Mobile Device Wrong-Way Driving Detection via Geofencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrong-way driving detection systems are costly and not widely implemented due to high setup and maintenance costs, limiting their availability on roadways, particularly on limited access highways where such collisions are most dangerous.

Innovation Solution

A method using a mobile device to define geofenced regions on roadways and determine the vehicle's location and bearing direction, comparing it to the proper direction for that region, and alerting the driver or authorities if traveling in the wrong direction, thereby reducing the need for expensive infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radar and closed-circuit camera systems are implemented to detect wrong-way drivers, then detection capability is improved, but system cost and maintenance requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrong-way driver detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem implementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) as copies or substitutes for expensive dedicated detection infrastructure. Instead of installing radar and camera systems, the invention leverages the GPS, accelerometer, and processor of commonly owned mobile devices to perform wrong-way driving detection, thereby eliminating the need for costly specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device performs self-detection by using its own sensors (GPS receiver, accelerometer, gyroscope) and onboard processor to determine its location, bearing, and direction of travel. The device compares its own data against geofenced region definitions to autonomously detect wrong-way driving conditions without requiring external detection infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If warning systems with sensors are installed on roadways, then wrong-way driver detection is improved, but maintenance costs and roadway shutdowns for testing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system availabilityVSAvoidroadway shutdown time for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (radar, cameras, physical sensors installed on roadways) with electronic software-based detection using mobile device sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for physical infrastructure that requires maintenance and roadway shutdowns, as the detection capability moves with the mobile device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If geofenced regions are defined over roadway portions, then wrong-way driving detection accuracy is improved, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrong-way driving detection accuracyVSAvoidmobile device processing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The geofenced region definitions, including boundary coordinates and proper bearing directions, are predetermined and stored in the mobile device or accessible via download before the driving trip begins. This preliminary preparation allows the device to perform simple real-time comparisons without complex calculations during actual driving, minimizing energy consumption during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a cost-effective means to detect and alert drivers of wrong-way driving, potentially reducing collisions by leveraging existing mobile devices and infrastructure, while minimizing the need for extensive and costly hardware installations.

Implementation Method 1

determining a present location of the mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSatellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 2

determining a present bearing direction by the mobile device for the present location of the mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSatellite-based bearing determination:

Data Source

PatentUS11127288B2Wrong way driving detection

Publication Date: 2021.09.21 GEOTOLL INC

AI summary

A mobile device includes an application program that is capable of determining location and a bearing direction of travel. Further, the application program is associated with a back end server that can receive definitions of local geofenced regions, including regions over roadways that indicate the proper bearing direction of traffic for vehicles in those defined regions. The application program monitors its location, which is also the location of a vehicle in which the device is traveling, and compares it with geofenced regions. When the vehicle is within a geofenced region having a traffic direction indication, the application program compares the present bearing direction with that indicated for the geofenced region. When the comparison indicates the vehicle in the wrong direction, the mobile device emits one or more alerts to indicate that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction for that traffic lane.