Vehicle Signal Cycle Estimation via Multi-Source Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traveling support devices for vehicles can only receive current signal information from traffic signals, leading to inaccurate estimation of signal cycle information and inadequate support for vehicle travel, especially when information for times other than the current clock time is not available.
Innovation Solution
A traveling support device that utilizes both road-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication to receive and share current-signal information across multiple clock times, enabling more accurate estimation of signal cycle information through interpolation based on duration time information, and allows for sharing of estimated signal cycle information between vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only current-signal information from road side transmitter is received, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of signal cycle information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines road-vehicle communication (receiving current-signal information from traffic signals) with inter-vehicle communication (exchanging signal cycle information with other vehicles) to achieve accurate signal cycle estimation without increasing individual device complexity. Multiple information sources are merged to compensate for the limitations of single-source data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal cycle information as an intermediary element that mediates between current-signal information from multiple vehicles and the final estimated signal cycle. This intermediary allows indirect acquisition of future signal states without direct communication with the traffic signal controller.
2Loss of time
If signal cycle information is estimated from single clock time data, then information processing time is reduced, but measurement precision of signal cycle information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of signal cycle information using available current-signal data before receiving additional information from other vehicles. This allows the system to have an initial estimate ready while continuing to refine it with more data, reducing the perceived processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic estimation process where signal cycle information is continuously refined as new current-signal data arrives from other vehicles. The estimation adapts and updates in real-time, balancing the need for quick initial estimates with the benefit of more accurate multi-source data.
Data Source
AI summary
A traveling support device includes: a road-vehicle communication portion that receives first current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by a traffic signal at a first clock time, from a road side transmitter installed on a road; an inter-vehicle communication portion that receives second current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by the traffic signal at a second clock time, from another vehicle that receives the second current-signal information from the road side transmitter; and a signal cycle estimating portion that estimates signal cycle information relating to transition of the signal on the traffic signal on the basis of the first current-signal information received by the road-vehicle communication portion and the second current-signal information received by the inter-vehicle communication portion.