Vehicle Control System for Tollgate Lane Detection and Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving and driving assist systems in vehicles often fail to provide continuous functionality at tollgate entry sections, reducing user convenience and system usability.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine whether a vehicle is entering a tollgate and automatically switch between driving modes based on whether the current lane is a high-pass lane or a general lane, using sensors and external information to control vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous driving function or driving assist function is released at tollgate entry section, then user convenience and system usability are reduced, but if the function is maintained, then the vehicle may not be able to safely navigate the tollgate area with complex lane configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between autonomous driving mode and manual driving mode based on the vehicle's location relative to the tollgate. The processor determines the distance to the tollgate and automatically transitions control modes, allowing the system to adapt its level of automation according to environmental conditions rather than maintaining a fixed mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the tollgate ahead and proactively switches from autonomous mode to manual mode before the vehicle reaches the tollgate area. This advance preparation allows the driver to take control in time, ensuring safe navigation through the complex tollgate lane configuration while maintaining autonomous operation during normal driving conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the autonomous driving function continuously monitors and switches modes at tollgates, then user convenience is improved, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tollgate detection and mode switching functionality as a specific sub-function within the autonomous driving system. The processor identifies tollgates using predetermined criteria (such as recognizing tollgate signs or lane configurations) and triggers mode switching based on these specific conditions, rather than requiring complex continuous analysis of all possible road scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects tollgates ahead and autonomously switches between driving modes without requiring driver input or manual intervention. The processor monitors road conditions, identifies tollgate entries, and automatically transitions control modes, allowing the system to serve itself by managing its own operational state based on environmental feedback.
3Extent of automation
If the vehicle determines current lane as high-pass lane or general lane, then automatic mode switching is enabled, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the road ahead into distinct lane types (high-pass lanes and general lanes) by analyzing road markings, signs, and lane configurations. The processor divides the visual field into segments and identifies characteristics of each segment to determine the current lane type, breaking down the complex detection task into manageable parts rather than requiring holistic analysis of the entire scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediate indicators such as tollgate signs, lane markings, and road geometry as mediators to infer the current lane type. Rather than directly determining lane classification, the processor detects these intermediate features (signs indicating high-pass lanes, specific road marking patterns) which then serve as evidence for lane type determination, reducing the direct measurement precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a processor and a storage storing information determined by the processor. The processor determines whether a vehicle enters a tollgate, in advance based on driving situation information, and determine whether a current driving lane of the vehicle is a high-pass lane or a general lane, when the vehicle is scheduled to enter the tollgate. In particular, to the processor may automatically switch a driving mode depending on whether the current driving lane of the vehicle is the high-pass lane or the general lane to control the vehicle.