System and method for improving sensor visibility of vehicle in autonomous driving mode
First Claim
1. A method for improving sensor visibility of a host vehicle operating in an autonomous driving mode, comprising the steps of:
- determining if an object detection sensor mounted on the host vehicle is obstructed by a target vehicle located ahead of the host vehicle and in a host vehicle lane;
when the object detection sensor is obstructed by the target vehicle, determining if lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane is appropriate to improve sensor visibility around the target vehicle;
when lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane is appropriate, generating lateral movement commands that cause a lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane to improve sensor visibility around the target vehicle located ahead of the host vehicle and in the host vehicle lane; and
executing the lateral movement commands while the host vehicle is operating in the autonomous driving mode so that sensor visibility around the target vehicle is improved.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method designed to improve sensor visibility for a host vehicle operating in an autonomous driving mode when one or more forward-looking sensors are being occluded or obstructed. According to an exemplary embodiment, when a forward-looking object detection sensor is being obstructed by a target vehicle located closely ahead of the host vehicle, the method determines if lateral movement by the host vehicle within its own lane is appropriate to improve sensor visibility around the target vehicle. If lateral movement is deemed appropriate, the method generates lateral movement commands that dictate the direction and distance of the lateral movement by the host vehicle. This may enable the object detection sensors to at least partially see around the obstructing target vehicle and improve the preview distance of the sensors.
87 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for improving sensor visibility of a host vehicle operating in an autonomous driving mode, comprising the steps of:
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determining if an object detection sensor mounted on the host vehicle is obstructed by a target vehicle located ahead of the host vehicle and in a host vehicle lane; when the object detection sensor is obstructed by the target vehicle, determining if lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane is appropriate to improve sensor visibility around the target vehicle; when lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane is appropriate, generating lateral movement commands that cause a lateral movement by the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane to improve sensor visibility around the target vehicle located ahead of the host vehicle and in the host vehicle lane; and executing the lateral movement commands while the host vehicle is operating in the autonomous driving mode so that sensor visibility around the target vehicle is improved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling the lateral movement of a host vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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receiving one or more electrical signals representative of a distance between the host vehicle and an object ahead of the host vehicle; using the received electrical signals to determine if the distance between the host vehicle and the object is less than a predetermined threshold distance; when the host vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the object, determining if lateral movement of the host vehicle is desirable; and when it is determined that lateral movement of the host vehicle is desirable, determining a direction (left or right) in which the host vehicle is to move laterally, and calculating a lateral offset distance for the host vehicle to move in that direction, wherein both the direction and the lateral offset distance are determined to maintain the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane and to improve sensor visibility around the object ahead of the host vehicle.
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21. A system for controlling the lateral movement of a host vehicle, comprising:
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an object detection sensor mounted on the host vehicle configured to generate readings relating to one or more target vehicles ahead of the host vehicle and in a host vehicle lane; and a control module configured to; determine if the object detection sensor is occluded by a target vehicle disposed ahead of the host vehicle and in the host vehicle lane; when the object detection sensor is occluded, determine if lateral movement of the host vehicle within the host vehicle lane is appropriate; and when it is determined that lateral movement of the host vehicle is appropriate, determine lateral movement commands that include a lateral direction and a lateral distance that cause the host vehicle to laterally move so that a preview distance of the occluded object detection sensor is improved yet the host vehicle remains within the host vehicle lane.
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Specification