Geobroadcast hazard warning device via a server

• US 8,493,235 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Company HG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Sthlin, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US12/675,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20110063129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,915 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340900-905, 340/438, 701/300
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles

Abstract

A hazard warning for a driver of a vehicle is provided which involves measured values captured by different vehicles or corresponding advance analysis results being evaluated centrally by a server. The server then decides who needs to receive a corresponding warning. In this way, the main computation power can be provided in the server, which relieves the load on the individual vehicle systems. In addition, the data transfer can be minimized, since the messages are sent only to selected receivers.

Claims

1. A hazard warning device for a vehicle for warning a driver of an imminent hazard, said hazard warning device comprising:

a detection unit for capturing measured values which correspond to a hazard;

a communication unit for sending data, which correspond to the captured measured values, to an external server, and for receiving a directed warning from the server generated by the server assessing the captured measured values,

wherein the communication unit sends the data to the server over a standardized radio link used for sending standardized communications to other devices, and

wherein the hazard warning device is configured to decide whether or not the directed warning is intended for the vehicle; and

a warning unit for outputting a warning to warn the driver of the hazard if it is decided that the warning is intended for the vehicle.

2. The hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the warning is based on an assessment of the data by the server.

3. The hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the data at least comprise information about a nature of the hazard and a position for the hazard.

4. The hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

an analysis unit for an in-vehicle first analysis of the measured values and for determining whether the captured measured values are related to a hazard;

wherein the communication unit is configured to send the data when the analysis unit has identified a hazard.

5. The hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the communication unit is in permanent contact with the server and reports a position of the vehicle to the server at regular intervals.

6. The use of a hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1 in a vehicle.

7. A hazard warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent hazard, said hazard warning system comprising:

a hazard warning device as claimed in claim 1,

a control center with a server for assessing transmitted data and for generating the warning on the basis of the assessment,

wherein the control center directs the warning by using the warning to store information about the local area in which the warning is intended to be indicated.

8. The hazard warning system as claimed in claim 7,

wherein the control center is configured to select a receiver for the warning on the basis of received position data and to send a directed warning to the selected receiver.

9. A control center for a hazard warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent hazard, said control center comprising:

a server that is configured to;

assess received data which correspond to a hazard detected by a vehicle;

generate a warning on the basis of the assessment;

select a receiver for the warning on the basis of received position data;

send a directed warning to the selected receiver over a standardized radio link used for sending standardized communications to other devices, such that the selected receiver decides whether or not the directed warning is intended for the vehicle.

10. A method for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent hazard, said method comprising the following steps:

capturing, by the vehicle, measured values which correspond to a hazard;

sending, by the vehicle, data which correspond to the captured measured values to an external server;

assessing, by the server, the transmitted data;

generating, by the server, a warning on the basis of the assessment;

selecting a receiver for the warning on the basis of received position data;

receiving, by the vehicle, a directed warning from the server over a standardized radio link used for receiving standardized communications from other devices;

deciding, by the vehicle, whether or not the directed warning is intended for the vehicle; and

outputting the warning to warn the driver of the hazard if it is decided that the warning is intended for the vehicle.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium which stores a computer program product which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the following steps:

assessment, by the server, of received data which correspond to a hazard detected by a vehicle;

generation, by the server, of a warning on the basis of the assessment;

selection of a receiver for the warning on the basis of received position data;

sending of a directed warning to the selected receiver over a standardized radio link used for sending standardized communications to other devices, such that the selected receiver decides whether or not the directed warning is intended for the vehicle.