Driving Assistance Device for Potential Risk Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving assistance systems cannot effectively address potential collision risks when an object is not on the predicted travel path of a vehicle, as they rely on current state assumptions and lack consideration for objects that may change their trajectory.

Innovation Solution

A driving assistance device that includes object detection, collision prediction time calculation, estimated risk level determination, and driving assistance content determination, using cause-and-effect relationship information and traffic environment data to assess and mitigate potential risks by creating a risk map for avoiding collision risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system only considers objects currently on the predicted travel path, then the calculation is simple and fast, but potential risks from objects that may move onto the path are not detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary risk assessment by identifying objects near the predicted travel path before they actually enter it. The estimation unit calculates potential collision risks by predicting whether objects currently off-path may move onto the path, enabling proactive safety measures rather than reactive responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the risk assessment scope based on object characteristics and environmental factors. The estimation unit evaluates multiple objects simultaneously, considering their individual probabilities of moving onto the travel path, allowing the system to adaptively focus computational resources on high-risk scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system estimates risk for all detected objects, then potential risks are comprehensively identified, but the computational load and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk assessment completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different levels of risk estimation to different objects based on their local characteristics and proximity to the predicted travel path. Objects closer to the path or with higher mobility receive more detailed estimation, while distant or stationary objects receive simplified assessment, optimizing the balance between completeness and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the system uses only current state information for TTC calculation, then the calculation is straightforward, but it cannot predict risks from objects changing their moving state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoidrisk prediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of objects that may change their moving state by analyzing their current position, velocity, and environmental context. The estimation unit predicts potential state changes before they occur, allowing the system to prepare appropriate risk assessments and safety responses in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2549456B1Driving assistance device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2549456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2549456B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2549456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is to provide a driving assistance device that is able to perform driving assistance considering potential risks. A device for providing driving assistance for a driver of the vehicle to avoid the object of the risk subject when driving the vehicle, which includes : an object determination unit that detects the object; a collision prediction time calculation unit that calculates a time to collision which is a time indicating a degree to which the vehicle approaches to the object; an estimated risk level determination unit that determines an estimated risk level indicating a possibility of the object moving onto a predicted travelling path of the vehicle; and a driving assistance content determination unit that determines driving assistance content based on the collision prediction time and the estimated risk level. Thereby, even in a case where the risk is not being manifested, that is, a case where the object is not present on the predicted travelling path of the vehicle C, the potential risk related to the object is considered in determining the driving assistance content. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the driving assistance considering the potential risk.