SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HAZARD DETECTION AND SHARING

• US 20130325325A1
• Filed: 05/30/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Djugash, Joseph Maria Angelo
• Granted Patent: US 9,031,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/425
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/012 from other sources than vehicle or roadside beacons, e.g. mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0129 for creating historical data or processing based on historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/02 using treadles built into the road pads or other sensitive devices responsive to passage of vehicles E01F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

A system and method for a navigation system including a hazard avoidance feature is disclosed. The system and method allows for professionals, civilians, vehicles, robots and computer systems to collaborate and share information regarding hazards, defects, obstacles, flaws, and other abnormalities that exist in any environment. Routes may be planned that avoid these hazards reducing lost time or frustration. Moreover, the system and method is configured for participants to detect, catalog, and share information related to obstacles.

Claims

1. A computer-based method comprising the steps of:

receiving data associated with a hazard detected by a sensor;

updating a database with the data associated with the hazard; and

receiving a request for updated hazard information within a geographic boundary from a navigation device, wherein the navigation device calculates a proposed route based on a destination and the updated hazard information, wherein the proposed route is filtered by the user of the navigation device based on a class of hazards desired to be at least one of avoided or receive notification regarding.

2. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the hazard is at least one of a geographic hazard, issue in need of repair, an impediment to rate of travel, an impediment to safety, a nuisance, a detour or a strain on travel.

3. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the hazard affects the time needed to reach the destination.

4. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a provider of the data associated with the hazard in response to the hazard being at least one of removed or investigated.

5. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a responsible repair person of the hazard.

6. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the hazard is at least one of located in a building, on a path, in a park, or in a public space.

7. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein aspects of the computer-based method are provided by a mobile app.

8. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least one of an image sensor, a vibration sensor, a sound sensor, a proximity detector, a position detector, a force sensor, a distance sensor, a laser scanner or a radar sensor.

9. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the hazard is not associated with vehicle travel on a road.

10. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the data associated with the hazard in response to receiving data associated with the hazard from a repair person responsible for the hazard'"'"'s repair.

11. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising verifying the identity of the user providing the data associated with the hazard.

12. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the navigation device is configured to display the proposed route on a display.

13. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting updated hazard information to the navigation device in substantially real-time.

14. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein hazards are selected for the user of the navigation device based on a user profile.

15. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is integral to a vehicle, a robot, a drone, a computer, a mobile device, a navigation device, or a stand alone unit.

16. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the hazard detected by the sensor is passively reported to the database.

17. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the hazard detected by the sensor is validated by a trusted source prior to being populated on the proposed route.

18. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the hazard is collected passively.

19. A system comprising:

a processor configured to identify hazards,

a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the processor,

the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving, by the processor, data associated with a hazard detected by a sensor;

updating, by the processor, a database with the data associated with the hazard; and

receiving, by the processor, a request for updated hazard information within a geographic boundary from a navigation device, wherein the navigation device calculates a proposed route based on a destination and the updated hazard information, wherein the proposed route is filtered by a user of the navigation device based on a class of hazards desired to be at least one of avoided or receive notification regarding.

20. An article of manufacture including a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a computer-based system configured to identify hazards, cause the computer-based system to perform operations comprising:

receiving, by the computer-based system, data associated with a hazard detected by a sensor;

updating, by the computer-based system, a database with the data associated with the hazard; and

receiving, by the computer-based system, a request for updated hazard information within a geographic boundary from a navigation device, wherein the navigation device calculates a proposed route based on a destination and the updated hazard information, wherein the proposed route is filtered by a user of the navigation device based on a class of hazards desired to be at least one of avoided or receive notification regarding.