Road Surface Condition Estimation Using Satellite and Weather Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for calculating road surface conditions in autonomous vehicles are limited to a narrow range and rely on vehicle-mounted sensors, failing to provide comprehensive information about road surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing satellite images and weather information to estimate and display road surface conditions over a wide area, enabling comprehensive road surface condition assessment and display within the vehicle cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vehicle-mounted sensors are used to calculate road surface condition, then the device can detect road surface condition, but the detection range is limited to a narrow area around the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses satellite images (aerial copies) to represent and analyze road surface conditions instead of relying solely on direct sensor measurements from the vehicle. By capturing and processing satellite imagery of the road surface, the system can assess conditions over a wide geographic area without physical contact, thus expanding detection range while maintaining analytical capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces satellite imagery as an intermediary medium between the detection system and the road surface. Instead of direct sensor-to-road surface measurement, the system uses satellite-captured images as an intermediate data source that can be analyzed to infer road surface conditions across large areas, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and detection range
2Area of stationary object
If satellite images are used to estimate road surface condition, then the coverage area is wide, but additional weather information processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges satellite image data with weather information (temperature, precipitation, humidity) into a unified analysis framework. By combining these multiple data sources and processing them together to estimate road surface conditions, the system achieves wide coverage while managing complexity through integrated multi-parameter analysis rather than separate processing systems
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes: a satellite image acquisition section that is configured to acquire a satellite image captured by an artificial satellite; a weather information acquisition section that is configured to acquire weather information for a region corresponding to the satellite image; and an information output section that is configured to output information relating to a road surface condition for the region, which is estimated based on the satellite image and the weather information.