Simulated Sensor Validation for Vehicle Blind Spot Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The current methods for designing and testing vehicle sensors are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors due to the lack of effective tools for visualizing sensor performance, leading to inefficiencies in detecting blind spots and overlaps, and requiring costly and time-consuming physical testing in controlled environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of simulations and digital models based on sensor performance specifications to create virtual environments where sensors can be tested for their capabilities, allowing for the detection of blind spots and overlaps, and the determination of minimum performance requirements through virtual driving scenarios, with the results informing the design of new sensor arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical testing in controlled environments is performed to validate sensor arrangements, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor performance validation accuracyVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of sensors, vehicles, and testing environments through digital twins and simulation software. These virtual replicas allow comprehensive sensor validation without physical testing, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing time consumption. The virtual environment accurately replicates real-world conditions including weather, lighting, and obstacle scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation of sensor arrangements in virtual environments before physical deployment. By pre-testing sensor configurations, mounting positions, and field-of-view overlaps in simulation, the patent identifies and corrects issues before costly physical testing, reducing overall validation time while maintaining accuracy through iterative virtual prototyping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If physical testing in controlled environments is performed to validate sensor arrangements, then reliability of sensor validation is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor validation reliabilityVSAvoidtesting cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive physical testing infrastructure with virtual copies of testing environments, sensor systems, and validation protocols. This digital replication maintains validation reliability through accurate physics-based simulation while eliminating costs associated with physical test facilities, equipment, and logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system substitutes mechanical physical testing systems with computational simulation engines. Instead of physically mounting sensors, transporting vehicles, and conducting field tests, the patent uses software-based virtual testing that maintains scientific rigor through physics-based models while eliminating the energy and cost expenditures of physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If existing modeling tools are used to visualize mechanical configuration of sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of sensor performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configuration visualizationVSAvoidsensor performance prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ease-of-use visualization capabilities with high-fidelity performance prediction by integrating graphical user interfaces with physics-based simulation engines. The unified system allows users to visually configure sensor arrangements while automatically performing accurate performance calculations, combining the simplicity of visualization tools with the precision of engineering simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a multi-functional platform that simultaneously provides intuitive visual configuration, real-time performance prediction, and detailed analytical results. This universal tool eliminates the need to switch between simple visualization software and complex simulation tools, maintaining ease of operation while delivering precise measurement capabilities through integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11663377B2Sensor arrangement validation using simulated environments

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 MAGNA AUTONOMOUS SYST LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes generating a simulated sensor based on performance features associated with a sensor. The method includes determining a placement indicator specifying a location and orientation of the simulated sensor on a vehicle in a virtual environment associated with the vehicle. The method includes simulating, based on the performance features associated with the sensor, behavior of one or more emissions originating from the simulated sensor in the virtual environment. For each emission, the simulating includes determining an interaction of the emission with one or more simulated objects in the virtual environment. The method includes providing a representation of a capability of the sensor based on the simulated behavior of the emissions.