Method and system for an in-vehicle computing architecture

• US 6,577,937 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navigation Technologies Corp. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Jasper, John C., Shields, T. Russell, Paulauskas, Cynthia, Shuman, Valerie, Weiland, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/210,292
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48, 701/300, 701/23, 701/25, 701/202, 701/205, 701/210, 701/33, 701/36, 340/988, 340/436, 340/901
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/98 Intelligent Transportation System or Bus [IDB]
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0058 responsive to externally generated signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01311 monitoring the braking system, e.g. ABS
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/302 using recording means, e.g. black box
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2220/02 Driver type; Driving style; Driver adaptive features
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A computing architecture for a motorized land-based vehicle is disclosed. The computing architecture includes a data network comprised of a plurality of interconnected processors, a first group of sensors responsive to environmental conditions around the vehicle, a second group of sensors responsive to the vehicle'"'"'s hardware systems, and a map database containing data that represent geographic features in the geographic area around the vehicle. A vehicle-environment modeling program, executed on the data network, uses the outputs from the first and second groups of sensors and the map database to provide and continuously update a data model that represents the vehicle and the environmental around the vehicle, including geographic features, conditions, structures, objects and obstacles around the vehicle. Vehicle operations programming applications, executed on the data network, use the data model to determine desired vehicle operation in the context of the vehicle'"'"'s environment. A driver interface receives the vehicle driver'"'"'s input. Vehicle control programming, executed on the data network, receives outputs from the vehicle operations programming applications and the driver interface, determines a resolved operation for the vehicle'"'"'s hardware systems and provides output commands indicative thereof. The vehicle operations programming applications may include adaptive cruise control, automated mayday, and obstacle and collision warning systems, among others. Also disclosed is a new computing architecture that organizes the applications and systems in the vehicle into two groups: driver assistance systems and mobile services and information systems. Also disclosed is a drive recorder that maintains records of the statuses of all vehicle systems and of the driver.

Claims

1. A curve warning system implemented in a vehicle, the curve warning system comprising:

a first group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle that sense features around the vehicle;

a second group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle that sense vehicle hardware systems;

a map database installed in the vehicle, wherein said map database includes data representing features in a geographic area around the vehicle, wherein said map database includes a curve valid road list;

a positioning system that determines a location of the vehicle relative to features represented in the map database;

data modeling programming that uses outputs from the first group of sensors, the second group of sensors, and the map database to construct a data model of the vehicle and the area around the vehicle;

a driver interface from which a driver of the vehicle receives information; and

a curve warning application that uses the data model to determine an appropriate vehicle operation through a curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle,

wherein the curve warning application provides an indication to the driver via the driver interface if the vehicle is determined to be located outside a coverage area of the curve valid road list.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an adaptive cruise control application that controls vehicle speed, wherein said curve warning application provides an output to said adaptive cruise control application and further wherein the adaptive cruise control application adjusts the vehicle speed based on the output from the curve warning application.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a drive recorder that stores information from the first group of sensor devices and the second group of sensor devices in a non-volatile secure data storage device located in the vehicle,

wherein said curve warning application provides an output to said drive recorder and further wherein the drive recorder stores data indicating curve detection by said curve warning application and the appropriate vehicle operation determined.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a roadway data file stored in said vehicle, wherein said roadway data file contains recommended curve driving responses for various curve and highway conditions,

wherein said curve warning application uses the data model and the roadway data file to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a driver profile stored in said vehicle, wherein said driver profile contains a listing of driver preferences,

wherein said curve warning application uses the data model and the driver profile to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a route calculation application that receives indications of an origin and desired destination and determines at least one route from the origin to the destination; and

a route guidance application that provides the driver with instructions for following the route determined by the route calculation application,

wherein said curve warning application uses the data model and the route determined by the route calculation application to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

7. A curve warning system implemented in a vehicle, the curve warning system comprising:

a first group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle that sense features around the vehicle;

a second group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle that sense vehicle hardware systems;

a map database installed in the vehicle, wherein said map database includes data representing features in a geographic area around the vehicle;

a positioning system that determines a location of the vehicle relative to features represented in the map database;

data modeling programming that uses outputs from the first group of sensors, the second group of sensors, and the map database to construct a data model of the vehicle and the area around the vehicle;

a roadway data file stored in said vehicle, wherein said roadway data file contains recommended curve driving responses for various curve and highway conditions; and

a curve warning application that uses the data model and the roadway data file to determine an appropriate vehicle operation through a curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

an adaptive cruise control application that controls vehicle speed, wherein said curve warning application provides an output to said adaptive cruise control application and further wherein the adaptive cruise control application adjusts the vehicle speed based on the output from the curve warning application.

9. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a drive recorder that stores information from the first group of sensor devices and the second group of sensor devices in a non-volatile secure data storage device located in the vehicle,

wherein said curve warning application provides an output to said drive recorder and further wherein the drive recorder stores data indicating curve detection by said curve warning application and the appropriate vehicle operation determined.

10. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a curve valid road list; and

a driver interface from which a driver of the vehicle receives information;

wherein the curve warning application provides an indication to the driver via the driver interface if the vehicle is determined to be located outside a coverage area of the curve valid road list.

11. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a driver profile stored in said vehicle, wherein said driver profile contains a listing of driver preferences,

wherein said curve warning application uses the data model and the driver profile to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a route calculation application that receives an indication of a desired destination and determines at least one route from an origin to the destination; and

a route guidance application that provides the driver with instructions for following the route determined by the route calculation application,

wherein said curve warning application uses the data model and the route determined by the route calculation application to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

13. A method for providing a curve warning in a vehicle comprising:

sensing features around the vehicle with a first group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle;

sensing vehicle hardware systems with a second group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle,

determining a location of the vehicle relative to features represented in a map database, wherein said map database includes data representing features in a geographic area around the vehicle and wherein said map database includes a curve valid road list,

constructing a data model of the vehicle and the area around the vehicle using outputs from the first group of sensors, the second group of sensors, and the map database;

using the data model with a curve warning application run on a processor in the vehicle to determine an appropriate vehicle operation through a curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle; and

providing an indication to the driver via an interface if the vehicle is determined to be located outside a coverage area of the curve valid road list.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing an output from the curve warning application to an adaptive cruise control application that controls vehicle speed; and

adjusting the vehicle speed based with the adaptive cruise control application based on the output from the curve warning application.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing an output from the curve warning application to a driver recorder that stores a history of the vehicle and vehicle environment in a non-volatile secure data storage device located in the vehicle; and

storing data with said driver recorder that indicates curve detection by said curve warning application and the appropriate vehicle operation determined.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

with the curve warning application, using a roadway data file that contains recommended curve driving responses for various curve and highway conditions to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

with the curve warning application, using a driver profile that contains a listing of driver preferences to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving an indication of a desired destination;

calculating at least one route to the destination using the map database;

providing the driver with instructions for following the calculated route; and

with the curve warning application, using the data model and the calculated route to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

19. A method for providing a curve warning in a vehicle comprising:

sensing features around the vehicle with a first group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle;

sensing vehicle hardware systems with a second group of sensor devices installed in the vehicle;

determining a location of the vehicle relative to features represented in a map database, wherein said map database includes data representing features in a geographic area around the vehicle;

constructing a data model of the vehicle and the area around the vehicle using outputs from the first group of sensors, the second group of sensors, and the map database; and

with a curve warning application run on a processor in the vehicle, using the data model and a roadway data file stored in said vehicle, to determine an appropriate vehicle operation through a curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle, wherein said roadway data file contains recommended curve driving responses for various curve and highway conditions.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

providing an output from the curve warning application to an adaptive cruise control application that controls vehicle speed; and

adjusting the vehicle speed based with the adaptive cruise control application based on the output from the curve warning application.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

providing an output from the curve warning application to a driver recorder that stores a history of the vehicle and vehicle environment in a non-volatile secure data storage device located in the vehicle; and

storing data with said driver recorder that indicates curve detection by said curve warning application and the appropriate vehicle operation determined.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

providing an indication to the driver via an interface if the vehicle is determined to be located outside a coverage area of a curve valid road list.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

with the curve warning application, using a driver profile that contains a listing of driver preferences to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

receiving an indication of a desired destination;

calculating at least one route to the destination using the map database;

providing the driver with instructions for following the calculated route; and

with the curve warning application, using the data model and the calculated route to determine the appropriate vehicle operation through the curved portion of road ahead of the vehicle.