Patent · US9603158B1 · B1 · US

Optimizing communication for automated vehicles

(11) Publication number

US9603158B1

(21) Application number

14/962,847

(22) Filing date

2015-12-08

(30) Priority date

2015-12-08

(43) Publication date

2017-03-21

(45) Date of grant

2017-03-21

(51) IPC

G06Q 50/30; H04B 1/3822; H04W 24/08; H04W 4/40; H04W 4/44; H04W 4/80; H04W 72/54

(52) CPC

H04W Wireless communication networks: 72/085, 16/18, 24/08, 36/1446, 4/008, 4/023, 4/025, 4/40, 4/44, 4/80, 48/16, 72/0446, 72/542
G06Q Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes; systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not otherwise provided for: 50/30, 50/40
H04B Transmission: 1/3822
H04L Transmission of digital information, e.g. telegraphic communication: 67/04, 67/12, 67/52, 67/535, 67/60, 67/61, 69/26

(73) Assignee

Uber Technologies Inc

(72) Inventors

William Ross; Michael Aitken

(54) Title

Optimizing communication for automated vehicles

(57) Abstract

A backend system for a fleet of autonomous vehicles (AVs) for a given region can store a spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region. The backend system can dynamically receive network quality data from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region, and dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data.

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Claims (17)

A backend system for communicating with a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) within a given region, the backend system comprising: one or more communication interfaces; one or more processors; and one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the backend system to: store a spectrum heat map in the one or more memory resources, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receive, via the one or more communication interfaces, network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identify a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identify a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determine an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmit the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.
The backend system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map comprises one or more of a 3G, a 4G, a long-term evolution (LTE), or a WiFi network type.
The backend system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises one or more of a WiMax, a WiGig, or a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) network type.
The backend system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises a 900 MHz band network type.
The backend system of claim 1, wherein the executed instructions further cause the backend system to: receive a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identify that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instruct the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.
The backend system of claim 5, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location.
The backend system of claim 1, wherein the executed instructions cause the backend system to determine the optimal connection schedule by identifying, from the corresponding plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route that have a highest respective bandwidth.
A computer-implemented method for managing transportation for a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) within a given region, the method performed by one or more processors of a backend system in communication with the plurality of AVs and comprising: storing a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receiving network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically updating the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identifying a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identifying a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determining an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmitting the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.
The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map comprises one or more of a 3G, a 4G, a long-term evolution (LTE), or a WiFi network type.
The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises one or more of a WiMax, a WiGig, or a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) network type.
The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises a 900 MHz band network type.
The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identifying that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instructing the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.
The method of claim 12, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location.
The method of claim 8, wherein determining the optimal connection schedule comprises identifying, from the corresponding plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route that have a highest respective bandwidth.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a backend system that manages a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) over a given region, cause the backend system to: store a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receive network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identify a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identify a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determine an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmit the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.
The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the executed instructions further cause the backend system to: receive a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identify that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instruct the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.
The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location.

Description

Automated or autonomous vehicles (AVs) may require continuous sensor data processing using an on-board data processing system. Communications between multiple AVs (AV2AV), and between the AVs and a backend system (e.g., a fleet management system), may cause unacceptable transmission delays when the backend system is managing multiple AVs (e.g., a datacenter tracking and sending out AVs throughout a given region or city to facilitate transportation requests). For example, network latency can hinder fluidity in AV operations, thus negatively impacting the rollout of AV usage on public roads and highways.

The disclosure herein is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example communications array for an AV, according to examples described herein;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example AV in communication with a number of proximate AVs and a backend system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example backend system in communication with a number of user devices and AVs;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example network resource map utilized by an example backend system and/or an example AV, as described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example AV tracking and updating system for use in connection with a backend system;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing an example method of managing transportation and network connection timing for a fleet of AVs throughout a given region;

Citations (59)

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Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US9603158B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Optimizing communication for automated vehicles",
  "abstract": "A backend system for a fleet of autonomous vehicles (AVs) for a given region can store a spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region. The backend system can dynamically receive network quality data from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region, and dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A backend system for communicating with a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) within a given region, the backend system comprising: one or more communication interfaces; one or more processors; and one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the backend system to: store a spectrum heat map in the one or more memory resources, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receive, via the one or more communication interfaces, network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identify a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identify a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determine an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmit the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.",
    "2. The backend system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map comprises one or more of a 3G, a 4G, a long-term evolution (LTE), or a WiFi network type.",
    "3. The backend system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises one or more of a WiMax, a WiGig, or a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) network type.",
    "4. The backend system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises a 900 MHz band network type.",
    "5. The backend system of claim 1, wherein the executed instructions further cause the backend system to: receive a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identify that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instruct the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.",
    "6. The backend system of claim 5, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location.",
    "7. The backend system of claim 1, wherein the executed instructions cause the backend system to determine the optimal connection schedule by identifying, from the corresponding plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route that have a highest respective bandwidth.",
    "8. A computer-implemented method for managing transportation for a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) within a given region, the method performed by one or more processors of a backend system in communication with the plurality of AVs and comprising: storing a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receiving network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically updating the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identifying a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identifying a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determining an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmitting the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.",
    "9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map comprises one or more of a 3G, a 4G, a long-term evolution (LTE), or a WiFi network type.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises one or more of a WiMax, a WiGig, or a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) network type.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map further comprises a 900 MHz band network type.",
    "12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identifying that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instructing the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location.",
    "14. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the optimal connection schedule comprises identifying, from the corresponding plurality of network types indicated on the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route that have a highest respective bandwidth.",
    "15. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a backend system that manages a plurality of automated vehicles (AVs) over a given region, cause the backend system to: store a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types sourced at base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receive network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically update the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identify a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the updated spectrum heat map, identify a plurality of the base stations and a corresponding plurality of network types with coverage along the travel route; determine an optimal connection schedule for the selected AV, the optimal connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection; and transmit the optimal connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route.",
    "16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the executed instructions further cause the backend system to: receive a pick-up request from a requesting user in the given region; in response to receiving the pick-up request, identify that the selected AV is proximate to a pick-up location identified in the pick-up request; and instruct the selected AV to travel to the pick-up location to service the pick-up request.",
    "17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the pick-up request further includes a destination location, and wherein the travel route comprises a route from the pick-up location to the destination location."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Automated or autonomous vehicles (AVs) may require continuous sensor data processing using an on-board data processing system. Communications between multiple AVs (AV2AV), and between the AVs and a backend system (e.g., a fleet management system), may cause unacceptable transmission delays when the backend system is managing multiple AVs (e.g., a datacenter tracking and sending out AVs throughout a given region or city to facilitate transportation requests). For example, network latency can hinder fluidity in AV operations, thus negatively impacting the rollout of AV usage on public roads and highways.\n\nThe disclosure herein is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and in which:\n\nFIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example communications array for an AV, according to examples described herein;\n\nFIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example AV in communication with a number of proximate AVs and a backend system;\n\nFIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example backend system in communication with a number of user devices and AVs;\n\nFIG. 4 illustrates an example network resource map utilized by an example backend system and/or an example AV, as described herein;\n\nFIG. 5 illustrates an example AV tracking and updating system for use in connection with a backend system;\n\nFIG. 6 is a flow chart describing an example method of managing transportation and network connection timing for a fleet of AVs throughout a given region;",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 72/085",
    "G06Q 50/30",
    "G06Q 50/40",
    "H04B 1/3822",
    "H04L 67/04",
    "H04L 67/12",
    "H04L 67/52",
    "H04L 67/535",
    "H04L 67/60",
    "H04L 67/61",
    "H04L 69/26",
    "H04W 16/18",
    "H04W 24/08",
    "H04W 36/1446",
    "H04W 4/008",
    "H04W 4/023",
    "H04W 4/025",
    "H04W 4/40",
    "H04W 4/44",
    "H04W 4/80",
    "H04W 48/16",
    "H04W 72/0446",
    "H04W 72/542"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06Q 50/30",
    "H04B 1/3822",
    "H04W 24/08",
    "H04W 4/40",
    "H04W 4/44",
    "H04W 4/80",
    "H04W 72/54"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Uber Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "William Ross",
    "Michael Aitken"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-12-08",
  "publication_date": "2017-03-21",
  "grant_date": "2017-03-21",
  "priority_date": "2015-12-08",
  "application_number": "US-201514962847-A",
  "family_id": "58337258",
  "cited_by_count": 56,
  "citations": [
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}

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