WO2016127386A1

WO2016127386A1 - System and method for prompting vehicle driving conditions

Info

Publication number: WO2016127386A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/072987
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carsten Isert; Xiaozhu ZHANG; Sam Lai
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2015-02-13
Publication date: 2016-08-18
Also published as: DE112015006148T5; CN107111953A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to system and methods for prompting vehicle driving conditions. The method comprises: determining, by a client, whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection (210); sending, by the client, to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection (220); receiving, by the server, the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client (230); determining, by the server, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection (240); sending, by the server, warning information to the client if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase (250); and receiving and presenting, by the client, the warning information to the driver of the vehicle (260).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMPTING VEHICLE DRIVING CONDITIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates in general to the field of in-vehicle mobile service, and in more particular, to a new method and system for prompting vehicle driving conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pedestrian red-light-crossing (RLC) behaviors refer to an expression that pedestrians cross an intersection when the traffic light is red. The pedestrian RLC behaviors often pose a danger to both drivers and pedestrians themselves. For example, according to the statistics released by Traffic Management Bureau, Ministry of Public Security of China, from January to October 2012, there were 4227 traffic accidents caused by pedestrian RLC behaviors, which resulted in 798 deaths in total or 2.6 deaths per day.

Hence, it is very important to warn the pedestrian RLC behaviors and prevent consequent traffic accidents. There have been many solutions proposed to cover such topics.

For example, a Utility Model Patent CN203288088 U discloses an infrared traffic light early-warning system which comprises an infrared encoding transmitter, an infrared receiving circuit, and a single-chip microcomputer. The infrared encoding transmitter transmits an infrared signal. The infrared receiving circuit receives the infrared signal transmitted by the infrared encoding transmitter. The infrared receiving circuit is electrically connected with the single-chip microcomputer. The output terminal of the single-chip microcomputer is connected with a sound and light alarm module and a voice alarm module. When the infrared traffic light early-warning system designed in the utility model is used, the infrared traffic light early-warning system is linked with traffic lights. The infrared encoding transmitter and the infrared receiving circuit can be located at two sides of a zebra crossing. When a person runs the red light, the sound and light alarm module can carry out sound and light alarm for reminding the person, and the voice alarm module can send out voices to dissuade the person or a vehicle, thereby improving security during road crossing, strengthening consciousness of a driver to comply with traffic regulations, and effectively reducing the incidence rate of malignant events.

For another example, a Utility Model Patent CN202534163 U discloses a pedestrian red light running warning device. The warning device comprises infrared gratings, a trigger signal detection circuit, a microprocessor, a voice circuit, a clock circuit, an environment noise detection circuit, a switching power supply, a waterproof horn, red and green indicator signal lights, a warning light and a shell. According to the warning device provided by the utility model, a pair of infrared gratings are adopted as a pedestrian red light running detector； when a red light is on and a pedestrian runs the red light, the pedestrian blocks the infrared gratings, and then, a trigger signal is sent out； and on acquiring a red light running signal, the microprocessor sends out a red warning signal immediately and plays a voice signal to prompt the pedestrian that he or she has run the red light and should go back and wait. With the built-in clock circuit and the environmental noise detection circuit, the pedestrian red light running warning device provided by the utility model can control the volume of played music according to different time periods and magnitude of background noise. The pedestrian red light running warning device provided by the utility model enables practical significance for prompting people to obey traffic rules, improving civilization consciousness of pedestrians and enhancing urban traffic safety.

Another Utility Model Patent CN202257937 U provides a device for monitoring pedestrians at a road intersection. The device comprises a main control machine, signal amps and a camera, wherein a signal receiver, a signal controller, a data processor, a data memory and an information interface are arranged in the main control machine； the signal lamps are connected with the signal receiver and the signal controller of the main control machine respectively and mounted above the road intersection； the device is characterized in that: a signal detector connected with the signal receiver of the main control machine is arranged on the pavement side of the road intersection； and a large-screen display connected with the data processor of the main control machine is arranged on a road intersection side. The device provided by the utility model can conveniently and effectively monitor and display the traffic behaviors of the pedestrians； and once a pedestrian runs the red light, the device sends voice prompt and takes a picture, and at the same time, the violation picture of the violator is displayed on the display screen to remind the violator, keep smooth road traffic and avoid traffic accidents caused by the pedestrian running the red light.

All these utility models utilize the laser/infrared gratings or a monitor to detect pedestrian RLC behavior, and then send out voice, music, light alarms or show the RLC behavior on the display, in order to remind pedestrians not to violate traffic light, to obey traffic regulations, and therefore to avoid traffic accidents and improve traffic safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure aims to provide a new and improved method and system for avoiding potential traffic accidents and improving traffic safety.

In general, the present disclosure provides such a new method and system by warning possible pedestrian RLC behaviors at an intersection to remind a driver of a vehicle to take precautions to prevent a potential collision with pedestrians who are going to run red light, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection during accident-prone phases. More particularly, the method and the system involve a client and a server in communication with each other. When a vehicle is approaching an intersection, the client in the vehicle will determine the speed and position of the vehicle and send the speed and position of the vehicle to the server. The server receives the speed and position of the vehicle and determines whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection. If it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase, then the server sends to the client warning information for presenting to the driver of the vehicle. Otherwise, the server will not send warning information to the client.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a server, comprising: a receiver configured to receive a speed and position of a vehicle from the vehicle； a processor configured to determine whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and a sender, configured to send warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase.

In an example of the present embodiment, the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection may comprise the exact time or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, the processor may be further configured to define the accident-prone phase based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, the accident-prone phase may be defined as including at least a flashing phase and the end part of a red light phase.

In an example of the present embodiment, the receiver may be further configured to receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information, wherein the request is sent from the vehicle when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, the speed and position of the vehicle may be included in the request.

In an example of the present embodiment, for fixed traffic lights at the intersection, the traffic light timing and phase information may be collected by the server one time from a third party maintaining such information.

In an example of the present embodiment, for intelligent traffic lights, the traffic light timing and phase information may be sent by the intelligent traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle is approaching, and is then collected by the server from the vehicle.

In an example of the present embodiment, the warning information may be presented by means of at least one of the following: a special warning icon displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a special reminder voice or music, and a slight vibration of steering wheel of the vehicle.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a client device used for a vehicle, comprising: a processor configured to determine whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on the speed and position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection； a sender configured to send to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection； a receiver configured to receive from the sever warning information which is sent if it is determined by the server that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phases based on the speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and a warning device configured to present the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.

In an example of the present embodiment, the accident-prone phase may be defined by the server based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, the sender may be further configured to send a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, for intelligent traffic lights, the receiver may be further configured to receive the traffic light timing and phase information which is sent by the intelligent traffic lights when the vehicle is approaching, and the sender is further configured to send the traffic light timing and phase information to the server.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising: determining, by a client, whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection； sending, by the client, to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection； receiving, by the server, speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client； determining, by the server, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； sending, by the server, warning information to the client if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase； and receiving and presenting , by the client, the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.

In an example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise defining by the server the accident-prone phase based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise sending by the client a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

In an example of the present embodiment, for intelligent traffic lights, the traffic light timing and phase information may be sent by the intelligent traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle is approaching, and may be then collected by the server from the vehicle.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving speed and position of a vehicle from the vehicle； determining whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and sending warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: determining whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection； sending to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection； receiving from the sever warning information which is sent if it is determined by the server that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phases based on the speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and presenting the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a histogram showing pedestrian RLC ratios in different traffic periods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure；

Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart showing a method for warning possible pedestrian RLC behaviors at an interaction in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure；

Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a server in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure；

Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a client in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure； and

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system/server, in which the client/server according to the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well known structures or process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 1, in a statistical research study by Chinese Tongji University, which analyzed at which traffic light periods pedestrians are most likely to run at a red light, a RLC period is divided into four phases: a flashing phase, which means the phase during the transition of green phase to red phase； a red (early) phase, which is the first 1/3 of a red light phase； a red (mid) phase, which is the second 1/3 of the red light phase； and a red (end) phase, which is the last 1/3 of the red light phase. As can be seen from Fig. 1, most of the pedestrian RLC behaviors happen during the flashing phase and red (end) phase. In Fig. 1, the RLC proportions during the flashing phase and red (end) phase are much higher than those during the red (early) and red (mid) phases, no matter on Wuning Road or on North Zhongshan Road. Possibly because during the flashing phase, pedestrians want to catch up the few remaining green time and do not want to wait for another long period of red light phase. While during the red (end) phase, possibly because pedestrians already wait for a long red light period and want to start earlier even it is still in red light phase. Hence, in Fig. 1, the flashing phase and red (end) phase are more accident prone and may be referred to as accident-prone phases.

In view of this, there is provided a new method and system for warning possible pedestrian RLC behaviors at an intersection to remind a driver of a vehicle to take precautions to prevent potential collision with pedestrians who are going to run red light, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection during accident-prone phases, such as flashing phase and red (end) phase identified in the above statistical research study.

In general, the method and the system may involve a client and a server in communication with each other. When a vehicle is approaching an intersection, the client in the vehicle will determine the current speed and position of the vehicle and send the speed and position of the vehicle to the server. The server receives the speed and position of the vehicle and determines whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection. If it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase, then the server sends to the client warning information for presenting to the driver of the vehicle. Otherwise, the server will not send warning information to the client. Below, some exemplary embodiments are described in more details.

Firstly, refer to Figure 2, which illustrates a flow chart showing a method 200 for warning possible pedestrian RLC behaviors at an interaction in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The flow starts at step 210, in which a client determines whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of an intersection. The position of the vehicle may be obtained from a GPS (Global Position System) device installed in the vehicle or any other locating devices that can locate the vehicle. The position of the intersection may be obtained from a navigation map included in a navigation system in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the client may determine a vehicle is approaching an intersection when it determines that the distance between the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection is decreasing with time and becomes below a threshold distance. The threshold distance may be100m, 200m, or any other appropriate distance.

In another embodiment, the client may determine whether the vehicle is approaching the intersection based on the speed and position of the vehicle and the position of an intersection. The speed may be obtained from speed sensors in the vehicle, or may be obtained from the GPS system. For example, the client may determine a vehicle is approaching an intersection if the distance between the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection is below a threshold distance and the direction of the speed is towards the intersection. For example, when the vehicle drives towards the intersection and enters into a position which is less than 100m away from an intersection about to arrive, the client will determine that the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

If the client determines the vehicle is approaching the intersection in step 210, then the flow proceeds to step 220, in which the client sends to a server the speed and position of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the server may be in communication the client through any wireless communication technology, such as 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution) , or DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) , and the like. In one embodiment, the client may be previously registered with the server. In one embodiment, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection, the client may send a request to the server to ask if the vehicle driver needs to get warning information of possible pedestrian RLC behaviors. In one embodiment, the speed and position of the vehicle may be included in the request.

For example, when the client determines that the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the approaching intersection is less than 100m and the direction of the speed is towards the intersection and thus determines the vehicle is approaching the intersection as described previously, the client will send a request including the current speed and position of the vehicle to the server. Those skilled in the art can understand that the distance of 100m is merely an example. Any appropriate distance may be possible.

Then, the flow proceeds to step 230, in which the server receives the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client.

After receiving the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client, the flow proceeds to step 240, in which the server determines whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection.

In some instances, the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection may comprise the exact time or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

In one embodiment, the server may store the collected traffic light timing and phase information in a database.

In one embodiment, fixed traffic lights may be installed at the intersection, the traffic light timing and phase information related with the fixed traffic lights may not change frequently, thus may be collected by the server one time from a third party maintaining such information. In one embodiment, the traffic light timing and phase information related with fixed traffic lights may be updated regularly.

In another embodiment, intelligent traffic lights may be installed at the intersection, and the related traffic light timing and phase information may be dynamically changed. In such a case, the traffic light timing and phase information related with the intelligent traffic lights may be sent by the intelligent traffic lights themselves to the approaching vehicle, in particular, to the client. Then, the traffic light timing and phase information related with the intelligent traffic lights may be collected by the server from the client. The communication between the intelligent traffic lights and the client may be realized through any wireless communication technology, such as 3G, LTE, or DSRC, and the like.

In some instances, the server may define an accident-prone phase based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection. An accident-prone phase may refer to a phase during which pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection. In one embodiment, the accident-prone phase may be defined as including at least a flashing phase and a red end phase. In one embodiment, the red end phase may be the end part of a red light phase. For example, the red end phase may be the last 1/3 of a red light phase as shown in Fig. 1. More particularly, if according to the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection, upcoming is 1-minute green light phase from 3: 01: 00 PM to 3: 02: 00 PM and 1-minute red light phase from 3: 02: 10 PM to 3:03: 10 PM, and a 10-second flashing phase from 3: 02: 00 PM to 3: 02: 10 PM between the green light phase and the red light phase, wherein the 1-minute red light phase is divided into three phases, i.e., a red (early) phase from 3: 02: 10 PM to 3: 02: 30 PM, a red (mid) phase from 3:02: 30 PM to 3: 02: 50 PM and a red (end) phase from 3: 02: 50 PM to 3: 03: 10 PM, then the accident prone phase may comprise the flashing phase from 3: 02: 00 PM to 3: 02: 10 PM and the red (end) phase from 3: 02: 50 PM to 3: 03: 10 PM.

However, those skilled in the art can understand that the accident-prone phase may include any phase during which RLC behaviors occur frequently. For example, at certain intersections where there are lots of accidents happened due to RLC pedestrians, or at certain time in one day (such as rush hours during commuting time) when lots of pedestrians break red lights at intersections, the accident-prone phases could cover all the phases of traffic lights. In one embodiment, the accident prone phase may comprise the green light phase, the flashing phase, and the red light phase. In such a case, the driver will always receive warning information if the vehicle will arrive at certain intersections at certain times. In another embodiment, the accident prone phase may comprise the flashing phase and the red light phase. In such a case, if upcoming is a 10-second flashing phase from 3: 02: 00 PM to 3: 02: 10 PM and 1-minute red light phase from 3: 02: 10 PM to 3: 03: 10 PM as previously described, then the accident prone phase may comprise both of the two phases, i.e., from 3: 02: 00 PM to 3:03: 10 PM.

In some embodiments, the server may calculate the time when the vehicle will arrive at the intersection depending on the vehicle’s current position and speed and the position of the intersection, and decides whether the vehicle arrival time at the intersection locates in the accident-prone phases. With reference to the embodiment as described above, if the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection is 90m, the speed of the vehicle is 36km/h towards the intersection, and the current time is 3:02: 04 PM, then the vehicle is estimated to arrive at the intersection in 9 seconds (This can be calculated by dividing the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection by the speed of the vehicle) , i.e., on 3: 02: 13PM, which falls into the red (early) phase from 3: 02: 10 PM to 3: 02: 30 PM, then the server may determine that the vehicle will not arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phase. In another example, if the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection is 90 m, the speed of the vehicle is 36km/h and the current time is 3: 02: 50 PM, then the vehicle is estimated to arrive at the intersection in 9 seconds, i.e., on 3: 02: 59 PM, which falls into the red (end) phase from 3: 02: 50 PM to 3: 03: 10 PM, then the server may determine that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phases. The time when the vehicle is estimated to arrive at the intersection can be calculated by different ways. For example, the server may calculate the time by taking in consideration the fact that the driver will reduce the speed when approaching an intersection. More particularly, the time may be calculated by dividing the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection by the current speed of the vehicle and then multiplying an appropriate coefficient.

If the server determines that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase in step 240, the flow proceeds to step 250, in which the server sends warning information to the client.

Then in step 260, the client receives and presents the warning information to the driver of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the warning information may be presented by means of at least one of the following: a special warning icon displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a special reminder voice or music, and a slight vibration of steering wheel of the vehicle. For example, the client may comprise a speaker, which will in such a case send out a reminder voice or music. For example, if the server determines that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during any accident-prone phase as described above, the server may send a reminder voice that “Please drive carefully， upcoming is an accident-prone intersection with possible pedestrian PLC behaviors” The client may also comprise a display to display a warning text on a display. For another example, the client may cause a special warning icon to be displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle. All these are merely examples of ways to present warning information to the driver, and those skilled in the art can understand that any other appropriate ways can be adopted for such purpose.

After getting the warning information, the driver can take corresponding precautions for not colliding with RLC pedestrians, e.g., the driver can actively reduce vehicle speed and pass the intersection carefully, or the driver can beep the horn to remind and stop the RLC pedestrians, etc.

The embodiments according to the disclosure provide a lot of advantages, especially as compared with those solutions in the prior arts.

Firstly, in the prior arts, the warning alarms/signals occur after a pedestrian has run a red light. Accidents could have already happened before the pedestrian perceives the alarms and takes actions. In contrast, this method according to the disclosure can prevent or reduce the occurrence of collision accidents with pedestrians who are running a red light at intersection, by providing warning information to vehicle drivers to take some precautions (such as reducing speed, beep horn, etc. ) when approaching the intersection. Because the vehicle drivers can get warning information and take some precautions (such as reducing speed, beep horn, etc. ) before arriving at the intersection, the vehicle drivers have more time to reduce the speed and stop if necessary, and the RLC pedestrians can be warned earlier. Hence, the method according to the disclosure improves traffic safety at intersections.

Secondly, in these utility models, the acoustic or visual alarms could be hardly heard or seen by the pedestrian, especially if it is in a very noisy and crowded intersection, not to mention to those pedestrians who intentionally want to cross the intersection during the red light phase, they will deliberately ignore the warning alarms. Under these circumstances, the prior arts are very ineffective in terms of reminding of pedestrian RLC behaviors and preventing traffic accidents. In contrast, in accordance with the embodiments according to the invention, an icon on the dashboard, possibly combined with a reminder voice/music massage, or a reminder vibration of steering wheel, will give direct warning to vehicle drivers, so as to let the vehicle drivers to take prompt actions for avoid potential collision with RLC pedestrians. Hence, the method here is much more effective when compared with the methods of sending out warning signals under noisy road environment as disclosed in the prior arts, because this method provides direct and effective warning information to vehicle drivers.

Furthermore, instead of giving warning information to vehicle drivers at every intersection and at every traffic light phase, which could be very annoying distractions to the drivers, the system will only send warning information to the drivers if the vehicle will arrive at the intersections during defined accident-prone phases, hence, the method provides accurate warning.

Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a server300 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The server may be example of the server as described in the method 200. The server may be used as a server for prompting driving conditions.

As shown in Fig. 3, the server 300 may comprise a receiver 301, a processor 303 and a sender 305. In one embodiment, the receiver 300 may receive the speed and position of a vehicle from the vehicle. The processor303 may determine whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection. The sender 305 may send warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase.

In some instances, the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection comprises the exact time or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection. In one embodiment, the processor 303 may define the accident-prone phase based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection. In one embodiment, the accident-prone phase may be defined as including at least a flashing phase and a red end phase. In one embodiment, the red end phase may be the end part of a red light phase. For example, the red end phase may be the last 1/3 of a red light phase.

In some embodiments, the receiver 301 may receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information. As described previously, the request may be sent from the vehicle when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection. Furthermore, the speed and position of the vehicle may be included in the request.

The server may also comprise a database307 which stores the traffic light timing and phase information.

In some instances, fixed traffic lights are installed at the intersection, the traffic light timing and phase information may be collected by the server300 one time from a third party maintaining such information, such as government traffic management department. In other instances, intelligent traffic lights may be installed at the intersection, the related traffic light timing and phase information may be sent by the intelligent traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle is approaching, and may be then collected by the server 300 from the vehicle.

Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a client 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The client may be used for prompting vehicle driving conditions. The client may be included in a navigation system in the vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 4, the client 400 comprises a receiver 401, a processor 403, a sender 405 and a warning device 407. The processor 403 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection. The sender 405 may be configured to send to a server, such as the server 300 in Fig. 3, the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. The receiver 401 may be configured to receive from the sever warning information which is sent if it is determined by the server that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phases based on the speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection. The warning device 407 may be configured to present the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.

In some instances, the sender 405 may be further configured to send a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection. Furthermore, the speed and position of the vehicle may be included in the request.

In some instances, intelligent traffic lights may be installed at the intersection, the related traffic light timing and phase information may be dynamically changed. In such a case, the traffic light timing and phase information related with the intelligent traffic lights may be sent by the intelligent traffic lights themselves to the approaching vehicle, in particular, to the client. The receiver 401may be further configured to receive the traffic light timing and phase information sent by the intelligent traffic lights themselves and the sender 405 may be further configured to send the traffic light timing and phase information to the server.

In some embodiments, the warning information may be presented by means of at least one of the following: a special warning icon displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a special reminder voice or music, and a slight vibration of steering wheel of the vehicle.

The client according to the invention, such as the client 400, can be implemented as a part of an electronic system of the vehicle, or a standalone device that can be connected to and interact with the electronic system of the vehicle. In the former case, the client may communicate with one or more components of the electronic system of the vehicle, such as a navigation system, a GPS system, speed sensors, a dashboard, a display (if any) , a speaker and the like. The communication may be performed via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system or any other appropriate system. In the latter case, the client may be implemented by a general purpose computer system and can communicate with the electronic system of the vehicle, in particular, one or more components such as a navigation system, a GPS system, speed sensors, a dashboard, a display (if any) , a speaker and the like, via wired connections or wireless connections. For example, the wireless connections may be Bluetooth, or any other appropriate technology. For example, the client may also be implemented as a mobile device, a tablet, a portable device, a Pad, and the like.

The server according to the invention, such as the server 300 may be implemented by any general purpose computer system.

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system/server in which the client/server according to the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 5, a computer system/server 12 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that couples various system components including system memory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. Particularly, for a client mounted on an automobile according to the embodiments, bus 18 may also include a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or other architectures designed for application on an automobile.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. Each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc. ； one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 12； and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, wireless communication module, etc. ) that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN) , a general wide area network (WAN) , and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20.

The processor 303 in the server 300 and the processor 403 in the client 400 may be implemented by the one or more processors or processing units 16. The sender 305 and the receiver 301 in the server 300 and the sender 405 and the receiver 401 in the client 400 may be implemented as a wireless communication module via the I/O interfaces 22. The database 307 in the server 300 may be implemented by the storage system 34. The warning device 407 may be implemented by the external devices 14, which may comprise external displays, speakers, beepers, vibrators and the like.

The present disclosure may also be a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) , or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) , and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

he descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

A server, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the speed and position of a vehicle from the vehicle；

a processor configured to determine whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and the position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and

a sender, configured to send warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase.
The server of claim 1, wherein the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection comprises the exact time or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.
The server of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to define the accident-prone phase based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection.
The server of claim 3, wherein the accident-prone phase is defined as including at least a flashing phase and the end part of a red light phase.
The server of claim 1, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information, wherein the request is sent from the vehicle when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection.
The server of claim 5, wherein the speed and position of the vehicle is included in the request.
The server of claim 1, wherein for fixed traffic lights at the intersection, the traffic light timing and phase information is collected by the server one time from a third party maintaining such information.
The server of claim 1, wherein for intelligent traffic lights, the traffic light timing and phase information is sent by the intelligent traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle is approaching, and is then collected by the server from the vehicle.
The server of claim 1, wherein the warning information is presented by means of at least one of the following: a special warning icon displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a special reminder voice or music, and a slight vibration of steering wheel of the vehicle.
A client device used for a vehicle, comprising:

a processor configured to determine whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection；

a sender configured to send to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection；

a receiver configured to receive from the sever warning information which is sent if it is determined by the server that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phases based on the speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and

a warning device configured to present the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.
The client device of claim 10, wherein the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection comprises the exact time or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.
The client device of claim 11 wherein the accident-prone phase is defined by the server based at least partly on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding at which phases pedestrians are most likely to run red light at the intersection.
The client device of claim 12, wherein the accident-prone phase is defined as including at least a flashing phase and the end part of a red light phase.
The client device of claim 10, wherein the sender is further configured to send a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined the vehicle is approaching the intersection.
The client device of claim 14, wherein the speed and position of the vehicle is included in the request.
The client device of claim 10, wherein for intelligent traffic lights, the receiver is further configured to receive the traffic light timing and phase information which is sent by the intelligent traffic lights when the vehicle is approaching, and the sender is further configured to send the traffic light timing and phase information to the server.
The client device of claim 10, wherein the warning information is presented by means of at least one of the following: a special warning icon displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a special reminder voice or music, and a slight vibration of steering wheel of the vehicle.
A method, comprising:

determining, by a client, whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection；

sending, by the client, to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection；

receiving, by the server, the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client；

determining, by the server, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection；

sending, by the server, warning information to the client if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase； and

receiving and presenting , by the client, the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

receiving the speed and position of a vehicle from the vehicle；

determining whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection in an accident-prone phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and

sending warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in the accident-prone phase.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

determining whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection；

sending to a server the speed and position of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection；

receiving from the sever warning information which is sent if it is determined by the server that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phases based on the speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection； and

presenting the warning information to the driver of the vehicle.