Object Tracking After Roadway Departure Using Differential Distances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tracking systems fail to reliably track objects, especially bicycles, after they leave the roadway, as they often perform U-turns to avoid traffic lights, leading to potential collisions and inefficiencies in traffic management.

Innovation Solution

A system equipped with an object detector and controller circuit that tracks vehicles and bicycles at different distances after they leave the roadway, with bicycles tracked further due to their higher likelihood of performing U-turns, allowing for anticipatory vehicle operation and collision avoidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system tracks objects at a fixed distance after they leave the roadway, then the tracking system is simple to operate, but it fails to reliably track bicycles that perform U-turns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject tracking reliabilityVSAvoidtracking distance configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different tracking distances to different object types based on their specific behavior patterns. Bicycles are tracked at a greater distance (second-distance) compared to other objects (first-distance) because bicycles have a higher likelihood of performing U-turns. This local differentiation of tracking parameters resolves the contradiction by making the system reliable for all objects without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is pre-configured with object-type-specific tracking distances before tracking begins. When an object is detected and classified, the appropriate tracking distance is automatically applied based on the object type. This preliminary setup ensures reliable tracking of U-turning bicycles without requiring real-time complex decision-making or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system tracks bicycles further after they leave the roadway, then collision avoidance is improved, but the tracking system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoiddifferential tracking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements differential tracking where bicycles receive extended tracking distance (second-distance) while other objects use standard tracking distance (first-distance). This localized enhancement for high-risk objects improves collision avoidance without requiring the entire system to become complex. The controller automatically applies the appropriate tracking distance based on object classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking distance parameter is dynamically changed based on object type. Bicycles trigger a parameter change to the greater second-distance, while other objects use the standard first-distance. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain simplicity in operation while achieving improved collision avoidance through automatic parameter adjustment based on detected object characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the system uses different tracking distances for different object types, then tracking reliability for U-turning objects is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveU-turn object trackingVSAvoidtracking parameter management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically classifying objects and applying the appropriate tracking distance without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The controller autonomously determines whether to apply first-distance or second-distance based on object type detection, eliminating the need for operators to manage complex tracking parameters manually while maintaining high reliability for U-turning objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

All tracking distance configurations are pre-established in the controller before operation begins. The system has predetermined first-distance for standard objects and second-distance for bicycles. During operation, the controller simply needs to classify the object type and automatically applies the pre-configured appropriate distance, making the system easy to operate despite having multiple tracking parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3581467B1Object tracking after object turns off host-vehicle roadway
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3581467B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581467B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581467B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (10) for operating a vehicle includes an object-detector (20) and a controller-circuit (30). The object-detector (20) is used to track (46) an object (22) traveling on a roadway (24) traveled by a host-vehicle (12). The controller-circuit (30) is in communication with the object-detector (20). The controller-circuit (30) is configured to track (46) a position (36) of the object (22), and determine a classification (38) of the object (22) in accordance with a signal (40) received from the object-detector (20). The classification (38) includes a car (42) and a bicycle (44). The controller-circuit (30) is configured to track (46) the car (42) a first-distance (60) after the car (42) turns off the roadway (24), track (46) the bicycle (44) a second-distance (62) after the bicycle (44) turns off the roadway (24), where the second-distance (62) is greater than the first-distance (60), and operate the host-vehicle (12) in accordance with the position (36) of the object (22).