Ambient vehicle and pedestrian state detection for device notification

• US 10,328,945 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2018
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Paek, Timothy S., Bahl, Paramvir
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US15/879,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20180229735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 340901, 340903, 340435, 340995, 340990, 3404255
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/04 Traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

an interactive device;

one or more sensors; and

one or more processors programmed to;

enable a first level of user interaction with the interactive device while the vehicle is moving;

receiving, from the one or more sensors, data corresponding to ambient conditions relative to the vehicle, the ambient conditions corresponding to external environment conditions; and

based on the received data, allowing a second level of user interaction with the interactive device.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates a change with respect to a movement of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates a location of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates a proximity of one or more pedestrians with respect to the vehicle.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data Indicates weather conditions.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates a state of a traffic light.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates an amount of traffic proximate the vehicle.

8. A method for regulating user interaction with a vehicle'"'"'s interactive device,

the vehicle comprising one or more sensors to monitor ambient conditions relative to the vehicle, the method comprising:

enabling a first level of user interaction with the interactive device while the vehicle is moving;

receiving, from the one or more sensors, data corresponding to the ambient conditions relative to the vehicle, the ambient conditions corresponding to external environment conditions; and

based on the received data, allowing a second level of user interaction with the interactive device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates a change with respect to a movement of the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates a location of the vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates a proximity of one or more pedestrians with respect to the vehicle.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates weather conditions.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates a state of a traffic light proximate the vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the received data indicates an amount of traffic proximate the vehicle.

15. One or more computer-readable storage devices having computer-executable instructions for regulating user interaction with a vehicle'"'"'s interactive device, the vehicle comprising one or more sensors to monitor ambient conditions relative to the vehicle, the computer-executable instruction when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

enable a first level of user interaction with the interactive device while the vehicle is moving;

receive, from the one or more sensors, data corresponding to the ambient conditions relative to the vehicle, the ambient conditions corresponding to external environment conditions; and

based on the received data, allow a second level of user interaction with the interactive device.

16. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates a location of the vehicle.

17. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates a proximity of one or more pedestrians with respect to the vehicle.

18. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates weather conditions.

19. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates a state of a traffic light proximate the vehicle.

20. The one or more computer-readable storage devices of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates an amount of traffic proximate the vehicle.