Worksite Route Graph Layout for Autonomous Material Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for autonomous machines at worksites fail to determine a set of route segments that can be navigated at later times to reach assigned destinations, relying on real-time navigation and onboard/offboard computing elements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generates a route graph by identifying midpoints between structures and extending route segments to avoid obstacles, using job design and drop point data to create traversable paths for machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate systems are used for map data acquisition, route calculation, and navigation display, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall device complexity increases and integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines map data acquisition, route calculation, and navigation display functions into a single integrated navigation system. The microprocessor coordinates all subsystems, unified memory stores share data between modules, and the system shares common hardware resources, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional optimization through modular software architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is designed with multi-functional capabilities where a single microprocessor performs map acquisition, route calculation, and display control. The unified memory structure serves multiple purposes by storing map data, calculation algorithms, and display information simultaneously, allowing one system to fulfill multiple navigation functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
2Measurement precision
If detailed map data is continuously acquired and processed, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the data processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of map data during acquisition by organizing and storing it in a structured format in unified memory. Route calculation algorithms are pre-loaded and prepared for rapid execution. This preliminary organization allows the system to quickly retrieve and process only relevant data when navigation requests are made, reducing real-time processing time while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides map data into structured segments organized by geographic regions and road hierarchies. The unified memory stores data in segmented formats that allow the microprocessor to quickly access only the relevant portion needed for current navigation calculations, rather than processing entire map datasets. This segmentation enables efficient data retrieval and reduces computational load while preserving navigation accuracy.
3Productivity
If a unified memory structure is used for data storage, then data access efficiency and system integration are improved, but the difficulty of data management and organization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified memory is organized into segmented regions with distinct functions: one region stores map data in a hierarchical structure, another stores route calculation results, and a third stores display information. This segmentation allows efficient data access by directing requests to appropriate memory regions while maintaining the benefits of unified memory management. The structured organization reduces data management complexity through clear separation of data types and access patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor acts as an intermediary that manages data flow between different system components and the unified memory. It handles data organization, retrieval, and storage operations, translating high-level navigation requests into specific memory access operations. This intermediary role simplifies data management by centralizing control logic in the microprocessor rather than requiring complex distributed memory management across multiple components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computing system generates a route graph that defines machine-traversable route segments at a worksite, based on a design file indicating locations and shapes of structures at the worksite, and other data indicating locations of drop points. The computing system can generate some of the route segments to extend between pairs of structures, such that autonomous machines can traverse the route segments to deliver material to drop points located between the pairs of structures. For example, the worksite may be a solar farm under construction, and the structures can be installation assemblies upon which solar panels, delivered to drop points, can be installed. The route graph can define route segments that pass between pairs of the installation assemblies. A machine can travel along a defined route segment between a pair of installation assemblies to deliver solar panels at one or more drop points located between the pair of installation assemblies.