Path Driving Assistance Using Shared Hazard Data Ahead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers face challenges in navigating paths with limited visibility due to environmental conditions or terrain, leading to potential accidents from unexpected sharp curves, road hazards, and obstacles that are not visible ahead.

Innovation Solution

A driving assistance system that uses communication devices to establish channels between vehicles and communication networks, sharing data on road surface characteristics and hazards, and generating alert information for drivers through graphical displays, enabling them to anticipate and respond to unseen sections of the path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If drivers rely on direct visibility to navigate paths, then they can respond to immediate road conditions, but they cannot detect hazards beyond their line of sight such as sharp curves, road hazards, and obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of road conditionsVSAvoidsafety in navigating paths
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of road conditions, hazards, and path characteristics using sensors and communication devices before the vehicle reaches those sections. Alert information is generated in advance and transmitted to the driver, enabling proactive response rather than reactive response to visible hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Communication devices and networks act as intermediaries to transfer information about road conditions from locations beyond direct visibility to the driver's current position. The system mediates between the driver's limited field of view and the actual road conditions ahead by relaying sensor data and hazard information through communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If drivers brake hard when unexpected sharp curves appear, then they can avoid accidents, but the vehicle may under-steer or over-steer resulting in accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident avoidanceVSAvoidvehicle control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects sharp curves and path changes in advance using sensors and communication devices, generating alert information before the vehicle encounters them. This allows the driver to prepare and apply gradual braking or steering adjustments rather than sudden, forceful corrections that cause loss of control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vehicle position, speed, and road conditions, providing real-time feedback to the driver through alert information. This feedback loop enables the driver to make smooth, controlled adjustments based on upcoming conditions rather than reactive, forceful corrections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system shares data on road surface characteristics and hazards with multiple vehicles, then driver safety is enhanced, but communication network requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidcommunication system requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication devices and networks are designed to serve multiple functions: detecting road conditions, transmitting hazard information, providing navigation assistance, and enabling vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Vehicles equipped with the system contribute their own sensor data and communication capabilities to the network, reducing the burden on central infrastructure. Each vehicle acts as both a receiver and transmitter of information, enabling distributed data collection and sharing without requiring extensive centralized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3347254B1System and method for driving assistance along a path
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3347254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3347254B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3347254B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A

AI summary

Various aspects of a system and method for driving assistance along a path are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, a unique identifier is received from a communication device at an electronic control unit (ECU) of a first vehicle. The unique identifier is received when the first vehicle has reached a first location along a first portion of the path. A communication channel is established between the first vehicle and the communication device based on the received unique identifier. Data associated with a second portion of the path is received by the ECU from the communication device based on the established communication channel. Alert information associated with the second portion of the path is generated by the ECU based on the received data.