阅读说明：本技术 用于进入乘用交通工具的危险缓解 (risk mitigation for entering a passenger vehicle ) 是由 古萨姆·肖林格 金尼什·J·简 于 2019-06-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“用于进入乘用交通工具的危险缓解”。一种用于缓解进入乘用交通工具的危险的方法。所述方法包括用一个或多个传感器检测接近交通工具的区域中的危险状况。处理器可以计算对应于所述危险状况的安全度量,并且相对于预定阈值分析所述安全度量。在所述安全度量满足所述预定阈值的情况下,可以自动地通知交通工具乘员所述危险状况。本文还公开并要求保护对应的系统。(The present disclosure provides "hazard mitigation for entering a passenger vehicle. A method for mitigating the risk of entering a passenger vehicle. The method includes detecting a hazardous condition in an area proximate to a vehicle with one or more sensors. The processor may calculate a safety metric corresponding to the hazardous condition and analyze the safety metric against a predetermined threshold. In the event that the safety metric satisfies the predetermined threshold, a vehicle occupant may be automatically notified of the hazardous condition. Corresponding systems are also disclosed and claimed herein.)

1. A method, comprising:

detecting, via at least one sensor, a hazardous condition in an area proximate to a vehicle;

Calculating, via a processor, a safety metric corresponding to the hazardous condition;

Analyzing, via the processor, the security metric relative to a predetermined threshold; and

Automatically notifying a vehicle occupant of the hazardous condition if the safety metric satisfies the predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing an environment external to the vehicle via the at least one sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the region comprises a region substantially adjacent to at least one of a door and a trunk of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, via the processor, the hazardous condition.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the safety metric comprises assigning a score to the hazardous condition, and accumulating the score for more than one hazardous condition.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically notifying the vehicle occupant comprises utilizing at least one of a heads-up display, a text message, an audible notification, and an email message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically repositioning the vehicle to avoid the hazardous condition.

8. A system, comprising:

At least one processor; and

At least one memory device coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions for execution on the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to:

Detecting, via at least one sensor, a hazardous condition in an area proximate to a vehicle;

Calculating a safety metric corresponding to the hazardous condition;

Analyzing the security metric relative to a predetermined threshold; and

Notifying a vehicle occupant of the hazardous condition if the safety metric satisfies the predetermined threshold.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to sense an environment external to the vehicle via the at least one sensor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the region comprises a region substantially adjacent to at least one of a door and a trunk of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to identify the hazardous condition.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein calculating the safety metric comprises assigning a score to the hazardous condition, and accumulating the score for more than one hazardous condition.

13. the system of claim 8, wherein automatically notifying the vehicle occupant comprises at least one of a heads-up display, a text message, an audible notification, and an email message.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to automatically reposition the vehicle to avoid the hazardous condition.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

Technical Field

the invention relates to a system and a method for avoiding hazards.

Background

Passenger comfort and safety are primary goals for modern vehicle manufacturers as consumer demand for both is increasing. The convenience of entering and leaving passenger cars is a key component of customer acceptance and product differentiation. Thus, successful vehicle design requires an ergonomically comfortable vehicle with functional and safety passenger-vehicle interaction.

In addition to acceptable passenger-vehicle interaction, safe and comfortable passenger ingress and egress depends on the ground or surface in the vicinity of the vehicle being sufficient to enable safe passenger ingress into the vehicle. To this end, some vehicle or OEM manufacturers provide lighting modules or "gated floor lights" to illuminate the ground beside the vehicle when the passenger doors are open. The purpose of such a portal illumination lamp is to prevent the driver or passenger from stepping into a pit or other hazard when entering or leaving the vehicle.

however, the individual gated floor lights do not independently mitigate or prevent ingress or egress type accidents. In fact, passengers must still physically inspect the ground to identify dangerous conditions such as mud, water, spilled beverages, rocks, and the like. In the event that the passenger identifies such a dangerous condition, the passenger must timely inform the driver of the problem in order for the driver to reposition the vehicle before the passenger physically encounters a danger.

Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods that automatically identify and mitigate potential hazards to passengers entering or exiting a vehicle. Ideally, such a system and method would automatically detect various hazards in proximity to vehicles and notify passengers of such hazards without requiring physical inspection of the facility. Such systems and methods may also automatically readjust vehicle positions to correct for such hazards and improve the safety and convenience of passengers entering or exiting the vehicle.

disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for mitigating potential hazards to occupants entering or exiting a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method according to the present disclosure may involve detecting a hazardous condition in an area proximate a vehicle using one or more sensors. The region may comprise, for example, a region substantially adjacent to a door and/or trunk of the vehicle. The processor may calculate a safety metric corresponding to the condition, and may analyze the safety metric relative to a predetermined threshold. If the safety metric meets a predetermined threshold, the vehicle occupant may be automatically notified of the hazardous condition. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be automatically repositioned to avoid the hazardous condition.

Drawings

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram illustrating one example of a computing system in which systems and methods consistent with the invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a vehicle approaching a hazard in a parking lot in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle identifying a hazard in a passenger access zone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a hazard located in a passenger access zone according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a table showing scores assigned to various hazards, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for hazard mitigation in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hazard warning displayed on the exterior of a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, one example of a computing system 100 is shown. Computing system 100 is presented to illustrate one example of an environment in which systems and methods in accordance with this invention may be implemented. The computing system 100 may be embodied as a mobile device 100, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, desktop computer, workstation, server, or the like. The computing system 100 is presented as an example and is not intended to be limiting. Indeed, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be applicable to a variety of different computing systems in addition to the computing system 100 shown. The systems and methods disclosed herein may also potentially be distributed across multiple computing systems 100.

as shown, computing system 100 includes at least one processor 102, and may include more than one processor 102. The processor 102 may be operatively connected to the memory 104. Memory 104 may include one or more non-volatile storage devices, such as hard disk drive 104a, solid state drive 104a, CD-ROM drive 104a, DVD-ROM drive 104a, tape drive 104a, or the like. The memory 104 may also include non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory 104b (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/or flash ROM), or volatile memory, such as random access memory 104c (RAM or arithmetic memory). The bus 106 or buses 106 may interconnect the processors 102, memory devices 104, and other devices to enable data and/or instructions to be communicated between them.

To enable communication with external systems or devices, computing system 100 may include one or more ports 108. Such ports 108 may be embodied as wired ports 108 (e.g., USB ports, serial ports, firewire ports, SCSI ports, parallel ports, etc.) or wireless ports 108 (e.g., bluetooth, IrDA, etc.). The port 108 may enable communication with one or more input devices 110 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screen, camera, microphone, scanner, storage device, etc.) and output devices 112 (e.g., display, monitor, speaker, printer, storage device, etc.). The port 108 may also enable communication with other computing systems 100.

In certain embodiments, computing system 100 includes a wired or wireless network adapter 114 to connect computing system 100 to a network 116, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. Such a network 116 may enable the computing system 100 to connect to one or more servers 118, workstations 120, personal computers 120, mobile computing devices, or other devices. The network 116 may also enable the computing system 100 to connect to another network through a router 122 or other device 122. Such a router 122 may allow the computing system 100 to communicate with servers, workstations, personal computers, or other devices located on different networks.

As previously mentioned, safe and comfortable vehicle entry is very important to the overall passenger experience and severely impacts overall customer acceptance and product differentiation. While gated floor lights have been developed to improve the safe entry of vehicles by illuminating the area near the vehicle, such lights are not sufficient to prevent passengers from inadvertently encountering dangerous conditions. In fact, the passenger still has to train awareness of attention and avoiding danger. The system and method according to the present invention addresses these deficiencies by automatically identifying and mitigating potential hazards to passengers entering or exiting the vehicle.

As used herein, the term "vehicle" refers to any autonomous, semi-autonomous, or non-autonomous passenger vehicle, including cars, trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, carts, planes, subway vehicles, and the like.

Referring now to fig. 2, some embodiments of an environment 200 for automatically identifying and mitigating vehicle ingress hazards may include an autonomous, semi-autonomous, or non-autonomous passenger vehicle 202. The vehicle 202 may include one or more sensor arrays 208 to sense the external environment. Such sensors 208 may include, for example, camera sensors, lidar sensors, radar sensors, position or GPS sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, and the like.

In some embodiments, the sensor 208 may intermittently or continuously scan the external environment to detect the presence of a potential hazard in close proximity to the vehicle 202. The information collected from the various sensors 208 can be wirelessly transmitted to a locally or remotely located server or processor associated with the vehicle 202 via WiFi, the internet, or other communication methods known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, a vehicle 202 having a sensor array 208 may be proximate to a desired parking lot 204. Certain sensors 208 may be positioned substantially adjacent to the front end of the vehicle 202. Such a sensor 208 may thus detect spilled material 206 in an adjacent parking lot 210 when the vehicle 202 approaches the parking lot 204. This information can be transmitted to a server or processor on the vehicle 202 for analysis.

In some embodiments, as discussed in more detail below, the server or processor may analyze the identity of the spilled material 206, as well as its location relative to the parked vehicle 202. For example, in one embodiment, the server or processor may identify the spilled material 206 as an oil spill. The server or processor may also identify a region of interest associated with the parked vehicle 202. The region of interest may correspond to, for example, an area adjacent to one or more vehicle 202 doors.

As discussed in detail below, using the identity of the spilled material 206 and its location within the area of interest, the server or processor may execute an algorithm to determine a safety metric for the vehicle 202. If the safety metric exceeds a predetermined value, actual or expected occupants of the vehicle 202 may be notified of the hazard. Thus, the vehicle occupant may be able to avoid hazards during ingress or egress to the vehicle 202. In some embodiments, when the vehicle 202 is repositioned, the vehicle occupant may be further instructed to remain in the vehicle 202, and the vehicle 202 may be automatically or manually repositioned to a better location.

Referring now to fig. 3, in some embodiments, an environment 300 for automatically identifying and mitigating hazards to vehicle entry may include a vehicle 302 having sensors 304a, 304b, 304c located at various locations on the vehicle 302. For example, as shown, the vehicle 302 may include a first array 304a of forward facing sensors, a second array 304b of sensors mounted near the vehicle door 310, and a third array 304a of sensors mounted to a side view mirror and directed proximate to an access area or region of interest 306 of the vehicle 302. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensor arrays 304a, 304b, 304c may include camera sensors to collect image data from the external environment. Of course, other types of sensors, such as lidar sensors, radar sensors, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc., may also be used to collect data from the external environment.

In certain embodiments, the vehicle 302 can utilize GPS or map data to access the passenger boarding or disembarking locations 312. As the vehicle 302 approaches the location 312, the various arrays 304a, 304b, 304c of on-board sensors may collect data from the external environment for further processing. As shown, for example, the second array 304b of sensors mounted near the vehicle door 310 and the third array 304c of camera sensors mounted to the side view mirrors may collect data when the vehicle 302 is directly near the location 312, while the first array 304a of forward camera sensors may be used to identify an obstacle that the vehicle 302 enters when the vehicle 302 is approaching the location 312. In some embodiments, the vehicle 302 may include sensors located proximate to the rear or trunk area of the vehicle 302 to identify obstacles that may be encountered when approaching an object in the trunk.

in one embodiment, the various arrays 304a, 304b, 304c of on-board sensors may transmit the collected data to a server or processor that is locally or remotely located. Communication of such information may be triggered by the vehicle 302 reaching a predetermined speed or stopping.

In certain embodiments, the server or processor may detect objects or other potential hazards 308 within the area of interest 306 proximate to the actual or expected vehicle 302 location 312. Potential hazards 308 may include, for example, puddles, mud, spilled beverages, groceries, rocks, bushes, steep or uneven surfaces, ice, holes submerged in water, metal grids, and the like. Such objects or potential hazards 308 may be detected by the sensors 304a, 304b, 304c and identified using object or leak detection algorithms, depth maps, and other such techniques known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the hazard 308 identification data may be utilized in conjunction with other data (such as location, size, weather conditions, available free space, maximum available door opening angle, etc. of hazard 308) to calculate a security metric for passenger ingress/egress.

For example, in some embodiments, the server or processor may define a passenger entry zone 314 within the area of interest 306. The passenger entry zone 314 may be located proximate to the vehicle 302 and may define an area where passengers must walk into or out of the vehicle 302. As discussed in more detail below, objects or hazards 308 within the passenger entry zone 314 may be weighted more heavily than those objects or hazards outside of the passenger entry zone 314, as they pose a greater hazard to the intended or actual vehicle 302 occupant.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, an environment 400 in accordance with the present systems and methods may include a sensor array 406 to detect objects 410 and/or hazards 408 within a passenger entry zone 402. As previously described, the sensor array 406 may be onboard or otherwise associated with the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the sensor array 406 may be positioned adjacent a boarding or loading platform of a public vehicle, such as a train, bus, airplane, or subway, or may be positioned adjacent a vehicle parking lot in an hangar or parking lot.

In any case, one or more sensors 406 or sensor arrays may be oriented to detect objects 410 and/or hazards 408 within the passenger entry zone 402. In some embodiments, the sensor array 406 may be oriented to detect objects 410 and/or hazards 408 in an area of interest that is larger than and includes the passenger entry area 402. The location of objects 410 and/or hazards 408 within passenger access zone 402 and the size of these objects 410 and/or hazards 408 relative to passenger access zone 402 may determine whether passenger access zone 402 provides sufficient safety and comfort for actual or potential vehicle occupant traversal.

For example, in certain embodiments, sensor array 406 may detect a soda tank 410 and an overflow liquid 408 within passenger entry zone 402. An associated server or processor may analyze the sensor data and assign scores to various factors to determine whether the passenger entry zone 402 meets a predetermined threshold for safety and comfort.

In one embodiment, a predetermined safety threshold of twenty-five (25) points may be established and used to determine an appropriate response to the detected hazard. For example, an autonomous vehicle may be parked near the curb of a restaurant to allow a vehicle occupant to exit the vehicle. The exterior may be snowing and obstacles greater than half of the passenger access zone may be located outside the vehicle door.

A server or processor associated with the autonomous vehicle may utilize data collected from the sensors 406 to detect the presence of snow and identify obstacles or hazards as the soda canister 410 and the spilled liquid 408. The server or processor may also utilize the sensor data to determine that the combined obstruction is greater than half the width of the passenger access zone 402 and that the obstruction is more than 20% to the left or right of the center of the passenger access zone 402.

Each of these factors may be associated with a predetermined score. For example, snow may be +10 points, obstacles may exist as +10 points, obstacles greater than half the width of the passenger entry zone may be +10 points, and obstacles more than 20% to the left or right of the center of the passenger entry zone may be +5 points. The individual scores may be accumulated as a total score of thirty-five (35) points. Since the total score of 35 points exceeds a predetermined threshold of 25 points, a notification may be provided to the vehicle occupant and, in some embodiments, the vehicle may be repositioned to avoid the detected obstacle.

Referring now to fig. 5, in one embodiment, a table 500 in accordance with the present invention may assign a safety metric 514 to each potential hazard or obstacle identified in an area of interest or passenger access area. The security metric 514 may be a point value or other score assigned to the hazard. In certain embodiments, the safety metric 514 may be an accumulation of point values 512 assigned to various factors, conditions, and/or parameters present in the area of interest or passenger access area.

For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the factors, conditions and/or parameters of the hazard detected in the area of interest or passenger entry zone may be divided into several categories. Categories of potential hazards may include, for example, environmental conditions 502, obstacle parameters 504, the nature of the obstacle 506, and other factors 508. A point value 512 may be assigned to each factor, condition, or parameter within each category.

As shown, environmental conditions 502 may include, for example, rain, snow, sleet, and ice, where rain is assigned a point value of five (5) 512, snow is assigned a point value of ten (10) 512, sleet is assigned a point value of fifteen (15) 512, and ice is assigned a point value of fifteen (15) 512.

under the category of obstacle parameters 504, a point value 512 of ten (10) may be assigned if the obstacle exists, a point value 512 of ten (10) may be assigned if the obstacle is in the center of the passenger access zone, a point value 512 of five (5) may be assigned if the obstacle exceeds 20% on the left or right side of the passenger access zone, a point value 512 of ten (10) may be assigned if the obstacle is greater than half the width of the passenger access zone, and a point value 512 of five (5) may be assigned if the obstacle is less than or equal to half the width of the passenger access zone.

For the barrier properties 506 category, solid barriers such as dust or rock may be assigned a point value 512 of five (5), while liquid barriers such as spills or oil spills may be assigned a point value 512 of ten (10). Under the other factors 508 category, the door swing constraint may be assigned a point value 512 of ten (10), and a point value 512 of five (5) may be assigned to leaves physically obstructing the view of passengers into the zone.

The point value 512 assigned to each factor may be accumulated to provide a security level 510 with a corresponding security metric 514 or total point value 512. The security metric 514 may be compared to a predetermined threshold to determine an appropriate response.

In certain embodiments, for example, if the safety metrics 514 indicate that there is no danger outside of the vehicle, actual or potential vehicle occupants may be so notified, and the vehicle may enable the occupants to enter or exit the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle occupant may be notified of the existence of one or more hazardous conditions prior to entering or exiting the vehicle. In particular, as discussed in more detail below, if the occupant is inside the vehicle, the system according to the present invention may notify the occupant of the hazard using a projection or other heads-up display inside the vehicle, a text message, an audio notification, or other such notification methods known to those skilled in the art. If the potential vehicle occupant is outside the vehicle, the occupant may be notified of the hazard using a text message, an augmented reality interface or device, a heads-up display visible on an exterior surface of the automobile, or other such notification methods known to those skilled in the art.

referring now to FIG. 6, a method 600 for automatically identifying and mitigating vehicle ingress hazards in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include collecting 602 sensor data from at least one sensor associated with a vehicle. The sensors may include, for example, camera sensors, lidar sensors, radar sensors, position or GPS sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and the like.

The sensor data can be analyzed and processed to calculate 604 a security metric. In certain embodiments, various aspects of the ambient environment and the presence of hazards and/or obstacles may be reflected by the sensor data and assigned various point values. As described above, the security metric may correspond to the sum of these point values.

In some embodiments, the security metric may be compared 606 to a predetermined security or convenience threshold. If the safety metric is less than the predetermined threshold, the actual or expected vehicle occupant 608 may be allowed to enter or exit the vehicle. In certain embodiments, occupants may be notified of a particular identified hazard prior to entering or exiting the vehicle.

If the safety metric is greater than or equal to the threshold, method 600 may query 610 whether the passenger is in the vehicle. If no passengers are present in the vehicle, a visual notification may be provided 612 to the intended vehicle occupant through, for example, augmented reality, a heads-up display on the exterior of the vehicle, a text message to the intended vehicle occupant, or the like. If the passenger or occupant is currently inside the vehicle, an audible and/or visual notification may be provided 614 to the occupant in the form of a text message, a heads-up display, an audible alert, or the like.

When the vehicle approaches a stop, or when the vehicle reaches a stop, a notification may be sent to the vehicle occupant. For example, in one embodiment, if the final location can be assumed to be safe for ingress or egress based on current sensor data and recent usage, a notification can be sent to the occupant before the vehicle comes to a stop. Otherwise, a notification may be provided when the vehicle reaches a stop. In this manner, the system and method 600 in accordance with the present invention can collect sufficient sensor data to support a real-time determination of whether the final vehicle location is suitable for safe and comfortable ingress or egress.

If the final vehicle location is deemed inappropriate, an audible or visual notification 612, 614 may be provided that contains details about the identified hazard, and in some embodiments notifies the occupant that the vehicle may be selectively or automatically repositioned 616. The notification may contain details about the new pick-up or pick-off location and may provide a possible time estimate for vehicle relocation. For example, in one embodiment, the notification may state:

This is to inform you that there is an overflow of beverage outside the door. For your convenience, I will move the car to a better location to ensure your safety when leaving the vehicle. "

After the vehicle has been repositioned 616 to a new location where the safety metric exceeds a predetermined threshold, additional notification may be provided 618 to notify the occupants that the vehicle is now safe for entry or exit. In this way, systems and methods according to the present invention may improve user experience, as well as improve passenger safety and comfort in various environments and locations.

Referring now to FIG. 7, some embodiments of systems and methods according to the invention may mitigate hazards encountered by a potential vehicle occupant 710 who desires or attempts to enter the vehicle 702. As shown, for example, one environment 700 of a system in accordance with the present invention may include a potential vehicle occupant 710 summoning or otherwise requesting a vehicle 702 to pick up a visitor at a particular location 708. The vehicle 702 may utilize maps, GPS or other navigation systems, and/or sensor data to navigate the vehicle 702 to the identified location 708.

However, maps, GPS, and other navigation data may not be sufficient to enable the autonomous vehicle 702 or the driver of the vehicle 702 to accurately determine whether the identified boarding location 708 provides sufficient safety and convenience for a potential vehicle occupant 710 to safely and comfortably enter the vehicle 702. As shown, for example, the vehicle 702 may stop at a location where there is a liquid accumulation in the passenger entry zone (such as an oil leak 704). An oil spill 704 located in this manner with respect to the vehicle 702 may require an occupant of the entering vehicle to take a step in the oil spill 704 to enter the vehicle 702.

Embodiments of the present invention address this issue by collecting data about the external environment from sensors associated with vehicle 702 and processing the data as described above. If the sensor data indicates an oil leak 704 in the passenger entry zone as shown, the potential vehicle occupant 710 may be alerted of the hazard by a notification 706 visible on the exterior of the vehicle 702, for example, through a heads-up display. As shown in fig. 7, "danger entry" may be projected or otherwise displayed on a passenger-side window to alert a potential vehicle occupant 710 of an oil leak 704 prior to entering the vehicle 702. For example, in other embodiments, the potential vehicle occupant 710 may be notified of the hazard by a text message sent to the cell phone 712 of the potential vehicle occupant 710 or by any other means known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, the potential vehicle occupant 710 may respond to the notification 706 by selectively instructing the vehicle 702 to move to an easier-to-enter location. In other embodiments, the vehicle 702 may automatically reposition itself to facilitate easier entry by a potential vehicle occupant 710.

in the foregoing disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Implementations of the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein may include or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory as discussed herein. Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions are computer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media carrying computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, implementations of the present disclosure can include at least two distinct computer-readable media: computer storage media (devices) and transmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, solid state drives ("SSDs") (e.g., based on RAM), flash memory, phase change memory ("PCM"), other types of memory, other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

implementations of the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may communicate over a computer network. A "network" is defined as one or more data links capable of transporting electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmission media can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed in a processor, cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions (such as assembly language), or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including internal vehicle computers, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablet computers, pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. The present disclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, the functions described herein may be performed in one or more of the following: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, or analog components. For example, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to perform one or more of the systems and processes described herein. Certain terms are used throughout the description and claims to refer to particular system components. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the components may be referred to by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above may include computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, the sensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one or more processors, and may include hardware logic/circuitry controlled by the computer code. These exemplary devices are provided herein for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in one or more additional types of devices as known to those of skill in the relevant art.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to computer program products that include such logic (e.g., in software) stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes the devices to operate as described herein.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the above-described alternative implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the present disclosure.

According to the invention, a method comprises: detecting, via at least one sensor, a hazardous condition in an area proximate to a vehicle; calculating, via a processor, a safety metric corresponding to a hazardous condition; analyzing, via the processor, the security metric relative to a predetermined threshold; and automatically notifying the vehicle occupant of the hazardous condition if the safety metric satisfies a predetermined threshold.

According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by sensing an external environment of the vehicle via at least one sensor.

According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of: lidar sensors, radar sensors, camera sensors, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and global navigation satellite system sensors.

According to an embodiment, the region comprises a region substantially adjacent to at least one of a door and a trunk of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by identifying, via the processor, a hazardous condition.

According to an embodiment, the hazardous condition comprises at least one of rain, snow, ice, rocks, dust, leaves, spills, oil spills, uneven surfaces, barrier surfaces and obstacles.

According to an embodiment, calculating the safety metric includes assigning a score to the hazardous condition and accumulating the score for more than one hazardous condition.

according to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by adjusting the score in response to a hazardous condition relative to a position of a door of the vehicle.

according to an embodiment, automatically notifying the vehicle occupant includes utilizing at least one of a heads-up display, a text message, an audible notification, and an email message.

According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by automatically repositioning the vehicle to avoid a hazardous condition.

according to an embodiment, the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system having at least one processor; and at least one memory device coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions for execution on the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to detect a hazardous condition in an area proximate the vehicle via at least one sensor; calculating a safety metric corresponding to the hazardous condition; analyzing the security metric relative to a predetermined threshold; and notifying the vehicle occupant of a hazardous condition if the safety metric satisfies a predetermined threshold.

according to an embodiment, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to sense an environment external to the vehicle via the at least one sensor.

According to an embodiment, the region comprises a region substantially adjacent to at least one of a door and a trunk of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to identify a hazardous condition.

According to an embodiment, calculating the safety metric includes assigning a score to the hazardous condition and accumulating the score for more than one hazardous condition.

according to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by adjusting the score in response to a hazardous condition relative to a position of a door of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, automatically notifying the vehicle occupant includes at least one of a heads-up display, a text message, an audible notification, and an email message.

According to an embodiment, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to automatically reposition the vehicle to avoid the hazardous condition.

According to an embodiment, the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.