Mobile Element Path Planning Using Ring-Buffer Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for vehicle path planning in dynamic environments fail to efficiently account for stationary and moving objects, leading to suboptimal navigation and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a laser scanner-equipped system with ring memory cells and a window function to determine object presence and type, allowing for optimized path planning by distinguishing between stationary and moving objects, and enabling communication between handsets for cooperative data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional path planning methods are used in dynamic environments, then the system can operate with simple algorithms, but the navigation efficiency and safety are reduced due to inability to effectively distinguish stationary and moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection data processing by creating separate ring buffers for different cells in the detection area. Each ring buffer independently stores and processes measurement data for its corresponding cell, allowing parallel processing of multiple spatial locations. This segmentation enables efficient distinction between stationary and moving objects while maintaining manageable computational complexity through distributed data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-allocating ring buffers for each cell before detection begins. These buffers are prepared with defined memory locations and indexing structures in advance, so that when measurements arrive, they can be directly inserted into the appropriate buffer without dynamic allocation overhead. This preliminary setup enables rapid real-time processing of object detection data.
2Reliability
If real-time object detection is performed to improve safety and path planning, then collision risks are reduced, but measurement noise increases due to frequent detections of moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a temporal window function that dynamically evaluates object status based on historical measurement sequences stored in ring buffers. Instead of treating each measurement independently, the system analyzes sequences of measurements over time, adapting its assessment of object presence and type based on the dynamic pattern of detections. This temporal dynamics enables the system to filter out transient noise while maintaining sensitivity to genuine objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the evaluation of object presence and type feeds back into the path planning process. The control unit continuously updates its understanding of the environment based on ring buffer data and window function evaluations, then uses this updated information to adjust the planned path in real-time. This closed-loop feedback ensures that path planning adapts to detected objects while the planning process itself generates new detection requirements, creating a responsive system that improves both reliability and precision.
3Measurement precision
If the system stores detailed measurement data for all cells to improve object differentiation, then the accuracy of stationary vs. moving object distinction increases, but the memory requirements and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific properties to different parts of the detection space. Each cell in the detection area has its own dedicated ring buffer with locally optimized data structures. Rather than storing all measurement data uniformly, the system maintains localized histories for each spatial cell, allowing precise object classification in regions where objects are present while using minimal storage in empty regions. This local optimization reduces overall data volume while maintaining classification precision where needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate detection and differentiation of objects, reducing measurement noise and allowing for improved path planning, ensuring safe navigation and reduced collision risks by accounting for both stationary and moving objects in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
the mobile unit has at least one sensor designed as a laser scanner
Implementation Method 2
the relative positions of the objects, in particular distance and direction, are determined with respect to the handset
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a system comprising at least one mobile element, which can travel on a driving surface of the system and has position-determining means, and stationary and moveable objects, wherein objects of the system are detected chronologically by means of a sensor, wherein the relative positions of the objects relative to the mobile element are determined in every detection and the absolute positions of the objects in the system are determined taking into consideration of the respective position of the mobile element in the system, wherein ring memories are provided in the controller of the mobile element having a memory, wherein a status of a respective cell and the time of the detection associated with the detection is assigned to a respective next memory location of the ring memory of the cell in every detection, wherein the value of a window function is determined in a recurring manner, from which the presence of a stationary or moving object is concluded at a time.