Turn Safety Signaling Using Sensors for Oncoming Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers rely on visual perception to assess the safety of turning across oncoming traffic lanes, leading to potential misestimation of distance and speed, which increases the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors to monitor oncoming traffic and a controller that provides visual indicators to signal whether it is safe or unsafe to turn across oncoming lanes based on predetermined thresholds, using sensors like distance and speed sensors to determine if it is safe to cross.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drivers rely on visual perception to assess turn safety, then drivers can make turns across oncoming traffic lanes, but the risk of accidents increases due to misestimation of distance and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and visual indicators that mediate between the driver and the oncoming traffic. The sensors detect distance and speed of oncoming vehicles, the processor calculates safety thresholds, and the visual indicators provide objective safety information to the driver, eliminating the need for direct visual estimation by the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human visual perception and judgment mechanism with an automated sensor-based detection and calculation system. Instead of relying on human eyes and brain to estimate distance and speed, the system uses sensors to measure these parameters objectively and determines safety based on predetermined thresholds, substituting mechanical/optical sensing and computational processing for human perception.
2Reliability
If visual indicators are provided to signal turn safety, then accident risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the turn safety system into distinct functional segments: sensors for detecting distance and speed, a processor for calculating safety thresholds based on predetermined criteria, and visual indicators for displaying safety information. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite its complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of turn safety by automatically detecting oncoming traffic parameters, calculating safety thresholds, and providing visual feedback without requiring external intervention. The sensors continuously monitor the environment, the processor autonomously determines safety conditions, and the visual indicators automatically communicate the results to the driver, creating a self-contained safety assessment system.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for signaling turn safety. One or more sensor readings can be received. The one or more sensor readings can be compared to one or more thresholds. A signal can be provided to one or more visual indicators based on whether the one or more sensor readings satisfy the one or more thresholds.