IP Library Granted Patent US 9,810,540
Granted Patent B1
US 9,810,540 · App. 14/813,822 · Granted Nov 7, 2017

Map reports from vehicles in the field

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,810,540
App. No.
14/813,822
Granted
Nov 7, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for assessing validity of a map using image data collected by a laser sensor along a vehicle path. The method may compile image data received from the laser sensor. The map subject to assessment may define an area prohibiting entry by a vehicle.

Claims (41)

1. A method for assessing validity of a map, comprising:

determining, by one or more processors of a vehicle, a plurality of locations of the vehicle along a path traveled by the vehicle, using environmental image data captured by a sensor of the vehicle;

determining, by the one or more processors, a trajectory of the vehicle based solely on the determined plurality of locations;

comparing, by the one or more processors, the trajectory with a map of a same area as the trajectory;

assessing, by the one or more processors, validity of the map based on the comparison by determining whether the map includes a plausible path consistent with the trajectory;

maneuvering the vehicle based on the assessed validity of the map; and

transmitting a signal to a server indicating that the map is invalid when the map does not include the plausible path consistent with the trajectory.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting, by the one or more processors, the signal to the server via a network indicating a result of the assessing.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the map includes an area prohibiting entry for travel.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a laser sensor, a Global Positioning System sensor, or a camera.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a signal to the server indicating that the map is valid when the map includes the plausible path consistent with the trajectory.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the one or more processors, a current location of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising assessing, by the one or more processors, validity of the map also based on whether the map includes a plausible location consistent with the current location of the vehicle.

8. A system for assessing validity of a map, comprising:

one or more computing devices having one or more processors; and

memory storing a map associated with a vehicle path and instructions executable by the one or more processors to:

determine by a vehicle a plurality of locations of the vehicle along a path traveled by the vehicle, using environmental image data captured by a sensor of the vehicle;

determine a trajectory of the vehicle based solely on the determined plurality of locations;

compare the trajectory to a map of a same area as the trajectory;

assess validity of the map based on the comparison by determining whether the map includes a plausible path consistent with the trajectory;

maneuver the vehicle based on the assessed validity of the map; and

transmit a signal to a server indicating that the map is invalid when the map does not include the plausible path consistent with the trajectory.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the map includes an area prohibiting entry for travel.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to transmit the signal to the server via a network indicating a result of the assessing.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a laser sensor, a global positioning unit, or a camera.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to transmit a signal to the server indicating that the map is valid when the map includes the plausible path consistent with the trajectory.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to determine a current location of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to assess validity of the map also based on whether the map includes include a plausible location consistent with the current location of the vehicle.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

determine by a vehicle a plurality of locations of the vehicle along a path traveled by vehicle, using environmental image data captured by a sensor of the vehicle;

determine a trajectory of the vehicle based solely on the determined plurality of locations;

compare the trajectory to the map;

assess validity of the map based on the comparison by determining whether the map includes a plausible path consistent with the trajectory;

maneuver the vehicle based on the assessed validity of the map; and

transmit a signal to a server indicating that the map is invalid when the map does not include the plausible path consistent with the trajectory.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the map includes an area prohibiting entry for travel.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to transmit the signal to the server via a network indicating a result of the assessing.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises data from at least one of a laser sensor, a global positioning unit, or a camera.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to determine a current location of the vehicle.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to assess validity of the map also based on whether the map includes include a plausible location consistent with the current location of the vehicle.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2017
From: WAYMO HOLDING INC.
To: WAYMO LLC
Reel/Frame 042108/0021 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: WAYMO HOLDING INC.
Reel/Frame 042099/0935 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2015
From: CHATHAM, ANDREW HUGHES
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 036834/0031 →