SAFE-TO-PROCEED SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED VEHICLE

• US 20170337819A1
• Filed: 05/19/2016
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motional AD, LLC (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wei, Junqing, Bhatia, Gaurav, Xu, Wenda
• Application Number:
  US15/159,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20170337819A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2400/00 Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0257 using a radar radar systems designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicle and fixed obstacles G01S13/931
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection includes an intersection-detector, a vehicle-detector, and a controller. The intersection-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The intersection-detector is used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection. The vehicle-detector is also suitable for use on the host-vehicle. The vehicle-detector is used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection. The controller is in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector. The controller is configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.

Claims

1. A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection, said system comprising:

an intersection-detector suitable for use on a host-vehicle, said intersection-detector used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection;

a vehicle-detector suitable for use on the host-vehicle, said vehicle-detector used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection; and

a controller in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector, said controller configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intersection-detector includes one of a digital-map, a camera, a lidar-unit, and a radar-unit.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the host-vehicle is equipped with headlights and a horn, and the controller is configured to flash the headlights and activate the horn when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system includes a transmitter used to transmit a warning-signal, and controller is configured activate the transmitter to transmit the warning-signal when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.