SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORIGINATING VEHICLE DRIVING CONDITIONS

Abstract

Server that includes the following: a receiver configured to receive a vehicle's speed and position from the vehicle; a processor configured to determine, based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection, and the traffic light sequence and phase information, whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection during a potentially dangerous phase; and a transmitter configured to send warning information to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phase; the processor is further configured to define the accident-prone phase based at least partially on the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of in-vehicle mobile services and in particular to a new method and system for initiating vehicle driving conditions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Red Light Crossing (RLC) refers to pedestrians crossing an intersection when the traffic light is red. This behavior often poses a danger to both drivers and pedestrians. For example, according to statistics published by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security's Transportation Organization, from January to October 2012, there were 4,227 traffic accidents caused by pedestrians crossing when the light is red, resulting in 798 fatalities, or 2.6 fatalities per day.

[0003] Therefore, it is very important to raise awareness of RLC (Reverse Collision-Free) behavior among pedestrians and to prevent resulting traffic accidents. Many solutions have been proposed for this purpose.

[0004] For example, utility model patent CN203288088 U discloses an infrared traffic light early warning system comprising 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 to the single-chip microcomputer. The output terminal of the single-chip microcomputer is connected to an audible and visual alarm module and a voice alarm module. When using the infrared traffic light early warning system designed in the utility model, the system is linked to traffic lights. The infrared encoding transmitter and the infrared receiving circuit can be positioned on either side of a pedestrian crossing.If a person crosses a traffic light against a red light, the sound and light alarm module can trigger a sound and light alarm to alert the person, and the voice alarm module can transmit voice communication to deter the person or vehicle, thereby improving safety while crossing the road, enhancing a driver's awareness of obeying traffic rules, and effectively reducing the frequency rate of serious incidents.

[0005] As a further example, utility model patent CN202534163 U discloses a warning device for pedestrians crossing at a red light. The warning device comprises an infrared grid, a trigger signal detection circuit, a microprocessor, a voice circuit, a timer, an ambient noise detection circuit, a switching power supply, a waterproof acoustic signaling device, red and green indicator lights, a warning light, and a casing.According to the warning device provided by the utility model, a pair of infrared grids is used as a detector for pedestrians crossing against a red light. When the traffic light is red and a pedestrian crosses against the red light, the pedestrian blocks the infrared grids, and a trigger signal is then emitted. Upon receiving a signal indicating that a pedestrian is crossing against a red light, the microprocessor immediately emits a red warning signal and plays a voice signal to induce the pedestrian to turn back and wait, indicating that they are crossing against a red light. The built-in timer and ambient noise detection circuitry of the pedestrian warning device provided by the utility model allows the volume of the music played to be controlled according to different time periods and levels of background noise.The warning device for pedestrians crossing at red, provided by the utility model, offers a way to encourage people to observe traffic rules in practice, improves the public's perception of pedestrians and enhances safety in urban traffic.

[0006] Another utility model patent, CN202257937 U, provides a device for monitoring pedestrians at a road intersection. The device comprises a main control unit, signal lamps, and a camera, wherein a signal receiver, a signal controller, a data processor, a data storage device, and an information interface are arranged in the main control unit; the signal lamps are connected to the signal receiver and the signal controller of the main control unit and are mounted above the road intersection; the device is characterized in that: a signal detector connected to the signal receiver of the main control unit is arranged on the pedestrian side of the road intersection; and a large-screen display connected to the data processor of the main control unit is arranged on one side of the road intersection.The device provided by the utility model can appropriately and effectively monitor and display the traffic behavior of pedestrians; and as soon as a pedestrian crosses against a red light, the device sends a verbal prompt and takes a picture, and at the same time the image of the pedestrian crossing against a red light is displayed on the screen to admonish the pedestrian to keep traffic flowing smoothly and to avoid traffic accidents caused by the pedestrian crossing against a red light.

[0007] All these utility models use laser / infrared grids or a monitoring device to detect RLC behavior of pedestrians and then emit voice, music, light alarms or display the RLC behavior on the screen to warn pedestrians not to be traffic light offenders, to observe the traffic rules and thus avoid traffic accidents and improve road safety.

[0008] CN104183158A discloses a real-time safety warning system for intersections based on smartphones and cloud computing elements. CN104252793A describes a method in which the states of signal lamps at intersections are detected in a vehicle, and various parameters such as relative speed and relative position between the vehicle and the traffic light are evaluated.

[0009] German patent DE102011106320A1 describes a method for collision avoidance for a motor vehicle at a traffic light. German patent DE102011102426A1 discloses a method for operating a longitudinal driver assistance system for a motor vehicle.

[0010] German patent DE102008030550A1 discloses a method for warning road users at intersections, which aims to detect conflict situations based on recorded movement data of the road users. German patent DE112009005027T5 describes a vehicle drive support device which aims to correctly support the drive system by taking arrow traffic light signals into account. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present disclosure aims to provide a new and improved method and system for preventing potential traffic accidents and improving road safety.

[0012] In general, the present disclosure provides such a novel method and system by issuing warnings about the potential red-light hazard behavior of pedestrians at an intersection, in order to alert a driver of a vehicle, when approaching the intersection during accident-prone phases, to exercise caution in order to avoid a possible collision with pedestrians crossing against a red light. Specifically, the method and system employ a client and a server that communicate with each other. As a vehicle approaches an intersection, the client in the vehicle determines the vehicle's speed and position and transmits this information to the server.The server receives the vehicle's speed and position and, based on this information, the intersection's location, and the traffic light sequence and phase, determines whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase. If it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase, the server sends warning information to the client for the driver to display. Otherwise, the server does not send any warning information to the client.

[0013] According to a first embodiment of the invention, a server is provided comprising: a receiver configured to receive a vehicle's speed and position from the vehicle; a processor configured to determine, based on the received vehicle speed and position, the position of the intersection, and traffic light sequence and phase information, whether the vehicle will arrive at an intersection during a potentially dangerous phase; and a transmitter configured to send warning information to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase.Furthermore, the processor is configured to define the accident-prone phase based at least partially on the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red.

[0014] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection can include the exact time span or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

[0015] In one example of the present embodiment, the accident-prone phase can be defined such that it includes at least one flashing phase and the last part of a red light phase.

[0016] In one example of the present embodiment, the receiver can further be configured to receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information, the request being sent by the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

[0017] In one example of the present embodiment, the speed and position of the vehicle can be included in the requirement.

[0018] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information for specified traffic lights at the intersection can be obtained once by the server from third parties who maintain such information.

[0019] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information for smart traffic lights can be sent by the smart traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle approaches, and is then obtained from the vehicle by the server.

[0020] In one example of the present embodiment, the warning information can be represented by at least one of the following: a special warning symbol displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle, a specific admonitory voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0021] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a client device for use in a vehicle is provided, comprising: a processor configured to determine, based on the vehicle's speed and position and the intersection's position, whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection; a transmitter configured to send the vehicle's speed and position to a server when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection; a receiver configured to receive warning information from the server, which is sent when the server determines, based on the vehicle's speed and position, the intersection's position, and the intersection's traffic light sequence and phase information, that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase;and a warning device configured to present warning information to the driver of the vehicle. The accident-prone phase is defined by the server based at least partially on the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on a red light.

[0022] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection can include the exact time span or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

[0023] In one example of the present embodiment, the accident-prone phase can be defined such that it includes at least one flashing phase and the last part of a red light phase.

[0024] In one example of the present embodiment, the transmitter can further be configured to send a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

[0025] In one example of the present embodiment, the speed and position of the vehicle can be included in the requirement.

[0026] In one example of the present embodiment, the receiver for smart traffic lights can further be configured to receive the traffic light switching and phase information sent by the smart traffic lights when the vehicle approaches, and the transmitter can further be configured to send the traffic light switching and phase information to the server.

[0027] In one example of the present embodiment, the warning information can be represented by at least one of the following: a special warning symbol displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle, a specific admonitory voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0028] According to a third embodiment of the invention, a method is provided which comprises: determining, based on at least the position of the vehicle and the position of the intersection, by a client, whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection; sending the vehicle's speed and position to a server by the client when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection; receiving the vehicle's speed and position transmitted by the client by the server; determining, based on the received vehicle speed and position, the position of the intersection, and the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase; sending warning information to the client by the server when it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase;and receiving and presenting warning information to the vehicle's driver by the client. The accident-prone phase is defined based at least partially on the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red.

[0029] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection can include the exact time span or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

[0030] In one example of the present embodiment, the accident-prone phase can be defined such that it includes at least one flashing phase and the last part of a red light phase.

[0031] In one example of the present embodiment, the method may further include the client sending a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

[0032] In one example of the present embodiment, the speed and position of the vehicle can be included in the requirement.

[0033] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information for specified traffic lights at the intersection can be obtained once by the server from third parties who maintain such information.

[0034] In one example of the present embodiment, the traffic light switching and phase information for smart traffic lights can be sent by the smart traffic lights to the vehicle when the vehicle approaches, and is then obtained from the vehicle by the server.

[0035] In one example of the present embodiment, the warning information can be represented by at least one of the following: a special warning symbol displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle, a specific admonitory voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a non-volatile, computer-readable medium is provided with instructions stored on it which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method specified in claim 16.

[0037] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-volatile, computer-readable medium is provided with instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method specified in claim 16.

[0038] Further areas of application of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description presented below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, although they indicate preferred embodiments of the invention, are merely exemplary, since various changes and modifications within the basic features and scope of protection of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The above and further aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which exemplify the basic features of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 represents a histogram showing pedestrian-RLC ratios during different traffic periods according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 represents a flowchart illustrating a method for warning of possible RLC behavior of pedestrians at an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 3 represents a block diagram of a server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 4 represents a block diagram of a client according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 5 represents a block diagram of a computer system / server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, into which the client / server according to the present disclosure can be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0040] The following detailed description includes numerous specific details to provide a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments described. However, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be implemented in practice without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well-known structures or process steps have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present disclosure.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a statistical research study from Tongji University in China, which analyzes the traffic light time periods during which pedestrians are most likely to cross on red, divides an RLC period into four phases: a flashing phase, which refers to the phase during the transition from a green phase to a red phase; an (early) red phase, which is the first 1 / 3 of a red phase; a (middle) red phase, which is the second 1 / 3 of the red phase; and a (late) red phase, which is the last 1 / 3 of the red phase. As shown in Figure 1, a statistical research study from Tongji University in China, which analyzes the traffic light light periods during which pedestrians are most likely to cross on red, divides an RLC period into four phases: a flashing phase, which refers to the phase during the transition from a green phase to a red phase; an (early) red phase, which is the first 1 / 3 of a red phase; a (mid) red phase, which is the second 1 / 3 of a red phase; and a (late) red phase, which is the last 1 / 3 of a red phase. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, most RLC (Return-to-Lawn) behaviors of pedestrians occur during the flashing light phase and the (late) red light phase. Fig. 1. The proportions of pedestrians crossing the road (RLC) during the flashing and (late) red phases are much higher than those during the (early) red and (mid-) red phases, both on Wuning Road and North Zhongshan Road. This may be because pedestrians want to catch the last few moments of the green light during the flashing phase and do not want to wait for another long period of red. During the (late) red phase, on the other hand, it may be because pedestrians have already waited for a long period of red and want to start crossing earlier, even if the red light is still on. Thus, in Fig. 1. The flashing phase and the (late) red phase are more prone to accidents and can be described as accident-prone phases.

[0042] In light of this, a new procedure and system for warning about possible RLC behavior of pedestrians at an intersection is provided to admonish a driver of a vehicle, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection during accident-prone phases, such as a flashing phase and a (late) red phase, which were identified in the above statistical research study, to take precautions to prevent a potential collision with pedestrians who are crossing on red.

[0043] In general, the procedure and system can comprise a client and a server that communicate with each other. As a vehicle approaches an intersection, the client in the vehicle determines the vehicle's speed and position and sends this information to the server. The server receives the vehicle's speed and position and, based on this information, the location of the intersection, and the traffic light sequence and phase, determines whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase. If it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase, the server sends warning information to the client for display to the vehicle's driver. Otherwise, the server does not send any warning information to the client.Some exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below.

[0044] First, the focus will be on Fig. 2 Reference is made to a flowchart illustrating a method 200 for warning of possible RLC behavior of pedestrians at an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] The process begins at step 210, where a client determines whether a vehicle is approaching an intersection based on at least the vehicle's position and the position of an intersection. The vehicle's position can be obtained from a GPS device installed in the vehicle or any other positioning device capable of locating the vehicle. The intersection's position can be obtained from a navigation map contained in a navigation system within the vehicle. In one embodiment, the client can determine that a vehicle is approaching an intersection if they determine that the distance between the vehicle's position and the intersection's position decreases over time and falls below a threshold distance. The threshold distance can be 100 m, 200 m, or any other suitable distance.

[0046] In another embodiment, the client can determine whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection based on its speed and position, as well as the position of the intersection. The speed can be obtained from speed sensors in the vehicle or from the GPS system. For example, the client can determine that a vehicle is approaching an intersection if the distance between the vehicle's position and the intersection's position is below a certain threshold and the vehicle's speed is directed towards the intersection. For instance, if the vehicle is traveling towards the intersection and enters a position less than 100 meters from an intersection that is about to be reached, the client determines that the vehicle is approaching the intersection.

[0047] If, in step 210, the client determines that the vehicle is approaching the intersection, the process proceeds to step 220, in which the client sends the vehicle's speed and position to a server. In one embodiment, the server can communicate with the client using 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 have previously registered with the server. In another embodiment, as the vehicle approaches the intersection, the client can send a request to the server asking whether the driver needs to receive warning information about potential pedestrian collision avoidance (RRC) behavior. In another embodiment, the vehicle's speed and position can be included in the request.

[0048] For example, if the client determines that the distance between the vehicle's current position and the approaching intersection is less than 100 m, and that the vehicle is traveling towards the intersection, thus determining that it is approaching the intersection as described above, the client sends a request to the server containing the driver's current speed and position. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the 100 m distance is merely an example; any suitable distance is possible.

[0049] The process then moves to step 230, where the server receives the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client.

[0050] After receiving the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client, the process moves to step 240, where the server determines, based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection, and the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in a phase prone to accidents.

[0051] In some cases, the traffic light timing and phase information for the intersection may include the exact time span or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection.

[0052] In one embodiment, the server can store the acquired traffic light switching and phase information in a database.

[0053] In one embodiment, fixed traffic lights can be installed at the intersection. The traffic light sequence and phase information for these fixed lights may not change frequently and can therefore be obtained once by the server from third parties who maintain such information. In another embodiment, the traffic light sequence and phase information for the fixed lights can be updated regularly.

[0054] In another embodiment, intelligent traffic lights can be installed at the intersection, and the associated traffic light sequence and phase information can change dynamically. In such a case, the traffic light sequence and phase information can be transmitted by the intelligent traffic lights themselves to the approaching vehicle, in particular to the client. The server can then retrieve the traffic light sequence and phase information from the client. Communication between the intelligent traffic lights and the client can be implemented using any wireless communication technology, such as 3G, LTE, DSRC, and the like.

[0055] In some cases, the server can define an accident-prone phase based, at least in part, on the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red. An accident-prone phase can refer to a phase during which a pedestrian is most likely to cross the intersection on red. In one embodiment, the accident-prone phase can be defined as including at least one flashing phase and a late red phase. In another embodiment, the late red phase can be the final part of a red light phase. For example, the late red phase can be the last one-third of a red light phase, as in Fig. 1 is shown. In particular, the accident-prone phase can occur when, according to the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection, a 1-minute green light phase from 3:01:00 PM to 3:02:00 PM and a 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 and red light phases are imminent, where the 1-minute red light phase is divided into three phases, i.e., an (early) red phase from 3:02:10 PM to 3:02:30 PM, a mid-range red phase from 3:02:30 PM to 3:02:50 PM, and a (late) red phase from 3:02:50 PM to 3:03:10 PM, the flashing phase of 15:02:00 to 15:02:10 and the (late) red phase from 15:02:50 to 15:03:10.

[0056] However, it is understandable to a person skilled in the art that the accident-prone phase can encompass any phase during which RLC behavior frequently occurs. For example, the accident-prone phases at certain intersections where many accidents occur due to RLC pedestrians, or at certain times of day (such as rush hour) when many pedestrians cross intersections on red, could cover all traffic light phases. In one embodiment, the accident-prone phase can include the green light phase, the flashing phase, and the red light phase. In such a case, the driver always receives warning information when the vehicle approaches certain intersections at certain times. In another embodiment, the accident-prone phase can include the flashing phase and the red light phase.In such a case, the accident-prone phase, where a 10-second flashing phase from 15:02:00 to 15:02:10 and a 1-minute red light phase from 15:02:10 to 15:03:10 are imminent, as previously described, may include both phases, i.e., from 15:02:00 to 15:03:10.

[0057] In some embodiments, the server can calculate the time the vehicle will arrive at the intersection based on the vehicle's current position and speed, as well as the intersection's position, and determine whether the vehicle's arrival time falls within the accident-prone phases. Referring to the embodiment described above, if the distance between the vehicle's current position and the intersection is 90 m, the vehicle's speed towards the intersection is 36 km / h, and the current time is 15:02:04, it is estimated that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in 9 seconds (this can be calculated by dividing the distance between the vehicle's current position and the intersection by the vehicle's speed).If the vehicle arrives at the intersection at 3:02:13 PM, which falls within the (early) red phase from 3:02:10 PM to 3:02:30 PM, the server can then determine that the vehicle will not arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phase. In another example, if the distance between the vehicle's current position and the intersection is 90 m, the vehicle's speed is 36 km / h, and the current time is 3:02:50 PM, it is estimated that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in 9 seconds, i.e., at 3:02:59 PM, which falls within the (late) red phase from 3:02:50 PM to 3:03:10 PM. The server can then determine that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phase. The estimated time at which the vehicle will arrive at the intersection can be calculated in various ways.For example, the server can calculate the time taking into account the fact that the driver will reduce speed as they approach the intersection. Specifically, the time can be calculated by dividing the distance between the vehicle's current position and the intersection's position by the vehicle's current speed and then multiplying by a suitable coefficient.

[0058] If, at step 240, the server determines that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a period of high accident risk, the process moves to step 250, in which the server sends warning information to the client.

[0059] Then, at step 260, the client receives the warning information and presents it to the vehicle's driver. In one embodiment, the warning information can be presented by at least one of the following: a specific warning symbol displayed on the vehicle's instrument panel, a specific admonitory voice message or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel. For example, the client may include a speaker that, in such a case, emits an admonitory voice message or music. For instance, if the server determines that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a high-risk phase, as described above, the server may send an admonitory voice message, "Please drive carefully, you are approaching a high-risk intersection with possible RLC (Return to Control) behavior from pedestrians." The client may also include a display for showing a warning message on a screen.As another example, the client can cause a specific warning symbol to appear on the vehicle's dashboard. These are merely examples of ways to present warning information to the driver, and it is understood by experts that any other suitable methods can be used for this purpose.

[0060] Upon receiving the warning information, the driver can take appropriate precautions to avoid a collision with RLC pedestrians, e.g., the driver can actively reduce the vehicle speed and carefully proceed through the intersection, or the driver can sound the horn to warn and deter RLC pedestrians, etc.

[0061] The embodiments according to the disclosure offer a number of advantages, especially compared to the solutions in the prior art.

[0062] First, in the prior art, warning alarms / signals only occur after a pedestrian has crossed against a red light. Accidents may have already occurred before the pedestrian notices the alarms and takes action. In contrast, the present method, according to the disclosure, can prevent or reduce the occurrence of collisions with pedestrians crossing against a red light by providing drivers with warning information to take certain precautions (e.g., reducing speed, honking, etc.) as they approach the intersection. Because drivers receive warning information and can take certain precautions (such as reducing speed, honking, etc.) before arriving at the intersection, they have more time to reduce speed and stop if necessary, and pedestrians can be warned earlier.Thus, the procedure, as disclosed, improves traffic safety at intersections.

[0063] Secondly, the acoustic or visual alarms in the utility models could be difficult for pedestrians to hear or see, especially if they are at a very noisy and busy intersection. This is to say nothing of pedestrians who deliberately intend to cross the intersection while the light is red; they will intentionally ignore the warning alarms. Under these circumstances, the prior art solutions are quite ineffective in alerting pedestrians to red-light hazards and preventing traffic accidents. In contrast, a symbol on the dashboard, possibly in combination with a cautionary voice / music message or a cautionary vibration of the steering wheel, provides drivers with a direct warning according to the embodiments of the invention, enabling them to act immediately to avoid a potential collision with red-light hazard pedestrians.Therefore, the present method is much more effective compared to methods for sending warning signals in a noisy road environment according to prior art disclosures, since this method provides direct and effective warning information for vehicle drivers.

[0064] Furthermore, instead of issuing warning information to drivers at every intersection and at every traffic light phase, which could be very disruptive for drivers, the system only sends warning information to drivers when the vehicle will arrive at the intersections during defined accident-prone phases, thus providing a precise warning.

[0065] Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a server 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The server can be an example of the server as described in Method 200. The server can be used as a server for initiating driving conditions.

[0066] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the server 300 can comprise a receiver 301, a processor 303, and a transmitter 305. In one embodiment, the receiver 300 can receive the vehicle's speed and position from the vehicle. Based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection, and the traffic light sequence and phase information of the intersection, the processor 303 can determine whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase. The transmitter 305 can send warning information to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially dangerous phase.

[0067] In some cases, the traffic light timing and phase information for the intersection includes the precise duration or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection. In one embodiment, the processor 303 can further define the accident-prone phase based at least partially on the traffic light timing and phase information for the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red. In one embodiment, the accident-prone phase can be defined as including at least one flashing phase and one late red phase. In one embodiment, the late red phase can be the final part of a red light phase. For example, the late red phase can be the last one-third of a red light phase.

[0068] In some embodiments, the receiver 301 can receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information. As described previously, the request can be sent by the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. Furthermore, the vehicle's speed and position can be included in the request.

[0069] The server may also include a database 307 that stores the traffic light switching and phase information.

[0070] In some cases, the traffic light timing and phase information for fixed traffic lights installed at the intersection can be obtained once by Server 300 from third parties that maintain such information, such as a traffic authority. In other cases, the traffic light timing and phase information for smart traffic lights installed at the intersection can be sent to the vehicle by the smart traffic lights as the vehicle approaches, and can then be retrieved by Server 300 from the vehicle.

[0071] Fig. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a client 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The client can be used to initiate vehicle driving conditions. The client can be included in a navigation system in the vehicle.

[0072] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the client 400 comprises a receiver 401, a processor 403, a transmitter 405, and a warning device 407. The processor 403 can be configured to determine, based on at least the vehicle's position and the intersection's position, whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection. The transmitter 405 can be configured to transmit the vehicle's speed and position to a server, such as the server 300 in Figure 4. Fig. 3. to send when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. Receiver 401 can be configured to receive warning information from the server, which is sent when the server determines, based on the vehicle's speed and position, the intersection's position, and the intersection's traffic light sequence and phase information, that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a potentially hazardous phase. Warning device 407 can be configured to present the warning information to the vehicle's driver.

[0073] In some cases, transmitter 405 can also be configured to send a request for warning information to the server when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. Furthermore, the vehicle's speed and position can be included in the request.

[0074] In some cases, intelligent traffic lights may be installed at the intersection, and the associated traffic light timing and phase information may change dynamically. In such a case, the traffic light timing and phase information relating to the intelligent traffic lights can be sent by the intelligent traffic lights themselves to the approaching vehicle, in particular the client. The receiver 401 can further be configured to receive the traffic light timing and phase information sent by the intelligent traffic lights themselves, and the transmitter 405 can further be configured to send the traffic light timing and phase information to the server.

[0075] In some embodiments, the warning information may be presented by at least one of the following: a special warning symbol displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle, a specific admonitory voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0076] The client according to the invention, such as the Client 400, can be implemented as part of a vehicle's electronic system or as a standalone device that can be connected to and interact with the vehicle's electronic system. In the former case, the client can communicate with one or more components of the vehicle's electronic system, such as a navigation system, a GPS system, speed sensors, an instrument panel, a display (if present), a loudspeaker, and the like. Communication can be carried out via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system or any other suitable system. In the latter case, the client can be implemented by a general-purpose computer system and can communicate with the vehicle's electronic system, in particular one or more components, such as...A navigation system, GPS system, proximity sensors, dashboard, display (if present), speaker, and the like communicate via wired or wireless connections. For example, the wireless connections could be Bluetooth or any other suitable technology. The client could also be implemented as a mobile device, tablet, wearable device, pad, and the like.

[0077] The server according to the invention, such as the Server 300, can be implemented by any general-purpose computer system.

[0078] Fig. Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a computer system / server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the client / server according to the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0079] As in Fig.Figure 5 shows a computer system / server 12 in the form of a general-purpose computer. The components of the computer system / server 12 can include, among other things, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that connects various system components, including the system memory 28 to the processor 16.

[0080] Bus 18 represents one or more of any arbitrary types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and without limitation, such architectures include an ISA (Industry Standard) bus, an MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) bus, an EISA (Enhanced ISA) bus, a VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) local bus, and a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. In particular, for a client mounted on a motor vehicle, according to the embodiments, Bus 18 may also include a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus or other architectures designed for use on a motor vehicle.

[0081] The computer system / server 12 typically comprises various computer-readable media. Such media can be any available media accessible through the computer system / server 12, and they include both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

[0082] The system memory 28 can comprise computer system-readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as RAM (Random Access Memory) 30 and / or cache memory 32. The computer system / server 12 can further comprise other removable / non-removable, volatile / non-volatile computer system storage media. Each can be connected to the bus 18 via one or more data media interfaces. As further illustrated and described below, the memory 28 can comprise at least one program product with a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules configured to perform the functions of embodiments of the invention.

[0083] The computer system / server 12 can 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 user interaction with the computer system / server 12; and / or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, wireless communication module, etc.) that allow communication between the computer system / server 12 and one or more other computing devices. Such communication can take place via I / O (input / output) interfaces 22. Furthermore, the computer system / server 12 can communicate with one or more networks, such as a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network), and / or a public network (e.g., the Internet), via a network adapter 20.

[0084] The processor 303 in the server 300 and the processor 403 in the client 400 can be implemented by one or more processors or processing units 16. The transmitter 305 and the receiver 301 in the server 300 and the transmitter 405 and the receiver 401 in the client 400 can be implemented as a wireless communication module via the I / O interfaces 22. The database 307 in the server 300 can be implemented by the storage system 34. The warning device 407 can be implemented by the external devices 14, which may include external displays, speakers, beepers, vibration devices, and the like.

[0085] The present disclosure may also be a computer program product. The complete program product may comprise a computer-readable storage medium (or media) containing computer-readable program instructions stored thereon for causing a processor to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

[0086] The computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible device capable of holding and storing instructions for use by an instruction-executing device. The computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0087] The computer-readable program instructions can run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In some embodiments, electronic circuits, including, for example, programmable logic circuits, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), or PLAs (Programmable Logic Arrays), can execute the computer-readable program instructions using state information from the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuits for performing aspects of the present disclosure.

[0088] Aspects of the present invention are described here with reference to the flowchart representations and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the invention. It is understood that each block of the flowchart representations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart representations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0089] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations without deviation from the scope of protection and the underlying concept of the described embodiments are obvious to the person skilled in the art. The terminology used here has been chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, their practical application, or the technical improvement over technologies already on the market, or to enable other persons skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

[1] Server that includes: 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 a high-accident phase based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection, and the traffic light timing and phase information; and a transmitter configured to transmit warning information to the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during the accident-prone phase; wherein the processor is further configured to define the accident-prone phase based at least in part on the traffic light timing and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding which phases pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red. [2] The server of claim 1, wherein the intersection traffic light timing and phase information includes the exact time period or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection. [3] The server of claim 1, wherein the accident-prone phase is defined to include at least one flashing phase and the last part of a red light phase. [4] The server of claim 1, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a request from the vehicle to request warning information, the request being sent by the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. [5] The server of claim 4, wherein the speed and position of the vehicle are included in the request. [6] The server of claim 1, wherein the traffic light switching and phase information for specified traffic lights at the intersection is obtained by the server once from third parties maintaining such information. [7] The server according to claim 1, wherein the traffic light switching and phase information for smart traffic lights is sent by the smart traffic lights to the vehicle as the vehicle approaches and then obtained from the vehicle by the server. [8] The server of claim 1, wherein the warning information is presented by at least one of the following: a special warning symbol displayed on a vehicle's dashboard, a specific admonishing voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the vehicle's steering wheel. [9] 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 transmitter configured to send the speed and position of the vehicle to a server when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection; a receiver configured to receive from the server warning information sent when the server determines, 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, that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in a high-accident phase; and a warning device configured to present the warning information to a driver of the vehicle; wherein the accident-prone phase is defined by the server based at least in part on the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding which phases pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red. [10] The client device of claim 9, wherein the intersection traffic light timing and phase information includes the exact time period or period of each green or red light phase at the intersection. [11] The client device of claim 9, wherein the accident-prone phase is defined to include at least a flashing phase and the last part of a red light phase. [12] The client device of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is further configured to send a request to the server to request warning information when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection. [13] The client device of claim 12, wherein the speed and position of the vehicle are included in the request. [14] The client device of claim 9, wherein the smart traffic light receiver is further configured to receive the traffic light switching and phase information transmitted by the smart traffic lights when the vehicle approaches, and the transmitter is further configured to transmit the traffic light switching and phase information to the server. [15] The client device of claim 9, wherein the warning information is presented by at least one of the following: a specific warning symbol displayed in a dashboard of the vehicle, a specific admonishing voice communication or music, and a slight vibration of the steering wheel of the vehicle. [16] Procedure 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 the speed and position of the vehicle by the client to a server when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the intersection; Receiving the speed and position of the vehicle sent by the client by the server; Determining based on the received speed and position of the vehicle, the position of the intersection and the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection by the server, whether the vehicle will arrive at the intersection during a high-accident phase; and Sending warning information to the client by the server when it is determined that the vehicle will arrive at the intersection in an accident-prone phase; and Receiving and presenting the warning information to the driver of the vehicle by the client; wherein the accident-prone phase is defined based at least in part on the traffic light switching and phase information of the intersection and statistical results regarding the phases in which pedestrians are most likely to cross the intersection on red. [17] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to claim 16. [18] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to claim 16.

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