SE540357C2 - Method and control unit in a vehicle for informing another road user of a sweep area - Google Patents

Method and control unit in a vehicle for informing another road user of a sweep area

Info

Publication number
SE540357C2
SE540357C2 SE1650094A SE1650094A SE540357C2 SE 540357 C2 SE540357 C2 SE 540357C2 SE 1650094 A SE1650094 A SE 1650094A SE 1650094 A SE1650094 A SE 1650094A SE 540357 C2 SE540357 C2 SE 540357C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
vehicle
road user
sweep area
control unit
overhang
Prior art date
Application number
SE1650094A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE1650094A1 (en
Inventor
Claesson André
Original Assignee
Scania Cv Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scania Cv Ab filed Critical Scania Cv Ab
Priority to SE1650094A priority Critical patent/SE540357C2/en
Priority to DE102017000330.0A priority patent/DE102017000330A1/en
Publication of SE1650094A1 publication Critical patent/SE1650094A1/en
Publication of SE540357C2 publication Critical patent/SE540357C2/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/161—Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
    • G08G1/162—Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication event-triggered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/525—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
    • B60Q5/005—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated
    • B60Q5/006—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B60Q9/008—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for anti-collision purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W30/00—Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
    • B60W30/08—Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
    • B60W30/095—Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/166—Anti-collision systems for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/167—Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2900/00—Features of lamps not covered by other groups in B60Q
    • B60Q2900/30—Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

SUMMARYMethod (400) and control unit (120) in a vehicle (100), for informing another road user (200-1, 200-2) of a sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by an overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning. The method (400) comprises: detecting (401) that the vehicle (100) is going to turn; detecting (402) presence of the other road user (200-1, 200-2); estimating (403) the size and location of the sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by the overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning; informing (404) the detected (402) other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated (403) sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100).SUMMARYMethod (400) and control unit (120) in a vehicle (100), for informing another road user (200-1, 200-2) of a sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by an overhang (110 -1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning. The method (400) comprises: detecting (401) that the vehicle (100) is going to turn; detecting (402) presence of the other road user (200-1, 200-2); estimating (403) the size and location of the sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by the overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning; informing (404) the detected (402) other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated (403) sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100).

Description

METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT IN A VEHICLE FOR INFORMING ANOTHER ROAD USER OF A SWEEP AREA TECHNICAL FIELD This document discloses a control unit and a method in a vehicle. More particularly, a method and a control unit is provided, for informing another road user of a sweep area generated by an overhang of the vehicle when turning.
BACKGROUND Vehicles, perhaps in particular heavy vehicles like busses or trucks, may have an overhang that may sweep into another driving lane or pavement when the vehicle is turning. It may also be a problem for another road user to predict that the overhang may intrude the own driving lane.
This may cause an accident, as the other road user may be surprised by the sudden obstacle in the driveway, e.g. when driving in an oncoming lane and the vehicle is turning. For avoiding a collision, one or both of the vehicles may have to make a sudden brake. This may cause passenger accidents in particular when any of the vehicles comprises standing passengers.
A potential solution to this problem may be to activate a flashing warning light and / or warning alert on the bus when turning. This may however be very disturbing e.g. at night time when driving in densely populated areas, both for other road users and for people living close. Further, even if such warning is provided, it is difficult for the other road users to know how big the intrusion in the own driving lane will be.
It is thus desired to achieve further developments for warning another road user of the overhang of a vehicle.
SUMMARY It is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and inform another road user of an estimated sweep area generated by an overhang of a turning vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method in a control unit in a vehicle. The method intends to inform another road user of a sweep area generated by an overhang of the vehicle when turning. The method comprises detecting that the vehicle is going to turn. Further the method comprises detecting presence of the other road user. The method also comprises estimating the size and location of the sweep area generated by the overhang of the vehicle when turning. In addition the method further comprises informing the detected other road user about the estimated sweep area of the vehicle when turning.
According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control unit in a vehicle. The control unit aims at informing another road user of a sweep area generated by an overhang of the vehicle when turning. The control unit is configured for detecting that the vehicle is going to turn. Further the control unit is configured for detecting presence of the other road user. In addition the control unit is configured for estimating the size and location of the sweep area generated by the overhang of the vehicle when turning. The control unit is also configured for informing the detected other road user about the estimated sweep area of the vehicle.
Thanks to the described aspects, by detecting any approaching other road user and inform that road user about the sweep area that will result from the overhang of the vehicle when turning, the driver of the other road user is informed and alerted about the involved danger. Further, it is avoided to emit any warnings from the vehicle in case it is not required, i.e. when there is no other road user that will be affected by the overhang of the vehicle. Thereby road users that are not affected and / or people living in the vicinity are not disturbed by any superfluous warnings concerning the overhang of the vehicle.
Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description.
FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle; Figure 2A illustrates a traffic situation and a vehicle according to an embodiment; Figure 2B illustrates a traffic situation and a vehicle according to an embodiment; Figure 3A illustrates a traffic situation and a vehicle according to an embodiment, as perceived by a driver in another vehicle; Figure 3B illustrates a traffic situation and a vehicle according to an embodiment, as perceived by a driver in another vehicle; Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method; Figure 5 is an illustration depicting a system according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a control unit and a method in a control unit, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.
Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 having a front overhang 110-1 and a rear overhang 110-2.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the overhangs 110 are the lengths of the vehicle 100 which extend beyond the wheelbase at the front and rear. Practicality, style, and performance of the vehicle 100 are affected by the size and weight of the overhangs 110.
The vehicle 100 may comprise e.g. a bus, a truck, a car, a trailer, a taxiing aircraft etc. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may be running on rails, such as a train, a wagon, a tram, a subway or other similar means of transportation.
Large overhangs 110 contribute to enlarge vehicle dimensions, and the associated advantages of size. On front-engined vehicles, measuring rear overhang 110-2 is helpful in predicting the size of the trunk. For these same vehicles, large front overhangs 110-1 may accommodate larger engines. Further, thanks to large overhangs 110, it is possible to construct the vehicle 100 with a shorter wheelbase, which reduces the turning radius of the vehicle 100, making it easier to turn and to adjust the vehicle position at e.g. a loading dock.
However, a large overhang 110, perhaps in particular a large rear overhang 110-2 may present a problem in large vehicles 100 such as buses and trucks. Long rear overhang 110-2 requires the driver of the vehicle 100 to pay attention to nearby vehicles when turning, as a large sweeping area may be created in another driving lane. Since the rear overhang 110-2 is outside the wheelbase, it may hit another road user such as a vehicle in the adjacent lane, especially when turning 90 degrees right (in a right-hand drive legislation).
Other road users may not perceive the size or even existence of the danger caused by a large overhang 110 of another vehicle 100. When looking at the vehicle 100 from behind, or from the front, it is not possible to see how big the overhang 110 of the vehicle 100 is.
The vehicle 100 comprises a control unit 120 in a vehicle 100, for informing another road user of a sweep area generated by the overhang 110 of the vehicle 100 when turning.
Further, two instances of an information providing device 130-1, 130-2 is illustrated. The information providing device 130-1, 130-2 may comprise e.g. a projector, illuminating an estimated sweep area caused by the overhang 110 by steady or flashing visible light, according to some embodiments.
A concept of the disclosed method comprises determining that the vehicle 100 is going to turn in a way that will cause the overhang 110 to generate a sweep area in another lane. This may be made by detecting that the vehicle 100 is going to turn, e.g. by detecting that the driver is flashing a turn signal/ directional indication, by detecting a driving wheel movement of the vehicle 100 exceeding a threshold value and / or by knowledge of the driving route of the vehicle 100, e.g. from a navigator of the vehicle 100, in combination with continuous knowledge of the vehicle position, e.g. by Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar.
Further, various sensors, cameras and radar devices on the vehicle 100 may survey and scan the width of the driving lane, the existence, driving direction, location and velocity of any other road user, e.g. in a meeting driving lane, or an overtaking vehicle from behind. The other road user may be a vehicle or a pedestrian. Also the velocity of the own vehicle 100 may be determined.
Based on the collected information an estimation may be made concerning the size and location of the sweep area, e.g. in another driving lane, generated by the overhang 110 of the vehicle 100 when turning. The detected other road user is then informed about the estimated sweep area, e.g. via the information providing device 130-1, 130-2; by auditive signals; by ignition of a warning light; by transmitting a wireless message to the other vehicle and provide the information at the other vehicle, e.g. via loudspeakers and/ or a tactile device in that vehicle, by illustration on a display in that vehicle, by illustration in a pair of intelligent glasses or in a head-up display in the other vehicle, etc.
Figure 2A presents a traffic scenario wherein the vehicle 100 is moving in the driving direction 105 on a road towards a crossing, and wherein the vehicle is turning right.
In the meeting driving lane is another road user 200 discovered, driving in a meeting direction 205.
The vehicle 100 may detect the other road user 200 at a time to via a sensor or camera in the vehicle 100, or via communication between the respective vehicles 100, 200, in different embodiments. It may then be determined that the other road user 200 may be affected by a sweep area 210 generated by an overhang 110 of the vehicle 100, when turning.
In order to alert the driver of the other road user 200, an estimation of the sweep area 210, or the sweep area 210 generated in the meeting traffic lane is illuminated by the information providing device 130, in the illustrated embodiment.
Figure 2B presents a traffic scenario, similar to the previously described scenario in Figure 2A wherein the vehicle 100 is moving in the driving direction 105 on a road towards a crossing, and wherein the vehicle is turning right.
In the illustrated scenario, a first other vehicle 200-1 in the meeting driving lane is discovered, driving in a meeting direction 205. Further, a second other vehicle 200-2 is discovered, driving on the crossing road in a direction 215 towards the vehicle 100.
As two different other vehicles 200-1, 200-2 are discovered, each affected by different sweep areas 210-1, 210-2 generated by the front overhang 110-1 and the rear overhang 110-2 respectively, both sweep areas 210-1, 210-2 may be illuminated by the information providing devices 130-1, 130-2, in the illustrated embodiment.
It is thus possible to warn other road users 200-1, 200-2 for the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100, only when another road user 200-1, 200-2 has been detected that is affected by the overhang. Thereby, other road users and people living close to the road are not unnecessarily disturbed.
Figure 3A illustrates the same scenario as in Figure 2A, but seen from the perspective of the other road user 200.
The vehicle 100 has a front overhang 110-1 and a rear overhang 110-2, which however are difficult or impossible for the driver of the other vehicle 200 to observe.
The sweep area 210 of the vehicle 100, which is intruding the drive lane of the other vehicle 200, may be illuminated by the information providing device 130 of the vehicle 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200 are able of wireless communication. Such wireless communication may comprise, or at least be inspired by wireless communication technology such as Wi-Fi, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Bluetooth (BT), Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), optical communication such as Infrared Data Association (IrDA) or infrared transmission to name but a few possible examples of wireless communications in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the communication between the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200 may be performed via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, e.g. based on Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) devices. DSRC works in 5.9 GHz band with bandwidth of 75 MHz and approximate range of 1000 m in some embodiments.
The wireless communication may be made according to any IEEE standard for wireless vehicular communication like e.g. a special mode of operation of IEEE 802.11 for vehicular networks called Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE). IEEE 802.11 p is an extension to 802.11 Wireless LAN medium access layer (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specification.
The communication may alternatively be made over a wireless interface comprising, or at least being inspired by radio access technologies such as e.g. 3GPP LTE, LTE-Advanced, E-UTRAN, UMTS, GSM, GSM/ EDGE, WCDMA, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), 3GPP2 CDMA technologies, e.g., CDMA2000 1x RTT and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), or similar, just to mention some few options, via a wireless communication network.
The other road user 200 may comprise a receiver 310, receiving warning information from the vehicle 100 concerning the sweep area 210 of the vehicle 100. The provided information may be distributed to the driver via a loudspeaker 320 by presenting a recorded spoken message, an alerting sound, etc.
An advantage by the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A is that the other road user is warned and informed about the sweep area 210-1,210-2 irrespectively if the other road user 200 is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle 100 or not.
Figure 3B illustrates the same scenario as in Figures 2A and 3A, seen from the perspective of the other road user 200, but in an embodiment wherein the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100 is illustrated on a display 330 in the other vehicle 200.
Like in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A, the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200 are able of wireless communication, e.g. by vehicle to vehicle (V2V) or similar communication technology enumerated above. The other road user 200 may comprise a receiver 310, receiving warning information from the vehicle 100 concerning the sweep area 210 of the vehicle 100. The provided information may be distributed to the driver via the display 330. The display 330 may be situated on the dashboard of the other road user 200, on a mobile device such as a cellular telephone, tablet or watch of the other road user 200, in a pair of intelligent glasses of the other road user 200, etc.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in the figure, the warning information from the vehicle 100 concerning the sweep area 210 of the vehicle 100 may be distributed to the driver via the loudspeaker 320 of the other road user 200.
Alternatively, or in addition, a tactile device of the other road user 200 may be activated in order to alert the other road user 200 of the approaching danger. The tactile device may be arranged in a car seat, a driving wheel, or other vehicle part in close connection with the driver of the other road user 200 (vehicle) and / or in a cellular telephone etc., of the other road user 200 (pedestrian).
An advantage by the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3B in comparison with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A is that no external illumination of the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 is required. It is thereby avoided that any other road user or neighbour is disturbed.
Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method 400 according to an embodiment. The flow chart in Figure 4 shows the method 400 in a control unit 110 in a vehicle 100. The method 400 aims at informing another road user 200-1, 200-2 of a sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by an overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100, when turning.
The other road user 200-1, 200-2 may be another vehicle of any arbitrary kind of means for conveyance, or a pedestrian.
In order to correctly be able to inform the another road user 200-1, 200-2 of the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100, the method 400 may comprise a number of steps 401-404. Further, the described steps 401-404 may be performed in a somewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. The method 400 may comprise the subsequent steps: Step 401 comprises detecting that the vehicle 100 is going to turn.
Such detection may be made e.g. by detecting that the driver is flashing a turn signal/ directional indication; by detecting a driving wheel movement of the vehicle 100 exceeding a threshold value and / or by knowledge of the driving route of the vehicle 100, e.g. from a navigator of the vehicle 100, in combination with continuous knowledge of the vehicle position, e.g. by Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar. In case the vehicle 100 is a city bus or similar vehicle for public transportation, knowledge concerning the driving route of the vehicle 100, time table and time determination may be used.
Step 402 comprises detecting presence of another road user 200-1, 200-2.
The detection may be made by a sensor, camera or radio device on the vehicle 100, capable of detecting other road users and also detect their driving direction, location and velocity.
The detection of the other road user 200-1, 200-2 may comprise determining distance to the other road user 200-1, 200-2 and determining a relative velocity between the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200-1, 200-2 in some embodiments. The relative velocity may be determined by determining the velocity of the own vehicle 100 by a speedometer or similar.
Further the relative velocity may be determined by a sensor, based on laser for determining distance between the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200 at some different time intervals.
Step 403 comprises estimating the size and location of the sweep area 210-1,210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100 when turning.
Step 404 comprises informing the detected 402 other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated 403 sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100.
The information concerning the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100 may be projected by vehicle external projection in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the other road user 200-1, 200-2 may be informed 404 via wireless communication, in case the other road user 200-1, 200-2 is able of wireless communication.
In some embodiments, an escalation of intensity may be made when informing the other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated 403 sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100 when the distance to the other road user 200-1, 200-2 is less than a threshold value for the determined relative velocity.
When the relative velocity between the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200-1, 200-2 is high, the distance threshold value is shorter than when the relative velocity is low.
In some embodiments, an escalation of intensity may be made by any of ignition of lights on the vehicle 100; flashing lights on the vehicle 100; activating the horn of the vehicle 100; or all of them together.
Figure 5 illustrates a system 500 in a vehicle 100, for informing another road user 200-1, 200-2 of a sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by an overhang of the vehicle 100 when turning, according to an embodiment. The system 500 comprises a control unit 120 for performing at least some of the previously described steps 401-404 according to the method 400 described above and illustrated in Figure 4. Thus the control unit 120 aims at informing another road user 200-1, 200-2 of the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by an overhang 110-1,11 0-2 of the vehicle 100 when turning.
The control unit 120 is configured for detecting that the vehicle 100 is going to turn. Further, the control unit 120 is configured for detecting presence of the other road user 200-1, 200-2. In addition, the control unit 120 is further configured for estimating the size and location of the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100 when turning. Furthermore, the control unit 120 is configured for informing the detected other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100.
Further, according to some embodiments, the control unit 120 may be configured for generating control signals for projecting the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100 via an information providing device 130-1, 130-2 by vehicle external projection.
In addition, according to some embodiments, the control unit 120 may be configured for generating control signals for informing the other road user 200-1, 200-2 via wireless communication, in case the other road user 200-1, 200-2 is able of wireless communication.
Further, the control unit 120 may also be configured for determining distance to the other road user 200-1, 200-2 and determining a relative velocity between the vehicle 100 and the other road user 200-1, 200-2.
In addition, the control unit 120 may be further configured for generating control signals for escalate intensity when informing the other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated sweep area 210-1,210-2 of the vehicle 100 when the distance to the other road user 200-1, 200-2 is less than a threshold value for the determined relative velocity. The control unit 120 may be configured for escalating the intensity in the information provided to the other road user 200-1, 200-2 by generating control signals for ignition of lights on the vehicle 100; flashing lights on the vehicle 100; and / or activating the horn of the vehicle 100.
Further the system 500 comprises a sensor 540 in the vehicle 100, configured for detecting that the vehicle 100 is going to turn. In some embodiments, the sensor 540 may detect driving wheel movement exceeding a predetermined threshold value. Further the sensor 540 may be configured for detecting a flashing direction indicator of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the sensor 540 may detect that the vehicle is going to turn, based on information extracted from a navigator of the vehicle 100, and knowledge of the vehicle position via e.g. GPS.
In addition, the system 500 also comprises a sensor 550 for detecting presence of the other road user 200-1, 200-2. The sensor 550 may comprise a camera, a stereo camera, an infrared camera or a video camera and presence of the other road user 200-1, 200-2 may be detected through image analysis. Further the sensor 550 may comprise a radar or a lidar unit. Further the sensor 550 may be configured for emitting radio waves and receiving reflexions of the emitted radio waves, reflected by the other road user 200-1, 200-2.
The sensor 550 may comprise e.g. a motion detector and / or be based on a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor sensitive to a hot vehicle motor and / or a person's skin temperature through emitted black body radiation at mid-infrared wavelengths, in contrast to background objects at room temperature; or by emitting a continuous wave of microwave radiation and detect motion through the principle of Doppler radar; or by emitting an ultrasonic wave an detecting and analysing the reflections; by a tomographic motion detection system based on detection of radio wave disturbances.
According to some alternative embodiments, sensor 550 may comprise any on-board rangefinder sensor, such as e.g. a laser rangefinder, an ultrasonic sensor emitting an ultrasonic wave and detecting and analysing the reflections, or other similar devices.
In addition the system 500 also comprises an information providing device 130-1, 130-2 for informing the detected other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100.
The information providing device 130-1, 130-2 may be a projector for emitting visible light or laser.
The control unit 120 comprises a receiver 510, configured for receiving sensor data from the sensors 540, 550.
Also, the control unit 120 comprises a processor 520 configured for detecting that the vehicle 100 is going to turn; detecting presence of the other road user 200-1, 200-2; estimating the size and location of the sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by the overhang 110-1, 110-2 of the vehicle 100 when turning; and informing the detected other road user 200-1, 200-2 about the estimated sweep area 210-1, 210-2 of the vehicle 100.
Such processor 520 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e. a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The herein utilised expression “processor” may thus represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones enumerated above.
Furthermore, the control unit 120 may comprise a memory 525 in some embodiments. The optional memory 525 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some embodiments, the memory 525 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors. The memory 525 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such as e.g. ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different embodiments.
Further, the control unit 120 may comprise a signal transmitter 530. The signal transmitter 530 may be configured for transmitting a signal to be received by the receiver 310 of the other road user 200 and / or the information providing device 130-1.
The previously described steps 401-404 to be performed in the control unit 120 may be implemented through the one or more processors 520 within the control unit 120, together with computer program product for performing at least some of the functions of the steps 401-404. Thus a computer program product, comprising instructions for performing the steps 401 -404 in the control unit 120 may perform the method 400 comprising at least some of the steps 401-404 for informing another road user 200-1, 200-2 of a sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by an overhang of the vehicle 100 when turning, when the computer program is loaded into the one or more processors 520 of the control unit 120. The described steps 401 -404 thus may be performed by a computer algorithm, a machine executable code, a nontransitory computer-readable medium, or a software instructions programmed into a suitable programmable logic such as the processor 520 in the control unit 120.
Further, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100, comprising the system 500 for informing another road user 200-1, 200-2 of a sweep area 210-1, 210-2 generated by an overhang of the vehicle 100 when turning.
The computer program product mentioned above may be provided for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least some of the steps 401-404 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or more processors 520 of the control unit 120. The data carrier may be, e.g., a hard disk, a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any other appropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readable data in a non-transitory manner. The computer program product may furthermore be provided as computer program code on a server and downloaded to the control unit 120 remotely, e.g., over an Internet or an intranet connection.
The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described method 400, control unit 120; computer program and / or vehicle 100. Various changes, substitutions and / or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
As used herein, the term "and/ or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are to be interpreted as “at least one”, thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and / or "comprising", specifies the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/ distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system.

Claims (11)

PATENT CLAIMS
1. A method (400) in a control unit (120) in a vehicle (100), for informing another road user (200-1, 200-2) of a sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by an overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning wherein the method (400) comprises: detecting (401) that the vehicle (100) is going to turn; detecting (402) presence of the other road user (200-1, 200-2); estimating (403) the size and location of the sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by the overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning; informing (404) the detected (402) other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated (403) sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100) by vehicle external projection, wherein information concerning the sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100) is projected.
2. The method (400) according to claim 1, wherein the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is informed (404) via wireless communication, in case the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is able of wireless communication.
3. The method (400) according to any of claims 1 -2, wherein the detection (402) of the other road user (200-1, 200-2) comprises determining distance to the other road user (200-1, 200-2) and determining a relative velocity between the vehicle (100) and the other road user (200-1, 200-2); and wherein an escalation of intensity in the information provided to the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is made when informing (404) the other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated (403) sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100) when the distance to the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is less than a threshold value for the determined relative velocity.
4. The method (400) according to claim 3, wherein the escalation of intensity is made by any of ignition of lights on the vehicle (100); flashing lights on the vehicle (100); activating the horn of the vehicle (100).
5. A control unit (120) in a vehicle (100), for informing another road user (200-1, 200-2) of a sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by an overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning wherein the control unit (120) is configured to: detect that the vehicle (100) is going to turn; detect presence of the other road user (200-1, 200-2); estimate the size and location of the sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by the overhang (110-1, 110-2) of the vehicle (100) when turning; and inform the detected other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100) by projection via vehicle external projection to inform the detected other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100).
6. The control unit (120) according to claim 5, further configured to inform the detected other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated sweep area (210-1,210-2) of the vehicle (100) via wireless communication, in case the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is able of wireless communication.
7. The control unit (120) according to any of claims 5-6, further configured to determine distance to the other road user (200-1, 200-2) and determine a relative velocity between the vehicle (100) and the other road user (200-1, 200-2); and also configured to escalate information intensity about the estimated (403) sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100) when the distance to the other road user (200-1, 200-2) is less than a threshold value for the determined relative velocity.
8. The control unit (120) according to claim 7, further configured to escalate the information intensity by ignition of lights on the vehicle (100); flashing lights on the vehicle (100) and / or activating the horn of the vehicle (100).
9. A computer program comprising program code for performing a method (400) according to any of claims 1-4, when the computer program is executed in a control unit (120) according to any of claims 5-8.
10. A system (500) in a vehicle (100), for informing another road user (200-1, 200-2) of a sweep area (210-1, 210-2) generated by an overhang of the vehicle (100) when turning wherein the system (500) comprises: a control unit (120) according to any of claims 5-8; a sensor (540) for detecting that the vehicle (100) is going to turn; a sensor (550) for detecting presence of the other road user (200-1, 200-2); and an information providing device (130-1, 130-2) for informing the detected other road user (200-1, 200-2) about the estimated sweep area (210-1, 210-2) of the vehicle (100).
11. A vehicle (100) comprising a system (500) according to claim 10.
SE1650094A 2016-01-27 2016-01-27 Method and control unit in a vehicle for informing another road user of a sweep area SE540357C2 (en)

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SE1650094A SE540357C2 (en) 2016-01-27 2016-01-27 Method and control unit in a vehicle for informing another road user of a sweep area
DE102017000330.0A DE102017000330A1 (en) 2016-01-27 2017-01-16 Method and control unit in a vehicle

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CN108109413B (en) * 2017-12-13 2020-06-26 厦门金龙旅行车有限公司 Information interaction system for unmanned vehicle and non-intelligent traffic participants
DE102018219911A1 (en) 2018-11-21 2020-05-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for operating a vehicle to avoid or resolve a traffic jam

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