Systems and methods for hazard mitigation
First Claim
1. A system for avoiding or minimizing the harm of a collision between a subject vehicle and a second vehicle, comprising:
- a first processor configured to determine whether the subject vehicle will collide with the second vehicle when no evasive actions are taken;
a second processor configured to calculate future trajectories of the subject and second vehicles according to respective sequences of actions, each action comprising an acceleration or a deceleration or a steering action or a waiting time;
a third processor configured to implement one of the respective sequences of actions based on the future trajectories calculated by the second processor, the implemented sequence of actions projected to avoid the collision;
a fourth processor configured to calculate the expected harm associated with the collision according to one or more of the sequences of actions based on the future trajectories calculated by the second processor; and
a fifth processor configured to implement a particular one of the sequences of actions, calculated by the fourth processor, that is projected to minimize the harm of the collision;
wherein the first through fifth processors are implemented on a single processing element or on multiple processing elements; and
wherein the sequences of actions are determined and calculated by the second processor and the expected harm is calculated by the fourth processor before the sequences of actions are implemented by the third or fifth processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for avoiding or minimizing the harm of a collision between a subject vehicle and a second vehicle, comprising:
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a first processor configured to determine whether the subject vehicle will collide with the second vehicle when no evasive actions are taken; a second processor configured to calculate future trajectories of the subject and second vehicles according to respective sequences of actions, each action comprising an acceleration or a deceleration or a steering action or a waiting time; a third processor configured to implement one of the respective sequences of actions based on the future trajectories calculated by the second processor, the implemented sequence of actions projected to avoid the collision; a fourth processor configured to calculate the expected harm associated with the collision according to one or more of the sequences of actions based on the future trajectories calculated by the second processor; and a fifth processor configured to implement a particular one of the sequences of actions, calculated by the fourth processor, that is projected to minimize the harm of the collision; wherein the first through fifth processors are implemented on a single processing element or on multiple processing elements; and wherein the sequences of actions are determined and calculated by the second processor and the expected harm is calculated by the fourth processor before the sequences of actions are implemented by the third or fifth processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computing environment mounted on a subject vehicle to perform a method for mitigating an imminent collision, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a sensor mounted on the subject vehicle; causing a throttle, brakes, or steering, or a combination of these, to change the motion of the subject vehicle according to a first sequence of actions to avoid an avoidable collision, the first sequence of actions based in part on the received signal; causing a throttle, brakes, or steering, or a combination of these, to change the motion of the subject vehicle according to a second sequence of actions to minimize the harm of an unavoidable collision, the second sequence of actions based in part on the received signal; and wherein the first sequence of actions comprises at least a first plurality of separate sequential predetermined actions, and the second sequence of actions comprises at least a second plurality of separate sequential predetermined actions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium in a subject vehicle comprising instructions for causing a computing environment to perform a method for mitigating vehicle collisions, comprising:
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processing data from one or more external sensors, thereby detecting a second vehicle proximate to the subject vehicle; calculating future trajectories of the subject and second vehicle, and thereby determining whether the subject and second vehicle will collide if no corrective action is taken; calculating whether the collision can be avoided if the subject vehicle is caused to change trajectory according to one or more sequences of actions; and if none of the sequences of actions is calculated to avoid the collision, then implementing a sequence of actions configured to minimize the harm of the collision; wherein each sequence of actions comprises at least a plurality of separate sequential actions; and wherein each action comprises a specified acceleration or deceleration or steering action with a specified intensity, or a waiting period, occurring at a specified time and for a specified duration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification