Method of Intersection Estimation for a Vehicle Safety System

• US 20110153166A1
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Yester, John L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,818,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• 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 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/20 Direction indicator values
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/80 Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/801 Lateral distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18154 Approaching an intersection
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

A method of estimating an intersection location for a vehicle safety system is disclosed. The method includes steps of calculating a stopping distance according to operating parameters of the motor vehicle. The method also includes a step of determining a location for an intersection using the stopping distance and the location of the vehicle. The method further includes steps of determining a distance between a remote vehicle and the intersection. A vehicle safety system is controlled according to the distance between the motor vehicle and the intersection and the distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection.

Claims

1. A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and a braking information;

determining if a driver intends to turn;

determining if a driver is braking;

calculating a stopping distance according to the vehicle speed and the braking information when the driver intends to turn and when the driver is braking;

determining a location for an intersection according to the vehicle location and the stopping distance; and

controlling a vehicle safety system according to the location for the intersection.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the location for the intersection is followed by a step of receiving a current vehicle speed and wherein the stopping distance is recalculated according to the current vehicle speed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the location for the intersection is followed by a step of receiving deceleration information and wherein the stopping distance is recalculated according to the deceleration information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the location for the intersection is followed by a step of receiving a current braking level and wherein the stopping distance is recalculated according to the current braking level.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the braking information includes an assumed braking level.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intersection location is associated with a stop bar of an intersection.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intersection location is associated with a center of an intersection.

8. A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and braking information;

estimating a first distance between the motor vehicle and an intersection using the vehicle speed and the braking information;

determining a second distance between the motor vehicle and a remote vehicle;

estimating a third distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection using the first distance and the second distance; and

controlling a vehicle safety system of the motor vehicle according to the first distance and the third distance.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second distance is determined using a vehicle communication network.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second distance is measured using a remote detection device.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle safety system is a collision warning system and wherein the step of estimating the third distance is followed by a step of determining a threat level according to the first distance and the third distance and wherein the collision warning system is controlled according to the threat level.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle safety system is a collision warning system and wherein the step of estimating the third distance is followed by a step of calculating a first time for the motor vehicle to arrive at the intersection and a second time for the remote vehicle to arrive at the intersection.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a threat level is calculated using the first time and the second time and wherein the collision warning system is controlled according to the threat level.

14. A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and braking information;

determining if a driver intends to turn;

determining if a driver is braking;

retrieving a driver-intersection profile, the driver-intersection profile including historical intersection driving data associated with the driver;

using the driver-intersection profile, the vehicle speed and the braking information to calculate a stopping distance when the driver intends to turn and when the driver braking;

determining a location for an intersection according to the vehicle location and the stopping distance; and

controlling a vehicle safety system according to the location for the intersection.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the driver intersection profile comprises historical turning information associated with the driver.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the driver intersection profile comprises historical stopping distance information associated with the driver.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the driver intersection profile is determined by tracking stopping information and/or turning information using GPS mapping.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the driver intersection profile is determined by tracking stopping information and/or turning information using dead reckoning calculations.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle safety system is a collision warning system and wherein the intersection location is used to determine a threat level for the collision warning system.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the threat level is used to control the collision warning system.