Virtual Lane Keeping When Road Markings Are Missing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lane keeping systems in vehicles struggle to maintain lane position when no lane markings are present, as they rely primarily on detected lane markings for navigation.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving sensor data, detecting the absence of lane markings, prompting the driver to drive to a perceived center line of a lane, determining a virtual lane based on the driver's input, and performing a lane keeping assistant function to maintain the vehicle on the virtual lane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lane keeping systems rely on detected lane markings for navigation, then lane keeping accuracy is improved, but the system becomes unable to operate when no lane markings are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the driver's perceived center line - to bridge the gap between the sensor system and the lane keeping function. When lane markings are absent, the system prompts the driver to position the vehicle at the perceived center line, using this human-perceived position as a mediator to establish the virtual lane reference, thereby enabling operation without traditional lane markings
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual lane by copying the driver's perceived center line position and extrapolating it to define a complete lane path. This virtual copy serves as a substitute for the physical lane markings that are absent, allowing the lane keeping system to function by tracking this generated virtual reference rather than requiring actual road markings
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system prompts the driver to drive to a perceived center line, then lane keeping functionality is enabled without lane markings, but driver workload and interaction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the driver's own perception and judgment to provide the reference information needed for lane keeping. Instead of requiring complex sensor processing or external infrastructure, the system uses the driver's ability to perceive the center line and positions them there, making the driver themselves the source of the reference data
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the driver's vehicle position relative to the perceived center line is continuously monitored, and the lane keeping assistant uses this feedback to maintain the vehicle on the virtual lane. The driver provides feedback through their driving actions, and the system responds with appropriate steering assistance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an ego-vehicle includes receiving sensor data of a sensor system of the ego-vehicle, detecting an absence of lane markings based on the sensor data, and transmitting instructions to a human machine interface of the ego-vehicle to prompt a driver of the ego-vehicle to drive to a perceived center line of a lane. The method also includes determining a virtual lane based on the perceived center line to which the driver has driven, and performing a lane keeping assistant function to keep the ego-vehicle on the virtual lane.