IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,760,346
Granted Patent B2
US 11,760,346 · App. 17/698,706 · Granted Sep 19, 2023

Systems and methods for collision avoidance

Inventor: Keith Hanna (Bronxville, NY)
B60W30/0956B60W30/0953G06V20/58G06V20/597G06V40/19G08G1/165G08G1/166B60W2554/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,760,346
App. No.
17/698,706
Granted
Sep 19, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating or controlling an ADAS mechanism. A first sensor of an ADAS mechanism can determine a potential obstacle to a vehicle, and a position of the potential obstacle relative to the first sensor. A second sensor can determine a gaze angle of a user of the vehicle. An activation engine in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor can determine a proximity of the gaze angle of the user to the determined position of the potential obstacle. The activation engine can control, in response to the determined proximity, an operation of the ADAS mechanism for responding to the potential obstacle.

Claims (47)

1. A method comprising:

determining, by a first sensor of a vehicle, a position of a potential obstacle to the vehicle;

determining, by a second sensor of the vehicle, a gaze angle of a user of the vehicle;

determining that a proximity of the gaze angle to the position of the potential obstacle is within a defined range;

determining that the user's facial or eye expression corresponds to a shock or distress; and

decreasing a threshold for a collision avoidance mechanism to initiate a collision avoidance.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a change in illumination on the potential obstacle, the controlling including highlighting the potential obstacle.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a change in illumination on the potential obstacle to get an attention of the user or a road user.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the change in illumination comprises increasing illumination on the potential obstacle.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, by the second sensor, a gaze direction of the user of the vehicle, relative to a reference direction; and

determining that the user is potentially unaware of the potential obstacle, according to the gaze direction of the user and the determined position of the potential obstacle.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, by the second sensor, a gaze direction of the user of the vehicle, relative to a reference direction; and

determining the user's awareness of the potential obstacle, according to the gaze direction of the user and the determined position of the potential obstacle.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, by the first sensor, at least one of a range, angle or orientation of the potential obstacle relative to a reference.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the reference comprises at least one of: a position or orientation of the user's eye, a position or orientation of the first sensor, or a direction of the user's gaze.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing an outline of the potential obstacle to the user.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

adjusting the threshold for the collision avoidance mechanism to initiate the collision avoidance; and

changing an illumination on the potential obstacle, according to the adjusted threshold.

11. A system of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first sensor configured to determine a position of a potential obstacle to the vehicle;

a second sensor configured to determine a gaze angle of a user of the vehicle; and

at least one processor configured to determine that a proximity of the gaze angle to the position of the potential obstacle is within a defined range, determine that the user's facial or eye expression corresponds to a shock or distress, and decrease a threshold for a collision avoidance mechanism to initiate a collision avoidance.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control a change in illumination on the potential obstacle, the controlling including highlighting the potential obstacle.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control a change in illumination on the potential obstacle to get an attention of the user or a road user.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein:

the second sensor is further configured to determine a gaze direction of the user of the vehicle, relative to a reference direction; and

the at least one processor is further configured to determine that the user is potentially unaware of the potential obstacle, according to the gaze direction of the user and the determined position of the potential obstacle.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein:

the second sensor is further configured to determine a gaze direction of the user of the vehicle, relative to a reference direction; and

the at least one processor is further configured to determine the user's awareness of the potential obstacle, according to the gaze direction of the user and the determined position of the potential obstacle.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first sensor is further configured to determine at least one of a range, angle or orientation of the potential obstacle relative to a reference.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the reference comprises at least one of: a position or orientation of the user's eye, a position or orientation of the first sensor, or a direction of the user's gaze.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide an outline of the potential obstacle to the user.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

adjust the threshold for the collision avoidance mechanism to initiate the collision avoidance; and

change an illumination on the potential obstacle, according to the adjusted threshold.

20. A method comprising:

determining, by a first sensor of a vehicle, a position of a potential obstacle to the vehicle;

determining, by a second sensor of the vehicle, a gaze angle of a user of the vehicle;

determining that a proximity of the gaze angle to the position of the potential obstacle is within a defined range;

decreasing a threshold for a collision avoidance mechanism to initiate a collision avoidance; and

calibrating the second sensor for determining the gaze angle of the user according to a movement of the user relative to the second sensor.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2022
From: IPRD GROUP, LLC
To: KNAPP INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 060519/0347 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2022
From: HANNA, KEITH J.
To: IPRD GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 059403/0159 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16737313 · Jan 8, 2020
Continuation In Part 16192529 · Nov 15, 2018
Continuation 15714727 · Sep 25, 2017
Provisional Application 62400039 · Sep 26, 2016
Related Publication 20220203975A1 · Jun 30, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,625,547