Methods and Systems for Cloud and Wireless Data Exchanges for Vehicle Accident Avoidance Controls and Notifications

• US 20170120906A1
• Filed: 01/12/2017
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
• Inventors: Penilla, Angel A., Penilla, Albert S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,274,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/22 Standstill, e.g. zero speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/32 Auto pilot mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0015 Prevention of collisions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/50 characterised by the display information being shared, e.g. external display, data transfer to other traffic participants or centralised traffic controller
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 : Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4041 : Position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/801 : Lateral distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/806 : Relative heading
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 : Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 : Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2754/10 : Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 : Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 : Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 : Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/095 : Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 : Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 : Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0265 : Automatic obstacle avoidance by steering
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 : Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 : specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3469 : Fuel consumption; Energy use; Emission aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 : Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 : of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 : of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 : combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 : using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 : Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 : Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 : associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 : characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 : characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 : specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 : using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 : Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 : involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 : Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 : Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 : Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 : Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 : dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 : Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 : event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 : involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 : for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 : Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

Methods, computer systems, and servers for processing collision avoidance feedback to vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication, are provided. One method includes detecting proximity separation between a first vehicle and a second vehicle (e.g., and other vehicles within the proximity separation). At least one of the sensors of the first vehicle or the second vehicle determines that a proximity separation is less than a threshold distance. A pairing algorithm is triggered between electronics of the first and second vehicle to enable direct communication for data exchange between the first and second vehicles. The method includes triggering a warning to one or both of the first and second vehicles if the data exchange determines that a probability exists that a heading of the first or second vehicles will result in a collision between the first and second vehicles. The method may initiate corrective action by one or both of the first or second vehicles if the data exchange between the first and second vehicles increases the probability that the heading will result in a collision between the first and second vehicles.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing collision avoidance feedback to vehicles, wherein electronics are incorporated in a first vehicle that receive input from at least one sensor of the first vehicle and electronics that are incorporated in a second vehicle receive input from at least one sensor of the second vehicle, comprising,

detecting proximity separation between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein when at least one of the sensors of the first vehicle or the second vehicle determine that the proximity separation is less than a threshold distance, a pairing algorithm is triggered between the electronics of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to enable direct communication for data exchange between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein when the pairing algorithm is triggered, the data exchange between the first vehicle and the second vehicle includes,

transmitting data by the first vehicle to the second vehicle;

transmitting data by the second vehicle to the first vehicle;

receiving data by the first vehicle from the second vehicle; and

receiving data by the second vehicle from the first vehicle

wherein the data transmitted by the first and the second vehicle include at least speed data, heading data and global position system (GPS) data;

triggering a warning to one or both of the first vehicle and the second vehicle if the data exchange determines that a probability exists that a current heading of the first vehicle or the second vehicle will result in a collision between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and

initiating corrective action by one or both of the first vehicle or the second vehicle if the data exchange between the first vehicle and the second vehicle increase the probability that the current heading will result in the collision between the first vehicle and the second vehicle;

wherein the detecting proximity separation, the triggering of the warning and the initiating the corrective action is triggered by the electronics of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle;

wherein the direct communication enabled after the pairing algorithm is triggered is wireless communication;

wherein the warning is supplied to either the first vehicle or the second vehicle in an output form to alert a human occupant;

wherein the corrective action includes at least one or more of application of brakes, application of auto-turning a steering wheel, a switch to auto-drive mode, acceleration, or acceleration and deceleration.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the warning includes at least one or more of a sound warning, an audio spoken sound, tactile feedback to a component of the vehicle, or light signals within the vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising,

storing a history event log of occurrences and actions taken when triggering a warning or taking corrective action, the history event log being communicated over the Internet to cloud processing systems for remote storage and remote access.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising,

triggering recording of audio and video surrounding the first vehicle or the second vehicle when it is determined that the probability exists that the current heading of the first vehicle or the second vehicle will result in the collision;

and

transmitting the recording over the Internet to cloud processing systems for remote storage and remote access.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising,

forwarding a notification regarding the recording to one or more predetermined recipients that include, to an account of a user, to an account of a rental car company, or to an account of a service provider,

wherein the notification is one of an email, a text message, a social network message, a phone call, an audio alert, or an audio/visual alert.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the notification includes a clip of the recording or access to the recording on the remote storage via access to an account user name and password.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the notification is sent to an insurance broker if it is determined that a collision actually occurred, or enables user permissions for sending to the insurance broker or third party.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the notification for when a collision actually occurs includes data regarding a heading, or speed, or weather conditions, or video clips, or license plate images, or person identification data, or combinations thereof.

9. A method for providing collision avoidance feedback to vehicles, wherein electronics are incorporated in a first vehicle that receives input from at least one sensor of the first vehicle and electronics are incorporated in a second vehicle receive input from at least one sensor of the second vehicle, comprising,

processing position data of the first vehicle using at least the first sensor of the first vehicle;

detecting the second vehicle within a proximity separation of the first vehicle;

the second vehicle is within the proximity separation of the first vehicle, establishing wireless communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, the wireless communication used to exchange data that includes position data between the first and second vehicles, the exchange of data is used to identify changes in position data of the first vehicle or the second vehicle and to track a speed of either the first or second vehicle and to track a heading of either the first or second vehicle;

triggering a warning in one or both of the first and second vehicles if the exchange of data determines that a speed and a heading of the first or second vehicle will result in a collision between the first and second vehicles, the warning being one of a sound warning, an audio spoken sound, tactile feedback to a component of the vehicle, light signals within the vehicle, or a combination of two or more thereof; and

initiating corrective action by one or both of the first or second vehicles if the exchange of data between the first and second vehicles identifies a lack of change in the speed or the heading to avoid the collision, the corrective action including one of an application of brakes, application of auto-turning of a steering wheel, a switch to auto-drive mode, an acceleration, an acceleration and deceleration, or combinations of two or more thereof;

wherein detecting that the second vehicle is within a proximity separation of the first vehicle uses sensor data, the sensor data obtained from the sensors of either the first and second vehicles, the sensors include global positioning sensors, or audio sensors, or camera sensors, or ultrasonic sensors, or infrared (IR) sensors, or combinations of two or more thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second vehicle is either moving or stationary.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication includes automatically pairing for communication between the first and second vehicles, the pairing being for a temporary period of time while the first vehicle is within the proximity separation of the second vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication includes short form communication, or peer-to-peer communication, or Wi-Fi communication, or NFC communication, or Bluetooth communication.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising,

detecting additional vehicles within the proximity separation of the first vehicle, and

tracking the speed and heading of the additional vehicles relative to the first vehicle to determine if the warning or corrective action is to be executed, and wherein the exchange of data occurs during a period of time when the second vehicle or any one of the additional vehicles are within the proximity separation.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the electronics of each of the first and second vehicles include a network interface to enable the wireless communication;

wherein at least one of the network interfaces communicate with a process executed by respective electronics, the process is configured to manage a table that stores metrics of the first or second vehicles, the metrics include at least speed and heading of vehicles within the proximity separation, the table is configured to be updated over time based on which vehicles are within the proximity separation.

15. A method for providing collision avoidance feedback to vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication, comprising,

detecting proximity separation between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, wherein when at least one sensor of the first vehicle or the second vehicle determine that a proximity separation is less than a threshold distance, a pairing algorithm is triggered between electronics of the first and second vehicle to enable direct communication for data exchange between the first and second vehicles;

triggering a warning to one or both of the first and second vehicles if the data exchange determines that a probability exists that a heading of the first or second vehicles will result in a collision between the first and second vehicles; and

initiating corrective action by one or both of the first or second vehicles if the data exchange between the first and second vehicles increase the probability that the heading will result in a collision between the first and second vehicles,

triggering recording of audio and video surrounding the first or second vehicle when it is determined that the probability exists that the heading of the first or second vehicles will result in the collision;

wherein the warning is supplied to either the first or second vehicles in an output form to alert a human occupant in the vehicles, and the warning includes one of a sound warning, an audio spoken sound, tactile feedback to a component of the vehicle, light signals within the vehicle, or a combination of one or more thereof.

16. The method of claim 15,

wherein the corrective action includes application of brakes, application of auto-turning a steering wheel, a switch to auto-drive mode, acceleration, acceleration and deceleration, or combinations of one or more thereof;

wherein detecting proximity separation includes detecting moving objects, the moving objects include the first and second vehicles or the vehicles and a non-vehicle physical object.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the pairing algorithm enables the direct communication, the direct communication includes a peer-to-peer communication, a Wi-Fi communication, an NFC communication, or Bluetooth communication, or a radio communication.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising,

storing a history event log of occurrences and actions taken when triggering a warning or taking corrective action, the history event log being communicated over the Internet to cloud processing systems for remote storage and remote access.

19. The method of claim 15,

wherein a notification regarding the recording is forwarded to one or more predetermined recipients, to an account of a user, to an account of a rental car company, to an account of a service provider,

wherein the notification is one of an email, a text message, a social network message, a phone call, an audio alert, an audio/visual alert, and the notification includes a clip of the recording or access to the recording on remote storage via access to an account user name and password.

20. The method of claim 19,

wherein the notification is sent to an insurance broker if it is determined that a collision actually occurred, or enables user permissions for sending to the insurance broker or third party, or

wherein the notification for when a collision actually occurs includes data regarding a heading, or speed, or weather conditions, or video clips, or license plate images, or person identification data, or combinations thereof.