Vehicle Congestion Notification System for Wait Time Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation applications do not provide notifications for increased wait times at destinations, making it difficult for users to determine if and when to depart or continue to their destination.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize an electronic control unit in a vehicle to determine the number of vehicles at or within a threshold distance of an establishment, identify the establishment as a destination, and provide notifications when the vehicle count exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating potential excessive wait times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If navigation applications provide navigation instructions and destination information, then users can navigate to destinations, but users cannot receive notifications about increased wait times at destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewait time informationVSAvoidsystem functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only provides navigation instructions and destination information but also monitors vehicle counts at destinations and sends notifications about expected wait times. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding wait time information capability without requiring a completely separate system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the number of vehicles at destinations and provides feedback to users through notifications. When the vehicle count exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system sends a notification informing users of increased wait times, enabling them to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If users do not receive notifications about congestion levels, then navigation remains simple, but users cannot determine when to depart or continue to destinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrip planning capabilityVSAvoidtime wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of vehicle counts at destinations and sends notifications before users arrive. This allows users to plan their trips in advance by knowing expected wait times, enabling them to depart at optimal times and avoid unnecessary time wastage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides timely feedback about congestion levels through notifications, allowing users to adjust their departure times or continue to destinations based on real-time information about vehicle counts and expected wait times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20210225164A1Systems and methods for determining levels of congestion at establishments

Publication Date: 2021.07.22 TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining a level of congestion and notifying a user of increased wait times are provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to determine a number of vehicles at or within a threshold distance of an establishment, determine that the establishment is a destination of a vehicle, and provide a notification in response to determining the number of vehicles at or within the threshold distance of the establishment exceeds a predetermined threshold and determining the establishment is the destination of the vehicle.