Method for recognizing traveling lane and making lane change

• US 20050096838A1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Jung, Il-Sang
• Application Number:
  US10/964,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096838A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/12 Lane keeping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18163 Lane change; Overtaking manoeuvres
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2201/0213 Road vehicle, e.g. car or truck

Abstract

Methods and systems for recognizing a vehicle traveling lane and making a lane change are provided. Preferred methods and systems recognize the lane on which a vehicle is traveling and if the vehicle speed of that lane is noticeably slower compared to others, then the vehicle receives an order to move to a faster lane if an open space for changing lanes is available, which can provide more efficient use of the roadway.

Claims

1. A method for lane recognition, comprising:

determining a visual field of a vehicle traveling on a road delineated with lane marker patterns;

obtaining data of lane boundaries of the vehicle from the determined visual field; and

determining which lane the vehicle is currently traveling on by comparing the lane boundary data with pre-saved lane recognition pattern data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual field is determined by a vision sensor of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual field is photographed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method for lane recognition further comprises executing a lane deviation warning if the lane boundary data and lane recognition pattern data do not match with each other.

5. A method for lane recognition, comprising:

determining lane boundaries a vehicle traveling on a road delineated with lane marker patterns; and

determining which lane the vehicle is currently traveling on by comparing the determined lane boundaries with pre-saved lane recognition pattern data.

6. A method for making a lane change, comprising:

transmitting speed and current lane information of a vehicle measured by an On Board Equipment (OBE) to a traffic information center via Road Side Equipments (RSE);

computing an average vehicle speed per each lane at the traffic information center on the basis of the vehicle speed and traveling lane information inputted from a plurality of vehicles, then comparing the average vehicle speed per each lane, and if the average vehicle speed of a certain lane is slower than other lanes, then ordering certain vehicles traveling on a congested lane to change their lanes to a faster lane via said RSE;

determining whether an open space for changing lanes is available; and

changing lanes by activating the steering device if an open space for changing lanes is available.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method for making a lane change further comprises:

waiting for a predetermined period of time if an open space for changing lanes is not available, and if the space is available, then changing lanes; and

maintaining the vehicle on the current lane if the open space for changing lanes is not available.

8. A method for making a lane change, comprising:

transmitting speed and current lane information of a vehicle measured to an information center;

computing an average vehicle speed per each lane at the information center on the basis of the vehicle speed and traveling lane information inputted from a plurality of vehicles, then comparing the average vehicle speed per each lane, and if the average vehicle speed of a certain lane is slower than other lanes, then ordering certain vehicles traveling on a slower lane to change their lanes to a faster lane; and

determining whether an open space for changing lanes is available.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein an ordered vehicle changes to a faster lane if an open space for changing lanes is available.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein an ordered vehicle changes to a faster lane if an open space for changing lanes is available.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the method for making a lane change further comprises:

waiting for a predetermined period of time if an open space for changing lanes is not obtained, and if the space is obtained, then changing lanes; and

maintaining the vehicle on the current lane if the open space for changing lanes is not obtained.