METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTIVE DRIVER ASSISTANCE USING COMMUNICATION AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SYSTEM

• US 20160229395A1
• Filed: 12/09/2015
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: SCHMDDERICH, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 10,583,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/14 having dimming means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/80 Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/20 Steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2900/00 Indexing codes relating to the purpose of, or problem solved of road vehicle drive control systems not otherwise provided for in groups B60W30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18163 Lane change; Overtaking manoeuvres
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A method and a system for communicating a an ego-vehicle'"'"'s determined behavior to a target object is for use in a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring data of a traffic scene preferably by sensor means configured to sense an environment of the vehicle, calculating a prediction result including a target object'"'"'s behaviour based on the acquired sensor data, determining an action of the host vehicle based on the prediction result and generating an actuation signal for performing the determined action, and determining a communication information indicating the determined action. The communication information is output to a communication means for communication to the target object via at least one of a lighting means of the vehicle and a car-to-x communication means.

Claims

1. A method for communicating an ego-vehicle'"'"'s determined behavior to a target object for use in a driver assistance system of a host vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

acquiring data of describing a traffic scene in an environment of the host vehicle;

calculating a prediction result including the target object'"'"'s behaviour based on the acquired sensor data;

determining an action to be performed by the host vehicle based on the prediction result;

determining a communication information based on the determined action, wherein the communication information indicates the determined action; and

outputting the communication information to a communication means for communication to the target object via at least one of a lighting means of the vehicle and a car to car-to-x communication means to the target object.

2. The method according of claim 1, wherein

the step of outputting the communication information comprises outputting information about the determined action via the lighting means of the vehicle by modulating at least one of a light intensity, a light colour, a light emitting area, a light emitting position and an illumination direction of the lighting means.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the lighting means of the vehicle includes at least one of side turn signals, sequential turn signals, position lamps, a headlamp and brake lights, daytime running lamps, driving lamps and cornering lamps.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the step of outputting the communication information comprises outputting information on the determined action according to a predetermined signalling pattern.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein

the predetermined signalling pattern includes at least one of

a head light flashing with a short duration for signalling a possibility for a cut-in,

a head light flashing with a long duration or a high elevation illumination beam axis for signalling a danger of cutting in or a desire to overtake,

using side turn signals for signalling of a lane change in order to give way.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein

the predetermined signalling pattern includes modulating the lighting means in at least one of a light emitting surface area, light emitting surface position and a light intensity to imitate the visual effect of the vehicle either approaching to or moving away from the target object.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the driver assistance system is configured to assist a driver in a lane change situation.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the prediction result includes information on a predicted future movement behaviour of the target object.

9. A system for communicating an ego-vehicle'"'"'s determined behavior to a target object for use in a driver assistance system for a host vehicle, the system comprising:

acquisition means configured to acquire data of a traffic situation in an environment of the vehicle;

prediction means configured to calculate a prediction result comprising information on a target object'"'"'s behaviour based on the acquired data;

an action determination means configured to determine an action to be performed by the host vehicle based on the prediction result and to generate an actuation signal based on the determined action; and

communication means configured to determine communication information based on the determined action, wherein the communication information indicates the determined action, and to output the communication information to at least one of a lighting means and a car-to-x communication means for communication to the target object.

10. A vehicle including the system for communicating an ego-vehicle'"'"'s determined behavior to a target object for a driver assistance system according to claim 9.