Vehicle Position Estimation Using Turning Point Data Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle position estimation methods face challenges in maintaining accuracy while managing the amount of target position data, particularly when only straight-line target data is available, leading to incomplete reference points for accurate vehicle positioning.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves retaining target position data within specific ranges from the present location and turning points, using these data points as references to estimate vehicle position, and strategically deleting or thinning out other data to control the data amount effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all detected target position data are retained, then vehicle position estimation accuracy is improved, but storage capacity requirements become substantial

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle position estimation accuracyVSAvoiddata amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between important and less important target position data based on their spatial relationship to turning points. Data within a predetermined distance from turning points are retained with high priority, while other data are thinned out or deleted. This selective retention strategy maintains position estimation accuracy by preserving critical reference points while reducing overall data storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If only target position data in a predetermined range from present location are retained, then storage capacity is reduced, but vehicle position estimation accuracy deteriorates when straight-line target data is available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata amountVSAvoidvehicle position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively identifying and retaining target position data within predetermined distances from turning points before the position estimation process occurs. This advance preparation ensures that critical reference points are preserved in the data set, enabling accurate position estimation even when using limited stored data rather than all available data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If target position data is retained based on predetermined distance from present location, then data management is simplified, but reference points in traveling direction may be unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata management simplicityVSAvoidposition estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using turning points as the basis for determining which target position data to retain, rather than using a fixed predetermined distance from the present location. This parameter change allows the system to adaptively select reference points that are geometrically suitable for position estimation, improving the availability of valid reference points while maintaining manageable data retention criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3343173B1Vehicle position estimation device, vehicle position estimation method
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3343173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3343173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3343173B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In this vehicle position estimation device, positions of a target present in a periphery of a vehicle are detected, amounts of movements of the vehicle are detected, and the positions of the target are stored as target position data, based on the detected amounts of movements. In addition, map information including the positions of the target is pre-stored in a map database (14), and, by matching the target position data and the map information, a vehicle position of the vehicle is estimated. Further, a turning point Pt1 of the vehicle is detected. Furthermore, target position data in a range from a present location Pn to a set distance D1 and in a range going back from the turning point Pt1 by a set distance D2 to a point [Pt1-D2] are retained.