Predictive Sensor Array Configuration for Autonomous Vehicle Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining high-quality sensor data due to varying lighting conditions and reflectance anomalies, which can lead to low-quality sensor data and increased processing resources being wasted on adjusting to these conditions.

Innovation Solution

A predictive sensor array configuration system that dynamically determines imminent lighting conditions and reflectance anomalies, preemptively adjusting sensor settings such as aperture, resolution, and beam frequency to optimize data quality and reduce processing inefficiencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor settings are adjusted reactively after lighting conditions change, then the system responds to actual conditions, but time gaps in data quality occur and processing resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data qualityVSAvoidtime gaps in data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting upcoming lighting conditions and reflectance anomalies using map data and sensor fusion, then preemptively adjusts sensor configurations before the actual conditions occur. This eliminates time gaps in data quality by ensuring continuous optimal sensor performance without reactive delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If sensor settings are frequently adjusted to adapt to changing conditions, then data quality is maintained, but processing resources are wasted on constant adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data qualityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By predicting conditions in advance using map data and current sensor readings, the system determines optimal sensor configurations before changes are needed, reducing unnecessary frequent adjustments and optimizing processing resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips unnecessary intermediate adjustment steps by directly transitioning to predicted optimal configurations based on forecasted conditions, reducing processing overhead while maintaining data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of information

If multiple sensor systems are used to gather continuous data, then comprehensive environmental information is obtained, but the complexity of managing and processing data from all sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental information completenessVSAvoidsensor array management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The predictive configuration system serves multiple functions: it predicts lighting conditions, identifies reflectance anomalies, determines optimal sensor settings, and coordinates adjustments across multiple sensor systems. This multi-functional approach simplifies overall system management while maintaining comprehensive environmental information gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10684361B2Predictive sensor array configuration system for an autonomous vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 AURORA OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A sensor configuration system can determine imminent lighting conditions for one or more light sensing elements of an autonomous vehicle (AV), and can execute a set of configurations for the one or more cameras to preemptively compensate for the imminent lighting conditions.