Extendable Roof Sensor Mount for Infrastructure-View Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in collecting large datasets for training machine learning programs used in infrastructure sensors, as they require extensive and costly annotated images, and vehicle-mounted sensors collect data from ground level, which may not accurately represent the field of view of infrastructure sensors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted assembly with an extendable shaft and rotatable sensor mount allows data collection at specified heights and angles, mimicking the field of view of infrastructure sensors, thereby generating accurate datasets for training machine learning programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vehicle-mounted sensors are used to collect data, then data collection can be performed using existing vehicle platforms, but the data is collected from ground level which does not accurately represent the field of view of infrastructure sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable sensor mount that can change its height and orientation relative to the vehicle roof. This allows the sensor to transition from a ground-level perspective to an elevated infrastructure-like perspective, resolving the contradiction by making the measurement platform adaptable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the sensor mounting position (height, angle, orientation) to match infrastructure sensor configurations. By adjusting these parameters, the vehicle-mounted sensor can replicate infrastructure sensor fields of view while retaining the mobility and cost advantages of vehicle-based collection.
2Reliability
If extensive annotated images are used for training machine learning programs, then training accuracy can be improved, but the cost and time required for data collection increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables vehicles to autonomously collect training data during normal operation without requiring dedicated data collection missions or manual annotation processes. The sensor automatically captures images from infrastructure-mimicking perspectives, and the data is readily available for training, reducing both time and cost while maintaining high training accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data collection by positioning the sensor in advance at the correct height and orientation to capture infrastructure-like views. This preliminary setup ensures that when data is collected, it is immediately suitable for training purposes, eliminating the need for subsequent processing or re-collection.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are mounted directly on the vehicle roof, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but the sensor field of view does not match infrastructure sensor perspectives
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting system is divided into separate adjustable components (height adjustment mechanism, orientation adjustment mechanism, sensor mount) rather than a fixed single-piece installation. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured to achieve the desired field of view while maintaining relatively simple installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a shaft extendable from a vehicle roof, a sensor mount mounted to the shaft, a plurality of sensors supported by the sensor mount, and a computer communicatively coupled with one or more of the sensors to receive data from the one or more of the sensors, the computer including a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to extend the shaft to position the sensor mount to a specified height above the roof.