US 7,889,065 B2 · Method and apparatus to determine vehicle intent

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of smart cars and automatic signaling of a vehicle's intent. The invention allows a driver to choose between manual or automatic signaling (turns, deceleration, acceleration) and a prominent feature is that the system is not cooperative and can be phased in over time, one car at a time and offer immediate benefits. Much of the prior art relating to newer automotive technologies relies on the use of cooperative technologies, such as transponders or beacons and the like, requiring all cars to equip in order to gain benefits. While this is technically achievable it is an institutional limitation, and therefore systems that do not rely on this extent of cooperation are more practical and can be introduced sooner. The invention has the capability of ensuring that many more cars on the road provide proper turn signals as well as acceleration and deceleration signals. This display of intent will lead to increased situational awareness for all drivers and will improve efficiencies on the roads leading to less congestion. Today, the car ahead may simply slow down leaving a following or approaching driver to wait and guess what is happening. With this invention the car ahead will declare its intentions in advance. The invention also allows for the broadcasting of the vehicles intentions over commercially available data links.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for automating automobile turn and lane change signaling comprising:

means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs including one or more of vehicle position, velocity and acceleration;
means for receiving driver control inputs, including one or more of pedal position, throttle position, gear shift position, and steering wheel position;
means for retrieving stored vehicle path data;
vehicle path estimator, coupled to the means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs and means for receiving driver control inputs, comparing the vehicle dynamic inputs and driver control inputs to stored vehicle path data to determine a probability that the vehicle is following at least a portion of a stored vehicle path;
and
turn signal decision estimator, coupled to the vehicle path estimator and means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs and means for receiving driver control inputs, for determining probability that at least one of a turn or lane change is to occur, and if the probability exceeds a predetermined probability threshold, outputting an output signal that a turn signal should be activated, in advance of the at least one of a turn or lane change.

3 more elements

A method for automating automobile turn and lane change signaling comprising the steps of:

receiving vehicle dynamics inputs including one or more of vehicle position, velocity and acceleration,
receiving driver control inputs, including one or more of pedal position, throttle position, gear shift position, and steering wheel position,
retrieving stored vehicle path data,
comparing, in vehicle path estimator, the vehicle dynamic inputs and driver control inputs to stored vehicle path data to determine a probability that the vehicle is following at least a portion of a stored vehicle path, and
determining, in a turn signal decision estimator, a probability that at least one of a turn or lane change is to occur, and if the probability exceeds a predetermined probability threshold, outputting an output signal that a turn signal should be activated, in advance of the at least one of a turn or lane change.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus to determine vehicle intent

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus to determine vehicle intent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22