Autonomous Vehicle Image Prioritization Under Bandwidth Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle operations face challenges in providing effective assistance due to unstable or low-bandwidth communication channels, which degrade image quality and disrupt data transfer, making it difficult to monitor and control vehicles remotely.
Innovation Solution
A method for bandwidth-constrained image processing that determines data transfer rates, prioritizes sensor data based on location and availability, and generates optimized state data by filtering and using predictive data to improve image quality and communication, even under constrained bandwidth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image data is transmitted over low-bandwidth communication channels, then communication efficiency is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into prioritized components, transmitting high-priority regions (such as areas containing pedestrians, vehicles, or road signs) at higher quality while reducing or omitting low-priority regions. This segmentation allows effective use of limited bandwidth while maintaining critical image quality for autonomous vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by allocating higher transmission quality to specific local regions of the image that are critical for vehicle operation, such as areas with detected objects or regions of interest. Non-critical regions are transmitted at lower quality or omitted entirely, optimizing the trade-off between bandwidth usage and image quality.
2Loss of information
If sensor data from all sensors is transmitted, then measurement completeness is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the most essential sensor data based on prioritization attributes. Sensors detecting critical information (such as LIDAR data showing nearby obstacles or cameras detecting pedestrians) are selected for transmission, while less critical sensor data is omitted or transmitted at reduced fidelity, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining measurement completeness for safety-critical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts which sensor data is transmitted based on real-time conditions. The prioritization of sensors changes dynamically according to the vehicle's operational context, such as prioritizing forward-facing sensors when the vehicle is moving forward and side sensors when changing lanes, optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining measurement completeness for current operational needs.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution image data is transmitted, then image quality is improved, but data transfer rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of image data at high resolution rather than the entire image. High-resolution transmission is applied selectively to regions of interest (such as detected objects or areas with high motion activity), while other regions are transmitted at lower resolution or omitted, maintaining acceptable image quality for critical areas while improving overall data transfer rate.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and non-transitory computer readable storage media for providing bandwidth constrained image processing are described. The disclosed technology determines a data transfer rate of at least one signal received from a vehicle, the at least one signal including state/status data of the vehicle. In response to determining that the data transfer rate satisfies a data transfer rate criterion, a location of the vehicle and a location of at least one of a plurality of objects that obstruct the at least one signal is determined using the state data and external data associated with the vehicle. The disclosed technology generates optimized state data using the state data and the external data.