VEHICLE INTERSECTION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140148998A1
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Goudy, Roy W., Probert, Neal, Christensen, Andrew, Chambers, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 9,620,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking

Abstract

A vehicle intersection monitoring method includes exchanging host vehicle information and remote vehicle information between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle, identifying a road intersection based on at least one of the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information, and selecting an intersection scenario from a plurality of intersection scenarios based on the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information. The method further includes monitoring, by operation of a processor, a location relationship between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle according to an algorithm that is determined based on the selected intersection scenario, to determine whether a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle exists proximate to the intersection, and performing a threat mitigation operation while the possibility of contact exists.

Claims

1. A vehicle intersection monitoring method comprising:

exchanging host vehicle information and remote vehicle information between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle;

identifying a road intersection based on at least one of the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information;

selecting an intersection scenario from a plurality of intersection scenarios based on the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information;

monitoring, by operation of a processor, a location relationship between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle according to an algorithm that is determined based on the selected intersection scenario, to determine whether a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle exists proximate to the intersection; and

performing a threat mitigation operation while the possibility of contact exists.

2. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes providing a warning at the host vehicle.

3. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the monitoring of the location relationship includes determining whether the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at substantially the same elevation;

and

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes performing a threat mitigation action while the monitoring determines that the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at substantially the same elevation and the possibility of contact exists, and refraining from performing the threat mitigation action while the monitoring determines that the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at different elevations without the possibility of contact with each other.

4. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes altering a trajectory of the host vehicle.

5. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes altering a trajectory of the host vehicle by changing a steering direction of the host vehicle.

6. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes altering a trajectory of the host vehicle by changing a speed of the host vehicle.

7. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 6, wherein

the changing of the speed of the host vehicle includes operating a brake of the host vehicle.

8. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the performing of the threat mitigation operation includes operating a safety device in the host vehicle.

9. The vehicle intersection monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein

the selecting of the intersection scenario includes determining, based on the remote vehicle intended next maneuver and the host vehicle intended next maneuver, whether the remote vehicle will be moving left in relation to a path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection, right in relation to the path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection or across the path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection.

10. A vehicle intersection monitoring system comprising:

a communication device on a host vehicle configured to exchange host vehicle information and remote vehicle information between the host vehicle and a remote vehicle; and

a controller on the host vehicle configured to identify a road intersection based on at least one of the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information, select an intersection scenario from a plurality of intersection scenarios based on the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information, monitor a location relationship between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle according to an algorithm that is determined based on the selected intersection scenario to determine whether a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle exists proximate to the intersection, and perform a threat mitigation operation while the possibility of contact exists.

11. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation by providing a warning at the host vehicle.

12. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation by controlling at least one of an audible device on the host vehicle to provide an audible warning and a visual device on the host vehicle to provide a visual warning.

13. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation by altering a trajectory of the host vehicle.

14. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation to alter a trajectory of the host vehicle by controlling a steering mechanism of the host vehicle to change a steering direction of the host vehicle.

15. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation to alter a trajectory of the host vehicle by changing a speed of the host vehicle.

16. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 15, wherein

the controller is configured to change the speed of the host vehicle by operating a brake of the host vehicle.

17. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to perform the threat mitigation operation by operating a safety device in the host vehicle.

18. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein

the controller is configured to operate the safety device by at least one of pretensioning a safety belt, deploying an airbag and operating a horn in the host vehicle.

19. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is configured to select the intersection scenario by determining, based on the remote vehicle intended next maneuver and the host vehicle intended next maneuver, whether the remote vehicle will be moving left in relation to a path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection, right in relation to the path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection or across the path of movement of the host vehicle at the intersection.

20. The vehicle intersection monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is further configured to monitor the location relationship by determining whether the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at substantially the same elevation;

and

the controller is further configured to perform the threat mitigation operation by performing a threat mitigation action while the monitoring determines that the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at substantially the same elevation and the possibility of contact exists, and refraining from performing the threat mitigation action while the monitoring determines that the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are at different elevations without the possibility of contact with each other.