Position and direction determination using multiple single-channel encoders
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- determining a low speed condition based on a decreasing velocity of a vehicle;
in response to the low speed condition, receiving, by a computing system, a first data stream from a first single channel encoder associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, the first data stream indicative of a first regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the first wheel;
receiving, by the computing system, a second data stream from a second single channel encoder associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, the second data stream indicative of a second regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the second wheel;
characterizing a time series relationship between the first and second regularly repeating patterns during a first time window corresponding to motion of the vehicle in a first direction;
during a second time window following the first time window, identifying a shift in the characterized time series relationship corresponding to a reversal in rotation direction of the first and second wheels;
responsive to identifying the shift, determining the vehicle is moving in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction; and
determining a time of direction reversal of the vehicle based on a timing of the identified shift.
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Abstract
A system for an autonomous vehicle is disclosed that combines information from single-channel encoders serving as wheel speed sensors on multiple wheels of the vehicle. A pattern of the outputs from the single-channel encoders is characterized while the vehicle is traveling in a first direction. A shift in the characterized pattern is associated with a change in direction of the autonomous vehicle. Such detection of changes in direction can be used to determine the position of the vehicle at low speeds or while starting and/or stopping where the vehicle can potentially rock back and forth.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a low speed condition based on a decreasing velocity of a vehicle; in response to the low speed condition, receiving, by a computing system, a first data stream from a first single channel encoder associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, the first data stream indicative of a first regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the first wheel; receiving, by the computing system, a second data stream from a second single channel encoder associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, the second data stream indicative of a second regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the second wheel; characterizing a time series relationship between the first and second regularly repeating patterns during a first time window corresponding to motion of the vehicle in a first direction; during a second time window following the first time window, identifying a shift in the characterized time series relationship corresponding to a reversal in rotation direction of the first and second wheels; responsive to identifying the shift, determining the vehicle is moving in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction; and determining a time of direction reversal of the vehicle based on a timing of the identified shift. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An autonomous vehicle system comprising:
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a first single channel encoder associated with a first wheel of the autonomous vehicle and configured to generate a data stream indicative of a regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the first wheel; a second single channel encoder associated with a second wheel of the autonomous vehicle and configured to generate a data stream indicative of a regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the second wheel; and a controller configured to; determine a low speed condition based on a decreasing velocity of the autonomous vehicle; in response to the low speed condition, characterize a time series relationship between the first and second regularly repeating patterns during a first time window corresponding to motion of the vehicle in a first direction; during a second time window following the first time window, identify a shift in the characterized time series relationship corresponding to a reversal in rotation direction of the first and second wheels; responsive to identifying the shift in the characterized time series relationship, determine the vehicle is moving in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction; and determine a time of direction reversal of the autonomous vehicle based on a timing of the identified shift. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:
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determining a low speed condition based on a decreasing velocity of a vehicle; in response to the low speed condition, receiving a first data stream from a first single channel encoder associated with a first wheel of the vehicle, the first data stream indicative of a first regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the first wheel; receiving a second data stream from a second single channel encoder associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, the second data stream indicative of a second regularly repeating pattern with a frequency based on a rate of rotation of the second wheel; characterizing a time series relationship between the first and second regularly repeating patterns during a first time window corresponding to motion of the vehicle in a first direction; during a second time window following the first time window, identifying a shift in the characterized time series relationship corresponding to a reversal in rotation direction of the first and second wheels; responsive to identifying the shift, determining the vehicle is moving in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction; and determining a time of direction reversal of the vehicle based on a timing of the identified shift. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification