System and method for dynamically generating a speed alert based on driver status

• US 8,305,206 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Williams, Kenneth Nkosi, Bennie, Brian, Patel, Vilay, Kleve, Robert Bruce, Chowanic, Andrea Bowes
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/535,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 340/441, 340/439, 340/905, 180/170, 180/171, 701/32.4, 701/70, 701/93, 701/119
• US Class Current: 340/441
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/60 Traffic rules, e.g. speed limits or right of way
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a method for generating a speed alert with an electronic device in a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling on a road and receiving a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road traveled by the vehicle. The method further comprises adding a predetermined speed buffer to the posted speed limit and comparing the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal. The method further comprises generating an alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

Claims

1. A method for generating a speed alert with an electronic device in a vehicle, the method comprising;

receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling on a road;

receiving a speed limit signal indicating a posted speed limit for the road traveled on by the vehicle;

adding a predetermined speed buffer to the posted speed limit;

comparing the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal;

generating an alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer;

receiving a class signal indicating a functional class for the road;

assigning a first assigned speed limit to the functional class for the road;

determining whether the posted speed limit is available; and

comparing the first assigned speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal if the posted speed limit is unavailable.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a driver identification signal indicating that the driver is one of a primary driver and a secondary driver.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein generating the alert further comprises generating the alert if (i) the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer and (ii) the driver identification signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating the alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the first assigned speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the vehicle to reduce speed such that the vehicle speed signal is below the posted speed limit if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

6. An apparatus for generating a speed alert in a vehicle for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver, the apparatus comprising;

a device configured to;

receive a driver status signal indicating that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver;

receive a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is being driven on a road by the secondary driver;

receive a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road;

compare the posted speed limit to the vehicle speed signal;

generate an alert for the secondary driver if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit;

receive a class signal indicating a functional class for the road;

assign a first assigned speed limit to the functional class for the road;

determine whether the posted speed limit is available; and

compare the first assigned speed limit to the vehicle speed signal if the posted speed limit is unavailable.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the device is further configured to generate the alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the first assigned speed limit.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the device is further configured to transmit a maximum speed command signal that indicates a maximum speed limit to a control module so that the control module reduces the vehicle speed to fall below the maximum speed command signal if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the maximum speed limit.

9. An apparatus for generating a speed alert in a vehicle for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver, the apparatus comprising;

a device configured to;

receive a driver status signal indicating that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver;

receive a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is being driven on a road by the secondary driver;

receive a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road;

store a predetermined speed buffer;

compare the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal; and

generate an alert for the secondary driver if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer;

determine whether the posted speed limit is available; and

compare a first assigned speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal if the posted speed limit is unavailable.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the device is further configured to receive a class signal indicating a functional class for the road and to assign the first assigned speed limit to the functional class for the road.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the device is further configured to generate the alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the first assigned speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

12. An apparatus for generating a speed alert, the apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive a vehicle speed signal indicative of a speed the vehicle is being driven on a road;

electronically determine whether a posted speed limit for the road is available;

receive a class signal indicative of a functional class for the road; and

assign a first assigned speed limit based on the functional class if the posted limit signal is unavailable.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is further configured to compare the speed as indicated on the vehicle speed signal to the first assigned speed limit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the controller is further configured to generate an alert if the speed as indicated on the vehicle speed signal is greater than the first assigned speed.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the controller is further configured to receive a driver identification signal indicative of whether the driver is one of a primary driver and a secondary driver.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the controller is further configured to generate the alert if the speed as indicated on the vehicle speed signal is greater than the first assigned speed signal and the driver is the secondary driver.