GPS-based traction control system and method using data transmitted between vehicles

• US 20090150036A1
• Filed: 12/05/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Craig, William C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/80
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications

Abstract

System and method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics. The method includes receiving, at a vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data, and, based on the received GPS data, determining the vehicle'"'"'s location. The method also receives data from another vehicle. The method then modifies one or more vehicle operating characteristics based on the determined location and on data received from another vehicle, the characteristics including a suspension dampening characteristic, a spring rate characteristic, ABS braking characteristics, stability control system characteristics, a seat shock absorber characteristic, etc.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a first vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data;

determining a location of said first vehicle based on said received GPS data;

identifying terrain map information associated with said determined location;

determining a terrain based on the identified terrain map information, the terrain including a surface characteristic at the determined location;

retrieving weather information associated with the determined location; and

transmitting data based on said determined terrain and said weather information from said first vehicle to a second vehicle;

receiving said transmitted data at the second vehicle; and

responsive to said received data, modifying at least one operating characteristic of the second vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said modifying takes place automatically at said second vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the received data include the determined terrain and the weather information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said retrieved weather information includes current weather information, and said method further comprises:

determining if said current weather information is to be updated; and

updating said current weather information if it is determined that said current weather information is to be updated.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said updating further includes:

storing previously updated current weather information as historical weather information;

receiving one or more weather inputs;

determining updated weather information based on said one or more weather inputs;

setting, as said current weather information, said determined updated weather information; and

storing said current weather information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one modified operating characteristic of the second vehicle comprises an operating characteristic of said braking system.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one modified operating characteristic of the second vehicle further comprises an operating characteristic of a traction control system.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising formulating at the first vehicle a first command effective to modify operating characteristics of the first vehicle and a second command effective to modify operating characteristics of the second vehicle, the transmitted data consisting of said second command.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the received data comprises a command from the first vehicle effective to modify the at least one operating characteristic of the second vehicle.

8. A system comprising:

means for receiving global positioning system (GPS) data;

means for storing terrain map information;

means for determining a location of a first vehicle based on received GPS data;

means for identifying terrain map information associated with the determined location;

means for determining a terrain based on the identified terrain map information;

means for retrieving weather information, said weather information including at least one of current weather information and historical weather information;

means for transmitting data representing at least one of said determined terrain and said weather information from a first vehicle to a second vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising at said second vehicle:

means for receiving the data transmitted from the first vehicle; and

means for modifying at least one operating characteristic of the second vehicle in real time in response to the received data.

10. A computer readable medium encoded with programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform at least the following operations:

receiving, at a first vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data;

determining a location of said first vehicle based on said received GPS data;

identifying terrain map information associated with said determined location;

determining a terrain based on the identified terrain map information, the terrain including surface characteristics at said determined location; and

wirelessly transmitting said determined surface characteristics from said first vehicle to a second vehicle.

11. The computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein said programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to retrieve weather information associated with the determined location, and to transmit said retrieved weather information to the second vehicle.

12. The computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein retrieving weather information includes sensing current weather conditions with sensors on said first vehicle.

13. A system for adjusting vehicular operating characteristics, the system comprising:

a first vehicle comprising;

means for obtaining data representing a condition of ground over which the first vehicle passes;

means for transmitting said obtained data to a second vehicle;

a second vehicle comprising;

means for receiving from the first vehicle the transmitted data representing the condition of the ground over which the first vehicle passed; and

means for adjusting operating characteristics of the second vehicle automatically in response to the received data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the condition comprises a surface condition of a terrain determined from GPS data.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the condition comprises a surface condition sensed by a sensor on said first vehicle.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the obtained data indicates a level of slipperiness of the ground under the first vehicle.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the second vehicle is towed by the first vehicle.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitted data are transmitted wirelessly.