Lane Change Assist Visualization for Driver Effort Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lane change assist systems do not provide real-time recommendations on how to reduce risk potential during lane changes, leaving drivers uncertain about how to react effectively, and require significant effort and stress to judge suitable gaps and timing.
Innovation Solution
A lane change assist information visualization system that includes an ego vehicle sensing device, object vehicle sensing device, driver intention detecting device, and a lane change program computing device to determine lane change possibilities, required acceleration or deceleration, and display this information intuitively, allowing the driver to make informed decisions with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver manually monitors both current lane and target lane vehicles before and during lane change maneuver, then the driver can make informed lane change decisions, but the driver experiences significant stress and requires substantial attention and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and display devices that mediate between the complex task of monitoring multiple vehicles and the driver. The system detects vehicles in both current and target lanes, calculates risk potentials, and presents processed information through visual displays and haptic feedback, thereby reducing the direct cognitive burden on the driver while maintaining safe lane change decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cognitive system of manual vehicle monitoring with an automated electronic system. Sensors optically detect vehicle positions and distances, processors automatically calculate risk potentials and lane change programs, and display devices present the results, substituting the driver's manual monitoring efforts with automated technological systems
2Reliability
If the driver accelerates or decelerates to maintain adequate distance from object vehicle during lane change, then the lane change can be completed safely, but the maneuver requires additional time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates and presents multiple lane change programs in advance, including acceleration and deceleration profiles, allowing the driver to select the most time-efficient safe option before initiating the maneuver. The system evaluates various acceleration/deceleration scenarios and pre-computes their outcomes, enabling the driver to make informed timing decisions without real-time calculation delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the presented lane change programs based on real-time conditions, offering multiple acceleration and deceleration options that adapt to the current traffic situation. The system continuously updates the available programs as vehicles are detected or move, allowing the driver to select the most efficient dynamic response for the current moment
3Loss of information
If the system provides detailed information on multiple vehicles and lane change options, then the driver can make optimal decisions, but the information presentation becomes complex and difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex information into distinct, manageable components: visual displays show vehicle positions and distances separately, haptic feedback provides separate acceleration/deceleration guidance, and the system presents multiple discrete lane change programs. Each piece of information is delivered through a dedicated channel, making the overall complex information set easier to process and understand
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding in the visual display to differentiate between various elements: different colors indicate vehicles in current versus target lanes, color intensity or type may indicate risk levels, and color changes signal the status of different lane change programs. This visual encoding allows the driver to quickly distinguish and process multiple pieces of information without cognitive overload
Data Source
AI summary
A lane change assist information visualization system allows a vehicle driver to change lanes with minimum effort and stress by displaying a lane change option that suits the particular lane changing situation in an intuitively understandable manner, and information on the surrounding vehicles adequate for the vehicle driver to make a reasonable decision in changing lanes. The system includes a lane change program computing device (9) that computes at least (a) a lane change possibility, (b) a time period that has to elapse before a lane change is allowed if a lane change possibility does not currently exists, or a time period in which a lane change should be made if a lane change possibility currently exists, and (c) a need for acceleration or deceleration, and a display unit (10) for displaying this information.