Method for providing guiding assistance for a vehicle in changing lane
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Method of assisting a motor vehicle in changing from a current lane in which the vehicle is operated, to a target lane adjacent thereto, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a space behind and a space in front of said vehicle in at least the target lane, to detect presence of objects therein;
determining speeds of detected objects in said target lane and of said vehicle;
determining distances of the detected objects in said target lane from said vehicle;
calculating for each detected object in said target lane a safety distance from said vehicle based on determined speed of said object, a predetermined reaction time and a predetermined deceleration value;
comparing the determined distance of each detected object in said target lane with the safety distance calculated therefor;
if at least the determined distance of each detected object in said target lane is greater than or equal to the calculated safety distance for said object, activating a signal to a driver of said vehicle, indicating that a lane change is possible; and
if the determined distance of at least one detected object in said target lane is smaller than the calculated safety distance for said object, performing the additional steps of;
comparing at least a first sum of the determined distances of said detected objects in said target lane with a first corresponding sum of the safety distances calculated for said detected objects;
if said at least a first sum of said determined distances is greater than said first corresponding sum of calculated safety distances, activating a signal to said driver, indicating that a lane change is possible; and
if at least the determined distance of any detected object in the target lane is less than the calculated safety distance for said object, and if said at least a first sum of determined distances is not greater than the first corresponding sum of calculated safety distances, activating a signal indicating that a lane change is not possible.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method of assisting a motor vehicle in changing from a current lane to an adjacent target lane. The space in front and the space behind the vehicle at least in the adjacent target lane is monitored, the distance of objects (in particular vehicles) detected there, and their speeds are measured, and safety distances calculated therefrom. If all the measured distances are greater than the calculated safety distances, a possible lane change is signalled.
298 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. Method of assisting a motor vehicle in changing from a current lane in which the vehicle is operated, to a target lane adjacent thereto, comprising the steps of:
-
monitoring a space behind and a space in front of said vehicle in at least the target lane, to detect presence of objects therein; determining speeds of detected objects in said target lane and of said vehicle; determining distances of the detected objects in said target lane from said vehicle; calculating for each detected object in said target lane a safety distance from said vehicle based on determined speed of said object, a predetermined reaction time and a predetermined deceleration value; comparing the determined distance of each detected object in said target lane with the safety distance calculated therefor; if at least the determined distance of each detected object in said target lane is greater than or equal to the calculated safety distance for said object, activating a signal to a driver of said vehicle, indicating that a lane change is possible; and if the determined distance of at least one detected object in said target lane is smaller than the calculated safety distance for said object, performing the additional steps of; comparing at least a first sum of the determined distances of said detected objects in said target lane with a first corresponding sum of the safety distances calculated for said detected objects; if said at least a first sum of said determined distances is greater than said first corresponding sum of calculated safety distances, activating a signal to said driver, indicating that a lane change is possible; and if at least the determined distance of any detected object in the target lane is less than the calculated safety distance for said object, and if said at least a first sum of determined distances is not greater than the first corresponding sum of calculated safety distances, activating a signal indicating that a lane change is not possible. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification