Route Calculation Graph Transformation for Speed Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing route calculation methods struggle to accurately and efficiently account for continuous speed transitions between edges in a graph, leading to path-dependent weights that are difficult to compute, especially for electric vehicles where energy consumption is a critical factor.

Innovation Solution

The method transforms the initial graph by adding edges at nodes with speed changes, allowing path-independent weights to be assigned, enabling the use of conventional algorithms like Dijkstra for efficient route calculation while considering speed profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous speed transitions between edges are taken into account in route calculation, then measurement precision of energy consumption and travel time is improved, but device complexity increases due to path-dependent weights requiring specialized algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption calculationVSAvoidroute calculation algorithm
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method segments the continuous speed transition problem into discrete components by introducing virtual nodes at specific locations (e.g., intersections, speed change points) along edges. This divides the path-dependent weight calculation into manageable segments that can be processed using standard algorithms, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing algorithmic complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the one-dimensional edge-based graph into a two-dimensional node-based graph by adding virtual nodes. This dimensional transformation allows path-independent weights to be assigned to edges in the expanded graph, enabling the use of conventional algorithms like Dijkstra while still capturing continuous speed transition effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If path-dependent weights are used to account for speed profiles, then measurement precision of travel time is improved, but productivity decreases due to limited availability of efficient calculation algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel time calculationVSAvoidroute calculation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing speed profile data, acceleration rates, and other parameters at virtual nodes before route calculation. This preprocessing allows the main routing algorithm to operate efficiently with path-independent weights while still incorporating continuous speed transition effects, thereby improving both precision and calculation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the original graph structure with added virtual nodes and edges, where path-independent weights can be assigned. This copied graph structure allows conventional algorithms to run efficiently while the weighting scheme in the copied graph reflects the continuous speed transitions of the original problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If speed profiles with continuous transitions are considered, then measurement precision of energy consumption is improved, but device complexity increases due to path-dependent weight requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidgraph structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Virtual nodes act as intermediaries between adjacent edges with different speed characteristics. These intermediary nodes capture the continuous speed transition effects and allow path-independent weights to be assigned to the edges connecting them, thereby improving energy consumption measurement precision without requiring path-dependent weight structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If conventional algorithms like Dijkstra are used with path-independent weights, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to account for continuous speed transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute calculation efficiencyVSAvoidtravel time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters associated with graph elements by introducing virtual nodes that carry speed profile information. This parameter enrichment allows conventional algorithms to operate efficiently while the enhanced parameters (speed, acceleration, energy consumption rates) enable precise calculation of travel time and energy consumption that accounts for continuous speed transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2669632B1Method for calculating a route and navigation device
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2669632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2669632B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2669632B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The method involves obtaining an initial graph (100) which reflects a road network including nodes (150,151c) and edges (160c,160d). The initial graph is transformed to a result-graph (101) with an added edge (161c) for connecting an input edge (160a) to an output edge (160c) of the node (150). The travel speed (200) of the node, the input edge and the output edge are determined. The weights for the edges and the node of the result-graph are calculated from the determined travel speed. The route is calculated based on the specific weights from the result-graph. An independent claim is included for a navigation apparatus.