Traffic Control Database And Distribution System

• US 20120068860A1
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Published: 03/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Popovic, Zeljko
• Granted Patent: US 8,618,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A database for storing intersection data efficiently is disclosed. The database stores two or more points for each approach to the intersection along with the intersection control type. A third point can be used to help define the geometry of each approach. The database can be used with a warning system or any other vehicle system. The system may use approach point and intersection control type information to provide warnings to drivers of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is approaching the intersection at such a speed that the motor vehicle cannot safely stop. Methods for distributing the database information are also disclosed. The methods include pre-installed databases, dealer installed databases and on-demand distribution of intersection information.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a traffic control database configured to store traffic control information;

the traffic control information including information related to an approach to an intersection;

the approach being stored as a first approach point and a second approach point, the first approach point being associated with an entrance to the intersection;

and wherein a direction of the approach is defined by the second approach point.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the approach includes a third approach point that defines the curvature of the approach.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traffic control information includes a center point for the intersection.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the locations of the first approach point and the second approach point are defined by offsets from the center point.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the motor vehicle includes a warning system and wherein the warning system uses the traffic control database to provide warnings to a driver of potential traffic sign violations.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traffic control information includes an intersection identifier, the number of approaches in the intersection, and an identifier of a region that includes the intersection.

7. A method for updating traffic control information in a traffic control database for a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

retrieving a location;

receiving information concerning the date of the latest available traffic control information for the location;

comparing the date of the latest available traffic control information with the date of current traffic control information stored in the traffic control database; and

receiving traffic control information if the latest available traffic control information is more recent than the current traffic control information stored in the traffic control database.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the date and time of the latest available traffic control information are received.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the date and time of the current traffic control information are compared with the date and time of the latest available traffic control information.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the traffic control information is retrieved using a vehicle communication network.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the traffic control information is associated with a predetermined area.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method includes a step of querying other vehicles for updates of traffic control information when traveling from a first area to a second area that is different from the first area.

14. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a warning system including a warning interface;

a GPS receiver;

a traffic control database configured to store traffic control information;

the traffic control information including information related to an approach to an intersection;

the approach being stored as a first approach point and a second approach point, the first approach point being associated with an entrance to the intersection and wherein a direction of the approach is defined by the second approach point; and

wherein the warning system determines whether to issue a warning through the warning interface according to the position of the motor vehicle with respect to the first approach point and the second approach point, and stopping distance information.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the warning system issues a warning whenever the motor vehicle has passed the second approach point and a safe stopping distance retrieved by the warning system is greater than a distance to the first approach point.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the safe stopping distance is retrieved as a function of vehicle speed.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the traffic control information includes a center point associated with a center of the intersection.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the locations of the first approach point and the second approach point are defined relative to the location of the center point.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the locations of the first approach point and the second approach point are defined using absolute coordinates.

20. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the traffic control information can be exchanged between two or more vehicles.

21. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the traffic control information can be received wirelessly from a service location.