the service requirements, reducing unnecessary processing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision when required.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving, by a first communications interface of a mobile device associated with a first vehicle, location information from a peer device associated with a second vehicle, determining, by the mobile device, an estimated location of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle based on the location information received from the peer device, and determining, by the mobile device, that the first vehicle is located in a first lane of a road based on the estimated location of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle.