Discrete-Event Travel Simulation With Node Allocation Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discrete-event simulations of mobile entity travel operations fail to accurately account for acceleration and deceleration, leading to inaccurate time estimates and inefficient simulation run speeds, especially in scenarios with multiple interacting entities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a grid-based discrete-event simulation that uses an allocation iterator and a trailing iterator to track next node allocation and deceleration, respectively, while considering acceleration and deceleration values for each mobile entity to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete-event simulation is used to model mobile entity travel operations, then simulation capability is provided, but time estimation accuracy deteriorates due to ignoring acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the simulation parameters from simple constant velocity movement to include acceleration and deceleration values. Each mobile entity is assigned acceleration and deceleration parameters that are applied during the discrete event simulation to calculate accurate travel times, resolving the contradiction between simulation capability and time estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of acceleration and deceleration effects before finalizing time estimates. By pre-computing the impact of acceleration/deceleration on travel time and using iterators to track allocation timing, the system achieves accurate time estimation without excessive computational complexity during the main simulation execution.
2Measurement precision
If acceleration and deceleration are accounted for in the simulation, then time estimation accuracy improves, but simulation run speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating acceleration and deceleration impacts on travel time using iterators that track allocation timing. This allows the simulation to account for acceleration/deceleration effects efficiently without performing complex real-time calculations during each simulation step, thus maintaining accuracy while improving run speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical motion modeling with a discrete event simulation approach that uses mathematical calculations for acceleration and deceleration effects. By substituting continuous physics-based modeling with discrete mathematical computations, the system achieves accurate time estimation while maintaining high simulation run speeds.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile entities interact in the simulation space, then realism improves, but collision avoidance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simulation space into discrete nodes and uses separate iterators (allocation iterator and trailing iterator) for each mobile entity to track their paths. This segmentation allows each entity to be simulated independently with collision avoidance handled through node allocation timing, achieving realistic multi-entity interaction without excessive computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces node allocation as an intermediary mechanism between mobile entities and the simulation space. Instead of directly managing complex collision avoidance between entities, the system uses node allocation timing as a mediator that automatically prevents collisions while allowing realistic entity interactions, thus reducing computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products include: obtaining first computer data comprising a simulation space including a grid of nodes; obtaining second computer data for two or more mobile entities, wherein the second computer data of each mobile entity includes a speed value and a deceleration value; and performing a discrete event travel simulation of the mobile entities in the simulation space. Each mobile entity moves along a respective path on the grid of nodes while avoiding collisions with the other mobile entities. Performing the discrete event travel simulation includes updating an allocation iterator that identifies a next node to be allocated along the path at a next node allocation time and a trailing iterator that identifies a trailing node along the path. The next node allocation time corresponds to a trailing node arrival time of the mobile entity to the trailing node.