VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR AUTOMATED TURN SIGNALING

• US 20180244195A1
• Filed: 02/14/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Inventors: Haight, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 10,406,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/862 Combination of radar systems with sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/588 Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

This disclosure discloses various vehicle technologies for automatically activating a turn signal when a vehicle is turning or changing lanes based on analysis of data, which can include data from an image capture device, radar, a steering angle sensor, and a ultrasonic sensor. This disclosure also contemplates that a decision to automatically activate a turn signal in a vehicle that is turning or changing lanes may take into account whether other vehicles or pedestrians are in vicinity thereof and whether those other vehicles or pedestrians would benefit from the turn signal being activated.

Claims

1. A method of automatically activating a turn signal source in a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining, via a processor, that a first vehicle is going to turn or leave a lane based on data from a first data source of the first vehicle;

determining, via the processor, that a driver of the first vehicle is applying a steering action to the first vehicle based on data from a second data source of the first vehicle;

determining, via the processor, an approximate location of a second vehicle relative to the first vehicle based on data from a third data source of the first vehicle and data from a fourth data source of the first vehicle;

activating, via the processor, a turn signal source of the first vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data source includes an image capture device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second data source includes a steering angle sensor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the third data source includes a radar.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fourth data source includes an ultrasonic sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data source includes a side camera.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prioritizing an analysis of the data from the first data source over an analysis of the data from at least one of the second data source, the third data source, or the fourth data source in response to identifying, via the processor, a conflict between the analysis of the data from the first data source and the analysis of the data from at least one of the second data source, the third data source, or the fourth data source.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the first data source includes an image capture device;

the second data source includes a steering angle sensor;

the third data source includes a radar; and

the fourth data source includes an ultrasonic sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prioritizing an analysis of the data from the third data source over an analysis of the data from at least one of the first data source, the second data source, or the fourth data source in response to identifying, via the processor, a conflict between the analysis of the data from the first data source and the analysis of the data from at least one of the first data source, the second data source, or the fourth data source .

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the first data source includes an image capture device;

the second data source includes a steering angle sensor;

the third data source includes a radar; and

the fourth data source includes an ultrasonic sensor.

11. A method of automated turn signaling, the method comprising:

determining, via a processor, that a vehicle will cross a lane line or turn based on a measured steering angle value that is within a value range stored in a memory or above a threshold value stored in the memory, wherein the vehicle includes the processor, the memory, and the turn signal source;

activating, via the processor, the turn signal source based on the determining.

12. The method of claims 11, wherein the activating includes activating immediately before the first vehicle crosses the lane line or effects the turn.

13. The method of claims 11, wherein the activating includes activating during the first vehicle crossing the lane line or effecting the turn.

14. The method of claims 11, wherein the activating includes activating immediately after the first vehicle crossed the lane line or effects the turn.

15. The method of claims 11, wherein the vehicle is a first vehicle, and further comprising:

determining, via the processor, that a second vehicle is present within a predetermined distance from the first vehicle, wherein the activating is based on the second vehicle being present within the predetermined distance from the first vehicle.

16. A storage device having stored therein a set of processor executable instructions which, when executed by an electronic processing system, cause the electronic processing system to:

determine a path of travel of a first vehicle relative to a lane line based on a first set of data received from an image capture device of the first vehicle;

determine that a second vehicle is present within a predetermined distance from the first vehicle based on a second set of data received from a reflective wave detector;

activate a turn signal source of the first vehicle when (a) the first vehicle has a travel path and a steering angle such that the first vehicle will cross the lane line or effect a turn, and (b) the second vehicle is present within the predetermined distance from the first vehicle.

17. A motor vehicle including a processor;

a camera;

a steering angle sensor; and

a turn signal source, wherein the processor is programmed to determine when the vehicle is going to turn or leave a lane based on data from at least one of the camera or the steering angle sensor, wherein the processor is programmed to activate the turn signal source when the processor determines that the vehicle is going to turn or leave a lane.

18. The motor vehicle of claim 17, wherein the processor is programmed to determine an approximate location of a second vehicle relative to the first vehicle based on data from at least one of the ultrasonic sensor or the radar, wherein the processor is programmed to activate the turn signal source when the processor determines that the first vehicle is going to turn or leave the lane in proximity of the second vehicle.

19. The motor vehicle of claim 17, wherein the memory stores a value range, wherein the steering angle sensor is configured to output a steering angle value when the vehicle is in motion, wherein the processor is programmed to determine that the vehicle will leave a lane line or turn when the steering angle value is within the value range, wherein the processor is programmed to activate the turn signal source based on determining that the vehicle will leave a lane line or turn.

20. The motor vehicle of claim 17, wherein the memory stores a threshold value for a steering angle, wherein the steering angle sensor is configured to output a steering angle value when the vehicle is in motion, wherein the processor is programmed to determine that the vehicle will leave a lane line or turn when the steering angle value is above the threshold value stored in memory, wherein the processor is programmed to activate the turn signal source based on determining that the vehicle will leave a lane line or turn.