Vehicle-centric weather prediction system and method

• US 20020067289A1
• Filed: 12/05/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: User-Centric IP, L.P. (Locator IP LP)
• Original Assignee: User-Centric Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,603,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for receiving weather forecast information in a vehicle and using that information to warn a vehicle operator of a future weather hazard with reference to the vehicle'"'"'s intended direction of travel. A weather forecasting center maintains a database and display of forecast weather hazards across a large area. The forecasting center also receives information regarding the, location of each of a plurality of vehicles, such as automobiles or a fleet of commercial trucks. A hazard location algorithm compares a forecast location of each vehicle with a forecast weather hazard and transmits a warning to each vehicle that is predicted to encounter the hazard. The warning can take the form of text, audio, and/or a visual display indicating, for example, that the weather hazard will continue for a certain period of time. As the vehicle moves, its actual position is updated in the forecasting center, and a revised warning is transmitted to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of providing weather hazard information to a plurality of vehicles, comprising the steps of:

(1) generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells, and indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell;

(2) generating a plurality of forecast vehicle locations with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and

(3) generating a warning for each vehicle that is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the warning to each vehicle through wireless means.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of, prior to step (1), registering each of the plurality of vehicles in a database, and using the registration information to determine how to transmit the warning to each vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the warning to a cellular telephone associated with the each vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating an audible warning in the each vehicle.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating a visual display in the each vehicle corresponding to the warning.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, for each warning generated, further indicating a predicted duration of the weather hazard.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving location information from each of the plurality of vehicles and using the received location information to generate the plurality of forecast vehicle locations.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (2) comprises the step of extrapolating future vehicle positions based on previously received location information from each of the plurality of vehicles.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the step of receiving location information from a data stream comprising a plurality of airplane identifiers and associated location information.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving from one or more of the plurality of vehicles additional weather information, and using the additional weather information to aid in step (1).

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of pre-registering a trip plan for one or more of the plurality of vehicles, and using the pre-registered trip plan in step (2)

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the step of indicating for each cell a predicted hazard time value corresponding to the time at which the weather hazard is forecast to occur.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (2) comprises the step of indicating for each cell a predicted location time value corresponding to the time at which a vehicle is forecast to reside in that cell.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of subtracting the predicted hazard time for a given cell from the predicted location time for the cell to determine whether a warning should be generated for a particular cell.

17. The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16, wherein the warning device comprises a display unit that displays map information with weather hazards superimposed thereon.

18. The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16, wherein the warning device comprises a speaker that produces an audible warning.

19. The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16, wherein the transmitter comprises a wireless Internet connection.

20. The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless Internet connection.

21. The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16, further comprising a sensor that produces a meteorological data value that is transmitted through the transmitter to the weather center.

16. A vehicle weather warning system, comprising:

a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the vehicle, and that outputs location information;

a transmitter that transmits the location information and vehicle identification information to a weather center;

a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal;

a warning device that generates warnings in response to a signal indicating the nature and duration of a weather hazard; and

a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, and the warning device.