Sensor Data Timing Around Windshield Wiper Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle travel control systems face challenges in using data from sensors, such as environmental cameras, when windshield wipers are operating, as the data obtained during wiper operation is often inferior due to raindrops and unclearness, which can lead to inaccurate vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A data processor that estimates a non-inferior interval when the windshield wipers are not active and sets a delay time before executing processes related to sensor data acquisition to ensure that only high-quality data is used for vehicle control, preventing the use of data obtained during wiper operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data acquisition from sensor is executed continuously without delay, then productivity is improved, but data quality deteriorates when wiper operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by estimating the wiper operation timing in advance and proactively setting delay times before the scheduled data acquisition. The estimation unit predicts when wipers will operate, and the delay unit pre-adjusts the timing to avoid capturing inferior data, thus preventing the quality issue before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the data acquisition timing based on real-time conditions. Instead of fixed periodic acquisition, the delay unit flexibly modifies the timing of the first process based on the estimated wiper operation timing, making the system adaptive to changing environmental conditions while maintaining overall productivity.
2Reliability
If delay time is set before data acquisition to avoid wiper operation, then data quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to execution delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the timing parameter of data acquisition dynamically. Instead of using a fixed acquisition schedule, the delay unit adjusts the timing parameter (delay time) based on wiper operation estimates, allowing the system to optimize between quality and efficiency by varying the acquisition timing according to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by using the estimation unit to predict wiper timing and automatically adjusting its own data acquisition schedule through the delay unit. This self-adjustment mechanism eliminates the need for external intervention or complex coordination, allowing the system to autonomously optimize its operation.
3Measurement precision
If data acquisition timing is adjusted to avoid wiper operation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to delay execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system skips the data acquisition process during periods when wiper operation is expected, rushing through the delay period quickly without executing unnecessary acquisition cycles. This allows the system to bypass the harmful period (wiper operation) and resume normal acquisition as soon as possible, minimizing overall time loss.
4Productivity
If continuous data acquisition is performed, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to use of inferior data during wiper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the harmful element (inferior data acquisition) from the continuous data processing stream. By identifying periods when wiper operation will occur, the delay unit excludes these periods from data acquisition, effectively taking out the harmful portion while maintaining the overall continuous processing framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by predicting wiper operation timing in advance and preemptively setting delay times to prevent the acquisition of inferior data. This counter-measure is taken before the harmful effect (data degradation) can occur, rather than attempting to correct it after the fact.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processor repeats a set of processes every cycle time. The processes include a first process to obtain data from a sensor and are executed in predetermined order. The data processor estimates a non-inferior interval during which a cause of inferiority of the data obtained in the first process is removed by operation of a device disposed near the sensor, and sets a delay time during which none of the set of processes is executed, before execution of the first process, when a scheduled execution time of the first process included in the set of processes started at a predetermined time is outside the non-inferior interval. The delay time is not longer than a period from a scheduled end time of the set of processes until a start time of the set of processes that follows the set of processes started at the predetermined time.