Octree Data Structure for Vehicle Sensor Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data organization schemes for vehicle sensors are inefficient in representing and classifying a wide variety of inputs and data types, limiting their usefulness for autonomous mission execution and automation in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves organizing raw sensor data using an octree structure with super nodes that link to classified data objects stored in a database, enabling real-time or near real-time classification and efficient storage and retrieval of relevant data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current data organization schemes are used for vehicle sensors, then data storage is simple, but data representation and classification efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata classification efficiencyVSAvoiddata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments sensor data into hierarchical groups and subgroups (e.g., terrain, vegetation, water bodies, man-made structures) with further classification into detailed categories. This segmentation enables efficient classification and representation of diverse sensor data types while maintaining organized structure through the octree data structure that divides spatial data into manageable nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimensional structure using octree organization where data is arranged in multiple levels from root nodes to leaf nodes, adding temporal and spatial dimensions to data organization. This multi-dimensional approach enables efficient querying and classification by allowing data to be accessed and classified from different organizational perspectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a unified data organization scheme is created for diverse sensor inputs, then classification capability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata type versatilityVSAvoidorganization scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal data organization scheme that can handle multiple sensor types (LIDAR, optical, infrared, radar) and diverse data formats through a single octree-based hierarchical structure. The standardized classification framework with predefined groups and subgroups provides multi-functional capability to organize various terrain, vegetation, water body, and man-made structure data uniformly, reducing the need for separate organization systems for different sensor types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter-based classification where sensor data is organized according to multiple parameters including terrain characteristics, vegetation density, water body properties, and man-made structure types. By changing and combining different classification parameters at various hierarchical levels, the system achieves versatile adaptability to handle diverse data types while maintaining a consistent organizational framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If detailed classification of sensor data is implemented, then autonomous mission execution capability improves, but data processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous mission executionVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary classification by pre-defining groups and subgroups for different terrain types, vegetation, water bodies, and man-made structures before actual sensor data processing. The octree data structure is pre-configured with classification categories, enabling rapid data organization and interpretation during autonomous missions without requiring complex real-time classification decisions, thus reducing processing time while maintaining detailed classification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses template-based classification where standardized data models and classification categories are created as reusable templates for different terrain and object types. Once a classification scheme is established for a particular terrain type or object category, it can be copied and applied to similar data, significantly reducing processing time for repetitive classification tasks while maintaining consistent and detailed classification across diverse datasets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9600556B2Method for three dimensional perception processing and classification
Publication Date: 2017.03.21 SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP
  • US9600556B2 patent drawing
  • US9600556B2 patent drawing
  • US9600556B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus is described comprising at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: organize items of raw data received from at least one sensor of a vehicle as a first data structure, organize classified data objects as a second data structure, and link at least one item of the first data structure to at least one object of the second data structure.