Vehicle Tracking Control Using Trajectory Distance Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle tracking systems are prone to errors in selecting and following suitable vehicles, often due to inaccurate trajectory estimation and distance calculations, leading to suboptimal route selection and destination choices.
Innovation Solution
A control system that utilizes environmental sensors to detect and determine the position and trajectory of other vehicles, selecting the one with the shortest distance to its own trajectory for following, and allows for manual input to correct potential errors, while also considering road boundaries and markings to enhance trajectory determination and pair formation criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If trajectory estimation is based on vehicle speed and yaw rate with available road information, then the route selection can be performed, but the selection accuracy deteriorates leading to poor route selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that calculates the shortest distance between each detected vehicle's trajectory and the ego-vehicle's estimated trajectory. This intermediary metric serves as a mediator to objectively select the most suitable vehicle to follow, rather than relying solely on raw trajectory estimation which may be inaccurate. The intermediary step transforms the problematic direct trajectory following into a comparative selection process based on minimal distance criteria.
2Ease of operation
If relative distance between vehicles is used to check suitability for tracking, then the tracking can be established, but the error resistance deteriorates leading to suboptimal vehicle selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously evaluates the shortest distance between the selected vehicle's trajectory and the ego-vehicle's trajectory. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor and adjust the vehicle selection based on trajectory alignment, improving reliability by ensuring the selected vehicle remains suitable for tracking throughout the driving process, not just at the initial selection stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple candidate vehicles by calculating their respective shortest distances to the ego-vehicle's trajectory before final selection. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-assess and compare all potential target vehicles, ensuring the most suitable one is selected in advance, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability of the tracking establishment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If environmental sensors detect multiple vehicles ahead, then the system has more options for following, but the selection complexity increases making it harder to identify the optimal target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex multi-vehicle selection problem into a simple parameter-based comparison by introducing the shortest distance metric. Instead of evaluating multiple complex factors simultaneously, the system changes the selection parameter to focus on a single critical measure: the minimum distance between each candidate vehicle's trajectory and the ego-vehicle's trajectory. This parameter transformation simplifies the selection process while maintaining adaptability across multiple vehicle options.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a control system configured and designed to detect vehicles traveling ahead. The control system is configured and designed, at least, to detect other vehicles participating in traffic ahead of the vehicle using at least one environmental sensor. The control system is configured and designed, at least, to determine the respective position of the other vehicles using the at least one environmental sensor. The control system is configured and designed, at least, to determine a trajectory of the vehicle from its current speed and yaw rate. The control system is configured and designed, at least, to select a single vehicle from among the other vehicles that is closest to the trajectory, and then to follow this single vehicle with the vehicle.