US 12,179,763 B2 · Determining a lane change decision based on a downstream traffic state

Abstract

A system for determining a lane change decision based on a downstream traffic state can include a processor, a communications device, and a memory. The processor can be disposed on an ego vehicle. The memory can store an acceleration gain module and a communications module. The acceleration gain module can include instructions that cause the processor to: (1) obtain, via the communications device and from a monitoring system, information about an end of stopped or slow moving downstream traffic in a lane and (2) calculate a result of an equation for the lane change decision. The equation can include information about virtual vehicles positioned near the end or a geographical location. The communications module can include instructions that cause the processor to cause a signal, with information based on the result, to be sent to a component of the ego vehicle for an action to be performed by the component.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a processor disposed on an ego vehicle;
a communications device;
and
a memory storing:
an acceleration gain module including instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
obtain, via a communications device and from a monitoring system, information about an end of stopped or slow moving downstream traffic in a first lane;
and
calculate a result of an equation for a lane change decision, the equation including information about virtual vehicles positioned near the end or at a geographical location, the equation including a first term and a second term, the first term being for a portion of an acceleration gain of the ego vehicle due to an effect of the stopped or slow moving downstream traffic, the second term being for a different portion of a total acceleration gain;
and
a communications module including instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to cause a signal, with information based on the result, to be sent to at least one vehicle system of the ego vehicle to cause the ego vehicle to change from moving within the first lane to moving within a second lane.

7 more elements

A method, comprising:

obtaining, by a processor of an ego vehicle, via a communications device, and from a monitoring system, information about an end of stopped or slow moving downstream traffic in a first lane;
calculating, by the processor, a result of an equation for a lane change decision, the equation including information about virtual vehicles positioned near the end or at a geographical location, the equation including a first term and a second term, the first term being for a portion of an acceleration gain of the ego vehicle due to an effect of the stopped or slow moving downstream traffic, the second term being for a different portion of a total acceleration gain;
and
causing, by the processor, a signal, with information based on the result, to be sent to a at least one vehicle system of the ego to cause the ego vehicle to change from moving within the first lane to moving within a second lane.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Determining a lane change decision based on a downstream traffic state

Life of this patent

Determining a lane change decision based on a downstream traffic state

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20