Remaining-Time Forecasting With Confidence-Based Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing residual value forecasting methods for systems like traffic lights are unreliable due to insufficient consideration of factors such as statistical uncertainties and unforeseen events, leading to unpredictable fluctuations in the countdown of remaining time until a switching point.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the current remaining time value based on a series of previous values and their associated confidences, using linear extrapolation and neural network outputs to smooth the forecast, ensuring reliable and consistent countdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional neural model output is used for residual value forecast, then the forecast can be generated quickly, but the reliability is low due to insufficient consideration of statistical uncertainties and unforeseen events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforecast generation speedVSAvoidforecast reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The forecast system is segmented into multiple independent components: individual remaining time forecasts from neural networks, separate confidence values, and distinct adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while collectively improving reliability without sacrificing generation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using confidence values as a mechanism to adjust remaining time forecasts. The adjustment process feeds back into the forecast output, creating a self-correcting system that improves reliability by accounting for uncertainties and deviations from previous forecasts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If confidence-based adjustment is applied to smooth fluctuations, then user confidence improves, but the system complexity increases due to multiple processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser confidence in forecastVSAvoidsystem processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters by introducing confidence values as an additional dimension for forecast evaluation. By adjusting the remaining time based on confidence levels, the system smooths fluctuations while maintaining a relatively simple processing architecture that doesn't significantly increase overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple previous remaining time values are considered for adjustment, then forecast stability improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforecast stabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by considering only the necessary number of previous forecasts and their confidence values for adjustment. It processes enough historical data to achieve stability but avoids excessive processing by implementing efficient adjustment algorithms that balance stability improvement with processing time constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3813034B1Method for determining an adapted current cycle time value for a system
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 YUNEX GMBH
  • EP3813034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3813034B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3813034B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining an adjusted current remaining time value for a plant, comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of previous remaining time values, each with at least one associated confidence level, within a specific period (S1); b. selecting at least one most recent previous remaining time value from the plurality of previous remaining time values, which immediately precedes the current remaining time value within the specific period; c. receiving a current remaining time value with at least one current confidence level (S2); and d. determining the adjusted current remaining time value based on the plurality of previous remaining time values ​​with their respective associated confidence levels, depending on the current confidence level (S3). The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program and a determination unit.