Vehicle Landmark Position Sharing for Map-Independent Auto Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated or semi-automated driving systems face errors due to outdated high-definition maps and inconsistencies in map systems used by different vehicles, leading to inaccuracies in spatial allocation of information.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a relative position of an object with respect to a landmark using environmental sensor data, generating an information signal based on this position, and transmitting it to other vehicles to enhance vehicle control, thereby reducing errors associated with different map materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-definition maps are used for automated driving, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the maps become outdated as the surrounding environment changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmap currency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having vehicles continuously collect and transmit environmental data (landmark positions, road features) before map obsolescence becomes critical. This proactive data collection allows the map server to update HD maps in advance, maintaining both high positioning accuracy and current map information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is established where vehicles transmit measured landmark positions and environmental features back to the map server. The map server compares this real-world data with stored HD map information, identifies deviations, and updates the maps accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures maps remain current while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If different map systems from different manufacturers are used, then system adaptability is improved, but errors in spatial allocation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap system compatibilityVSAvoidspatial allocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The map server acts as an intermediary that receives data from vehicles using different manufacturer-specific map systems, standardizes the coordinate systems and spatial references, and distributes unified map updates. This intermediary function reconciles different map systems, enabling both high adaptability and spatial allocation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system promotes homogeneity by requiring all vehicles to reference a common set of landmarks with standardized coordinate systems. By transforming diverse manufacturer-specific map data into a unified reference framework, the system achieves consistent spatial allocation across different vehicle platforms while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Measurement precision

If relative position data is transmitted instead of absolute coordinates, then error propagation from different map systems is reduced, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and transmits only the essential relative position information (offsets from common landmarks) rather than complete absolute coordinate sets. This extraction approach reduces error propagation from different map systems while the pre-established landmark reference framework keeps processing complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3999806B1Method and communication system for supporting an at least partially automatic vehicle control
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3999806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3999806B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3999806B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method for providing an information signal (8) for at least partially automatic vehicle control involves an environment sensor system (3) of a motor vehicle (1) being used to generate measurement data for surroundings of the motor vehicle (1). A computing unit (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to identify an object (7) and a landmark (5) on the basis of the measurement data. The computing unit (4) is used to determine a first relative position of the object (7) in relation to the landmark (5) on the basis of the measurement data. A communication interface (4) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to generate the information signal (8) on the basis of the first relative position.