Vehicle Warning Control Unit Selective Signal Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle warning systems often generate unnecessary alerts, leading to driver distraction and reduced road safety, as they fail to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant warnings based on the vehicle's position and context.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a control unit, coupled with a navigation system, selectively outputs warning signals based on the vehicle's position and presence of objects, suppressing alerts at specific locations like pedestrian crossings and allowing them during parking maneuvers, using geographic information to categorize positions and sensor data to determine object presence and type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If warning signals are issued for all detected objects regardless of vehicle position, then object detection coverage is improved, but driver distraction and unnecessary warnings increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection coverageVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different warning behaviors to different spatial locations. Geographic information is used to categorize positions into first category (where warnings are permitted) and second category (where warnings are suppressed). This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high detection coverage while avoiding unnecessary warnings in specific locations like pedestrian crossings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary classification of vehicle positions using geographic information before issuing warnings. By determining in advance whether the vehicle is in a first or second category position, the system can proactively decide whether to suppress warnings, preventing driver distraction before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If warning signals are suppressed at specific locations, then driver alertness is improved, but detection coverage in those locations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver alertnessVSAvoiddetection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains full detection capability at all locations while applying local suppression only where needed. Sensors continue to detect objects in second category positions, but warnings are suppressed based on geographic classification. This preserves driver alertness while maintaining complete detection coverage for safety-critical applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Geographic information serves as an intermediary between object detection and warning output. The navigation system provides position information that mediates the decision process, allowing the system to distinguish between situations where warnings should be issued and where they should be suppressed, maintaining both detection coverage and driver alertness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If geographic information is integrated into the warning system, then warning selectivity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarning selectivityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions into a unified architecture. The control unit performs both object detection and geographic position classification. The navigation system serves multiple purposes: providing position information for warning suppression decisions and potentially other navigation functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the added sophistication of selective warning suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the object detection function with the geographic information processing function in a unified control unit. Rather than having separate systems for detection and location-based decision-making, the patent combines these functions, allowing the control unit to simultaneously process sensor data and navigation data to make integrated warning decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2614993B1Method for the selective output of a warning signal, corresponding controlling unit and control and navigation system
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2614993B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2614993B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2614993B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The method involves transmitting information about an object i.e. pedestrian, within a region in environment of vehicles (42, 43, 44) to a control unit using sensors based on a position of the vehicles using a navigation system. A warning signal is output by the control unit based on the position of the vehicles if the object lies within the region in the environment of the vehicles. The signal is output if the vehicles stand at a pedestrian crossing area (35), where a card (30) about the environment of the vehicles is accessible through the navigation system or the control unit. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a control unit (2) a control and navigation system.