Method and system for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a system

Abstract

A method for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle, the vehicle traveling on a route determined by a navigator, comprises: detection (21) that the motor vehicle is approaching at least two successive intersections on the same side of the lane; determination (23) that following the route involves taking the intersection furthest from the motor vehicle; and detection (25) of the activation of a turn signal by the driver of the motor vehicle; then, if the nearest intersection to the vehicle is (27) less than a predetermined distance from the furthest intersection, adjustment (29) of the vehicle's speed to take the furthest intersection, otherwise adjustment (31) of the vehicle's speed to take the nearest intersection. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and system for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle comprising such a system. State of the art

[0002] Among driving aids, automatic speed management systems (in English "cruise control") have been known for many years.

[0003] These systems have evolved in recent years into adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems. These systems take into account the vehicles ahead to adjust their speed and thus maintain safe distances.

[0004] A third generation of systems is currently being developed and installed on high-end vehicles. These are adaptive and predictive speed management systems (in English, "predictive adaptive cruise control" or pACC). This improvement consists of adapting the vehicle's speed not only to the vehicles ahead, but also to geographical and legal features present on the road: speed bumps, roundabouts, traffic lights, stop signs, yield signs, curves, etc., as well as intersections.

[0005] In the case of an intersection, when approaching it, the pACC function will adapt the speed: when the driver puts on the indicator, the pACC slows down the vehicle at the right time to pass the intersection safely and a display indicates to the driver the maneuver in progress.

[0006] If the vehicle follows a route defined by GNSS navigation ("Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System") and the route passes through an intersection, then the pACC will follow the same procedure as before. The driver is informed and understands the context and why the pACC performs this maneuver.

[0007] In all other situations, the pACC considers that the vehicle does not take the intersection and continues on the current lane.

[0008] However, there are situations in which the navigation information and that from the turn signal may be contradictory or ambiguous. For example, when there are several successive intersections, the ACC may not know which intersection it should prepare the speed for.

[0009] There is therefore a real need for a process and system for adaptive and predictive speed management that can eliminate ambiguity, at least in certain situations. Description of the invention

[0010] To resolve one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a method for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle, the vehicle traveling on a route determined by a navigator, comprises: • detection that the motor vehicle is approaching at least two successive intersections on the same side of the traffic lane; • determination that route following involves taking the intersection furthest from the motor vehicle; and • detection of the activation of a vehicle's turn signal by the driver of the motor vehicle; then • if the nearest intersection to the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the furthest intersection, adjust the vehicle's speed to take the furthest intersection, otherwise adjust the vehicle's speed to take the nearest intersection.

[0011] Thus, the process makes it possible to obtain a simple selection which has the advantage of being easily explained to a driver.

[0012] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • only two successive intersections are detected; • sending a message to the driver informing them of the selected intersection; • In addition, after the message is sent, detection of a driver command forcing the selection of the unselected intersection; and / or • the predetermined distance is less than or equal to 300 meters.

[0013] In a second embodiment, a computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor, is characterized in that it includes program code instructions for the implementation of the above process.

[0014] In a third embodiment, an adaptive and predictive speed management system for a motor vehicle, the vehicle traveling on a route determined by a navigator, comprises: • a sensor to detect when the motor vehicle approaches at least two successive intersections on the same side of the traffic lane; and • a pilot determining that route following involves taking the intersection furthest from the motor vehicle; and • a sensor to detect when the vehicle's turn signal is activated by the driver; connected • a controller adapted to, if the nearest intersection to the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the furthest intersection, adapt the vehicle's speed to take the furthest intersection, otherwise adapt the vehicle's speed to take the nearest intersection.

[0015] In a fourth embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a system according to the third embodiment. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which: • [Fig. 1] represents a top view of a vehicle comprising an adaptive and predictive speed management system according to a first embodiment in an environment comprising two intersections; and • [Fig.2] represents a flowchart of the operation of the system of [Fig.1]. Methods of implementation

[0017] The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle, a car. However, those skilled in the art understand that they are also applicable to other types of vehicles such as vans, trucks, etc.

[0018] The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "transverse" are understood in relation to the vehicle. When they apply to a component, they refer to the component integrated into the vehicle.

[0019] With reference to [Fig. 1], a motor vehicle 1 is traveling on a lane 3. The vehicle 1 follows a route defined by a GNSS navigator 5. Typically, the navigator 5 assists in steering the vehicle by indicating to the driver the necessary changes of direction to follow the route. When the vehicle 1 is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, these instructions are also sent to the vehicle 1 control unit 7.

[0020] The controller 7 of vehicle 1 is an advanced driver-assistance system, commonly called ADAS (for "Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems" according to English terminology), which makes all driving decisions based on the environment and the programmed destination. The motor vehicle is then classified as an autonomous vehicle. But it can also be a centralized vehicle management system including driver assistance features.

[0021] Data transfer between the different elements is carried out by a CAN (for "Controller Area Network" in English, i.e. "controller area network") or LIN (for "Local Interconnect Network" in English, i.e. "Local interconnect network" in French) type data bus.

[0022] The controller 7 is also connected to a sensor 9 for detecting the activation of a turn signal by the driver.

[0023] It is also connected to a sensor 11 for detecting the environment in front of the vehicle 1 and, in particular, for intersection detection. The sensor 11 may include a radar or a lidar or be based solely on the vehicle's position calculated by the GNSS navigator or have a combination of these.

[0024] Thus, the sensor 11 detects the arrival of the vehicle at two successive intersections 13, 15 on the same right side, separated by a distance D.

[0025] The route, symbolized on [Fig.1] by a dotted arrow, followed by the vehicle, indicates that the latter must take the intersection 15 furthest from the vehicle.

[0026] In the absence of any other information, the controller 7 will adapt the speed of vehicle 1 so that it can turn at intersection 15 safely.

[0027] However, while the vehicle is only approaching the intersection 13 closest to vehicle 1, the sensor 9 detects that the driver has activated the turn signal to turn right.

[0028] Thus, controller 7 is potentially faced with a choice: • The driver has activated the turn signal because he wants to exit the navigation route and turn at intersection 13; or • Driver 7 put on the turn signal early, but he wants to follow the navigation route.

[0029] The process also follows the following steps, [Fig.2].

[0030] The sensor 11 detects, step 21, that the motor vehicle is approaching at least two successive intersections 13, 15 on the same side of the traffic lane.

[0031] The navigator 5 and the controller 7 determine, step 23, that following the route involves taking the intersection 15 furthest from the motor vehicle.

[0032] The sensor 9 detects, step 25, the activation of a vehicle's turn signal by the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0033] Then the computer 7 checks, step 27, whether the intersection 13 closest to the vehicle is at a distance D less than a predetermined distance Dpre from the furthest intersection 15.

[0034] If so, the computer 7 adapts, step 29, the speed of the vehicle to take the furthest intersection 15, otherwise it adapts, step 31, the speed of the vehicle to take the nearest intersection 13.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments. The breakdown presented is for pedagogical purposes to highlight the different functions. However, it is understood that each block can be implemented using different means or combinations thereof, such as hardware components, software, one or more computers, and / or electronic circuits. Each component may include at least one computer or a control unit. At least one memory may be included in each component. The memory may include computer program instructions or software code.

[0036] The calculators can be implemented by any type of data processing device, such as a central processing unit, a signal processing unit, a specific application integrated circuit, a programmable gate network, etc. The calculators can be implemented in the form of a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or calculators.

[0037] The different modules are connected to each other by data links adapted to the environment. These can be wired or wireless.

[0038] For the software, the implementation may comprise modules or units distributed in the form of procedures, functions, etc. The memories may be any type of storage circuit. They may be part of the processor circuit, or separate from it and connected via electrical data links. These may be non-volatile memories, hard drives, RAM, flash memory, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, the program instructions stored in memory and processed by the computers can be any type of program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted program written in a suitable programming language.

[0040] The computer program instructions stored in memory are such that, when executed by the computer, the latter carries out one or more of the steps of the processes described above.

[0041] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This description is to be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible.

[0042] The embodiment describes a succession of two intersections. It is also possible to use the method and the system described for 3 or 4 successive intersections, and the predetermined distance Dpre then applies to the distance between the nearest intersection and the farthest intersection.

[0043] It is also desirable to use the vehicle's dashboard to inform the driver of the decision made. For example, the navigation display can be used. This avoids surprising the driver, and if the driver considers the decision not to be what they wanted, they can activate a command to reject the choice, thus forcing the vehicle to take the unselected intersection.

[0044] Typically, the predetermined distance Dpre is chosen to be equal to or less than 300 m. This corresponds to a distance clearly visible to the driver while limiting the use of this system in urban areas.

[0045] It should also be noted that steps 21, 23 and 25 can take place in a different order than that described, insofar as they occur within a restricted time interval on the order of a few seconds.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for adaptive and predictive speed management of a motor vehicle, the vehicle traveling on a route determined by a navigator, comprising: • detection (21) that the motor vehicle is approaching at least two successive intersections on the same side of the traffic lane; • determination (23) that following the route involves turning at the intersection furthest from the motor vehicle; and • detection (25) of the activation of a turn signal by the driver of the motor vehicle; then • if the nearest intersection to the vehicle is (27) at a distance less than a predetermined distance from the furthest intersection, adapting (29) the speed of the vehicle to turn at the furthest intersection, otherwise adapting (31) the speed of the vehicle to turn at the nearest intersection.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein only two successive intersections are detected.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising sending a message to the driver informing them of the selected intersection.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising, after the message has been sent, the detection of a driver command forcing the selection of the unselected intersection.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance is less than or equal to 300 meters.

6. Product computer program downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor, characterized in that it includes program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Adaptive and predictive speed management system for a motor vehicle (1), the vehicle traveling on a route determined by a navigator, comprising: • a sensor (11) for detecting that the motor vehicle is approaching at least two successive intersections on the same side of the traffic lane; and • a pilot (5) determining that following the route involves turning at the intersection furthest from the motor vehicle; and • a sensor (9) for detecting when the vehicle's turn signal is activated by the driver of the motor vehicle; connected • a controller (7) adapted to, if the nearest intersection to the vehicle is at a distance less than a predetermined distance from the furthest intersection, adapt the speed of the vehicle to turn at the furthest intersection, otherwise adapt the speed of the vehicle to turn at the nearest intersection.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a system according to claim 7.

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