Autonomous Vehicle Object Validation Using Dual Coordinate Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle LiDAR systems often incorrectly identify external objects, leading to potential safety issues in autonomous driving scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control apparatus and method that utilizes a sensor to generate virtual boxes representing external objects, determining an interest virtual box based on vehicle state, object location, and box size, and validates these boxes using multiple coordinate systems and hysteresis to ensure accurate tracking and decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If LiDAR is used to identify external objects, then object detection capability is improved, but object identification accuracy deteriorates due to incorrect identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidobject identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the object identification process into multiple validation stages: initial virtual box generation, coordinate system transformation, contour point distribution analysis, and hysteresis validation. Each stage processes specific aspects of the object data independently, allowing comprehensive verification while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through hysteresis validation that compares current object detections with previous frames. The system uses validation results to adjust tracking decisions, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves identification accuracy based on temporal consistency feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple validation criteria are applied to virtual boxes, then object tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation system is segmented into distinct modular components: virtual box generation module, coordinate transformation module, contour analysis module, and hysteresis validation module. Each module performs a specific validation function, making the complex system manageable and maintainable through clear separation of concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary coordinate system transformations and contour point calculations before final validation decisions. By preparing data in advance through coordinate system conversions and distribution analyses, the system reduces the complexity of the final validation step while maintaining high tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If coordinate system transformations are performed, then validation precision is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs coordinate system transformations as preliminary steps before validation. By pre-calculating contour point distributions in both vehicle-centered and object-centered coordinate systems, the system prepares all necessary transformed data in advance, enabling fast validation decisions without repeated transformations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copied representations of the same spatial data in different coordinate systems. Instead of repeatedly transforming the original data, the system generates copy versions of contour points in both vehicle-centered and object-centered coordinate systems, allowing simultaneous validation in multiple reference frames without repeated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4653912A1Apparatus for controlling vehicle and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4653912A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653912A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4653912A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for controlling autonomous driving of a vehicle may comprise a sensor that obtains virtual boxes corresponding to a plurality of external objects, and a processor. The processor may identify an interest virtual box from these virtual boxes based on factors such as the vehicle's operating state, the external object's location, or the size of the corresponding virtual box. The processor may determine a first distribution of contour points, centered on the interest virtual box, in a first coordinate system and a second distribution of the contour points in a second coordinate system, centered on the contour points. The interest virtual box may be validated based on criteria such as its heading direction, location, and the distributions of contour points. Based on this validation, the processor may determine whether to output the interest virtual box, generates a signal, and controls autonomous driving based on the signal.