Vehicle Map Tile Updates via Roadside QR Code Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving systems face reliability and safety issues due to dependence on connected technologies for map data updates, which can be unreliable or unavailable in areas with limited or no data network coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for updating vehicle map data using machine-readable visual representations, such as QR codes, that encode map data corresponding to a geographic database, allowing vehicles to decode and update local map tiles without relying on communication networks, using sensors to detect and read these representations from physical signs or objects along roadways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If over-the-air (OTA) map data update is used, then map data can be updated remotely and conveniently, but the system becomes unreliable or unavailable in areas with limited or no data network coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces machine-readable visual representations (QR codes, barcodes) as an intermediary medium for map data transmission. These visual representations are displayed on roadside displays or physical objects, allowing vehicle sensors to capture and decode map data without requiring cellular network connectivity. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between remote update capability and offline reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the wireless communication network mechanism with an optical detection mechanism. Instead of relying on cellular networks to transmit map data, the system uses vehicle sensors (cameras) to capture visual representations of map data encoded in QR codes or barcodes displayed on roadside infrastructure, thereby substituting a network-dependent system with a sensor-based optical system.
2Productivity
If connected technologies are used for map data updates, then real-time updates are possible, but the system becomes dependent on network infrastructure that may be unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-displaying map data in machine-readable visual representations on roadside infrastructure before vehicles arrive. This allows vehicles to capture and process map data updates offline without requiring real-time network connectivity, thus maintaining update capability in areas with no network coverage while preserving update speed through direct optical detection.
3Reliability
If OTA map updates are unavailable, then autonomous driving reliability decreases, but implementing alternative update methods increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the vehicle's sensor system perform multiple functions: it continues to detect road environment data for autonomous driving while also capturing machine-readable visual representations for map data updates. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain autonomous driving reliability without adding dedicated hardware, as the existing sensor infrastructure serves dual purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for vehicle map data update. The approach involves, for example, processing sensor data captured by a sensor of a vehicle to detect a machine-readable visual representation. The machine-readable visual representation encodes map data corresponding to a map tile of a geographic database. The approach also involves decoding the map data from the machine-readable visual representation. The approach further involves updating a local copy of the map tile stored in the vehicle based on the map data.