IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,643,506
Granted Patent B2
US 8,643,506 · App. 13/142,170 · Granted Feb 4, 2014

Driving assisting device

Inventor: Yuki Yamada (Susono, JP)
Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,643,506
App. No.
13/142,170
Granted
Feb 4, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a driving assisting device in which a receiver acquires the time-series traffic signal information regarding a lighting state of the traffic signal and a display and a speaker provide the lighting time information regarding a time remaining until a red signal of the traffic signal changes, the display and the speaker provide the lighting time information regarding the time remaining until the red signal of the traffic signal changes only when it is confirmed from the traffic signal information that a signal after change of the red signal permits traveling of the host vehicle. Accordingly, for example, for a light color change or the like in which an arrow lamp other than the traveling direction lights up after a red signal, a red signal waiting time is not displayed. This makes it possible to suppress factors inducing a careless driver to start driving.

Claims (11)

1. A driving assisting device comprising:

acquisition device for acquiring time-series traffic signal information regarding a lighting state of a traffic signal; and

information providing device for providing lighting time information regarding a time remaining until a red signal of the traffic signal changes on the basis of the traffic signal information acquired by the acquisition device,

wherein the information providing device provides the lighting time information regarding the time remaining until the red signal of the traffic signal changes only when:

a) it is confirmed from the traffic signal information that a signal after change of the red signal is a green signal or an arrow lamp of the traveling direction of the host vehicle,

b) a speed of the host vehicle is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, and

c) a brake pedal of the host vehicle is pressed down.

2. The driving assisting device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the information providing device changes a manner of provision of the lighting time information according to reliability of confirmation from the traffic signal information that a signal after change of the red signal permits traveling of a host vehicle.

3. The driving assisting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a brake pedal sensor,

wherein the information providing device determines whether or not the brake pedal has been pressed down for a predetermined time or more using the brake pedal sensor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2011
From: YAMADA, YUKI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 026497/0279 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110254701A1 · Oct 20, 2011