Method for controlling a vehicle member

A method for controlling at least one member of a vehicle, comprising the following steps:

• obtaining navigation data suitable for characterizing a road context of the vehicle;
• detecting target objects in front of the vehicle by using detection means onboard the vehicle;
• determining a value of the relative distance between the vehicle and the target objects;
• determining a state of traffic on the road used by the vehicle;
• and
• controlling said at least one member by combining navigation data, a nature of the target objects, a relative distance values and said state of the traffic on said road used by the vehicle;
• wherein based on relative speed between the vehicle and said target objects, characterizing a nature of said target objects as either moving vehicles or stationary obstacles;
• in which said at least one member of the vehicle is a lighting device, said method controlling a road lighting beam of said vehicle;
• in which the step for detecting target objects comprises:
• measuring relative position and speed values between the vehicle and obstacles situated in front of the vehicle;
• constructing target objects by (a) identifying objects lying a specified distance range from the vehicle, and grouping them into a first target object, and (b) identifying objects having a common relative speed range with respect to the vehicle, and grouping them into a second target object.

A system for controlling at least one member of a vehicle comprising:

• a navigation device for obtaining navigation data suitable for characterizing a road context of the vehicle;
• a detector for detecting target objects in front of the vehicle by using detection means onboard the vehicle;
• and
• a processor adapted to (1) determine a value of the relative distance between the vehicle and the target objects, (2) based on a relative speed between the vehicle and the target objects, characterize a nature of the target objects as either moving vehicles or stationary obstacles, wherein dividers between traffic lanes, posts, bus shelters, and traffic lights are characterized as stationary obstacles;
• and (3) determine a state of traffic on the road used by the vehicle;
• said processor also controlling said at least one member by combining navigation data, said nature of the target objects, a relative distance values and said state of the traffic on said road used by the vehicle;
• wherein said detector:
• measures relative position and speed values between the vehicle and obstacles situated in front of the vehicle;
• constructs target objects by (a) identifying objects lying a specified distance range from the vehicle, and grouping them into a first target object, and (b) identifying objects having a common relative speed range with respect to the vehicle, and grouping them into a second target object.