Vehicle Location Correction Using Dead Reckoning and Sensor Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle location methods using GPS receivers are unreliable in areas with poor signal reception, such as big cities, leading to inaccurate positioning due to signal blocking and reflection.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining GPS coordinates and projecting them onto a coordinate system while applying corrections using dead reckoning, incorporating data from additional sensors like compasses, odometers, and gyroscopes, and accounting for historical data and signal quality to ensure precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS coordinates are used for vehicle location, then location determination is achieved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in areas with poor GPS signal reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism that mediates between GPS coordinates and actual vehicle position. This correction device uses additional sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) and historical data to calculate correction values that adjust GPS coordinates, thereby eliminating positioning errors in urban canyons and other areas with poor GPS reception without requiring complete replacement of the GPS system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing current GPS-derived position with historical position data and sensor measurements. The system calculates correction values based on the discrepancy between expected and actual position, then applies these corrections to future position determinations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism progressively improves positioning accuracy in areas where GPS signals are degraded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If GPS signals are used for location determination, then location data is obtained, but data quality deteriorates due to signal blocking and reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation data qualityVSAvoidsignal blocking and reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effects of signal blocking and reflection into beneficial correction opportunities. By detecting anomalies in GPS data (such as sudden jumps or inconsistencies) and using these as triggers for correction mode, the system transforms degraded signal conditions into situations where alternative sensors and historical data can be effectively applied to restore accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating correction values based on historical position data and sensor characteristics before actual positioning errors occur. The system maintains a database of correction parameters that can be immediately applied when GPS signal quality deteriorates, avoiding the need to wait for error detection and correction in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2223148B1Method and device for determining the location of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 INIT INNOVATIVE INFORMATIKANWENDUNGEN & TRANSPORT VERKEHRS UND LEITSYSTN
  • EP2223148B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for determining the location of a vehicle using a GPS receiver (9) and a predefinable coordinate system, in particular a city map, a map, a nautical chart or the like, comprises the following method steps: determination of the GPS coordinates by means of a GPS receiver or some other suitable method, for example Gallileo, beacon, etc., projection of the determined coordinates onto the coordinate system and correction of the GPS coordinates or the projected coordinates in the sense of compound navigation. A corresponding device is specified.