IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,553,722
Granted Patent B2
US 12,553,722 · App. 18/444,880 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

System and method for providing a safe path for an occupant of a vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle

Inventor: Hideki Hada (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
G01C21/206B60W60/0025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,553,722
App. No.
18/444,880
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are systems, methods, and other embodiments for providing a safe path for an occupant of a vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle. In one example, a system includes a processor and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a safe path from a vehicle parked at a parking location to a destination for an occupant of the vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle and provide information regarding the safe path to the occupant of the vehicle.

Claims (43)

1 . A system comprising:

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory including an instruction module having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a path from a vehicle parked in a residential garage to a door leading to a residence associated with the residential garage for an occupant of the vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle;

provide information regarding the path to the occupant of the vehicle; and

provide feedback to the occupant as the occupant moves from the vehicle to the door using the path by monitoring a movement of the occupant along the path using the vehicle sensor data.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instruction module further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

generate a birds-eye-view of an environment that the vehicle is parked within based on the vehicle sensor data and a representation of the path within the birds-eye-view; and

display the birds-eye-view of the environment and the representation of the path to the occupant.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instruction module further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit the information regarding the path to a mobile device that is configured to provide the information regarding the path to the occupant.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instruction module further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

instruct one or more actuators of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to park in the residential garage taking into account an egress need of the occupant.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instruction module further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

generate an electronic representation of an environment that the vehicle is parked; and

update the electronic representation when subsequent vehicle sensor data is obtained.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate the path that has a greater width between objects when the vehicle sensor data indicates that the occupant uses a mobility aid, wherein the mobility aid includes at least one of: a wheelchair and crutches.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the path based on a presence of a detected object in the residential garage and a smell associated with the detected object.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to inquire whether the occupant needs assistance when the occupant is detected as no longer moving along the path.

9 . A method comprising steps of:

determining, based on vehicle sensor data, a path from a vehicle parked in a residential garage to a door leading to a residence associated with the residential garage for an occupant of the vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle;

providing information regarding the path to the occupant of the vehicle; and

providing feedback to the occupant as the occupant moves from the vehicle to the door using the path by monitoring a movement of the occupant along the path using the vehicle sensor data.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising steps of:

generating a birds-eye-view of an environment that the vehicle is parked within based on the vehicle sensor data and a representation of the path within the birds-eye-view; and

displaying the birds-eye-view of the environment and the representation of the path to the occupant.

11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising transmitting the information regarding the path to a mobile device that is configured to provide the information regarding the path to the occupant.

12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising steps of:

instructing one or more actuators of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to park in the residential garage taking into account an egress need of the occupant.

13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic representation of an environment that the vehicle is parked; and

updating the electronic representation when subsequent vehicle sensor data is obtained.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising generating the path that has a greater width between objects when the vehicle sensor data indicates that the occupant uses a mobility aid, wherein the mobility aid includes at least one of: a wheelchair and crutches.

15 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining the path based on a presence of a detected object in the residential garage and a smell associated with the detected object.

16 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising utilizing an audible output device to inquire whether the occupant needs assistance when the occupant is no longer moving along the path.

17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a path from a vehicle parked in a residential garage to a door leading to a residence associated with the residential garage for an occupant of the vehicle to utilize after exiting the vehicle;

provide information regarding the path to the occupant of the vehicle; and

provide feedback to the occupant as the occupant moves from the vehicle to the door using the path by monitoring a movement of the occupant along the path using the vehicle sensor data.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

generate a birds-eye-view of an environment that the vehicle is parked within based on the vehicle sensor data and a representation of the path within the birds-eye-view; and

display the birds-eye-view of the environment and the representation of the path to the occupant.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to inquire whether the occupant needs assistance when the occupant is detected as no longer moving along the path.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate the path that has a greater width between objects when the vehicle sensor data indicates that the occupant uses a mobility aid, wherein the mobility aid includes at least one of: a wheelchair and crutches.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2026
From: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 074397/0543 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2024
From: HADA, HIDEKI
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 066541/0730 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250264335A1 · Aug 21, 2025
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