Automated Longitudinal Control Using Stop-Line Distance at Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle guidance systems struggle to provide reliable and robust automated longitudinal guidance in urban areas, particularly when encountering intersections and signaling units, as they often fail to accurately account for traffic signals and signs, affecting safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle guidance system that integrates signaling units into its algorithms, using a combination of map data and environmental sensors to determine the type, position, and state of traffic signals, allowing for automated speed and distance control, and includes user interfaces for manual override and configuration options to enhance safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated longitudinal guidance is implemented without integrating signaling units, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to inability to accurately respond to traffic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources (map data from servers, environmental sensor data from cameras and other sensors) into a unified signaling unit detection and recognition system. This merging of information sources improves reliability by cross-validating signals through multiple channels while managing complexity through integrated processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives and reconciles conflicting information from map data and environmental sensors. This mediator component resolves discrepancies between predicted signaling unit locations and actual detected signals, improving reliability without requiring direct complex interaction between all system components.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses only environmental sensors to detect signaling units, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limitations in sensor detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of signaling units using environmental sensors before final verification. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-identify potential signaling units and their locations, then cross-check them with map data to confirm accuracy, thereby improving measurement precision through a staged approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where detection results from environmental sensors are continuously compared against map data, and discrepancies trigger re-detection or correction procedures. This feedback mechanism improves measurement precision by iteratively refining signaling unit detection accuracy while managing complexity through structured verification protocols.
3Reliability
If the system automatically responds to all detected signaling units, then productivity is improved through automated control, but reliability deteriorates due to potential false detections and incorrect responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing pre-response verification steps before executing automated responses to signaling units. It cross-checks detected signals against map data, vehicle position, and contextual information to prevent false responses, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving productivity through streamlined verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial verification for high-confidence detections (where sensor and map data agree) and excessive verification for low-confidence detections (where data conflicts exist). This differentiated approach maintains productivity by quickly responding to clear signals while ensuring reliability through thorough verification when needed, avoiding uniform over-verification of all cases.
Data Source
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Figure 5b~5c
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle control system for providing a driving function for automated longitudinal control of a vehicle. The vehicle control system is designed to determine, on the basis of surroundings data from one or more surroundings sensors of the vehicle, positional data relating to the position of a first signalling unit, which is located in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, in relation to the position of the vehicle. The vehicle control system is also designed to determine, on the basis of map data relating to a road network traveled on by the vehicle, distance data relating to the distance between the first signalling unit and a stop line of the first signalling unit. The vehicle control system is further designed to cause automated deceleration of the vehicle at the first signalling unit on the basis of the positional data and the distance data.