Method and apparatus for signaling turn safety

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.

BACKGROUND

Drivers are allowed to make turns crossing a lane of oncoming traffic. However, drivers rely on their visual perception to gauge the risk in making such a turn. This exposes the driver to risks associated with misestimating the distance and/or speed of oncoming traffic, thereby creating a possibility of an accident.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. Provided are methods and systems for signaling turn safety. In an aspect, a method can comprise receiving, from one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic, one or more sensor readings; determining whether one or more thresholds associated with the one or more sensor readings is satisfied; and providing a first signal to a first visual indicator in response to the one or more thresholds being satisfied, wherein the first visual indicator indicates a potential to cross, during a turn, the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic by a vehicle.

In an aspect, an apparatus can comprise one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic; one or more visual indicators; a controller configured to at least: receive, from the one or more sensors, one or more sensor readings; determine whether one or more thresholds associated with the one or more sensor readings is satisfied; and provide a first signal to a first visual indicator of the one or more visual indicators in response to the one or more thresholds being satisfied, wherein the first visual indicator indicates a potential to cross, during a turn, the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic by a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Note that in various instances this detailed disclosure may refer to a given entity performing some action. It should be understood that this language may in some cases mean that a system (e.g., a computer) owned and/or controlled by the given entity is actually performing the action.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for turn safety, in many jurisdictions it is legal for a driver of a vehicle, e.g. an automobile, to make turns that cross one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. As an example, in a jurisdiction in which vehicles travel on the right side of the road, a vehicle can make a left hand turn crossing one or more left-most lanes of oncoming traffic. In such an example, in the absence of a dedicated signal from a traffic controller indicating permission to turn, e.g. an advanced green turn signal, a driver must rely on their visual perception to determine if it is safe to cross the lane of oncoming traffic. Generally, this can include a driver determining if any oncoming traffic is visible and/or estimating if any visible oncoming traffic will enter an intersection while the given vehicle is turning. This approach is open to human error, creating a risk for collisions with oncoming traffic by the turning vehicle.

An apparatus can include one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. The one or more sensors can include distance sensors, speed sensors, or other sensors as can be appreciated. The apparatus can also include a controller to receive one or more sensor readings from the one or more sensors. Based on the one or more sensor readings, the controller can determine if one or more thresholds are satisfied. For example, the controller can determine if a distance reading from a distance sensor satisfies a distance threshold. As another example, the controller can determine if a speed reading from a speed sensor satisfies a speed threshold. As a further example, the controller can calculate, based on a distance reading and a speed reading, a time value estimating a time until a vehicle in oncoming traffic enters an intersection or crosses some other distance threshold. The controller can then determine if the time value satisfies the time threshold.

If the one or more thresholds are satisfied, the controller can provide a first signal to a first visual indicator indicating that performing a turn across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is safe. In an aspect, if the one or more thresholds are not satisfied, the controller can provide a second signal to a second visual indicator cautioning against a turn across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. In an aspect, the first and second visual indicators can correspond to one or more text displays, lights including colored lights, or other visual signals.

FIG.1illustrates a block diagram of an example apparatus100. Included in the apparatus100is a controller102. The controller102can comprise a computing device as set forth inFIG.4. The controller102can also comprise dedicated circuitry, logic, solid state devices, computer-readable media, logic gates, signal processing apparatuses, or other signal processing components as can be appreciated. The controller102is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors104. The one or more sensors104can be configured to provide one or more sensor readings to the controller102. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include speed sensors, distance sensors, motion sensors, combinations thereof, or other sensors as can be appreciated. The one or more sensors104can include light-based sensors, sound-based sensors, or other types of sensors.

In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more first sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses a portion of the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. In another aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more second sensors configured to monitor a pedestrian crossing parallel to one or more lanes of oncoming traffic, e.g. a pedestrian crossing that would be crossed by a vehicle turning across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more second sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses the pedestrian crossing. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can be calibrated based on a size of objects to be detected. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating a vehicle size (e.g. motorcycle, automobile) or greater, while the one or more second sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating the size of a person, or greater.

The controller102can be configured to determine whether one or more thresholds are satisfied based on the one or more sensor readings, in an aspect, a threshold can be considered satisfied if a value compared against the threshold equals the threshold, falls above the threshold, or falls below the threshold, depending on the configuration of the controller102and the corresponding value. This can include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied by the one or more sensor readings. For example, the controller102can determine if a distance threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading by a distance sensor. As another example, the controller102can determine if a speed threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading from a speed sensor. This can also include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied based on one or more values calculated based on the one or more sensor readings. For example, the controller102can calculate, based on a sensor reading from a distance sensor and a sensor reading from a speed sensor, an estimated time for an object to cover a distance. The distance can correspond to a distance from the object to the apparatus, a distance from the object to an entrance into an intersection, or a distance from the object to another point. The controller102can then determine if the time value satisfies a time threshold. As a further example, the controller102can determine if a combination of thresholds are satisfied by a combination of sensor readings. For example, the controller102can determine if a distance reading falls below a distance threshold and a speed reading falls above a speed threshold, indicating that a nearby vehicle is approaching the intersection, thereby differentiating vehicles that are nearby but not approaching the intersection, e.g. a parked vehicle.

In an aspect, the controller102can provide signals to one or more visual indicators106based on whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied. In an aspect, the visual indicators106can comprise text displays, colored lights, signs, or other approaches for providing a visual signal to a vehicle operator potentially turning across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. Thus, providing the signal to the one or more visual indicators106activates the respective visual indicator, e.g. turning on a light, providing text data to a text display, activating one or more lights to form a design or shape of the visual indicator, etc. In an aspect, the visual indicators106can include a first visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is safe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a yellow or amber light. Thus, the controller102can provide a signal to the first visual indicator if the one or more thresholds are satisfied, in an aspect, the visual indicators106can include a second visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is unsafe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a red light. Thus, the controller102can provide a signal to the second visual indicator if the one or more thresholds are unsatisfied, e.g. a distance reading falls below a distance threshold, or a time value falls below a time threshold.

In an aspect, the visual indicators106can include a third visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is safe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a green light, in response to one or more second thresholds being satisfied. In an aspect, the one or more second thresholds can be greater than one or more first thresholds used to determine whether the signal to the first visual indicator should be provided. Thus, the controller102can provide a signal to the third visual indicator a greater threshold is satisfied, e.g. a distance reading falls above a greater second threshold, provide a signal to the first visual indicator when the distance reading falls below the second threshold and above a first threshold, and provide a signal to the second visual indicator when the distance reading falls below the first (and therefore also the second) threshold.

In an aspect, the controller102can provide signals to the one or more visual indicators106based whether a combination of first thresholds corresponding to first sensors104and second thresholds corresponding to second sensors104are satisfied. For example, one or more first thresholds corresponding to first sensors monitoring one or more lanes of oncoming traffic are satisfied, thereby indicating that a vehicle is safe from oncoming traffic should it turn. However, one or more second thresholds corresponding to second sensors monitoring a pedestrian crosswalk can be unsatisfied, indicating one or more persons or other objects in the pedestrian crosswalk. In such an example, a signal would not be provided to the first visual indicator as performing the turn is unsafe due to objects in the pedestrian crosswalk. In such an example, as signal can be provided to the second visual indicator, indicating that it is unsafe to turn over the oncoming traffic.

In an aspect, the controller102can receive one or more override signals from one or more override signal sources108. The controller102can then determine whether to provide a signal to a given visual indicator106independent of any sensor readings. In other words, the override signals take precedence over sensor readings when determining to which visual indicator106, if any, the controller102should provide a signal. The override signal sources108can include a traffic signal, e.g. a “stop light,” a pedestrian crossing signal, or a source of signals controlling the traffic signal and/or the pedestrian crossing signal. In an aspect, the override signal can correspond to a state of the traffic signal and/or pedestrian crossing signal. For example, a traffic signal can be providing an advanced green light, indicating a right of way to turn across lanes of oncoming traffic. The controller102can receive an override signal from the traffic signal or a source of signals provided to the traffic signal. In such an aspect, the controller102can provide the first visual indicator concurrent to the advanced green provided by the traffic signal. In another aspect, the controller102can refrain from providing a visual indicator106. As another example, the controller can receive an override signal from a pedestrian crossing signal indicating that the pedestrian crossing signal is in a state indicating a right of way for crossing pedestrians. In such an aspect, the controller102can provide the second visual indicator, or no visual indicator.

In an aspect, the apparatus100can be embodied as an apparatus separate from a traffic signal. In such an aspect, the apparatus can be configured to be mounted or otherwise affixed to a traffic signal, or mounted on a same support structure as the traffic signal. In another aspect, the apparatus100can be embodied as a component of a traffic signal. In such an aspect, one or more components of the apparatus100can share functionality with one or more components performing functions of the traffic signal.

FIG.2is a flowchart200of an example method. In an aspect, the method described in the flowchart200can be performed by a controller102ofFIG.1. Beginning with step202, one or more sensor readings can be received. In an aspect, the one or more sensor readings can be received from one or more sensors104. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include speed sensors, distance sensors, motion sensors, combinations thereof, or other sensors as can be appreciated. The one or more sensors104can include light-based sensors, sound-based sensors, or other types of sensors.

In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more first sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses a portion of the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. In another aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more second sensors configured to monitor a pedestrian crossing parallel to one or more lanes of oncoming traffic, e.g. a pedestrian crossing that would be crossed by a vehicle turning across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more second sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses the pedestrian crossing. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can be calibrated based on a size of objects to be detected. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating a vehicle size (e.g. motorcycle, automobile) or greater, while the one or more second sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating the size of a person, or greater.

Next, in step204, it can be determined whether one or more thresholds are satisfied based on the one or more sensor readings. In an aspect, a threshold can be considered satisfied if a value compared against the threshold equals the threshold, falls above the threshold, or falls below the threshold. One skilled in the art can appreciate that various thresholds can be defined and satisfied according to the desired results. Determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied by the one or more sensor readings. It can be determined if a distance threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading by a distance sensor. As another example, it can be determined if a speed threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading from a speed sensor. Determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can also include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied based on one or more values calculated based on the one or more sensor readings. For example, an estimated time value can be calculated based on a sensor reading from a distance sensor and a sensor reading from a speed sensor. The time value can comprise an estimated time for an object (e.g. a vehicle) to cover a distance. The distance can correspond to a distance from the object to the apparatus, a distance from the object to an entrance into an intersection, or a distance from the object to another point. The time value can then be compared to a time threshold to determine if the time value satisfies the time threshold. As a further example, determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can include determining if a combination of thresholds are satisfied by a combination of sensor readings. For example, it can be determined if a distance reading falls below a distance threshold and a speed reading falls above a speed threshold, indicating that a nearby vehicle is approaching the intersection, thereby differentiating vehicles that are nearby but not approaching the intersection, e.g. a parked vehicle.

If the one or more thresholds are satisfied, the method can advance to step206, where a first signal is provided to a first visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is safe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a yellow or amber light. The method can then return to step202, if, in step204, the one or more thresholds are not satisfied, the method can advance to step312where a second signal can be provided to a second visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is unsafe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a red light.

FIG.3is a flowchart300of an example method. In an aspect, the method described in the flowchart300can be performed by a controller102ofFIG.1. Beginning with step302, one or more sensor readings can be received. In an aspect, the one or more sensor readings can be received from one or more sensors104. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include speed sensors, distance sensors, motion sensors, combinations thereof, or other sensors as can be appreciated. The one or more sensors104can include light-based sensors, sound-based sensors, or other types of sensors.

In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more first sensors configured to monitor one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses a portion of the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. In another aspect, the one or more sensors104can include one or more second sensors configured to monitor a pedestrian crossing parallel to one or more lanes of oncoming traffic, e.g. a pedestrian crossing that would be crossed by a vehicle turning across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. For example, the one or more second sensors104can be directed such that their range of detection encompasses the pedestrian crossing. In an aspect, the one or more sensors104can be calibrated based on a size of objects to be detected. For example, the one or more first sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating a vehicle size (e.g. motorcycle, automobile) or greater, while the one or more second sensors104can be calibrated to detect objects approximating the size of a person, or greater.

Next, in step304, it can be determined if one or more override signals are received. The one or more override signals can be received from one or more override signal sources108. The override signal sources108can include a traffic signal, e.g. a “stop light,” a pedestrian crossing signal, or a source of signals controlling the traffic signal and/or the pedestrian crossing signal. In an aspect, the override signal can correspond to a state of the traffic signal and/or pedestrian crossing signal. For example, a traffic signal can be providing an advanced green light, indicating a right of way to turn across lanes of oncoming traffic. The controller102can receive an override signal from the traffic signal or a source of signals provided to the traffic signal.

If, in step304, an override signal was received, the method advances to step306, where a signal is provided to a visual indicator106based on the override signal. In other words, provide a signal can be provided to a given visual indicator106independent of any sensor readings. Thus, the override signals take precedence over sensor readings when determining to which visual indicator106, if any, should be provided a signal. For example, an override signal can be received indicating that an advanced green light is activated on a traffic signal. In such an embodiment, a signal can be provided to a first visual indicator indicating that it is safe to turn across the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic. The first visual indicator can be provided concurrent to the advanced green light. In another aspect, no signals can be provided to a visual indicator106when an override signal is received. As another example, an override signal can be received from a pedestrian crossing signal indicating that the pedestrian crossing signal is in a state indicating a right of way for crossing pedestrians. In such an aspect, the controller102can provide a second visual indicator indicating that it is unsafe to cross the one or more lanes (and therefore the pedestrian crossing), or provide no signal to any visual indicators106.

If, in step304, no override signal are received, the method advances to step308where it can be determined whether one or more thresholds are satisfied based on the one or more sensor readings. In an aspect, a threshold can be considered satisfied if a value compared against the threshold equals the threshold, falls above the threshold, or falls below the threshold. One skilled in the art can appreciate that various thresholds can be defined and satisfied according to the desired results. Determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied by the one or more sensor readings. It can be determined if a distance threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading by a distance sensor. As another example, it can be determined if a speed threshold is satisfied by a sensor reading from a speed sensor. Determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can also include determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied based on one or more values calculated based on the one or more sensor readings. For example, an estimated time value can be calculated based on a sensor reading from a distance sensor and a sensor reading from a speed sensor. The time value can comprise an estimated time for an object (e.g. a vehicle) to cover a distance. The distance can correspond to a distance from the object to the apparatus, a distance from the object to an entrance into an intersection, or a distance from the object to another point. The time value can then be compared to a time threshold to determine if the time value satisfies the time threshold. As a further example, determining whether the one or more thresholds are satisfied can include determining if a combination of thresholds are satisfied by a combination of sensor readings. For example, it can be determined if a distance reading falls below a distance threshold and a speed reading falls above a speed threshold, indicating that a nearby vehicle is approaching the intersection, thereby differentiating vehicles that are nearby but not approaching the intersection, e.g. a parked vehicle.

If the one or more thresholds are satisfied, the method can advance to step310, where a first signal is provided to a first visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is safe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a yellow or amber light. The method can then return to step302. If, in step308, the one or more thresholds are not satisfied, the method can advance to step312where a second signal can be provided to a second visual indicator indicating that crossing the one or more lanes of oncoming traffic is unsafe for a turning vehicle, e.g. a red light.

In an exemplary aspect, the methods and systems can be implemented on a computer401as illustrated inFIG.4and described below. By way of example, the controller102ofFIG.1can be a computer as illustrated inFIG.4. Similarly, the methods and systems disclosed can utilize one or more computers to perform one or more functions in one or more locations.FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operating environment for performing the disclosed methods. This exemplary operating environment is only an example of an operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of operating environment architecture. Neither should the operating environment be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

FIG.4shows an exemplary environment400in which the present systems and methods may be implemented. Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer401. The components of the computer401can comprise, but are not limited to, one or more processors403, a system memory412, and a system bus413that couples various system components including the one or more processors403to the system memory412. The system can utilize parallel computing.

The system bus413represents one or more of several possible types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI), a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus413, and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wired or wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including the one or more processors403, a mass storage device404, an operating system405, signaling software406, signaling data407, a network adapter408, the system memory412, an Input/Output Interface410, a display adapter409, a display device411, and a human machine interface402, can be contained within one or more remote computing devices414a,b,cat physically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, in effect implementing a fully distributed system.

The computer401typically comprises a variety of computer readable media. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that is accessible by the computer401and comprises, for example and not meant to be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. The system memory412comprises computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The system memory412typically contains data such as the signaling data407and/or program modules such as the operating system405and the signaling software406that are immediately accessible to and/or are presently operated on by the one or more processors403.

Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the mass storage device404, including by way, of example, the operating system405and the signaling software406. Each of the operating system405and the signaling software406(or some combination thereof) can comprise elements of the programming and the signaling software406. The signaling data407can also be stored on the mass storage device404. The signaling data407can be stored in any of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise, DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiple systems.

In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into the computer401via an input device (not shown). Examples of such input devices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like These and other input devices can be connected to the one or more processors403via the human machine interface402that is coupled to the system bus413, but can be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, the display device411can also be connected to the system bus413via an interface, such as the display adapter409. It is contemplated that the computer401can have more than one display adapter409and the computer401can have more than one display device411. For example, the display device411can be a monitor, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the display device411, other output peripheral devices can comprise components such as speakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected to the computer401via the Input/Output Interface410. Any step and/or result of the methods can be output in any form to an output device. Such output can be any form of visual representation, including, but not limited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like. The display device411and computer401can be part of one device, or separate devices.

The computer401can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computing devices414a,b,c. By, way of example, a remote computing device can be a personal computer, portable computer, smartphone, a server, a router, a network computer, a peer device or other common network node, and so on. Logical connections between the computer401and a remote computing device414a,b,ccan be made via a network415, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a general wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be through the network adapter408. The network adapter408can be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Such networking environments are conventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

FIG.5shows an example apparatus500. The example apparatus500is shown relative to a traffic signal502as understood by one skilled in the art, e.g. including a red light504, amber/yellow light506and green light508. The traffic signal502is secured to a cable or other support structure by a mounting510. The mounting510can include one or more signaling cables delivering signals controlling which of the red light504, amber/yellow light506or green light508are activated at a given moment. Accordingly, the mounting510can serve to communicatively couple the apparatus500to one or more override signal sources108.

The apparatus500includes a casing510encasing one or more of the controller102and/or the sensors104. The example apparatus includes a yellow light512and red light514, corresponding to first and second visual indicators106, respectively. It is noted that the apparatus500is merely exemplary, and other variations can be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the apparatus500can share a casing510with the traffic signal502. As another example, one or more lights can be added to or removed from the yellow light512and red light514. As a further example, signaling devices other than a yellow light512and red light514can be used, such as a text or light emitting diode (LED) display to display images and/or text, or other visual signals.