Ice and snow detection systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- activating an ice and snow detection system responsive to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway proximate a vehicle;
receiving data from a plurality of vehicle sensors;
analyzing the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway; and
responsive to identification of ice or snow on the roadway;
adjusting vehicle operations; and
reporting the ice or snow condition to a shared database;
wherein analyzing the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway includes;
determining a current height of the roadway surface;
comparing the current height of the roadway surface to a previously recorded height of the roadway surface; and
determining that ice or snow is present on the roadway when the current height of the roadway surface is greater than the previously recorded height of the roadway surface.
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Abstract
Example ice and snow detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method activates an ice and snow detection system in response to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway near a vehicle. The method receives data from multiple vehicle sensors and analyzes the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway. If ice or snow is identified on the roadway, the method adjusts vehicle operations and reports the ice or snow condition to a shared database.
9 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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activating an ice and snow detection system responsive to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway proximate a vehicle; receiving data from a plurality of vehicle sensors; analyzing the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway; and responsive to identification of ice or snow on the roadway; adjusting vehicle operations; and reporting the ice or snow condition to a shared database; wherein analyzing the received data to identify ice or snow on the roadway includes; determining a current height of the roadway surface; comparing the current height of the roadway surface to a previously recorded height of the roadway surface; and determining that ice or snow is present on the roadway when the current height of the roadway surface is greater than the previously recorded height of the roadway surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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activating an ice and snow detection system responsive to receiving weather data indicating a likelihood of ice or snow on a roadway proximate a vehicle; receiving image data from a vehicle-mounted camera; receiving LIDAR data from a vehicle-mounted LIDAR system; analyzing the received image data and LIDAR data to identify ice or snow on the roadway; and responsive to identification of ice or snow on the roadway, performing at least one of the following;
reducing the speed of the vehicle, engaging clutches for a 4-wheel-drive system, avoiding sudden vehicle speed changes, and avoiding sudden turning of the front wheels of the vehicle;wherein analyzing the received image data and LIDAR data includes; determining a current road geometry of the roadway surface; comparing the current road geometry of the roadway surface to a previously recorded road geometry of the roadway surface; and determining that ice or snow is present on the roadway if the current road geometry of the roadway surface is more irregular than the previously recorded road geometry of the roadway surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a camera configured to capture image data of an area ahead of a vehicle; a LIDAR system configured to capture LIDAR data associated with the area ahead of the vehicle; and an ice and snow detection system configured to analyze the image data and LIDAR data to identify ice or snow in the area ahead of the vehicle, wherein the ice and snow detection system is further configured to adjust at least one vehicle operation based on identification of ice or snow in a roadway surface ahead of the vehicle; wherein the ice and snow detection system is further configured to; determine a current height of the roadway surface; compare the current height of the roadway surface to a previously recorded height of the roadway surface; and when the current height of the roadway surface is greater than the previously recorded height of the roadway surface, determine that ice or snow is present on the roadway determine a current road geometry of the roadway surface; compare the current road geometry of the roadway surface to a previously recorded road geometry of the roadway surface; and when the current road geometry of the roadway surface is more irregular than the previously recorded road geometry of the roadway surface, determine that ice or snow is present on the roadway. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification