Vehicle Traffic Rule Determination via Backend Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining applicable traffic rules in vehicles face limitations, including the reliance on outdated navigation maps and camera systems with limited range and decreasing reliability at higher speeds, as well as the need for continuous updates and additional costs.

Innovation Solution

A method where a vehicle's position and direction are transmitted to a backend system to retrieve applicable traffic rules, which includes a validity distance indicating when the rules change, allowing for efficient data transfer and eliminating the need for on-board sensors or up-to-date maps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If camera-based traffic sign recognition is used, then traffic rule detection is enabled, but the detection range is limited and reliability decreases at higher speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic sign detection reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical camera-based detection system with a communication-based information transmission system. Traffic rule information is transmitted via communication signals (e.g., V2X, cellular networks) to the vehicle, eliminating the need for visual recognition at long distances and high speeds, thereby maintaining reliability across all speed ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the traffic rule source (backend server) and the vehicle. This intermediary delivers pre-processed traffic rule information directly to the vehicle, bypassing the limitations of direct visual detection by cameras, especially at high speeds where detection time is insufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If navigation maps with traffic signs are used, then traffic rule information is provided, but continuous updates are required incurring additional costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic rule information accuracyVSAvoiddata update frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or event-triggered requests for traffic rule information based on vehicle position changes, rather than continuous updates. The vehicle requests updated traffic rule information only when approaching areas where rules may have changed, reducing data transmission frequency and associated costs while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the vehicle to autonomously request and receive traffic rule information on-demand based on its current position and direction, without requiring continuous push updates from the server. This self-service approach reduces unnecessary data transmission and associated costs while ensuring the vehicle has current information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If on-board sensors and cameras are used for traffic sign recognition, then local detection is enabled, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent traffic rule detectionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex traffic rule detection and processing functions from the vehicle and relocates them to a backend server. The vehicle retains only simple communication and positioning capabilities, receiving pre-processed traffic rule information via communication signals, thereby significantly reducing on-board system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the vehicle actively detect and process traffic signs using complex sensors, the system inverts the approach by having the backend server actively provide traffic rule information to the vehicle through communication channels. This reversal simplifies the vehicle's hardware requirements while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If frequent position updates are transmitted to backend, then traffic rule accuracy is maintained, but data transfer volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic rule information accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The backend server performs preliminary processing by determining traffic rule information and validity distances in advance. This allows the server to provide information that remains valid for extended periods, reducing the frequency of updates needed and thereby minimizing data transmission volume while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information transmission from frequent small updates to less frequent but more comprehensive updates that include validity distances. This allows the vehicle to maintain accurate traffic rule information for longer periods without requiring frequent re-transmissions, reducing overall data volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3631779B1Method, devices, and computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for determining applicable traffic regulations for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3631779B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3631779B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3631779B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, devices and a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for determining applicable traffic regulations for a motor vehicle. Firstly, the position and direction of movement of the motor vehicle are determined (10). The position and direction of movement of the motor vehicle are then transmitted to a backend by a transmission device of the motor vehicle (11). In response to the information transmitted to the backend, information concerning traffic regulations applicable to the position of the motor vehicle are received by the transmission device (12). The position and direction of movement of the motor vehicle are transmitted (11) to the backend in a cyclical manner or in accordance with information concerning the validity of the traffic regulations which is included in the information concerning the traffic regulations applicable at the position of the motor vehicle.