Autonomous Steering Signal Correction via Reference Map

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face inaccuracies in steering due to mismatched physical characteristics and steering module distortions, despite correct calculations, leading to potential functional failures.

Innovation Solution

A method using a reference map generated from past driving records to adjust steering signals, incorporating regression operations and similarity scores to accurately deliver steering intentions to the steering apparatus, while alerting drivers to potential breakdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the autonomous driving module inputs the correct value to the steering module, then the calculation accuracy is improved, but the steering accuracy deteriorates due to physical characteristic mismatches and module distortions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation accuracyVSAvoidsteering accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a steering angle correction module as an intermediary between the autonomous driving module and the steering module. This mediator receives the steering angle from the autonomous driving module, corrects it based on pre-stored correction values that account for physical characteristic mismatches, and then transmits the corrected angle to the steering module, thereby resolving the contradiction between calculation accuracy and steering accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the steering angle parameter by applying correction values stored in the correction value storage unit. These correction values adjust the original steering angle to compensate for distortions in the steering module's physical characteristics, transforming the parameter to achieve accurate steering despite hardware imperfections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a reference map is generated using past driving records and regression operations, then the steering intention delivery accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering intention delivery accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by generating a reference map beforehand using past driving records and regression operations. The reference map, which contains corrected steering angle information, is prepared in advance and stored for future use, allowing the system to quickly apply corrections without performing complex real-time calculations during actual steering operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of steering angle information in the form of a reference map based on historical data. Instead of processing raw past driving records each time, the system uses the pre-generated reference map as a simplified copy that contains the essential correction information needed for accurate steering intention delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If the steering angle is corrected using a reference map and regression operation, then the steering accuracy is improved, but the calculation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the time-consuming regression operations and reference map generation in advance, before actual steering operations are needed. This preliminary action shifts the computational burden to an offline phase, allowing real-time steering corrections to be applied quickly using the pre-computed reference map without adding significant delay to the steering response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3689708B1Method and device for delivering steering intention of autonomous driving module or driver to steering apparatus of subject vehicle more accurately
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 STRADVISION
  • EP3689708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for delivering a steering intention of an autonomous driving module to a steering apparatus more accurately by using a reference map is provided. And the method includes steps of: (a) a computing device, if a subject intended steering signal inputted by the autonomous driving module at a current timing is acquired, instructing a signal adjustment module to select, by referring to the reference map, specific reference steering guide values corresponding to the subject intended steering signal; (b) the computing device (i) adjusting the subject intended steering signal by referring to the specific reference steering guide values, in order to generate a subject adjusted steering signal, and (ii) transmitting the subject adjusted steering signal to the steering apparatus, to thereby support the steering apparatus to rotate the subject vehicle by a specific steering angle corresponding to the subject intended steering signal.