Vehicle Sensor Diagnosis Using Infrastructure Visibility Scores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems in motor vehicles face reliability issues due to infrastructure deterioration and sensor malfunctions, which affect the accuracy of road infrastructure detection, and it is difficult to detect partial malfunctions without complete shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic method that compares sensor-generated infrastructure ratings with a remote server's database scores, using a computer to assess sensor performance by calculating differences between actual and reference scores, identifying malfunctions through statistical analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor monitoring is performed manually by individuals, then infrastructure condition can be assessed, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated sensor-based detection systems. Sensors mounted on vehicles automatically capture images and data of road infrastructure, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining or improving assessment accuracy. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated sensing systems directly resolves the contradiction between assessment quality and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of infrastructure conditions through automated sensors that continuously assess road, sign, and marking conditions without human intervention. The sensors themselves perform the monitoring function they were designed for, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on manual labor for routine inspections.
2Reliability
If sensor malfunction detection relies on complete shutdown, then failure is detectable, but partial malfunctions affecting detection quality remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously analyzed and compared against expected patterns. When deviations occur indicating partial malfunctions (such as dust on lens or sensor drift), the system generates alerts or adjusts processing parameters. This continuous feedback loop enables detection of partial malfunctions that would otherwise go unnoticed until complete failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnostics and quality checks on sensor data before final processing. By analyzing data quality metrics, signal consistency, and comparison with reference data in advance, the system can identify partial malfunctions early and take corrective actions or flag data for review, preventing undetected degradation of detection quality.
3Measurement precision
If infrastructure monitoring is performed frequently to detect deterioration, then condition assessment accuracy improves, but operational costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring at optimized intervals rather than continuous or overly frequent inspection. Sensors collect data at regular intervals during normal vehicle operation, and the system processes this periodic data to assess infrastructure conditions. This periodic approach maintains detection accuracy while reducing unnecessary operational costs and time consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts monitoring parameters such as inspection frequency, data sampling rates, and processing intensity based on infrastructure risk levels, environmental conditions, and sensor performance. High-priority infrastructure elements are monitored more frequently, while lower-risk elements use reduced monitoring intensity, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and resource consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of diagnosis of a motor vehicle (10) sensor (16, 17) suitable for detecting road infrastructures (101, 102, 103, 104), said motor vehicle comprising a means of communication (18) adapted for communicating with a remote server (50) and a computer (14) connected to the sensor and to the means of communication. According to the invention, the method of diagnosis comprises steps in the course of which: a) the computer identifies an infrastructure and assigns to it an effective score, which relates to the visibility of this infrastructure, b) the remote server acquires a reference score which is assigned to said infrastructure and which relates to the visibility of this infrastructure, and c) the effective score and the reference score are compared so as to deduce therefrom a state of operation of the sensor.