Vehicle Path Determination Using Front Vehicle RF Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle path determination methods fail to accurately identify lanes and vehicles in adverse weather conditions or complex environments, leading to difficulties in providing correct driving information and assistance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using RF signals from front vehicles to determine a path, where receivers in the vehicle calculate azimuth and distance to track the trajectory of a front vehicle, allowing for path determination without relying on clear visual information from driving images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If visual information from driving images is used to determine path, then lane marking and road information can be extracted, but the system fails in adverse weather conditions and when target objects are occluded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath determination reliabilityVSAvoidadverse weather impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RF signals as an intermediary information source to supplement visual information. When visual information is insufficient due to adverse weather or occlusion, the RF receiving unit obtains position and movement information from front vehicles through RF signals, allowing the path determining unit to continue functioning reliably without direct visual contact with lane markings or road features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If visual information is used for path determination, then steering assistance can be provided, but the system cannot identify targets when occluded or in bad weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget identification accuracyVSAvoidvisual information loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely optical/visual detection system with a hybrid system that incorporates RF signal reception. The RF receiving unit substitutes for visual information by providing alternative data about front vehicle positions and movements, enabling the system to maintain measurement precision when visual information is lost due to occlusion or adverse weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If only visual information is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot provide correct driving information in complex environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional path determination system that can operate using either visual information alone or in combination with RF signals. The system universally handles both clear and adverse weather conditions, occluded and unoccluded scenarios, by selecting or combining information sources based on availability, thereby improving environmental adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11347240B2Method and apparatus for determining path

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a method and apparatus for determining a path of a vehicle. The method includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal among RF signals predefined corresponding to other vehicles in front of the vehicle, and determining a path of the vehicle based on the received RF signal.