The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 24, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 10, 2004
Craig R. Shankwitz, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Lee Alexander, Woodbury, MN (US);
Pi-ming Cheng, Roseville, MN (US);
Max Donath, St. Louis Park, MN (US);
Alec Gorjestani, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Arvind Menon, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Bryan Newstrom, Circle Pines, MN (US);
Nicholas J. Ward, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Craig R. Shankwitz, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Lee Alexander, Woodbury, MN (US);
Pi-Ming Cheng, Roseville, MN (US);
Max Donath, St. Louis Park, MN (US);
Alec Gorjestani, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Arvind Menon, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Bryan Newstrom, Circle Pines, MN (US);
Nicholas J. Ward, Minneapolis, MN (US);
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An intersection assistance system includes at least one vehicle sensor and a gap estimator. The vehicle sensor is configured to obtain vehicle information on vehicles approaching the intersection along a main roadway. The gap estimator is configured to estimate gap information relating to a gap between the vehicles based on the vehicle information. The gap information includes a length of the gap, a location of the gap, and a velocity of the gap. In a method of obtaining information for use in assisting a driver of an entering vehicle to safely enter an intersection, vehicle information is obtained on vehicles traveling toward the intersection on a main roadway. Next, gap information is estimated relating to a gap between the vehicles based on the vehicle information. The gap information includes a length of the gap, a location of the gap, and a velocity of the gap.