Probe Quality Scoring Using Link Distance and Bearing Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe point technologies suffer from varying levels of accuracy, which can decrease confidence in applications relying on them, particularly those requiring precise location data for traffic analysis and navigation, as the accuracy of GPS sensors can vary significantly.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine a measure of probe quality by calculating the distance and bearing difference between probe points and a representative link, clustering these points based on lane number, and filtering them to ensure only high-quality points are used, thereby enhancing accuracy and confidence in application results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If GPS sensor is used to define probe point locations, then probe data can be collected widely, but location accuracy deteriorates with spatial errors up to 20 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of location representation from raw GPS coordinates to a transformed coordinate system where distances and bearings are calculated relative to road link geometry. This transformation allows the system to work with imprecise GPS data while producing accurate traffic analysis results by measuring deviations from expected road patterns rather than relying on absolute position accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If probe points with varying accuracy are used, then data collection is simplified, but application confidence deteriorates due to inconsistent quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the system calculates expected distances and bearings based on road link geometry, then compares these expectations against actual probe point measurements. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and filter out low-quality probe points that deviate significantly from expected patterns, thereby maintaining high application confidence without complicating data collection.
3Quantity of substance
If all probe points are utilized without filtering, then data volume is maximized, but result accuracy deteriorates due to inclusion of low-quality points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality assessment by evaluating each probe point individually based on its specific distance and bearing characteristics relative to the road link. Instead of uniformly accepting or rejecting all probe points, the system assigns quality metrics to individual points based on their local geometric properties, allowing high-quality points to be included while filtering out low-quality ones.
4Reliability
If location accuracy is increased for all probe points, then application reliability improves, but system complexity increases due to need for quality assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical location accuracy improvement mechanisms with a computational approach. Instead of requiring more accurate GPS hardware or complex signal processing, the system uses mathematical transformations and geometric calculations to achieve reliable results from standard GPS data, substituting mechanical precision requirements with algorithmic processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to determine a measure of probe quality, such as a level of accuracy with which the location of a probe point is defined. In the context of a method and for a plurality of probe points, a distance is determined between a respective probe point and a line representative of a link. For the plurality of probe points, the method also includes determining a difference between a bearing of the respective probe point and a bearing of the link. The method further includes determining the measure of probe quality based upon a product of a representation of the distance between the plurality of probe points and the line representative of the link and a representation of the difference between the bearing of the plurality of probe points and the bearing of the link.