Driver notification system, device, and associated method

• US 7,852,233 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Cemper, Kirk E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US11/771,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/904, 340/988, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 340/500, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 455/99, 342/42
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for alerting a driver that a potential hazard is in the vicinity of the driver'"'"'s vehicle. In general, activation signals transmitted from a vehicle are received at a potential hazard, and hazard signals are, in response, transmitted from the potential hazard to the vehicle. The hazard signals provide an indication of the potential hazard to the driver so that he may be aware of the potential hazard and react accordingly. The indication may be provided to the driver visually, such as on a display of the vehicle, and/or audibly, such as in the form of an audible alert issued by a speaker. The hazard signals may also include one or more characteristics of the potential hazard to provide more information about the potential hazard to the driver, such as the type of potential hazard and/or the degree of danger associated with the potential hazard.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit activation signals to any potential hazard in proximity to the transmitter, wherein the activation signals have an amplitude based at least in part on a speed associated with the transmitter and include an indication of the speed associated with the transmitter;

a receiver configured to receive hazard signals generated by at least one potential hazard in response to the activation signals, wherein the hazard signals have an amplitude based at least in part on the indication of the speed associated with the transmitter;

an annunciator configured to indicate the at least one potential hazard based on the hazard signals received; and

a processor in communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the annunciator and configured to interpret the hazard signals received and to instruct the annunciator to provide each indication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the activation signals continuously.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive hazard signals generated by at least one potential hazard selected from the group consisting of a pedestrian, a road construction crew, a crosswalk, a student driver vehicle, and an emergency vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive hazard signals that include at least one characteristic of the potential hazard.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the receiver is configured to receive hazard signals that are modulated to include the at least one characteristic.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the receiver is configured to receive hazard signals that include the at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a type of the potential hazard and a degree of danger associated with the potential hazard.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the annunciator comprises a display configured to provide a visual representation of each indication.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the annunciator comprises a projector configured to project each indication on a windshield of a vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to instruct the annunciator to provide the indication of each potential hazard for a predetermined amount of time after the respective hazard signals are no longer received by the receiver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the annunciator comprises at least one speaker in communication with the processor, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to issue an audible alert, and wherein the processor is configured to instruct the at least one speaker to issue the alert based on the hazard signals received by the receiver.

11. A device comprising:

a receiver at a location of a potential hazard configured to receive activation signals, wherein the activation signals have an amplitude based at least in part on a speed associated with an activation signals transmitter and include an indication of the speed associated with the activation signals transmitter;

a transmitter at the location of the potential hazard configured to generate hazard signals in response to the activation signals, wherein the hazard signals have an amplitude based at least in part on the indication of the speed associated with the activation signals transmitter; and

a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter and configured to include at least one characteristic of the potential hazard in the hazard signals.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to modulate the hazard signals to include the at least one characteristic of the potential hazard in the hazard signals.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the hazard signals in random bursts.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the receiver and the transmitter is located at a potential hazard selected from the group consisting of a pedestrian, a road construction crew, a crosswalk, a student driver vehicle, and an emergency vehicle.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a mobile terminal.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the receiver, the transmitter, and the processor are carried by the potential hazard.

17. A method comprising:

transmitting, via a transmitter, activation signals from a vehicle to a potential hazard in proximity to the vehicle, wherein the activation signals have an amplitude based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle and include an indication of the speed of the vehicle;

receiving, via a receiver, vehicle hazard signals generated at the potential hazard in response to the activation signals, wherein the vehicle hazard signals have an amplitude based at least in part on the indication of the speed of the vehicle; and

providing, via an annunciator, an indication of the potential hazard to a driver of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining at least one characteristic of the potential hazard.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the at least one characteristic comprises determining at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a type of the potential hazard and a degree of danger associated with the potential hazard.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the indication comprises providing an indication of the at least one characteristic determined.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the indication comprises providing the indication for a predetermined amount of time after the hazard signals are no longer received.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the indication comprises providing a visual representation of the indication on a display of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the indication comprises including a visual representation of the indication with an image generated by a navigation system of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the indication comprises projecting the indication on a windshield of the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the indication comprises issuing an audible alert in response to receiving the hazard signals.