Automated Vehicle Map Verification for Real-World Charging Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to ensure that charging stations or other infrastructure elements are present at predefined locations as indicated by map data, leading to potential mismatches between digital maps and the real world.

Innovation Solution

An automated vehicle system uses sensor data and object detection algorithms to verify the presence of predefined infrastructure elements, creating a visual map for user display and enabling automated navigation to these elements, with optional payment and service integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If map data is used to determine infrastructure element positions, then navigation coverage is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential mismatches between digital maps and real world

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidmap accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of infrastructure elements by capturing images with sensors before navigation occurs. The image recognition algorithm pre-identifies whether charging stations or other infrastructure elements actually exist at map-indicated locations, creating a verified subset of reliable map data for upcoming navigation decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where sensor images are continuously captured and compared against map data. When discrepancies are detected (e.g., map shows charging station but sensor doesn't detect it), the system adjusts navigation decisions based on this feedback, prioritizing verified infrastructure elements over unverified ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensor verification is performed for all map infrastructure elements, then reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure verification accuracyVSAvoidverification processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial verification by focusing sensor scanning and image recognition efforts on infrastructure elements that are imminent in the navigation path or have high priority for verification. Not all map infrastructure elements undergo exhaustive verification, but rather a strategically selected subset based on navigation relevance and confidence levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs verification activities in advance for high-priority infrastructure elements before they become critical for navigation decisions. By pre-identifying and verifying charging stations or other elements ahead of time, the system reduces real-time processing requirements when navigation decisions must be made urgently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor scanning is performed to verify infrastructure presence, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different scanning intensities to different spatial regions based on navigation relevance. Areas with high-priority infrastructure elements or upcoming navigation targets receive comprehensive sensor scanning, while other areas receive reduced or no scanning. This local differentiation of scan quality optimizes energy usage while maintaining necessary detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs comprehensive sensor scanning only when and where absolutely necessary for safe navigation, rather than continuously scanning all areas. By applying excessive verification only to critical zones and using minimal or no verification in non-critical zones, the system achieves necessary detection accuracy with reduced overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4198456B1Method and device for controlling an automated vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4198456B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Provided is a method for controlling an automated vehicle, the automated vehicle comprising a human interface device comprising an interior display, wherein the method comprises determining a target position of a predefined infrastructure element in an environment of the automated vehicle using map data and an actual position of the automated vehicle, checking the presence of the infrastructure element at the target position using a sensor system of the automated vehicle and an object detection algorithm configured to detect the infrastructure element based on sensor data captured by the sensor system, if a result of checking the presence of the infrastructure element is positive, creating a map based on the map data where the infrastructure element is included, and displaying the map using the interior display to a user of the automated vehicle.