Method for Obtaining Information about Objects Outside of a Vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining information about traffic-related devices providing variable information, comprising:
- providing a vehicle with a map database including the location of the devices;
determining the location of the vehicle;
as the location of the vehicle is determined to be approaching the location of each device, as known in the database, obtaining an image of the device; and
analyzing the image to determine the status of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system for obtaining information about traffic-related devices providing variable information includes providing a vehicle with a map database including the location of the devices, determining the location of the vehicle, as the location of the vehicle is determined to be approaching the location of each device, as known in the database, obtaining an image of the device, and analyzing the image to determine the status of the device. The vehicle may be controlled based on the status of the device, which is optionally displayed to the driver or other occupant of the vehicle. For example, when the device is a stoplight, the method can detect if the driver of the vehicle is slowing the vehicle when the stoplight is red, and if not, automatically cause the vehicle the slow down or stop.
88 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining information about traffic-related devices providing variable information, comprising:
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providing a vehicle with a map database including the location of the devices; determining the location of the vehicle; as the location of the vehicle is determined to be approaching the location of each device, as known in the database, obtaining an image of the device; and analyzing the image to determine the status of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for obtaining information about traffic-related devices providing variable information, comprising:
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detecting the presence using a vehicle-mounted sensor; obtaining images of the devices using a vehicle-mounted camera; and analyzing the images to determine the status of the devices. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for providing information about a point of interest about which information is sought, comprising:
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obtaining from a person, an indication of a point of interest about which information is sought; determining the location of the point of interest based on the person'"'"'s indication; passing the determined location of the point of interest to a service using the Internet; and receiving information about the point of interest from the service via the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification