Intersection Turn-Intent Detection for Right-Turn Collision Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional right turn assistance systems are prone to failure due to driver error or malfunction of turn signal switches, leading to potential collisions at intersections.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle notification system that utilizes cameras and sensors to detect a vehicle's direction change intention, independent of turn signal operations, and issues notifications to avoid collisions through vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If turn signal switch operation is used to trigger right turn assistance, then the system can be simple and easy to operate, but the system reliability deteriorates due to driver error or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (camera or radar detecting vehicle position and orientation) between the driver's intent and the assistance system execution. This intermediary verifies the actual turning intention independently of the turn signal switch, preventing false triggering due to driver error or switch malfunction while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple detection methods are implemented to improve reliability, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera or radar serve multiple functions: it detects both the direction change intention of the host vehicle and the presence/position of other vehicles. This multi-functionality improves detection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same sensor hardware performs multiple detection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses the vehicle's existing camera or radar (already present for other functions like collision warning) to also detect direction change intention. This self-service approach leverages existing hardware resources, avoiding the need for separate dedicated sensors and thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If camera-based detection is used to detect direction change intention, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the camera or radar as an intermediary that detects objective physical indicators (vehicle position, orientation, distance to intersection) rather than relying on subjective driver input. This intermediary detection method provides more accurate and reliable data about actual turning intention, overcoming limitations of environmental conditions that might affect driver visibility or signal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle notification system 1 includes: a right turn intention detection unit B114a that detects a right turn intention of a right turning vehicle VA on the basis of an image captured by a camera 114a; and notification issuing units B118a and B119a that perform notification issuance to avoid collision between the right turning vehicle VA and a straight traveling vehicle VB traveling straight in a straight lane L22 opposite to a traveling lane L11 where the right turning vehicle VA is present after the right turn intention detection unit B114a detects the right turn intention.