Threat assessment state processing for collision warning, mitigation and/or avoidance in ground-based vehicles

• US 7,719,410 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Altan, Osman D., Green, Charles A., Labuhn, Pamela I., Chundrlik, William J. Jr., Balbale, Uzmaa H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/620,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/463, 340/901, 340/903, 701/301, 180/171
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0071 Controller overrides driver automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4041 Position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/802 Longitudinal distance
• 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 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/095 Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and avoiding an obstacle using a system of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting a distance between the obstacle and the vehicle, generating an action when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a threshold, determining whether an override of the system has been initiated, and disabling the action if it is determined that the override has been initiated. The system includes an obstacle detector, an action generator, an override mechanism, and a processor configured to implement the steps of the method set forth above.

Claims

1. A method for detecting and avoiding an obstacle using a system of a vehicle, the vehicle including a powertrain and brakes, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a distance between the obstacle and the vehicle;

reducing power from the powertrain when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a first threshold, the first threshold being a function of a speed of the vehicle;

applying the brakes when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a second threshold;

determining whether an override of the system has been initiated;

disabling the reduction of power from the powertrain and the application of the brakes if it is determined that the override has been initiated; and

generating a warning when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a third threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the override has been initiated comprises determining whether a driver of the vehicle is requesting application of the brakes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes an accelerator pedal, and determining whether the override has been initiated comprises determining whether a driver of the vehicle is applying the accelerator pedal.

4. A system of a vehicle for detecting and avoiding an obstacle, the vehicle having a powertrain and brakes, the system comprising:

an obstacle detector coupled to the vehicle and configured to detect a distance between the obstacle and the vehicle;

an action generator configured to reduce power from the power train, apply the brakes, and generate a warning;

an override mechanism configured to at least facilitate determining whether an override of the system has been initiated; and

a processor coupled to the obstacle detector, the action generator, and the override mechanism, the processor configured to (i) command the action generator to reduce the power from the powertrain when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle detected by the obstacle detector is less than a first threshold, the first threshold being a function of a speed of the vehicle, (ii) command the action generator to apply the brakes when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle detected by the obstacle detector is less than a second threshold;

(iii) disable the reduction of power from the power train and the application of the brakes if it is determined that the override has been initiated; and

(iv) command the action generator to generate the warning when the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle is less than a third threshold.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein determining whether the override has been initiated comprises determining whether a driver of the vehicle is requesting application of the brakes.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the vehicle has an accelerator pedal, and determining whether the override has been initiated comprises determining whether a driver of the vehicle is applying the accelerator pedal.