Systems and methods for informing driver of traffic regulations

• US 9,569,963 B1
• Filed: 12/03/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Matthew, Kimura, Takayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US14/958,208
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/907, 340/475
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09623 Systems involving the acquisition of information from passive traffic signs by means mounted on the vehicle G08G1/0967 takes precedence
• 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 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

Methods and systems for informing a driver of traffic regulations. A method includes detecting a traffic sign notifying the driver of a prohibited turn, alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates a vehicle turn signal corresponding to the prohibited turn, and not alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver does not activate the vehicle turn signal corresponding to the prohibited turn.

Claims

1. A method for informing a driver of a traffic regulation comprising:

detecting a sign notifying the driver of a prohibited turn;

alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates a vehicle turn signal corresponding to the prohibited turn;

not alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver does not activate the vehicle turn signal corresponding to the prohibited turn; and

alerting the driver of the prohibited turn based on color of an instrument cluster turn signal indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibited turn is turning right when a traffic light is red.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibited turn is turning left when a traffic light is red.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising detecting a sign that reads “

no turn on red”

.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibited turn is all turns regardless of whether a traffic light is red.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a sign that reads “

no turns”

.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibited turn is turning right when a traffic light signals for the driver to stop, the method further comprising:

detecting status of the traffic light;

alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates the vehicle turn signal corresponding to a right turn and the traffic light signals for the driver to stop; and

not alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates the vehicle turn signal corresponding to the right turn and the traffic light does not signal for the driver to stop.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the prohibited turn is turning left when a traffic light signals for the driver to stop, the method further comprising:

detecting status of the traffic light;

alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates the vehicle turn signal corresponding to a left turn and the traffic light signals for the driver to stop; and

not alerting the driver of the prohibited turn if the driver activates the vehicle turn signal corresponding to the left turn and the traffic light does not signal for the driver to stop.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the driver of the prohibited turn by changing the color of the instrument cluster turn signal indicator from green to red.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the driver of the prohibited turn with haptic feedback.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the haptic feedback is steering wheel haptic feedback.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the driver of the prohibited turn with audible feedback.

13. A system for informing a driver of a traffic regulation comprising:

a traffic sign recognition module configured to detect signs notifying the driver of a prohibited turn;

a traffic light recognition module configured to detect status of a traffic light;

an alert notifying the driver of the prohibited turn when a vehicle turn signal is activated in a direction corresponding to the prohibited turn; and

a controller configured to;

detect activation of the vehicle turn signal;

activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated in the direction corresponding to the prohibited turn; and

not activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is not activated in the direction corresponding to the prohibited turn;

wherein the alert includes an instrument cluster turn signal that changes color when the alert is activated.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the prohibited turn is turning right when the traffic light signals for the driver to stop;

the controller is configured to activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated to signal a right turn, and the traffic light signals for the driver to stop; and

the controller is configured to not activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated to signal a right turn, and the traffic light does not signal for the driver to stop.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the prohibited turn is turning left when the traffic light signals for the driver to stop;

the controller is configured to activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated to signal a left turn, and the traffic light signals for the driver to stop; and

the controller is configured to not activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated to signal a left turn, and the traffic light does not signal for the driver to stop.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the prohibited turn is turning left at any time;

the controller is configured to activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is activated to signal a left turn; and

the controller is configured to not activate the alert when the vehicle turn signal is not activated to signal a left turn.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert includes haptic feedback.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert includes an audible alert.