System and method for automatically generating and updating waypoint information in real time
View Patent ↗A method and system to automatically change an operation of a vehicle, wherein the change is based upon obtained information associated with a road sign. The system provides accurate information associated with road signs, identified as way points, in real time to a user's navigation system, to a user's cellular telephone and/or to a vehicle computer. The waypoint and associated information would be obtained according to a location of the respective receiving device. The information can be presented on a display of the user's cellular telephone, the GPS navigation system, any other Bluetooth-enabled device, etc. The system can interface with an existing GPS navigation system, a vehicle computer, etc. The process can be adapted to parking, navigation, roadway assistance, emergency conditions, mass transits, and the like.
1. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
creating a database comprising known locations of waypoints, wherein the waypoints include traffic signs and information presented by each respective traffic sign;
determining a location of a vehicle;
detecting traffic signs that are in a vicinity of the location of the vehicle, wherein the detection of the traffic signs is accomplished based upon the determined location of the vehicle and the database;
obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the vehicle using the database;
conveying the information associated with a road sign to a computer integrated into the vehicle; and at least one of:
(a) displaying the information on a display within the vehicle;
(b) automatically causing a change in operation of the vehicle, wherein the change is based upon the obtained information associated with a road sign and speed limit.
2. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying the information on a display within the vehicle is accomplished by displaying the information associated with a road sign on at least one of:
(a) a vehicle display, and
(b) a vehicle navigation system.
3. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the vehicle is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign.
4. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , the vehicle further comprising a wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle, wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the vehicle is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign using the wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle.
5. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the information obtained from the road sign is a speed limit, the method further comprising a step of:
adjusting a vehicle speed in accordance with the speed limit presented by the road sign.
6. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , the method further comprising steps of:
associating a waypoint with a vacant parking space;
conveying waypoints associated with vacant parking spaces to a computer integrated into the vehicle;
informing the user of locations of available parking spaces.
7. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 1 , the method further comprising a step of:
aiding a user in a process of returning to a parking location where the vehicle is parked.
8. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
creating a database comprising known locations of waypoints, wherein the waypoints include traffic signs and information presented by each respective traffic sign;
accessing a driving assistance device;
determining a location of the driving assistance device;
detecting which traffic signs are in a vicinity of the location of the vehicle; wherein the detection of the traffic signs is accomplished based upon the determined location of the vehicle and the database;
obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the driving assistance device using the database; and at least one of:
(a) displaying the information on a display of the driving assistance device;
(b) providing communication between the driving assistance device and a controller computer integrated into a vehicle, automatically causing a change in operation of the vehicle based upon the obtained information associated with a road sign.
9. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , wherein the driving assistance device is at least one of:
(a) a computer integrated into the vehicle,
(b) a vehicle navigation system integrated into the vehicle; and
(c) a cellular phone.
10. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , wherein the step of displaying the information on a display of the driving assistance device is accomplished by displaying the information associated with a road sign on at least one of:
(a) a display within a vehicle display,
(b) a display of a vehicle navigation system, and
(c) a display on a cellular phone.
11. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the driving assistance device is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign.
12. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , the vehicle further comprising a wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle, wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the vehicle is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign using the wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle.
13. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , wherein the information obtained from the road sign is a speed limit, the method further comprising a step of:
adjusting a vehicle speed in accordance with the speed limit presented by the road sign.
14. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , the method further comprising steps of:
associating a waypoint with a vacant parking space;
conveying waypoints associated with vacant parking spaces to the driving assistance device;
informing the user of locations of available parking spaces.
15. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 8 , the method further comprising a step of:
aiding a user in a process of returning to a parking location where the vehicle is parked.
16. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
accessing a driving assistance device, wherein the driving assistance device includes at least one of a Radio Frequency (RF receiver), a Bluetooth receiver, a Wi-Fi receiver, and a cellular communication system;
determining a location of the driving assistance device;
detecting a road sign in a proximity of the driving assistance device using the at least one of the Radio Frequency (RF receiver), the Bluetooth receiver, the Wi-Fi receiver, and the cellular communication system,
obtaining information associated with the road sign in a proximity of the driving assistance device using a respective communication protocol of the at least one of the Radio Frequency (RF receiver), the Bluetooth receiver, the Wi-Fi receiver, and the cellular communication system; and at least one of:
(a) displaying the information on a display of the driving assistance device;
(b) providing communication between the driving assistance device and a controller computer integrated into a vehicle, automatically causing a change in operation of the vehicle based upon the obtained information associated with a road sign.
17. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , wherein the driving assistance device is at least one of:
(a) a computer integrated into the vehicle,
(b) a vehicle navigation system integrated into the vehicle; and
(c) a cellular phone.
18. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , wherein the step of displaying the information on a display of the driving assistance device is accomplished by displaying the information associated with a road sign on at least one of:
(a) a display within a vehicle display,
(b) a display of a vehicle navigation system, and
(c) a display on a cellular phone.
19. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the driving assistance device is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign.
20. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , the vehicle further comprising a wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle, wherein the step of obtaining information associated with a road sign in a proximity of the vehicle is accomplished by receiving a transmission from a wireless transmitting device located proximate the road sign using the wireless receiver integrated into the vehicle.
21. A method contributing to automated driving of a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , wherein the information obtained from the road sign is a speed limit, the method further comprising a step of:
adjusting a vehicle speed in accordance with the speed limit presented by the road sign.
22. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising steps of:
associating a waypoint with a vacant parking space;
conveying waypoints associated with vacant parking spaces to the driving assistance device;
informing the user of locations of available parking spaces.
23. A method of providing assistance during a process of driving a vehicle as recited in claim 16 , the method further comprising a step of:
aiding a user in a process of returning to a parking location where the vehicle is parked.