Motor Vehicle Sensor Selection for Computing Load Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle systems for detecting surroundings utilize sensor data inefficiently, as they either display data or perform object recognition separately, exceeding the computing power of existing units due to the vast amount of data, and fail to optimally combine all available information.

Innovation Solution

Implement a motor vehicle with multiple sensor devices, including a bird view or mirror replacement system, that uses a control device to selectively prioritize and utilize sensor devices based on operating conditions, allowing for efficient data evaluation by centralizing or decentralizing processing units to optimize computing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all sensor devices are used for object recognition continuously, then object recognition accuracy is improved, but computing power is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject recognition accuracyVSAvoidcomputing power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which sensor devices are used for object recognition based on the current operating condition. The control device selects different subsets of sensor devices depending on whether the vehicle is moving forward, reversing, or stationary, thereby adapting the computing load to the actual situational requirements while maintaining sufficient object recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously using all sensor devices, the system employs partial action by selectively activating only the necessary subset of sensor devices for object recognition based on the current operating condition. This reduces the computing load while still achieving adequate object detection for the specific situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Device complexity

If sensor data is displayed without object recognition, then system complexity is reduced, but information utilization is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidinformation utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the processing of sensor data into two distinct paths: one for display purposes and another for object recognition. The control device determines which sensor devices feed into object recognition based on operating conditions, while other sensor data can be displayed without undergoing complex recognition processing, thus optimizing both complexity and information utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If rear-oriented sensor devices are used during reversing, then reversing safety is improved, but front sensor devices become redundant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversing safetyVSAvoidcomputing capacity utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements multi-functionality by enabling front-oriented sensor devices to serve dual purposes: their primary function for forward driving and an secondary function for object recognition during reversing operations. The control device activates these front sensors for object recognition when reversing, allowing them to contribute to situational awareness beyond their primary orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3706038A1Motor vehicle with a plurality of sensor devices for detecting the environment
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3706038A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3706038A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3706038A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10), preferably a commercial vehicle, with a plurality of sensor devices for environmental sensing. The plurality of sensor devices shall include at least one image acquisition device (1a, 1b) of a bird's-eye view system or a mirror replacement system. In addition, the motor vehicle (10) according to the invention comprises an evaluation unit (2) configured to perform object recognition based on sensor data from the plurality of sensor devices. Furthermore, the motor vehicle (10) has a control unit (3) configured to select a subset of the plurality of sensor devices, based on the existence of a predetermined operating condition, on which object recognition is based.This advantageously achieves an overall needs-based use of the existing sensor equipment for environmental perception, since computing capacity can be saved by foregoing evaluation of currently less relevant environmental areas.