Multi-Sensor Data Fusion via Unified Coordinate Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-sensor data fusion methods, particularly in automotive perception systems, face challenges in achieving accurate fusion of data from sensors with different coordinate systems, leading to inconsistencies that reduce the effectiveness of neural network processing and result in loss of relevant information.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transforming sensor data into a unified coordinate system using a transformation rule that compensates for differences between individual sensor coordinate systems, allowing for the fusion of data in a common framework, thereby improving accuracy and enabling deeper neural network processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor data from multiple sensors with different coordinate systems are processed separately by neural networks, then processing accuracy for each sensor is maintained, but the fusion of sensor outputs loses relevant information and reduces overall accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor processing accuracyVSAvoidinformation loss in fusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary coordinate transformation to convert sensor data from different coordinate systems into a unified coordinate system before neural network processing. This preliminary alignment ensures that when sensors are fused, their data is already in compatible spatial references, preventing information loss while maintaining individual processing accuracy through subsequent separate neural network streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unified coordinate system acts as an intermediary framework that mediates between multiple sensor coordinate systems. By transforming all sensor data into this common reference frame, the patent enables accurate correspondence matching and fusion without direct coordination between disparate coordinate systems, thus preserving information while enabling effective integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensor data are transformed into a unified coordinate system before processing, then information consistency and fusion accuracy are improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefusion accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinate transformation is performed as a preliminary step before neural network processing, converting all sensor data to a unified coordinate system upfront. This eliminates the need for complex real-time coordinate transformations during fusion operations, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining high fusion accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processing pipeline is segmented into distinct stages: coordinate transformation, neural network processing, and fusion. By separating the coordinate system unification from the neural network processing, the patent manages complexity through modular design, where each stage handles a specific task independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If separate neural networks process each sensor output, then individual sensor processing accuracy is maintained, but robustness of perception results does not reach satisfactory level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual sensor processing accuracyVSAvoidperception robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The unified coordinate system serves as an intermediary that enables reliable correspondence between objects detected by different sensors. By providing a common spatial reference frame, it allows the system to robustly match and correlate detections across sensors, significantly improving perception reliability while preserving individual sensor processing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11552778B2Method of multi-sensor data fusion
Publication Date: 2023.01.10 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • US11552778B2 patent drawing
  • US11552778B2 patent drawing
  • US11552778B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of multi-sensor data fusion includes determining a plurality of first data sets using a plurality of sensors, each of the first data sets being associated with a respective one of a plurality of sensor coordinate systems, and each of the sensor coordinate systems being defined in dependence of a respective one of a plurality of mounting positions for the sensors; transforming the first data sets into a plurality of second data sets using a transformation rule, each of the second data sets being associated with a unified coordinate system, the unified coordinate system being defined in dependence of at least one predetermined reference point; and determining at least one fused data set by fusing the second data sets.