Method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for exchanging vehicle information

• US 9,251,630 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.), AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Denny, Michael S., Dominguez, Brian, Greaves, Brian, Lee, Craig, Niedermeyer, Ricardo, Tischer, Steven Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Amin, Bhavesh V
• Application Number:
  US14/109,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20150170429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/005 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/00 Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18154 Approaching an intersection
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2406 using essentially read only memories
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0202 the signals being electric F16H61/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/40 comprising signals other than signals for actuating the final output mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking

Abstract

A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for exchanging vehicle information are disclosed. For example, the method receives the vehicle information from a second vehicle, wherein the vehicle information is received via a direct vehicle to vehicle communication, calculates an operating parameter of the second vehicle, determines an alert condition based on the operating parameter of the second vehicle, and provides a notification of the alert condition to a driver of the first vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving vehicle information, the apparatus comprising:

a processor of a first vehicle; and

a computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving the vehicle information from a second vehicle, wherein the vehicle information is received via a direct vehicle to vehicle communication, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of;

a weight of the second vehicle, a number of passengers in the second vehicle, a braking capability of the second vehicle, a tire pressure of the second vehicle, a thickness of a brake pad of the second vehicle, or a type of tire of the second vehicle;

calculating an operating parameter of the second vehicle using the vehicle information that is received;

determining an alert condition based on the operating parameter of the second vehicle; and

providing a notification of the alert condition to a driver of the first vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a request for the vehicle information to the second vehicle prior to receiving the vehicle information from the second vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the request contains information that is required for authentication.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information that is required for authentication comprises identity information of the first vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information that is required for authentication comprises identity information of the driver of the first vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the vehicle information that is received from the second vehicle to an application server that is deployed in a network.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

engaging a system of the first vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the system of the first vehicle comprises a braking system.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the system of the first vehicle comprises a lighting system.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the system of the first vehicle comprises an engine system.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the system of the first vehicle comprises a transmission system.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a tactile notification.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information further comprises historical information.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information further comprises current alert information.

17. A method for receiving vehicle information, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor of an on-board unit of a first vehicle, the vehicle information from a second vehicle, wherein the vehicle information is received via a direct vehicle to vehicle communication, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of;

a weight of the second vehicle, a number of passengers in the second vehicle, a braking capability of the second vehicle, a tire pressure of the second vehicle, a thickness of a brake pad of the second vehicle, or a type of tire of the second vehicle;

calculating, by the processor, an operating parameter of the second vehicle using the vehicle information that is received;

determining, by the processor, an alert condition based on the operating parameter of the second vehicle; and

providing, by the processor, a notification of the alert condition to a driver of the first vehicle.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a first vehicle, cause the processor to perform operations for sending vehicle information, the operations comprising:

receiving, from a second vehicle, a request for the vehicle information of the first vehicle, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of;

a weight of the first vehicle, a number of passengers in the first vehicle, a braking capability of the first vehicle, a tire pressure of the first vehicle, a thickness of a brake pad of the first vehicle, or a type of tire of the first vehicle;

authenticating the request;

determining whether a trigger parameter is met; and

sending the vehicle information to the second vehicle, wherein the vehicle information is sent via a direct vehicle to vehicle communication, wherein the vehicle information is sent when the request is authenticated and the trigger parameter is met.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein the trigger parameter comprises a proximity trigger parameter.