GPS-based system and method for controlling vehicle characteristics based on terrain

• US 8,589,049 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Craig, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US11/987,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20090143936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,178 Days
• Field of Search: 701 37- 40, 701/48, 701 50- 66, 701 69-101, 701/207, 701/208, 701/213
• US Class Current: 701/80
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/80 Exterior conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/84 Atmospheric conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 related to ambient conditions

Abstract

System and method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics. The method includes receiving, at a vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data, and, based on the received GPS data, determining the vehicle'"'"'s location. The method also identifies terrain map information associated with the vehicle'"'"'s determined location and determines a terrain based on the terrain map information. The method then modifies one or more vehicle operating characteristics based on the determined terrain.

Claims

1. A method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics comprising:

receiving, at a vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data;

determining a location of said vehicle based on said received GPS data;

identifying terrain map information associated with said determined location;

determining a terrain based on said identified terrain map information, said determined terrain including a surface characteristic at said determined location;

storing historical weather information associated with said determined location;

automatically modifying one or more vehicle operating characteristics based on said determined terrain and said historical weather information, the one or more vehicle operating characteristics comprising operating characteristics of at least one of a stability control system, a suspension system, a suspension damping system, a braking system, a tire pressure system, a central tire inflation system and a torque management system; and

updating said GPS data according to at least one of a predetermined time period and a predetermined distance traveled by said vehicle.

2. The method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting a signal to another vehicle to modify one or more vehicle operating characteristics thereof.

3. The method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving current weather information including sensing current weather conditions at said vehicle.

4. The method for controlling vehicle operating characteristics according to claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving current weather information;

wherein said automatically modifying further includes automatically modifying said one or more vehicle operating characteristics based on said retrieved current weather information.

5. A system for controlling operating characteristics of a vehicle, said system adapted for mounting in said vehicle and comprising:

means for receiving global positioning system (GPS) data;

means for storing terrain map information;

means, coupled to said means for receiving and to said means for storing, for determining a location of said vehicle based on received GPS data;

means for identifying terrain map information associated with said determined location;

means for determining a terrain based on said identified terrain map information;

means for storing historical weather information associated with said determined location

means for evaluating a suspension system, a braking system, a tire system, and a stability control system on said vehicle based on said determined terrain;

means for outputting at least one signal to modify, based on said determined terrain and said historical weather information, one or more vehicle operating characteristics affecting at least one of vehicle movement and ride of the vehicle; and

means for updating said GPS data according to at least one of a predetermined time period and a predetermined distance traveled by said vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising means for retrieving weather information of current weather conditions, wherein said signal is responsive to said retrieved weather information.

7. The system according to claim 6, where said retrieved weather information is sensed by a means for sensing said current weather conditions mounted on said vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 5, further comprising means for transmitting a signal to another vehicle to modify one or more vehicle operating characteristics thereof.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to perform at least the following operations:

receiving, at a vehicle, global positioning system (GPS) data;

determining a location of said vehicle based on said received GPS data;

identifying terrain map information associated with said determined location;

determining a terrain based on said identified terrain map information;

selecting one or more of a suspension system, a suspension damping system, a braking system, a tire pressure system, a central tire inflation system, a drive train system, a stability control system, a torque management system, a ride height adjustment system, a transmission system, and a seat shock absorber system of said vehicle to adjust based on said determined terrain;

storing historical weather information associated with said determined location;

automatically outputting a signal representing an adjustment to said one or more selected system, said adjustment responsive to said determined terrain and said historical weather information; and

updating said GPS data according to at least one of a predetermined time period and a predetermined distance traveled by said vehicle.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein said instructions cause said processor to perform the following further operations comprising:

retrieving current weather information; and

wherein said adjustment to said one or more selected system is also based on said retrieved current weather information.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein said selecting comprises selecting at least three of said systems to adjust based on said determined terrain.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein said terrain map is stored on board said vehicle.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein said instructions cause said processor to perform the following further operations comprising transmitting a signal to another vehicle to modify one or more selected system thereof.