Virtual Lane And Stop Line Control for Obstacle-Aware Automated Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated driving systems lack the ability to dynamically manage imaginary lines and stop lines, especially in the presence of obstacles, which can hinder efficient and safe vehicle navigation.

Innovation Solution

An automated driving vehicle management system that includes an imaginary line management unit and an imaginary stop line management unit, capable of generating, updating, and adjusting these lines to avoid obstacles and manage traffic flow, using a communication unit to share this information with vehicles for coordinated navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automated driving systems use fixed road markings and static map information for navigation, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic obstacles and changing road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to obstaclesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming static road markings into dynamic virtual lines that can be generated, moved, and deleted in real-time. The management server dynamically creates virtual road markings (first through fourth virtual lines) based on detected obstacles and communicates them to automated driving vehicles, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions without physical infrastructure modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a management server that acts as a mediator between obstacle detection and vehicle navigation. The server generates virtual road markings as an intermediate representation of road conditions, translating complex obstacle information into simplified navigational guidance that vehicles can easily follow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system generates virtual stop lines and imaginary lines to manage traffic flow, then traffic safety improves, but the complexity of line management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic safetyVSAvoidline management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the virtual road marking system into distinct functional components: first and second virtual lines for lane guidance, third virtual lines for stop indications, and fourth virtual lines for obstacle avoidance. Each segment serves a specific safety function, making the overall complex system manageable through modular organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preliminary action by pre-defining the structural framework for virtual road markings with specific geometric relationships. The management server calculates and establishes the relative positions, angles, and distances between different virtual line segments in advance, enabling rapid deployment and adjustment without complex real-time computations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the imaginary line position is fixed based on map information, then the system is easy to implement, but it cannot avoid obstacles effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle avoidance capabilityVSAvoidease of implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring obstacle positions and using this information to adjust the positions of virtual road markings. The management server receives obstacle detection data, recalculates the appropriate positions for first through fourth virtual lines, and communicates updated markings to vehicles, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3846148B1System, management method, automated driving vehicle, and program
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3846148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3846148B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3846148B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an automated driving vehicle management system, a management method, an automated driving vehicle, and a program that are capable of appropriately managing the automated driving vehicle. The automated driving vehicle management system including: a map information storage unit (201) that stores map information; an imaginary line management unit (202) that manages an imaginary line imaginarily generated for a road included in the map information; and a communication unit (204) that transmits imaginary line information about the imaginary line to a plurality of automated driving vehicles traveling along the imaginary line.