ENABLING ALERT MESSAGES IN A VEHICLE

• US 20170268901A1
• Filed: 05/25/2017
• Published: 09/21/2017
• 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 11,231,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

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

receive data indicative of a location of a vehicle;

identify a plurality of road segments accessible from the location of the vehicle and extending out to a threshold;

identify conditions, if any, along the plurality of road segments;

when more than one condition is identified, determine which of the conditions has a level of importance greater than any other of the conditions; and

provide a signal for the condition that has a level of importance greater than any other of the conditions before providing a signal for one of the other conditions.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a data file that lists conditions by priority is used to determine which of the conditions has a level of importance greater than any other of the conditions, wherein the data file is stored in a non-volatile portion of the memory prior to vehicle operation.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal includes a message to a driver to take a precautionary action.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicates a precautionary action for the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal is sent to an advanced driving system.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the precautionary action is activating or modifying operation of a vehicle sensor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the precautionary action includes providing an input to an algorithm that receives signals from vehicle sensors or vehicle systems.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the precautionary action includes providing a command to slow down the vehicle, speed up the vehicle, or change a direction of the vehicle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition includes a road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culvert, a hill, a bump, construction, or a steep bank.

10. A method comprising:

receiving data indicative of a position of a vehicle;

identifying, using a processor, a plurality of road segments accessible from the position of the vehicle;

identifying, using the processor, a plurality of conditions along the plurality of road segments;

ranking, using the processor, at least two of the plurality of conditions based on a degree of severity; and

providing a signal for the condition that has a higher rank.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal includes a message to a driver to take a precautionary action.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal indicates a precautionary action for the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal is sent to an advanced driving system.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the precautionary action is activating or modifying operation of a vehicle sensor.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the precautionary action includes providing an input to an algorithm that receives signals from vehicle sensors or vehicle systems.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the precautionary action includes providing a command to slow down the vehicle, speed up the vehicle, or change a direction of the vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condition includes a road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culvert, a hill, a bump, construction, or a steep bank.

18. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

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

receive data indicating a position of a vehicle;

identify a plurality of road segments accessible from the position of the vehicle;

identify a plurality of hazards along the plurality of road segments;

determine which of the plurality of hazards conditions has a greatest level of importance; and

provide a signal for the hazard that has the greatest level of importance, wherein the signal activates or modifies an operation of a vehicle sensor.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the hazard includes a road curvature, a speed limit change, a traffic signal, a stop sign, an animal warning, a guard rail, a culvert, a hill, a bump, construction, or a steep bank.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle sensor provides an input to an algorithm that that provides a precautionary action for the vehicle.