Patent Publication Number: US-10767403-B2

Title: Automatic car door swing limiter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure is directed to computers, and computer applications, and more particularly to computer-implemented methods and systems for automatically controlling the opening of a door of a vehicle, and more particularly, for automatically limiting the swing angle of the car&#39;s door, such that it will not hit nearby moving objects. 
     A common accident occurs when one car is parked in a parking lot and the driver opens his door when another car is in the process of parking in the spot next to the already parked car, resulting in the moving car hitting the opening door of the parked car. As a result, competing insurance claims are made by each driver against the other&#39;s liability coverage. The insurance companies involved investigate and determine where fault lies and settle the claims. In most cases the party opening the door would be the one to bear the majority of fault. The insurance companies usually decide that the person pulling into the parking spot can&#39;t be sure when a person is going to open their door, while the driver of the parked car should be aware enough of his surroundings to check for an incoming car before opening the door. In addition, many state vehicle traffic laws basically state that no person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so. 
     Another example is when a moving car or biker is coming towards a car parked on a city street. The driver opening the door does not to see the approaching car or biker and may open the door into the moving car or biker, causing damage or injury. 
     There is a need for a system to automatically limit the swing angle of a car door, such that it will not hit nearby moving or stationary objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for controlling the opening of a door of a vehicle includes predicting that a moving object will move to be within a predetermined distance of the door of the vehicle at a future point in time and predicting the distance the moving object will be from the door of the vehicle at that future point in time. The method includes determining a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at the future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the predicted distance and actuating a door controller prior to that future point in time to limit the swing angle of the door to the determined extent. 
     In one embodiment, the method includes accessing historical data on the speed the door is opened and determining a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at that future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the historical door opening speed data. 
     In one embodiment, the method includes estimating current position and velocity of the moving object relative to the door of the vehicle based in part on signals received from at least one sensor attached to the vehicle. The at least one sensor may be selected from the group consisting of distance, proximity, movement and pressure sensors. 
     A system that includes one or more processors operable to perform one or more methods described herein also may be provided. 
     A computer readable storage medium storing a program of instructions executable by a machine to perform one or more methods described herein also may be provided. 
     Further features as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the system disclosed in this specification. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the system disclosed in this specification. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the method disclosed in this specification. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system suitable for implementation of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A method and system to automatically limit the swing angle of a car door, such that it will not hit nearby moving or stationary objects is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes one or more sensors, a computational module for determining to what extent an opening door will avoid hitting an object and a door control actuator that limits the swing angle of the door in order to avoid damage. In one embodiment, the invention includes one or more of distance, proximity, motion and pressure sensors installed on the exterior part of the car door and the car body. The computational module includes predicting that a moving object will move to be within a predetermined distance of the door of the vehicle at a future point in time and predicting if the currently moving objects will be in front of door when it is opened. The computational module determines a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at that future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the predicted distance and actuates a door controller prior to that future point in time to limit the swing angle of the door to the determined extent. 
     The car sensors monitor the surrounding area for moving objects and the computational module predicts whether any of these moving objects will interfere with the door opening as a function of time. In one embodiment, the computational module will employ cognitive algorithms to identify moving objects in the surrounding area and categorize their predicted behavior. The behavior can include assignment of error margins based upon the object&#39;s characteristics. For example, a child running would be less predictable than a driving car. The computational module determines whether and to what extent a door can be opened in a given time. In one embodiment, the system and method can also have different behavior depending on the driver or situation, for example, the door can open more slowly when driver is threatened by moving traffic. 
     The system and method disclosed herein provides adaptive adjustment to limit the door swing angle based on the current condition, without a-priori affixing it to a specific level. This solution will greatly reduce the amount of damage and injuries caused by car door opening accidents, as well as significantly reducing the number of insurance claim payouts, thereby resulting in an overall reduction in insurance premiums. 
     In one embodiment, the system senses the moving object before the door is opened. In one embodiment, the system is actuated as soon as the inside door handle is touched or unlatched. In one embodiment, the system is activated whenever the car motor is turned off or in idle. In one embodiment, initially a warning is activated and if the handle is touched, the door limiter is activated. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of one embodiment of the system for automatically limiting the swing angle of a car door, such that it will not hit nearby moving or stationary objects. Vehicle  10  includes door limit actuator  12 , notification module  14 , computational module  16 , distance sensor  18 , proximity/motion sensors  20 ,  22 , pressure sensor  24 . The distance sensor  18  detects the distance from the door to adjacent objects and the proximity/motion sensors  20  and  22  detect the presence of a moving object.  FIG. 1  shows a single, distance sensor  18 , as well as single proximity/motion sensors  20 ,  22 , and a single pressure sensor  24 . However, in many cases more than one of these sensors will be required. For example, to better detect pressure a plurality of pressure sensors will be mounted or embedded in the door. Furthermore, while  FIG. 1  shows the sensors for the driver&#39;s door, these sensors will be mounted also on the passengers&#39; doors. 
     The computational module  16 , based on the signals from one or more of the sensors  18 ,  20   22  and  24 , predicts that a moving object will move to be within a predetermined distance of the door of the vehicle at a future point in time, predicts the distance the moving object will be from the door of the vehicle at the future point in time and determines a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at that future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object determine a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at that future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the predicted distance. The computational module  16  then sends signal to the door limiter/actuator  12  to actuate the door limiter prior to that future point in time to limit the swing angle of the door to the determined extent. The computational module  16  also sends a signal to notification module  14  to alert the driver that the door opening will be limited. In one embodiment, as the door is opening, the moving object data keeps streaming from the sensors and the computational module  16  recalculates the swing appropriate based on the door opening speed. The computation is a continuous process while the door is being opened. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system for automatically limiting the swing angle of a car door, such that it will not hit nearby moving objects. Data stream module  30  obtains raw data from distance, pressure and proximity/motion sensors attached to the parked vehicle and generates a data stream in a format usable by the computer system. The data stream is input to an obstruction state estimation module  32 , which estimates a current position and velocity of a moving object. The estimated current position and velocity of the moving object is input to an obstruction state prediction module  34 , which predicts an obstruction trajectory of the moving object. Collision prediction module  36  analyzes the current obstruction state and the obstruction state prediction and determines the bounds for the door swing angle that will avoid the car door hitting the moving obstruction. Actuator module  38  actuates a door limiter device to increase resistance the opening of the door based on the determined door swing angle. Actuator module may alternatively or in addition, stop door movement in proportion to proximity of the moving object to the door. Notification module  40  notifies the user of the door opening resistance or of the stop door opening actuation. 
     In an optional embodiment, data stream  42  obtains raw data from door swing sensors and generates a data stream in a format usable by the computer system. Door state estimation module  44  estimates a current position and velocity of the door in the process of being opened. Door state prediction module predicts door opening trajectory based on the estimated current position and velocity of the opening door. Collision prediction module  36  analyzes the door state estimation and the door state prediction in addition to the current obstruction state and the obstruction state prediction and determines the bounds for the door swing angle that will avoid the car door hitting the moving obstruction. 
     In one embodiment, the system also can prevent an opening door from hitting a stationary object. Obstruction state estimation module  32  estimates the proximity of the door to the stationary obstruction. If proximity is smaller than a predefined value, the actuator module actuates the door limiter to increase resistance or stop door movement and the user is notified. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a computer implemented method for controlling the opening of a door of a vehicle. Step S 101  includes predicting that a moving object will move to be within a predetermined distance of the door of the vehicle at a future point in time. Step S 102  includes predicting the distance the moving object will be from the door of the vehicle at that future point in time. Step S 103  includes determining a swing angle extent of an opening of the door at the future point in time that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the predicted distance. Step S 104  includes actuating a door controller prior to that future point in time to limit the swing angle of the door to the determined extent. Step S 105  includes activating a warning signal in response to the actuation of the door controller. 
     In one optional embodiment, step S 104  includes continuously predicting, as the door is opening, that a moving object will move to be within a predetermined distance of the door of the vehicle and the distance the moving object will be from the door of the vehicle; and continuously determining, as the door is opening, a swing angle extent of an opening of the door that will avoid hitting the moving object based in part on the predicted distance. 
     In one embodiment, steps S 101  and S 102  both include estimating current position and velocity of the moving object relative to the door of the vehicle. In one embodiment, estimating the current position and velocity of the moving object relative to the door of the vehicle is based in part on signals received from at least one sensor attached to the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, step S 104  includes actuating the door controller prior to that future point in time to increase resistance to an opening movement of the door. In another embodiment, step S 104  includes actuating the door controller prior to that future point in time to stop the opening movement of the door. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic of an example computer or processing system that may implement the method for automatically limiting the swing angle of a car door, such that it will not hit nearby moving objects in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system is only one example of a suitable processing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the methodology described herein. The processing system shown may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the processing system shown in  FIG. 4  may include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     The computer system may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The computer system may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices. 
     The components of computer system may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units  100 , a system memory  106 , and a bus  104  that couples various system components including system memory  106  to processor  100 . The processor  100  may include a program module  102  that performs the methods described herein. The module  102  may be programmed into the integrated circuits of the processor  100 , or loaded from memory  106 , storage device  108 , or network  114  or combinations thereof. 
     Bus  104  may represent one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus. 
     Computer system may include a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system, and it may include both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. 
     System memory  106  can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or cache memory or others. Computer system may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system  108  can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (e.g., a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus  104  by one or more data media interfaces. 
     Computer system may also communicate with one or more external devices  116  such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display  118 , etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces  110 . 
     Still yet, computer system can communicate with one or more networks  114  such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter  112 . As depicted, network adapter  112  communicates with the other components of computer system via bus  104 . It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc. 
     The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
     The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
     Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
     Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
     Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
     These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     In addition, while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.