ENABLING ALERT MESSAGES IN A VEHICLE

• US 20150153197A1
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Denaro, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,689,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence

Abstract

A feature for a motor vehicle that takes precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network in the vicinity ahead of the vehicle. The feature uses a data representation of the road network extending from the current vehicle position out to an extent. The data representation of the road network is used to identify conditions, if any, that warrant taking a precautionary action. The type of conditions about which actions are to be taken may be identified in a data file. A precautionary action is taken as the vehicle approaches the location of the condition. The precautionary action may be a message provided to the vehicle driver to alert the driver about the condition. Alternatively, the action may be a modification of the vehicle operation, such as slowing down or stopping the vehicle, speeding up the vehicle, changing direction, and so on.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving location data indicative of a location of a navigation device;

identifying, using a processor, a plurality of road segments based on the location data, wherein the plurality of road segments are an electronic horizon of the possible routes extending from a road segment including the location of the navigation device;

identifying, using a processor, one or more conditions along the plurality of road segments; and

providing an alert signal in response to the one or more conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of road segments are within a predetermined distance of the location of the navigation device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a most likely path from the plurality of road segments.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the most likely path is a road segment having a highest functional classification from the plurality of road segments.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the most likely path is a road segment having a smallest turn angle out of the plurality of road segments.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the most likely path is based on a destination provided to the navigation device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more conditions include road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culverts, a hill, a bump, construction, or a steep bank.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert signal includes a message to a driver to warn about the one or more conditions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert signal includes a command to slow down a vehicle, speed up the vehicle, or change a direction of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the alert signal to an advanced driving assistance system.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform;

receive location data indicative of a location of a navigation device;

identify, using a processor, a plurality of road segments extending from the location of the navigation device;

identify, using a processor, one or more conditions along the plurality of road segments; and

generate an alert signal in response to the one or more conditions.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of road segments are an electronic horizon of the possible routes extending from a road segment including the location of the navigation device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions include road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culverts, a hill, a bump, or a steep bank.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alert signal includes a message to a driver to warn about the one or more conditions.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alert signal includes a command to slow down a vehicle, speed up the vehicle, or change a direction of the vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform:

send the alert signal to an advanced driving assistance system.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more conditions are a plurality of conditions, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform:

prioritizing the plurality of conditions, wherein the alert signal relates to a highest condition of the plurality of conditions.

18. A method comprising:

receiving location data indicative of a location of a vehicle;

identifying, using a processor, a plurality of road segments leading from the location of the vehicle based on the location data;

identifying, using a processor, one or more hazards along the plurality of road segments; and

providing an alert in response to the one or more hazards.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more hazards include road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culverts, a hill, a bump, construction, or a steep bank.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the alert includes a command to slow down a vehicle, speed up the vehicle, or change a direction of the vehicle.