Vehicle Position Estimation via Relative Probability Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems using GPS and GNSS for vehicle position information face errors due to signal delays and multipath issues, leading to inaccurate determination of relative positional relationships between vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A position estimation apparatus that acquires target and neighboring vehicle information, estimates relative positions, calculates probabilities of presence in defined areas, and determines a secondary area for accurate positioning, accounting for errors in position information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position information is acquired using GPS or GNSS, then vehicle position information can be obtained, but errors occur due to signal delay in ionosphere, multipath caused by buildings, and system delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relative position estimation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between GPS position data and collision risk determination. Instead of directly using absolute position information from GPS, the system calculates relative positions between vehicles through coordinate transformations and geometric relationships, thereby mediating the impact of GPS errors on safety decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring relative positions and using this information to adjust collision risk assessments. The relative position estimation results are fed back into the driving assistance system to dynamically update safety determinations, creating a closed-loop control that compensates for position errors
2Measurement precision
If distance is calculated from position information and corrected using speed information, then distance correction is achieved, but relative positional relationship cannot be correctly identified when position information contains errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the problem from one-dimensional distance correction to two-dimensional relative position estimation. By introducing coordinate systems and geometric transformations, the system estimates relative positions in multiple dimensions (distance and direction), thereby recovering lost positional relationship information that cannot be obtained through simple distance correction
3Productivity
If position information with errors is used for collision risk determination, then driving assistance function is provided, but accurate collision risk determination cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of GPS position errors into a beneficial outcome by using relative position estimation. Instead of being adversely affected by absolute position inaccuracies, the system leverages the consistency of relative position relationships to accurately determine collision risks, turning the limitation into an advantage
Data Source
AI summary
A position estimation apparatus (10) acquires target information (31) regarding the position of a target body (100) and acquires neighboring information (32) regarding the position of a neighboring body, which is a movable body different from the target body (100), from the neighboring body. The position estimation apparatus (10) determines, as a primary area (41), a relative area in which the neighboring body is estimated to be present from the target information (31) and the neighboring information (32). The position estimation apparatus (10) calculates a probability of presence (43) of the neighboring body in each relative area from a plurality of the primary areas (41) determined within a reference period and determines, as a secondary area (44), a relative area in which the neighboring body is estimated to be present on the basis of the probability of presence (43).