Unmanned Vehicle Control Using Landmark Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face errors in determining whether an intended target is being controlled due to similar operations by target and non-target vehicles, leading to potential misidentification and unintended vehicle movement.

Innovation Solution

A control device utilizing a camera to detect two-dimensional codes as landmarks, combined with a determination unit to verify the presence of these landmarks, preventing erroneous control by confirming the intended target through accurate detection and notification of abnormalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If remote control commands are transmitted to move vehicles, then vehicle automation and productivity are improved, but errors in determining the intended target occur when multiple vehicles perform the same operation simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunmanned driving operations efficiencyVSAvoidtarget identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector (camera) captures images of landmarks (two-dimensional codes) on vehicles, and the determination unit verifies whether the detected landmark matches the intended target. This closed-loop feedback system confirms target identity before executing control commands, preventing erroneous control of wrong vehicles while maintaining automated operation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If simple operation commands are used for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to accurately distinguish between multiple target vehicles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control operation simplicityVSAvoidvehicle identification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system consisting of landmarks (two-dimensional codes) attached to vehicles and a determination unit that checks whether the detected landmark corresponds to the intended target. This intermediary mechanism enables simple remote control operations while ensuring accurate vehicle identification through the landmark verification step before command execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If landmark detection is added to verify target identity, then target identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detectors and determination units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget confirmation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses two-dimensional codes (landmarks) as simplified copies or representations of vehicle identity information. Instead of complex vehicle recognition systems, the system captures images of these simple code patterns using a camera and verifies them through image processing. This copying approach maintains high identification accuracy while minimizing additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents errors in determining the intended target, ensuring accurate control and early detection of abnormalities, thereby preventing unintended vehicle movement and facilitating efficient unmanned driving operations.

Implementation Method 1

the detector may be a camera and the landmark may be a two-dimensional code

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP4471527B1Control device, moving object, and control method
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4471527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4471527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4471527B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A control device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a detection result by a detector, wherein the detector is mounted on a moving object movable by unmanned driving; a determination unit configured to determine a landmark to be detected by the detector, wherein the landmark is located outside the moving object; and a control unit configured to move the moving object by unmanned driving, wherein the control unit performs different processing for moving the moving object depending on whether or not the landmark determined by the determination unit is included in the detection result.