Time-Series Route Scheduling for Deadlock-Free Moving Objects

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face inefficiencies and increased construction costs due to congestion, collision, and deadlock between self-driving moving objects, particularly in narrow areas, where dedicated travel paths are required, and current scheduling methods either lead to decreased system efficiency or require significant waiting times to prevent contention.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that determines weights of travel paths based on timing and creates optimized routes for moving objects using time-series networks, allowing for efficient travel by preventing collisions and deadlocks, even in scenarios where objects must travel in opposite directions on the same path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated travel paths are provided for each moving object to prevent congestion and collision, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of congestion and collisionVSAvoidtravel path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the travel path network into multiple time-series networks, each representing a specific time period. By dividing the continuous time domain into discrete segments, the system can manage moving objects in each segment independently, preventing congestion and collision without requiring completely separate dedicated paths for each object. This segmentation allows shared paths to be used at different times, reducing overall infrastructure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic route creation that adapts to changing conditions in real-time. The route creation unit dynamically generates routes based on current system state, moving object positions, and time-series network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to prevent congestion and collision through intelligent scheduling rather than static dedicated paths, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If routes are created to allow simultaneous travel of multiple moving objects, then productivity is improved, but contention and deadlock occur between objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous travel efficiencyVSAvoidcontention and deadlock prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces time-series networks as an intermediary layer between the travel path network and moving objects. This intermediary represents the system state at different time periods and enables the route creation unit to simulate and evaluate potential routes without actual contention. By using this intermediary model, the system can create multiple simultaneous routes while preventing deadlock through advance simulation and validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary route simulation and validation before actual execution. The route creation unit creates routes in advance, simulates their execution in the time-series network model, and validates that no contention or deadlock will occur. This preliminary action ensures that multiple moving objects can travel simultaneously without conflicts, improving productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If waiting times are increased to prevent contention between moving objects, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontention preventionVSAvoidwaiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of time representation from continuous to discrete time-series segments. By representing the system state at different time periods and evaluating routes in this segmented time domain, the system can precisely control when moving objects use shared paths, eliminating unnecessary waiting times while preventing contention. This parameter change allows for more efficient scheduling compared to traditional continuous-time approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If flexible path layouts are allowed for moving objects, then adaptability is improved, but congestion and collision risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath layout flexibilityVSAvoidcongestion and collision prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary simulation and validation of flexible routes in the time-series network model before actual execution. By evaluating potential routes in advance, the system can allow flexible path layouts for adaptability while ensuring that no congestion or collision will occur during execution. This preliminary action enables flexible routing without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12196563B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing system and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes: a weight determiner configured to determine weights of a plurality of travel paths in a travel path network based on timings at which a first moving object travels on travel paths included in a first route among the plurality of travel paths; and a route creator configured to create a second route on which a second moving object travels in the travel path network based on the weights of the plurality of travel paths.