Mobile Object Passing Order Control for Collision and Deadlock Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Efficiency in managing the travel of multiple mobile objects is hindered by collisions and deadlocks, particularly in free-ranging environments where autonomous vehicles and robots operate.

Innovation Solution

A travel planning system that generates route plans and timing schedules to prevent collisions and deadlocks by managing the passing order of mobile objects through reference areas, using a travel planning device and management device to coordinate their movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple mobile objects are allowed to travel freely in a shared environment, then system productivity increases due to flexible operation, but collisions and deadlocks occur reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidcollision-free operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of passing orders at reference areas before mobile objects arrive. The travel planning device calculates and stores the required passing order in advance based on route plans, enabling mobile objects to adjust their timing proactively to avoid collisions and deadlocks while maintaining flexible free-ranging operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having mobile objects communicate their arrival time estimates to the travel planning device. The travel planning device compares actual arrival times with the predetermined passing order and provides feedback instructions to adjust timing, ensuring collision-free operation while maintaining system productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If passing order control is implemented at all reference areas, then collisions and deadlocks are prevented, but system complexity increases due to extensive coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeadlock preventionVSAvoidcoordination system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies passing order control selectively at reference areas where deadlocks may occur, rather than uniformly at all areas. The travel planning device identifies critical reference areas based on route plan analysis and implements passing order determination only where necessary, reducing coordination complexity while maintaining deadlock prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the travel control problem into individual reference areas, determining passing orders independently for each area based on local conditions and route plans. This segmentation allows the complex coordination problem to be broken down into manageable local decisions, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4134888B1Travel control device, travel control method, travel control system and computer program
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4134888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134888B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4134888B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a travel control device includes a passing order determiner configured to determine passing order of a plurality of mobile objects in a first area through which the plurality of mobile objects pass on a basis of a conflict condition at which conflict among the mobile objects occurs; and a controller configured to control traveling of the plurality of mobile objects on a basis of the passing order.