Vehicle Distance Validation Using Odometry Between Waypoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement systems in vehicles, particularly those using mono cameras, are prone to measurement errors, which can impair driving functions such as automatic braking.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize surroundings data from one or more sensors, including cameras, to determine distance measured values at successive waypoints, and then use odometry-based route distances to calculate a quality measure for these measurements, thereby validating their accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distance measurement is performed using a mono camera, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to relatively high measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism that compares camera-based distance measurements with odometry-based route distances. This intermediary check does not replace the mono camera but adds a verification layer that compensates for the camera's measurement errors, thereby maintaining simple device architecture while improving measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple distance measurement sensors simultaneously, the patent employs odometry data as an intermediary reference to validate camera measurements. This approach achieves improved measurement precision through validation rather than through redundant measurement, avoiding the complexity of integrating and synchronizing multiple active sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical/sensor redundancy with a computational validation approach. Rather than adding more physical distance sensors, the system uses processing power to compare and validate measurements against odometry data, substituting mechanical complexity with information processing.
3Reliability
If distance measurements are validated using odometry data, then the reliability of distance measurement improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the odometry system serve multiple functions: it provides navigation information for the vehicle and simultaneously serves as a validation reference for camera-based distance measurements. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding dedicated validation hardware, as the movement sensors already required for odometry are repurposed for measurement validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing odometry capabilities to validate its sensor measurements. Rather than requiring an external reference system, the vehicle's navigation system serves its own validation needs by comparing camera measurements against its self-calculated route distance, making the validation mechanism self-contained and avoiding additional system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for verifying distance measurement values related to the distance of a vehicle from an object during an approach of the vehicle to the object. The device is configured to determine a measurement value at two successive waypoints on a roadway to the object, each based on environmental data from one or more environmental sensors of the vehicle, and to determine an odometry-based path distance between the two successive waypoints, on the basis of movement data of one or more movement sensors of the vehicle. The device is further configured, on the basis of the odometry-based path distance, to determine a value of a quality measure in relation to the quality of the distance measurement values, and to operate the vehicle on the basis of the determined value of the quality measure.