Vehicle Sensor Handover via Preliminary Object Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle safety systems face challenges in quickly and reliably handing over object detection from one detector coverage area to another, especially when objects move between overlapping areas, leading to potential delays in tracking and response.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle safety system with a detection system comprising at least two detectors and a control unit that classifies initial detections as confirmed objects, then reclassifies preliminary detections from adjacent detectors as low-quality confirmed objects, and eventually as confirmed fused objects, facilitating smoother handover by communicating and fusing data between detectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional object detection handover system is used between detectors, then the system can detect objects moving between coverage areas, but the handover process is slow and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the initial detector provide advance information about confirmed objects that will enter adjacent coverage areas. The adjacent detector receives this information beforehand and prepares for tracking, allowing the handover to occur more quickly and reliably without waiting for the object to fully enter the new coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives detection data from the initial detector, determines that the object is likely to be detected by the adjacent detector, and facilitates the handover process. This intermediary coordination enables smoother transitions between detectors by managing the information flow and timing of the handover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple detectors cover overlapping areas to enable handover, then object tracking continuity is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking continuityVSAvoiddetector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the detection process into distinct phases: initial detection by the first detector, handover preparation in the overlapping area, and confirmation by the adjacent detector. This segmentation allows each detector to operate independently in its own coverage area while maintaining overall tracking continuity through coordinated handover, reducing the complexity burden on any single detector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the system waits for full confirmation of object identity before handover, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the response time delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidhandover speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of object identity using detection data from the initial detector before the object fully enters the adjacent detector's coverage area. This preliminary action allows the handover to begin earlier while maintaining accuracy through subsequent confirmation by the adjacent detector, thus resolving the trade-off between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously receives detection data from both the initial and adjacent detectors, compares the data to confirm object identity, and adjusts the handover timing accordingly. This feedback loop ensures detection accuracy is maintained while enabling faster handover by confirming identity based on real-time data comparison rather than waiting for complete object entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3021134B1Sensor handover
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 VEONEER SWEDEN AB
  • EP3021134B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021134B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3021134B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle safety system (22) comprising a detection system (2). The detection system (2) is arranged to detect objects (20) and comprises at least two detectors (3, 4, 5, 6; 39, 40). At least one control unit (14; 34, 35, 36, 37; 45) is arranged to determine that an object (20) that is detected by an initial detector (5, 40) is classified as a confirmed object for the initial detector (5, 40) in its initial coverage area (11, 42). Said control unit (14; 34, 35, 36, 37; 45) is also arranged to determine whether at least one detection of another detector (3, 39) is from the same object. If so, a first preliminary detection of the other detector (3, 39) is classified as an intermediate low quality confirmed object for the other detector (3, 39). A confirmed object is considered as a more reliable detection than a low quality confirmed object, which in turn is considered as a more reliable detection than a preliminary detection. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.