Virtual Keep-Out Zone Broadcasting for Hazard-Aware Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively communicate or broadcast the boundaries of a keep-out-zone to vehicles to prevent them from driving through or in such zones, especially in situations like accidents or construction sites, which can lead to safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A virtual barrier system that uses a transmitter to broadcast the coordinates of a keep-out-zone to other vehicles, utilizing GPS and sensors to determine and adjust the boundaries dynamically, with optional safety markers to define the zone's perimeter, and integrates with digital maps for real-time updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a keep-out-zone is established to protect vehicles and objects, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for dynamic boundary adjustment and communication

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the keep-out-zone boundaries and dynamically adjusts them based on real-time data from door detectors, proximity detectors, and location detectors. This feedback mechanism ensures safety is maintained while automating the complexity of boundary management, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A transmitter acts as an intermediary to broadcast keep-out-zone boundary information to other vehicles and systems. This mediator component simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the communication function, allowing multiple vehicles to receive safety information without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the keep-out-zone boundaries are dynamically adjusted to accommodate moving vehicles and approaching objects, then safety is improved, but the loss of time increases due to continuous monitoring and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidtime for monitoring and adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively establishes initial keep-out-zone boundaries before vehicles or objects approach, based on predicted trajectories and pre-defined safety parameters. This preliminary action reduces the need for reactive adjustments, minimizing the time required for continuous monitoring and boundary modification while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the keep-out-zone boundaries are expanded to account for approaching objects, then safety is improved, but the loss of time increases due to route adjustments by other vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidroute adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and broadcasts updated keep-out-zone boundaries before objects actually approach, allowing other vehicles to plan alternative routes in advance. This preliminary notification reduces the need for sudden route changes, minimizing the time loss for other vehicles while maintaining expanded safety boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3493180B1Virtual barrier system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 MOTIONAL AD LLC
  • EP3493180B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493180B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493180B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A virtual-barrier system (10) that defines a keep-out-zone (14) for vehicles to avoid includes a transmitter (20), a location-detector (22), and a controller (30). The transmitter (20) is configured to broadcast information regarding a keep-out-zone (14). The location-detector (22) is configured to indicate a location (26) of the transmitter (20). The controller (30) is in communication with the transmitter (20) and the location-detector (22). The controller (30) is configured to determine boundaries (42) of the keep-out-zone (14) in accordance with the location (26), and operate the transmitter (20) to broadcast coordinates (44) of the boundaries (42) of the keep-out-zone (14).