Method of intersection estimation for a vehicle safety system

• US 8,818,641 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Yester, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALHARBI, ADAM MOHAMED
• Application Number:
  US12/962,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20110153166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/20 Direction indicator values
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/80 Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/801 Lateral distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• 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

Abstract

A method of estimating an intersection location for a vehicle safety system is disclosed. The method includes steps of calculating a stopping distance according to operating parameters of the motor vehicle. The method also includes a step of determining a location for an intersection using the stopping distance and the location of the vehicle. The method further includes steps of determining a distance between a remote vehicle and the intersection. A vehicle safety system is controlled according to the distance between the motor vehicle and the intersection and the distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection.

Claims

1. A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and braking information;

estimating a first distance between the motor vehicle and an intersection using the vehicle speed and the braking information;

determining a second distance between the motor vehicle and a remote vehicle;

estimating a third distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection using the first distance and the second distance;

controlling a vehicle safety system of the motor vehicle according to the first distance and the third distance; and

wherein the vehicle safety system is a collision warning system and wherein the step of estimating the third distance is followed by a step of determining a threat level according to the first distance and the third distance and wherein the collision warning system is controlled according to the threat level.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second distance is determined using a vehicle communication network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second distance is measured using a remote detection device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the threat level according to the first distance and the third distance further comprises retrieving at least one predefined distance and comparing the first distance and the third distance to the at least one predefined distance to determine the threat level.

5. A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a vehicle speed, a vehicle location and braking information;

estimating a first distance between the motor vehicle and an intersection using the vehicle speed and the braking information;

determining a second distance between the motor vehicle and a remote vehicle;

estimating a third distance between the remote vehicle and the intersection using the first distance and the second distance;

controlling a vehicle safety system of the motor vehicle according to the first distance and the third distance; and

wherein the vehicle safety system is a collision warning system and wherein the step of estimating the third distance is followed by a step of calculating a first time for the motor vehicle to arrive at the intersection and a second time for the remote vehicle to arrive at the intersection.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a threat level is calculated using the first time and the second time and wherein the collision warning system is controlled according to the threat level.