SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING ROAD CONDITIONS USING BLIND SPOT INFORMATION

• US 20150269843A1
• Filed: 03/19/2014
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: ICHINOKAWA, JUMPEI
• Granted Patent: US 9,489,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A system for monitoring roadway conditions for a vehicle has a control unit processing data captured by a plurality of existing blind spot information sensors coupled to the vehicle to detect objects around the vehicle. The data processed indicating congestion on the roadway.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring conditions on a roadway for a vehicle comprising:

a control unit processing data captured by a plurality of existing blind spot information sensors coupled to the vehicle detecting objects around the vehicle, the data processed indicating congestion on the roadway.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit processes the data captured by the plurality of existing blind spot information sensors to calculate speed differences between lanes on the roadway adjacent to the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a server located remotely from the vehicle, the server processing the data captured and storing the data processed for transmittal to other vehicles.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit coupled to the control unit recalculates a route when the data processed indicates the roadway is congested.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit indicates a specific lane on the roadway for the vehicle to drive.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit has a plurality of threshold limits for indicating different congestion levels on the roadway.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates speed differences for lanes on the roadway by determining a length of time between object detections.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein continuous detection of an object for a predetermined timeframe by one of the plurality of existing blind spot information sensors indicates a furthest left hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein non-detection of an object for a predetermined timeframe by one of the plurality of existing blind spot information sensors indicates a right hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver of the vehicle.

10. A system for monitoring conditions on a roadway through blind spot information of a vehicle comprising:

a control unit receiving the blind spot information from a plurality of existing sensors coupled to the vehicle, the control unit indicating congestion on the roadway and determining speed differences between lanes on the roadway based on a number of objects detected by the plurality of existing sensors per a predetermined distance and a length of time each of the plurality of existing sensors monitors a detected object.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control unit is a server located remotely from the vehicle and in communication with the vehicle, the server processing the blind spot information from the plurality of existing sensors of the vehicle to indicate roadway congestion and the speed differences between lanes on the roadway, the server transmitting the roadway congestion and speed differences between lanes to other vehicles.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the control unit has a plurality of threshold limits for the number of objects detected by the sensors per a predetermined distance, each of the threshold limits indicating different congestion levels on the roadway.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit coupled to the control unit recalculates a route when the control unit indicates the roadway is congested.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the control unit indicates a specific lane on the roadway for the vehicle to drive after calculating roadway congestion and the speed differences between lanes on the roadway.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the control unit detects a first right hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver of the vehicle based on a length of time each of the plurality of sensors monitors a detected object.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the control unit detects a furthest left hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver of the vehicle based on a length of time each of the plurality of sensors monitors a detected object.

17. A method for monitoring roadway conditions comprising:

monitoring data from a blind spot information system of a vehicle;

indicating congestion on a roadway based on a number of objects detected per a predetermined distance by the blind spot information system; and

determining speed differences between lanes on the roadway based on a length of time the blind spot information system monitors a detected object.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising establishing a plurality of threshold limits for indicating different congestion levels on the roadway.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising detect a first right hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver of the vehicle and a furthest left hand lane of the roadway in relation to a driver of the vehicle based on a length of time the blind spot information system monitors a detected object.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising recalculating a travel path when the number of objects detected by the blind spot information system exceeds a predetermined number.