Driving assistance method and system for conveying risk information

• US 20050273263A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Egami, Masahiro, Hijikata, Shunsuke
• Granted Patent: US 7,558,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/981 Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking

Abstract

A driving assisting system for conveying risk information to a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a detector configured to acquire data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a data processor configured to calculate a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object. Information related to the collision risk potential to the driver of the vehicle via a visual signal and a haptic signal.

Claims

1. A driving assisting system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a detector configured to acquire data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle;

a data processor configured to perform the steps of;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential to the driver of the vehicle via a visual signal and a haptic signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the provided information is selected from multiple types of information including at least two of a position of the vehicle within the lane in which the vehicle is driving, a relative position between the vehicle and the object, a relative movement between the vehicle and the object, a direction from which the object is approaching the vehicle, and the calculated collision risk potential.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

responsive to the collision risk potential being a low risk, the data processor is configured to provide information related to a position of the vehicle within the lane in which the vehicle is driving via a haptic signal from the driver'"'"'s seat; and

responsive to the collision risk potential qualifying as a high risk, the data processor is configured to provide at least on of an indication of a position of the object relative to the vehicle, a relative speed between the object and the vehicle, a distance between the vehicle and the object, and a magnitude of the risk potential via at least one of a haptic signal and a visual display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the provided information relates to at least one of an indication of a position of the object relative to the vehicle, a relative speed between the object and the vehicle, a distance between the vehicle and the object, and a magnitude of the risk potential.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the haptic signal is conveyed via the driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the visual signal is displayed via a first display device corresponding to the left side of the vehicle, and a second display device corresponding to the right side of the vehicle; and

the visual signal is conveyed via one of the first display device and the second display device that corresponds to the position of the object relative to the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first display device is disposed on or near the left side mirror of the vehicle, and the second display device is disposed on or near the right side mirror of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein:

the haptic signal includes at least one of a first haptic input provided from a first portion of the driver'"'"'s seat corresponding to the left side of the vehicle, and a second haptic input provided from a second portion of the driver'"'"'s seat corresponding to the right side of the vehicle; and

the haptic signal is conveyed via one of the first portion of the driver'"'"'s seat and the second portion of the driver'"'"'s seat that corresponds to the position of the object relative to the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the haptic signal is regulated to reflect the magnitude of the risk potential.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a vehicle.

11. A driving assisting method for use in a vehicle comprising:

acquiring data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential to the driver of the vehicle via a haptic signal and a visual signal.

12. A driving assisting method for use in a vehicle comprising:

acquiring data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object;

determining a spatial relationship of the object relative to the vehicle; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential and the spatial relationship of the object relative to the vehicle, via at least one of a visual display and a haptic signal.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a detector configured to acquire data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle;

a data processor configured to perform the steps of;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential to the driver of the vehicle via a haptic signal and a visual signal.

14. A driving assisting system for use in a vehicle comprising:

means for acquiring data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle;

data processing means configured to perform the steps of;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential to the driver of the vehicle via a haptic signal and a visual signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the provided information relates to at least one of an indication of a position of the object relative to the vehicle, a relative speed between the object and the vehicle, a distance between the vehicle and the object, and a magnitude of the risk potential; and

the visual signal is provided via display means.

16. A driving assisting system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a detector configured to acquire data related to a driving condition of the vehicle and an object in the vicinity of the vehicle; and

a data processor configured to perform the steps of;

calculating a collision risk potential of the vehicle to collide with the object based on the data related to the driving condition of the vehicle and the object;

determining a spatial relationship of the object relative to the vehicle; and

providing information related to the collision risk potential and the spatial relationship of the object relative to the vehicle, via at least one of a visual display and a haptic signal.