Emergency alert via parked vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an emergency alert via a parked vehicle. A vehicle includes a radio receiver configured to receive an emergency alert message initiated by an alert mechanism and broadcasted by an alert propagator. The radio receiver is typically inactive when the vehicle is in a dormant state. A user monitor is configured to track a user when the vehicle is in the dormant state to detect whether the user is left in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. A controller coupled to the radio receiver and to the user monitor is configured to activate the radio receiver when a user is present during a sleep state. The controller detects the presence of a relevant emergency alert message and initiates a notification signal generated by the vehicle and perceivable by the user to notify the user that the relevant emergency alert message is available.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to receiving broadcasts containing emergency alert messages in motor vehicles, and more particularly to disseminating emergency messages to users while the vehicle is turned off. Background Art

[0002] Government agencies and other groups have deployed emergency warning systems to spread emergency messages as widely as possible when an emergency has occurred or may occur. For example, in the United States, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) enables authorities to broadcast alerts via television (over-the-air, cable and satellite) and radio (AM, FM and satellite) broadcasts. During vehicle travel, receiving and reproducing alerts via radio broadcasts is the main mechanism for reaching users (e.g., drivers and passengers) of the vehicle. Many vehicle receivers are configured to detect alert signals that can be broadcast simultaneously via different stations or in different channels. A receiver that is reproducing the media content of one channel can monitor broadcasts on other channels to obtain alerts in the background, and even when the receiver is not actively reproducing any channel, it can monitor scheduled broadcasts to obtain alert signals. In some areas, a Radio Data System (RDS) or similar system can be used to embed emergency messages into a broadcast or provide notifications to the receiver to automatically re-tune to the broadcast that is issuing an alert.

[0003] Activation of a motor vehicle depends on the use of a "key" that proves that a user has authorization to access the vehicle. For example, the "key" can be a physical key that can be inserted into the ignition lock, or it can be a wireless device, such as a key fob that can be operated in conjunction with a physical button. In addition, the key / lock combination or button can be used to select between different vehicle power-on states, including an off or dormant state, an accessory (ACC) state, and an on state. In the on state, any electrical load can be available. In the ACC state, a subset of electrical loads can be available. The on state and the ACC state are collectively referred to as active states in this article. In the dormant (off) state, most electrical loads may not be available to the user.

[0004] A typical automotive electrical system relies on the battery to power the electrical system loads when the main power source (gasoline-driven alternator) is inactive / unavailable. The battery has a limited charge capacity, and it is important to maintain sufficient energy storage to start the vehicle (e.g., start the gasoline engine or close high-voltage contactors in an electric vehicle). Therefore, vehicle manufacturers typically specify limits on the current drawn by various modules under each condition that may occur. In the dormant state, the audio entertainment system, including any radio receivers (AM, FM, or satellite), is typically placed in sleep mode or powered off and cannot provide emergency alerts in real time. Summary of the invention

[0005] Vehicle users may sometimes drive their vehicles to parks or other places for camping, picnics, and other activities. With the vehicle parked nearby, the user may even leave the door, trunk, or liftgate (i.e., tailgate) open to access the vehicle contents. The user may stay in the vehicle with the ignition off to relax or wait for the arrival of another person or event. If an emergency alarm is present with the ignition off, the user is not immediately notified in the prior art. The present invention monitors 1) whether the user stays in the vehicle after turning off the ignition, 2) whether the user approaches the vehicle, and / or 3) whether the door, trunk, or liftgate is open. If the user is nearby, or the user stays in the vehicle, or the door / trunk / liftgate is open, the vehicle's broadcast receiver monitors the alarm (e.g., by keeping at least a portion of the satellite receiver open to monitor a preview channel or other emergency channel). If an alarm is received, the vehicle notifies the user via honking, flashing exterior lights, and / or reproducing an alarm message inside the vehicle (e.g., displaying an alarm on a display screen and / or playing an audio message through a vehicle speaker).

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle having an active state and a dormant state includes a radio receiver configured to receive emergency alert messages initiated by an alert mechanism and broadcast by an alert disseminator. When the vehicle is in the dormant state, the radio receiver is generally inactive. A user monitor is configured to track a user while the vehicle is in the dormant state to detect whether the user remains in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. A controller coupled to the radio receiver and to the user monitor is configured to activate the radio receiver during the dormant state when the user remains in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. The controller detects the presence of a relevant emergency alert message and initiates a notification signal generated by the vehicle and perceptible to the user to notify the user that a relevant emergency alert message is available. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing portions of an emergency alert system.

[0008] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario in which a user places a vehicle in a dormant state while the user is available and can be notified of an emergency alert message.

[0009] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 is a state diagram illustrating the operation process of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for triggering an alarm while a vehicle is in a dormant state.

[0012] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for delivering a notification signal to a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] When the vehicle ignition (i.e., power-on state) is off, including 1) detecting that the user remains in the vehicle, 2) detecting that the vehicle body opening and closing parts (e.g., doors, trunk, liftgate) remain open, or 3) detecting that the user remains within the proximity of the vehicle, the present invention activates a radio receiver (e.g., AM, FM, satellite digital audio broadcasting or other wireless services) to monitor emergency alerts in one or more different scenarios. The user can be tracked inside or outside the vehicle based on vehicle sensors (e.g., seat sensors, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, or radar units) or based on the presence of a wireless network connection between the vehicle and a mobile device carried by the user (e.g., a smart phone with a Bluetooth connection). During these conditions, the vehicle controller keeps at least one broadcast receiver (e.g., a satellite receiver, such as a Sirius XM receiver or an FM receiver) at least partially active and powered to monitor the broadcast for alerts (e.g., signals from the primary entry point (PEP) of the emergency alert system). Whenever an emergency alert is delivered via a Sirius XM or FM receiver, the controller initiates a notification signal to notify the user that an emergency message has been received. For example, the vehicle controller can trigger the vehicle to honk and / or flash interior or exterior lights. It can also activate the full audio system to reproduce an audio message and / or display a message on a display screen (when the user remains in the vehicle or when the user returns to the vehicle in response to the notification signal). When a wireless network connection is present, the notification signal and / or emergency message can be wirelessly sent to the user's mobile device.

[0014] refer to Figure 1, the general architecture of the alert system includes a set of alert agencies 10, which may include local, state, national and other agencies, which send emergency messages to message disseminators 12 via gateways 11 using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP). Examples of alert agencies 10 include the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Volcano Hazard Program, etc. The message disseminators include the Emergency Alert System (EAS) 13 as well as the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) cellular system and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) communications infrastructure. The EAS 13 includes terrestrial AM and FM transmitters 14, satellite digital audio broadcasting (DAB) transmitters 15, and television / cable networks 16. The motor vehicle 17 receives the radio signals including any emergency alerts from the transmitters 14 and / or 15, which are decoded accordingly and reproduced for the vehicle occupants.

[0015] like Figure 2 As shown, vehicle 20 may be parked and turned off (i.e., put into a dormant state) by user 21, who remains in the dormant vehicle to rest or await some later time or event. A different scenario may occur when a user 23 of another vehicle 22 is outside but remains close to the parked and dormant vehicle 22, such as when spending time at a park or other recreational area for a picnic or other activity. User 23 may carry a mobile device 24, such as a smart phone, which may have a wireless network connection 25 with dormant vehicle 22, thereby indicating to vehicle 22 that user 23 is within a distance corresponding to the range of a wireless network.

[0016] The present invention will typically not include a scenario in which the vehicle 22 is dormant and parked at a common location for the user 23 (such as a home or workplace) because other sources of emergency alerts will be available to the user 23 when in such a common location, and because the amount of time spent in the predetermined common location will result in excessive battery usage due to prolonged operation of the radio receiver.

[0017] The vehicle 22 has a body access including a liftgate 26 that can remain open for an extended period of time when the user 23 is near the vehicle 22 (e.g., to obtain food or a drink). Detection of the open state of the body access can be used as an indication that the user 23 is within a predetermined distance (e.g., close enough to notice an open vehicle and therefore close enough to perceive an audio cue such as a horn or a visual cue such as flashing the lights). An open body access can initiate monitoring for an emergency alarm even when the vehicle 22 is in a normal location for the user 23, as this would be an abnormal condition.

[0018] exist Figure 2In the illustrated scenario, the satellite radio receivers in the vehicles 20 and 22 continue to operate even when the vehicles are in a dormant state. Therefore, emergency alert messages broadcast by the satellite 27 are detected in the vehicles 20 and 22 and can attract the attention of the users 22 and 23.

[0019] Figure 3 The vehicle 30 is shown in more detail. A controller 31 (e.g., an electronic module having a microcontroller configured to operate within a controller network of the vehicle 30) receives a signal identifying the current ignition state of the vehicle 30 via a multiplexed bus (not shown). The ignition state can be off, on, or ACC. The controller 31 is coupled to a radio receiver 32 so that the controller 31 can activate or deactivate the operation of the radio receiver 32 even if the current ignition state is off. For example, the receiver 32 has antennas 33 and 34 configured to receive satellite and terrestrial FM signals. The reproduced audio can be played via speakers 35 and 36.

[0020] The controller 31 is also coupled to a display panel 37 that can be used to display text or other information associated with the emergency alert message. Such messages can be decoded within the receiver 32 and formatted by the controller 31 for appropriate display.

[0021] The controller 31 is coupled to a global positioning system GPS 38 which determines the geographical coordinates of the vehicle's location. The vehicle's location enables the controller 31 to select emergency alert messages that may be relevant to the user of the vehicle.

[0022] The controller 31 is also coupled to a proximity sensor 40, which may include an external camera, radar, and lidar unit. The proximity sensor 40 monitors the external environment in order to identify and track the user of the vehicle. For example, once a person leaves the vehicle 30 and while they remain close to the vehicle, their movement may be continuously tracked. Alternatively, facial recognition may be used to identify a user's pre-stored identity.

[0023] The controller 31 is coupled to a vehicle monitor 41 , which may include seat sensors or interior cameras, for monitoring the occupants of the vehicle, particularly when the ignition is off.

[0024] Tracking the user to determine if they are within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may alternatively be accomplished by the controller 31 using a wireless connection between the short-range communications transceiver 42 and a wireless device carried by the user. For example, the short-range communications may include a network connection via a Bluetooth antenna 43 or a Wi-Fi antenna 44. The wireless mobile device may include a smartphone and an application executed on the smartphone for network communications via the communications transceiver 42, thereby enabling the controller 31 to transmit a notification signal when an emergency alert message has been received via the radio receiver 32 or to transmit the actual content of the emergency alert message.

[0025] Figure 4 A state diagram is shown in which a vehicle initially in an open state 50 transitions to an off state 51 in response to turning an ignition key to an off position or pressing a "start" button in the vehicle. Specifically, a controller may receive an ignition signal specifying an off mode to enter a dormant state. User monitoring is performed in the off state 51 to detect user activity while the vehicle is in the dormant state. The monitored user activity may involve a user remaining in the vehicle or staying within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. In one use case, user monitoring determines that a user continues to occupy a seat in the vehicle. Specifically, it may be detected that the user continues to occupy a seat after a predetermined length of time, which indicates that the user has not left the vehicle. When the user does not leave, then a transition is made to a background monitoring state 52, wherein a radio receiver is at least partially activated to receive an emergency alert message and act upon the emergency alert message. In another use case, monitoring includes detecting an open state of a vehicle body opening and closing member. Specifically, when a vehicle body opening and closing member remains open for more than a predetermined period of time (e.g., a liftgate remains open for several minutes), a transition may be made to the background monitoring state 52. In another use case, user monitoring tracks the user while the user remains within a predetermined distance outside the vehicle. The predetermined distance may correspond to an effective maximum distance of a wireless network connection or a maximum line-of-sight physical separation distance (as determined by a user monitor) such that horn honking or vehicle lights flashing may be perceptible to the user to notify of the occurrence of an emergency alert message.

[0026] In the background monitoring state 52, the relevance of the emergency alert message appearing in the received broadcast (for example, in a satellite broadcast signal or a terrestrial broadcast signal) to the user can be checked. The relevance can be based on the consistency of the user's location with the geographical area targeted by the emergency alert message. When a relevant emergency alert message is detected, a transition to the alarm state 53 is made. The alarm state 53 may preferably include generating a notification signal, the notification signal including the sounding of a vehicle horn or other audio noise, the flashing of vehicle lights, or a wireless signal transmission via a short-range network communication signal. Once the notification signal is provided to the user, the alarm state 53 may also include monitoring the user's return to the interior of the vehicle so that the full details of the emergency alert message can be transmitted by turning on the radio receiver speaker and / or displaying the message on the display panel. Once the emergency alert message is delivered, it returns to the background monitoring state 52. Whenever no use case is valid for performing background monitoring, the transition back to the closed state 51 is made.

[0027] Figure 5 The method of the present invention is shown, wherein the ignition state corresponds to the dormant state. In step 50, a check is performed to determine whether the user continues to remain in the vehicle seat after a predetermined time. If so, the receiver power is maintained on in step 61. If the user does not remain in the seat, a check is performed in step 62 to determine whether the door or other body opening and closing member remains open for more than a predetermined amount of time. If so, the receiver power is maintained on in step 61. Otherwise, a check is performed in step 63 to determine whether the user remains within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. If not, return to step 60 to continuously monitor each of the use cases. If the user remains nearby, a check is performed in step 64 to determine whether the vehicle position corresponds to a common location of the vehicle (e.g., at home or work). If so, return to step 60, but if it is not in a common location, the receiver power is maintained on in step 61.

[0028] With the radio receiver powered on and continuously monitoring for emergency alert messages, a check is performed in step 65 to determine if an emergency alert has been detected. If so, the message is checked for relevance in step 66. If not, monitoring continues in step 65. When the received emergency alert message is found to be relevant, an alarm is triggered in step 67 to notify the user of the presence of an emergency alert message.

[0029] Figure 6 The alert process of step 67 is shown in more detail. In response to the alert, a check is performed in step 70 to determine whether the user is in a vehicle. If so, the audio output of the radio receiver is turned on in step 71 and the emergency alert message is reproduced. Additionally, in step 72, the display panel is activated to display the message. Once the alert message has been delivered to the user, a return is made to the control panel via point A at step 73. Figure 5 The start of the flowchart in .

[0030] If the user is not in the vehicle, a check is performed in step 75 to determine if the user is connected to the vehicle via a network link with the handheld wireless device. If so, an advisory message containing data related to the emergency alert message is sent via the wireless network in step 76. A check is performed in step 77 to determine if the user has returned to the vehicle, and if so, a return is made to step 71 to reproduce the alert inside the vehicle. If the user has not returned, the vehicle's horn is sounded in step 78 to provide an acoustic alert and the vehicle lights are flashed to provide a visual alert. If the user does not have a handheld wireless network connection, step 78 is performed immediately after step 75. A check is performed in step 79 to determine if the user has returned to the vehicle, and if so, the full message may be replayed and displayed by returning to step 71. Otherwise, once the notification signal has been issued by honking the horn or flashing the light source, a return is made to step 71 via point A. Figure 5 The start of the flowchart in .

[0031] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a handheld wireless device of the user, and wherein the notification signal includes an advisory message transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the handheld wireless device.

[0032] In one aspect of the invention, the wireless transceiver utilizes a short range network communication, and wherein the step of tracking the user includes detecting a network link between the wireless transceiver and the handheld wireless device.

[0033] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle includes a horn coupled to the controller and exterior lights coupled to the controller, and wherein the notification signal includes an acoustic alert from the horn and a visible alert from the exterior lights.

[0034] In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle includes an ignition switch that generates an ignition signal for designating an off mode to enter the dormant state.

Claims

1. A vehicle having an active state and a dormant state, the vehicle comprising: a radio receiver configured to receive emergency alert messages originated by an alert authority and broadcast by an alert disseminator, wherein the radio receiver is generally inactive when the vehicle is in the dormant state; a user monitor configured to track a user while the vehicle is in the dormant state to detect whether the user remains in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a controller coupled to the radio receiver and to the user monitor, wherein the controller is configured to activate the radio receiver during the dormant state while the user remains in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to detect the presence of a relevant emergency alert message and initiate a notification signal generated in the vehicle and perceptible to the user to notify the user that the relevant emergency alert message is available.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the user monitor is configured to detect that the user occupies a seat in the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the user monitor is configured to detect a location of the vehicle while tracking the user outside the vehicle, and wherein the controller activates the radio receiver when the vehicle location does not correspond to a predetermined common location of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the predetermined common location comprises a home location or a work location.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle monitor configured to detect an open state of a vehicle body opening and closing member; Wherein during the sleep state, when the open state is detected, the controller activates the radio receiver.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a handheld wireless device of the user; Wherein the notification signal comprises an advisory message transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the handheld wireless device.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the wireless transceiver utilizes short-range network communications, and wherein the user monitor includes detection of a network link between the wireless transceiver and the handheld wireless device.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker coupled to the controller; and an external light coupled to the controller; Wherein the notification signal includes an acoustic alarm from the horn and a visible alarm from the exterior lights.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a display panel coupled to the controller and to the radio receiver; wherein the controller detects a return of the user in response to the notification signal, and wherein upon detecting the return, the controller activates the display panel to display information from the associated emergency alert message.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive an ignition signal designating an off mode to enter the dormant state.

11. A method of interacting with a user of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an active state and a dormant state, wherein the vehicle has a radio receiver configured to receive emergency alert messages originated by an alert authority and broadcast by an alert disseminator, wherein the radio receiver is generally inactive when the vehicle is in the dormant state, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the dormant state of the vehicle; tracking the user while the vehicle is in the dormant state to detect whether the user remains in the vehicle or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; activating the radio receiver to receive the emergency alert message while the user remains in the vehicle or within the predetermined distance of the vehicle during the dormant state; detecting the presence of relevant emergency alert messages; as well as A notification signal generated in the vehicle and perceptible to the user is initiated to notify the user that the associated emergency alert message is available.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of tracking the user includes detecting whether the user occupies a seat in the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of detecting the location of the vehicle while tracking the user outside the vehicle, wherein the step of activating the radio receiver is performed only when the vehicle location does not correspond to a predetermined common location of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined common location comprises a home location or a work location.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle includes a display panel coupled to the controller and to the radio receiver, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: detecting a return of the user in response to the notification signal; and When the return is detected, the display panel is activated to display information from the associated emergency alert message.

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