Device and method for determining the position of another road user

• US 8,612,150 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2008
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Heger, Thomas, Tischler, Kathleen
• Primary Examiner(s): MARC-COLEMAN, MARTHE Y
• Application Number:
  US12/735,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,862 Days
• Field of Search: 701/532, 701/534, 701/117, 701/472, 701/602, 701/1, 701/300, 701/93, 701/301, 340/435, 340/995.1, 340/988, 342/357.3, 348/208.1, 382/107
• US Class Current: 701/532
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A method for determining the position of another road user includes the following steps: determining the position of a road user with the aid of a position detection unit; estimating a distance of the road user to the other road user with the aid of a distance sensor; and determining the position of the other road user on the basis of the determined position of the road user, the estimated distance, and a road map, the other road user being assumed to be located in a road area predefined by the road map.

Claims

1. A method for providing driving assistance for a host road user by determining the position of a target road user, comprising:

determining the position of the host road user with the aid of a position detection unit;

estimating a distance of the host road user to the target road user with the aid of a distance sensor; and

determining the position of the target road user on the basis of (i) the determined position of the host road user, (ii) the estimated distance to the target road user, and (iii) a road map, wherein the target road user is assumed to be located in a road area predefined by the road map, and wherein information from the road map is used to adjust the estimated distance.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the estimating of the distance to the target road user includes:

using an optical-camera-based method for determining a distance to record the target user from two different directions; and

estimating the distance to the target road user by a triangulation method.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a direction of the host road user in relation to the target road user is estimated, and wherein the position of the target road user is determined by taking into account the estimated direction of the host road user in relation to the target road user.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the position of the host road user is determined with the aid of at least one of a navigation system, a satellite-supported navigation system, and a tracking system.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the determination of the position of the target road user involves ascertaining a location on the road map having a distance to the road user deviating by the least amount from the estimated distance.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the determination of the position of the target road user involves ascertaining a location on a road recorded on the road map with the following characteristics:

(i) a distance to the host road user deviates by the least amount form the estimated distance; and

(ii) a direction in relation to the host road user deviates by the least amount from the estimated direction.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the road area predefined by the road map includes at least one of a road open to traffic, a shoulder, a parking area, an on-ramp, an off-ramp, a bicycle path, and a sidewalk.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

determining a type of the target road user;

wherein the road area predefined by the road map is selected as a function of the type of the target road user.

9. A device for providing driving assistance for a host road user by determining the position of a target road user, comprising:

a position detection unit configured to determine the position of the host road user;

a distance sensor configured to estimate a distance of the host road user to the target road user; and

an evaluation unit configured to determine the position of the target road user on the basis of (i) the determined position of the host road user, (ii) the estimated distance to the target road user, and (iii) a road map, wherein the target road user is assumed to be located in a road area predefined by the road map, and wherein information from the road map is used to adjust the estimated distance.