Dynamic Vehicle Speed Limits Using Real-Time Road Condition Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Static speed limits fail to adapt to real-time road conditions, leading to inefficiencies and safety issues, as they are based on outdated assumptions and do not account for variables such as traffic congestion, weather, or road hazards.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic speed limit system in vehicles that uses real-time data from various communication points through federated learning to predict and adjust speed limits based on current road conditions, allowing for adaptive and optimized driving speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static speed limits are used, then simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but adaptability to real-time road conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to real-time road conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed limits that automatically adjust based on real-time road conditions, traffic data, and environmental factors. The system transitions from static, fixed speed limits to dynamic, adaptive speed limits that change in response to current driving conditions, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the speed limit system dynamic rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously collects real-time data from multiple sources including traffic sensors, weather stations, and road condition monitors, then uses this feedback to adjust speed limits dynamically. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If static speed limits are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but driving safety deteriorates due to outdated conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidease of speed limit adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors road conditions, processes data from multiple sources, and adjusts speed limits without requiring manual intervention from drivers or traffic authorities. This self-service capability continuously optimizes safety by adapting to real-time conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated management of the complex decision-making process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively adjusts speed limits before hazardous conditions develop or worsen by monitoring predictive indicators such as weather forecasts, traffic patterns, and road condition trends. This preliminary action enables the system to prevent safety issues before they arise while maintaining smooth traffic flow and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic speed limits with federated learning are implemented, then adaptability and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing conditionsVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex federated learning system into distributed components across multiple vehicles and infrastructure elements. Each participant performs local computations on their own data, then shares only model updates or aggregated results rather than raw data. This segmentation reduces the computational burden on any single device while maintaining the overall adaptability and safety benefits of federated learning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11823568B2Dynamic speed limit for vehicles and autonomous vehicles
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA INC
  • US11823568B2 patent drawing
  • US11823568B2 patent drawing
  • US11823568B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for operating a vehicle using dynamic speed limits. A vehicle can monitor current road conditions by capturing real-time data that is indicative of a driving environment associated with a roadway being traversed by the vehicle. Using the captured real-time data, the vehicle can predict a dynamic speed limit, wherein the dynamic speed limit is a driving speed for the vehicle that is adapted for the monitored current road conditions. Additionally, the vehicle can automatically perform a driving operation for the vehicle in accordance with the dynamic speed limit, wherein the driving operation causes the vehicle to move at a driving speed that is approximately equal to the predicted dynamic speed limit.