US 12,442,648 B2
Systems and methods for optimal path determination using contraction hierarchies with multi-link constraints
Hayden Sean White, Kaiapoi (NZ); and Nathan M. Robinson, Christchurch (NZ)
Assigned to Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ (US)
Filed by Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/583,387.
Prior Publication US 2023/0236025 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G01C 21/34 (2006.01)
CPC G01C 21/3453 (2013.01) [G01C 21/3446 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device, comprising:
one or more processors configured to:
receive information regarding a plurality of nodes and links between the plurality of nodes, wherein the information regarding the plurality of nodes and links includes:
a cost associated with each link of the plurality of links, and
a multi-link constraint that indicates a particular sequence of links between a particular set of nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the particular sequence of links includes:
a first link between a first node and a second node, wherein the first link is associated with a first cost, and
a second link between the second node and a third node, wherein the second link is associated with a second cost;
generate a between the second node and a fourth node, wherein the shortcut link is based on the second link and a third link between the third node and the fourth node, wherein the third link is associated with a third cost;
calculate a fourth cost for the shortcut link based on the second cost associated with the second link and the third cost associated with the third link;
generate a first path that includes the shortcut link and the first link;
determine that the first path includes the particular sequence of links indicated by the multi-link constraint, wherein determining that the first path includes the particular sequence of links includes determining that the shortcut link, included in the first path, includes the second link;
calculate a fifth cost for the first path based on:
the first cost associated with the first link,
the fourth cost for the shortcut link, and
an additional cost based on determining that the first path includes the particular sequence of links indicated by the multi-link constraint;
receive, via a network, a request for navigation instructions from a starting point to a destination;
identify that the first path is a first candidate path from the starting point to the destination;
identify a second path that is a second candidate path from the starting point to the destination;
identify a sixth cost associated with the second path;
compare the fifth cost, associated with the first path, with the sixth cost associated with the second path;
select the first path based on comparing the fifth cost to the sixth cost;
generate the requested set of navigation instructions based on the first path; and
output, via the network, the requested navigation instructions to a fleet management system that manages one or more vehicles to traverse one or more routes based on the navigation instructions.