Driver alert system for a vehicle

Abstract

A driver alert system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system adapted to monitor a location of the vehicle; and a processor adapted to receive data from the global positioning system, receive historical wildlife location and migration habit data within a predetermined range of the vehicle, calculate a distance between the vehicle and a wildlife activity area indicated by the historical wildlife location and migration habit data within the predetermined range of the vehicle, and provide an alert to a driver of the vehicle when the historical wildlife location and migration habit data indicates wildlife activity within the predetermined range of the vehicle and the vehicle is within a trigger distance of the wildlife activity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system and method for providing an alert to a driver when a vehicle is traveling in an area with frequent wildlife activity. Background Technology

[0002] Animal behavior is often unstable and unpredictable, which can endanger both the driver and the animal itself. Animals and cars can collide suddenly, especially in low light conditions when the driver cannot see the road ahead. Such accidents can cause injury and harm not only to the driver and passengers but also to the animal involved in the collision.

[0003] Animal-vehicle collisions can often be prevented by taking measures in areas known to have high wildlife activity. Typically, signs are posted along roads where wildlife activity is known to be high. Unfortunately, drivers may not notice these signs or treat them as ordinary fixed structures and ignore them entirely. In extreme cases, communities may install fencing to prevent wildlife from crossing roads in a particular location, forcing them to take detours. These measures are costly and can disrupt normal wildlife migration patterns.

[0004] Therefore, while the current measures have more or less achieved their intended purpose, a new system and method are needed to alert drivers when cars are driving in areas with frequent wildlife activity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to several aspects of this disclosure, a driver alert system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system for monitoring the vehicle's location, and a processor for receiving data from the global positioning system, receiving historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range of the vehicle, calculating the distance from the vehicle to a wildlife activity area indicated by the historical wildlife location and migration data within the predetermined range of the vehicle, and providing an alert to the vehicle driver when the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within the predetermined range of the vehicle and the vehicle is within the triggering distance of the wildlife activity.

[0006] According to another aspect, the system also includes a driver interface for receiving alerts from the processor and displaying the alerts to the car driver.

[0007] On the other hand, the driver interface is one of the head-up display and the instrument panel display.

[0008] On the other hand, the processor is used to monitor the current time and, when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle at the current time, provides an alert to the driver.

[0009] On the other hand, the processor is used to monitor the current date and, when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle on the current date, provides an alert to the driver.

[0010] According to another aspect, the processor is used to receive historical wildlife location and migration data by downloading data from a first public database via the Internet.

[0011] On the other hand, the processor is used to download historical wildlife location and migration data in real time or when prompted to go offline.

[0012] According to another aspect, the processor is used to receive real-time information about collisions between a car and a wild animal from the reporting system, and to provide an alert to the driver when a collision occurs between a car and a wild animal within a predetermined range of the car.

[0013] According to another aspect, the processor is used to receive historical information about collisions between cars and wild animals from a second public database, and to provide an alert to the driver when a collision has occurred between a car and a wild animal within a predetermined range of the car.

[0014] According to another aspect, the processor is used to provide enhanced alerts when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle at the current time and date, and when the data direction indicates that the wildlife is moving towards the vehicle.

[0015] According to several aspects of this disclosure, a method for providing an alert to a vehicle driver includes: a global positioning system determining the current location of the vehicle; transmitting the vehicle's location to a processor; the processor receiving historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range of the vehicle; the processor calculating the distance from the vehicle to a wildlife activity area indicated by the historical wildlife location and migration data within the predetermined range of the vehicle; and providing an alert to the vehicle driver when the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within the predetermined range of the vehicle and the vehicle is within a triggering distance of the wildlife activity.

[0016] According to another aspect, providing an alert to the driver when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle also includes transmitting the alert from the processor to a driver interface, which receives the alert from the processor and displays it to the driver.

[0017] According to another approach, the method includes a processor monitoring the current time and providing an alert to the driver when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that wildlife activity is within a predetermined range of the vehicle at the current time.

[0018] According to another approach, the method includes a processor monitoring the current date and providing an alert to the driver when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that wildlife activity is within a predetermined range of the vehicle on the current date.

[0019] According to another aspect, the processor also receives historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range of the vehicle, including data downloaded from a first publicly available database via the Internet.

[0020] On the other hand, the processor is used to download historical wildlife location and migration data in real time or when prompted to go offline.

[0021] According to another aspect, the method further includes: the processor receiving one of the following data: real-time information on car-wildlife collisions from a reporting system and historical data on car-wildlife collisions from a second public database, and providing an alert to the driver of the car when a collision has occurred between the car and a wild animal within a predetermined range of the car.

[0022] According to another aspect, the method also includes providing enhanced alerts when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle at the current time and date, and the direction of the data indicates that the wildlife is moving toward the vehicle.

[0023] Further applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the specification and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the interior of a car, which includes a system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a predetermined range of a car and a wildlife migration route according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 This is an illustration of a driver interface displaying an alarm according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5This is an illustration of a driver interface displaying an enhanced alert, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an alert to a car driver according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, application, or use.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 According to this disclosure, a driver warning system 10 for a vehicle 12 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) 14 for monitoring the position of the vehicle 12. The GPS 14 communicates with GPS satellites 16 and tracks the position of the vehicle 12 as well as parameters such as driving direction and speed.

[0033] The processor 18 communicates with the GPS 14 and receives information related to the location of the vehicle 12 from the GPS 14. The processor 18 is also used to receive historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range 20 of the vehicle 12, calculate the distance 22 between the vehicle 12 and the wildlife activity area 24 indicated by the historical wildlife location and migration data within the predetermined range 20 of the vehicle 12, and provide an alert 26 to the driver of the vehicle 12 when the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within the predetermined range 20 of the vehicle 12 and the vehicle is within the trigger distance 28 of the wildlife activity.

[0034] refer to Figure 2 The system includes a driver interface 30 for receiving an alarm 26 from a processor 18 and displaying the alarm 26 to the driver of the vehicle 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the driver interface 30 is a dashboard display 30A located within a dashboard 32 of the vehicle 12. In another exemplary embodiment, the driver interface 30 is a head-up display 30B protruding from the inner surface of the windshield 34 of the vehicle 12.

[0035] Refer again Figure 1Processor 18 communicates with the Internet 36 via Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 38. Processor 18 communicates with WLAN 38 using known methods, such as, but not limited to, GSM / GPRS-based modems. When vehicle 12 is connected to the Internet 36, processor 18 is used to receive historical wildlife location and migration data by downloading data from a first publicly available database 40 via the Internet 36. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides an example of such a database 40, which has recently begun mapping herd locations and migration routes of ungulates (hoofed mammals such as deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and bison).

[0036] The Ministry of the Interior facilitated migration mapping, a work that places greater emphasis on the need to manage and protect large migratory animals. It builds upon over 20 years of wildlife research, enhanced by the revolutionary advancements in GPS tracking technology. Research indicates that ungulates need to migrate to other areas to obtain the best food, with the best food found in mountainous regions during the warmer months. They then need to seasonally retreat to lower elevations to escape the harsh winter snow. Large animal migration is becoming increasingly difficult as growing populations alter habitats and limit migratory animals' ability to find optimal forage. Herds now have to cope with increasing enclosed spaces, roads, zoning, energy production, and the footprint of mining operations. Furthermore, the increasing frequency of droughts due to climate change is shortening the duration of typical spring foraging activities.

[0037] Fortunately, in the face of all these changes, mapping of migratory habitats, seasonal ranges, and stopover sites is enabling better protection of large faunal populations. Detailed maps help identify key infrastructure influencing migration patterns and allow conservation officials to work with private landowners to protect important habitats and maintain corridor functionality. Tracking this information provides useful data on when and where these animals' activities might intersect with Road 42.

[0038] When vehicle 12 connects to the Internet 36, processor 18 can download data in real time from a first public database 40 to identify areas within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 where known wildlife activity is frequent. Alternatively, if the driver of vehicle 12 plans to drive on off-grid roads or trails with limited network connectivity, the driver can prompt system 10 to download historical wildlife location and migration data in advance.

[0039] refer to Figure 3 Processor 18 collects data from a first publicly available database 40 within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 via the Internet 36. For example, processor 18 can collect data to identify wildlife activity within a 50-mile radius of vehicle 12. Figure 3 As shown, processor 18 collects wildlife activity data within a 50-mile radius of vehicle 12. As illustrated in this example, the data indicates that a wildlife migration path 24 crosses road 42. As vehicle 12 approaches migration path 24, when vehicle 12 is within trigger distance 28, such as 1 mile from migration path 24, processor 18 sends an alert 26 to driver interface 30 to inform the driver that there may be wildlife activity in area 44 and to enhance the driver's awareness of road 42. System 10 periodically downloads data, such as hourly, to update the data as vehicle 12 travels.

[0040] Many animals' movement patterns depend on the time of day. Nocturnal animals, such as bats, are active at night. Diurnal animals, such as humans, are active during the day. Many ungulates are twilight animals, meaning they are primarily active at dawn and dusk. There are very wise reasons for choosing to be active during these dimly lit midday periods. Twilight animals avoid predators. Many predators are most active during the peak of the day and night, so species that are preyed upon by predators are active at dawn and dusk because the predators are exhausted from a night of hunting or have just woken up. In addition, it is difficult to see prey at this time, which gives the prey an advantage in hiding or escaping predators. Twilight activity also allows animals to be active when the temperature is most suitable. Desert animals, on the other hand, can avoid the midday heat and the midnight cold by being active at dawn and dusk. Due to environmental factors, such as competition with other species, some species may change from nocturnal or diurnal to twilight species. Diurnal activity can be further divided into dawn animals, which are most active in the morning, and dusk animals, which are most active at dusk.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, processor 18 monitors the current time and provides an alert 26 to the driver of vehicle 12 when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that wildlife activity is present within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 at the current time. For example, white-tailed deer are crepuscular animals, most active in the early morning and late afternoon. If vehicle 12 is traveling in an area 44 known to have a large population of white-tailed deer, processor 18 may only provide alert 26 in the early morning and late afternoon. Alternatively, when vehicle 12 is traveling through area 44 at noon and midnight, processor 18 may provide a regular alert 26 to alert the driver of the presence of white-tailed deer in area 44 and to draw the driver's attention to road 42, and an enhanced alert 46 in the early morning and late afternoon to provide a more noticeable warning to the driver during these times. The enhanced alert 46 may appear on the driver's interface at faster intervals, or may appear in larger fonts or brighter colors, or may include an audio component to provide a more noticeable warning.

[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, processor 18 monitors the current date and provides an alert 26 to the driver of vehicle 12 when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that wildlife activity is present within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 on the current date. For example, some ungulates undertake long-distance migrations according to the season. Some species migrate from summering grounds to wintering grounds in the fall and back from wintering grounds to summering grounds in the spring. The possibility of wildlife crossing the road 42 between their summering grounds and wintering grounds is only significant in spring and autumn. Processor 18 will only provide alert 26 to the driver of vehicle 12 in spring and autumn. In some cases, the timing of such migrations is highly predictable, and the data collected by processor 18 from the first public database 40 can provide precise information about when alert 26 should be provided in a given area.

[0043] In another exemplary embodiment, processor 18 is configured to receive real-time information about a collision between a vehicle and a wild animal from reporting system 48, and to provide an alert 26 to the driver of vehicle 12 when a collision has occurred between the vehicle and the wild animal within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12. This reporting system 48 may collect real-time data via inter-vehicle communication, or real-time data related to the vehicle-wildlife collision incident, such as data input by other drivers.

[0044] Alternatively, processor 18 can be used to receive historical information about vehicle-wildlife collisions from a second public database 50 and to provide an alert 26 to the driver of vehicle 12 when a collision has occurred between a vehicle and a wild animal within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12. The Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an example of such a database 50. This second public database 50 may include information related to wildlife collisions, indicating potential wildlife activity not reflected in wildlife tracking data in the first public database 40.

[0045] refer to Figure 4 In one exemplary embodiment, processor 18 provides an alert 26 that displays text on the driver interface 30 suggesting a reduction in speed to 45 mph due to being in a "wildlife danger zone." In another exemplary embodiment, processor 18 provides an enhanced alert 46 when historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 at the current time and date, and the direction of the data indicates that the wildlife is moving towards vehicle 12. (See reference...) Figure 5 An example of this type of enhanced alert 46 includes text on the driver interface 30 suggesting that the vehicle speed be reduced to 45 mph due to being in a "wildlife danger zone," and also includes graphics 52 and arrows 54 indicating the direction in which wild animals may be traveling, providing the driver with additional guidance to be alert to wild animals coming from that direction.

[0046] refer to Figure 6 A method 100 for providing alerts 26, 46 to the driver of vehicle 12 is shown in the figure. Starting at box 110, the method includes a global positioning system 14 determining the current location of vehicle 12. Moving to box 112, the location of vehicle 12 is transmitted to a processor 18. Moving to box 114, the method includes the processor 18 receiving historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12. When vehicle 12 is connected to the Internet 36, the processor 18 downloads data in real time from a first public database 40. If the driver is alerted to be driving on an off-grid road or trail, the processor 18 downloads the historical wildlife location and migration data in advance.

[0047] refer to Figure 3Processor 18 collects data from a first publicly available database 40 within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 via the Internet 36. For example, processor 18 can collect data to identify wildlife activity within a 50-mile radius of vehicle 12. Figure 3 As shown, processor 18 collects wildlife activity data within a 50-mile radius of vehicle 12. As this example illustrates, the data shows wildlife migration paths 24 crossing road 42.

[0048] Refer again Figure 6 Moving to box 116, the method includes calculating the distance 22 from vehicle 12 to wildlife activity area 24. Moving to box 118, if the distance 22 between vehicle 12 and wildlife activity area 24 is greater than the trigger distance 28, moving to box 120, no alarm 26 is sent. If the distance 22 between vehicle 12 and wildlife activity area 24 is less than the trigger distance 28, moving to box 122, method 100 includes providing alarm 26 to driver interface 30 and driver of vehicle 12. (See again) Figure 3 As the vehicle 12 approaches the migration path 24, when the vehicle 12 is within the trigger distance 28, for example, 1 mile from the migration path 24, the processor 18 sends an alert 26 to the driver interface 30 to inform the driver that there may be wildlife activity in the area and to enhance the driver's awareness of the road 42.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of method 100, at block 118, if the distance 22 between vehicle 12 and wildlife activity area 24 is less than a trigger distance 28, moving to block 124, method 100 includes processor 18 monitoring the current time. Moving to block 126, if historical wildlife location and migration data do not indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 at the current time, moving to block 128, no alarm 26 is sent. Moving again to block 122, if historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within the predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 at the current time, the method includes providing an alarm 26 to the driver of vehicle 12.

[0050] In another exemplary embodiment of method 100, at block 118, if the distance 22 between vehicle 12 and wildlife activity area 24 is less than trigger distance 28, moving to block 132, method 100 includes processor 18 monitoring the current date. Moving to block 134, if historical wildlife location and migration data do not indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 on the current date, moving to block 136, no alarm 26 is sent. Moving again to block 122, if historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 on the current date, method 100 includes providing alarm 26 to the driver of vehicle 12.

[0051] Starting from any of boxes 120, 128, and 136, moving to box 140, method 100 includes processor 18 receiving one of the following data: real-time information on vehicle-wildlife collisions from reporting system 48 and historical data on vehicle-wildlife collisions from a second public database 50. Moving to box 142, if no real-time information or historical data on vehicle-wildlife collisions is received, moving to box 144, no alarm 26 is sent. If processor 18 receives real-time information or historical data indicating that a collision occurred between a vehicle and a wild animal within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12, moving to box 146, method 100 includes providing alarm 26 to the driver of vehicle 12.

[0052] Referring again to box 122 and moving to box 148, if historical wildlife location and migration data indicate wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12 at the current time and date, and the direction of the data indicates the wildlife is moving towards vehicle 12, moving to box 150, method 100 includes providing an enhanced alert 46 to the driver interface 30 and the driver of vehicle 12. (Reference) Figure 5 An example of this type of enhanced alert 46 includes text on the driver interface 30 suggesting that the vehicle speed be reduced to 45 mph due to being in a "wildlife danger zone," and also includes graphics 52 and arrows 54 indicating the direction in which wild animals may be traveling, providing the driver with additional guidance to be alert to wild animals coming from that direction.

[0053] The method 100 and system 10 of this disclosure have several advantages, including providing an activity alert 26, 46 to the driver of vehicle 12 when there is a possibility of wildlife activity within a predetermined range 20 of vehicle 12. This alert reminds the driver of the potential encounter with wildlife, allowing the driver to be more alert and potentially spot wildlife on the road ahead of vehicle 12 before a collision occurs.

[0054] The description in this disclosure is exemplary in nature only, and any changes that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are intended to fall within its scope. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A driver alert system for a motor vehicle, comprising: The Global Positioning System (GPS) has been adapted to monitor the location of cars. and The processor is adapted to: Receive data from the Global Positioning System; Receive historical wildlife location and migration data within a predetermined range of the vehicle; Calculate the distance from the vehicle to the wildlife migration path indicated by historical wildlife location and migration habit data within a predetermined range of the vehicle; When the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle and the vehicle is within the triggering distance of the wildlife activity, an alert is provided to the driver of the vehicle. as well as An enhanced alert is provided when the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle at the current time and date, and the direction of the data indicates that the wildlife is moving toward the vehicle. The enhanced alert includes an arrow indicating the possible direction of travel of the wildlife.

2. The driver alarm system according to claim 1 further includes a driver interface adapted to receive the alarm from the processor and display the alarm to the driver of the vehicle.

3. The driver alarm system according to claim 2, wherein, The driver interface is one of a head-up display and a dashboard display.

4. The driver alertness system of claim 2, wherein, The processor is adapted to monitor the current time and, if the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that wildlife is active within a predetermined range of the vehicle at that current time, provide an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

5. The driver alert system of claim 4, wherein, The processor is used to monitor the current date and, if the historical wildlife location and migration data indicate that there is wildlife activity within a predetermined range of the vehicle on the current date, provide an alert to the driver of the vehicle.

6. The driver alert system of claim 5, wherein, The processor is adapted to receive historical wildlife location and migration data by downloading data from a first public database via the Internet.

7. The driver alert system of claim 6, wherein, The processor is adapted to download historical wildlife location and migration data in real time or when prompted to go offline.

8. The driver alert system according to claim 7, wherein, The processor is adapted to receive real-time information about collisions between a vehicle and a wild animal from a reporting system, and to provide an alert to the driver of the vehicle when a collision between a vehicle and a wild animal has occurred within a predetermined range of the vehicle.

9. The driver alert system according to claim 8, wherein, The processor is adapted to receive historical information about car-wildlife collisions from a second public database and to provide an alert to the driver of the car when a car-wildlife collision has occurred within a predetermined range of the car.

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