Driving alert system and method and computer program product

Abstract

The present application provides a driving warning system, a driving warning method and a computer program product suitable for application to a vehicle. The driving warning method is implemented by the driving warning system, and comprises: (A) performing a risk assessment procedure in the case of obtaining a speed value and an interval distance value, wherein the speed value is related to the speed of the vehicle, and the interval distance value is related to the distance between the vehicle and the surrounding object, and the driving warning system performs the risk assessment procedure in the following manner: using risk determination rule data to generate a risk assessment result according to the speed value and the interval distance value; (B) in the case where the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to a warning risk level, outputting a driving-off warning sound with the frequency of the audio changing within a default frequency range, so as to achieve a driving-off effect on the wild animals around the vehicle. In this way, the driving warning system helps to reduce the occurrence of wild animal roadkill events.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a warning system, and more particularly to a driving warning system suitable for use in vehicles. The invention also relates to a driving warning method suitable for use in vehicles, and a computer program product suitable for use in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Automobiles and locomotives, as the main means of transportation in modern society, have greatly facilitated people's daily lives and economic activities.

[0003] However, when vehicles travel on roads around wildlife habitats, they are more likely to collide with wild animals crossing the road, resulting in serious injury or death to the animals.

[0004] To reduce animal roadkill incidents, current measures include installing fences along roadsides to prevent animals from entering and setting up warning signs to alert drivers. However, installing fences is costly and difficult to maintain, while traditional warning signs are less likely to attract sufficient attention from drivers.

[0005] Given the limited effectiveness of existing measures in reducing roadkill, how to further reduce animal roadkill incidents caused by vehicles has become a topic worthy of in-depth discussion. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a driving warning system that helps reduce animal roadkill incidents.

[0007] This invention provides a driving warning system suitable for installation in a vehicle. The system includes a storage unit, an output unit, and a processing unit electrically connected to the storage unit and the output unit. The storage unit stores risk assessment rule data, which indicates rules for determining driving risk using the vehicle's speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. The processing unit is configured to: execute a risk assessment procedure upon obtaining speed and distance values, wherein the speed value is related to the vehicle's speed, and the distance value is related to the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. The processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure by: generating a risk assessment result based on the speed and distance values ​​using the risk assessment rule data, wherein the risk assessment result indicates a collision risk level; and, if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is a warning level, controlling the output unit to output a warning sound with an audio frequency varying within a default frequency range.

[0008] In some embodiments of the driving warning system of the present invention, the lowest frequency of the default frequency range is greater than or equal to 20 kHz.

[0009] In some embodiments of the driving warning system of the present invention, when the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to the warning risk level, the processing unit further adjusts the volume of the shooing warning sound output according to the level of the collision risk, so that the volume of the shooing warning sound is positively correlated with the collision risk level.

[0010] In some embodiments of the driving warning system of the present invention, the risk determination rule data includes multiple consecutive speed ranges, multiple consecutive distance ranges, and multiple risk determination conditions. Each risk determination condition corresponds to one of the speed ranges and one of the distance ranges, and indicates one of multiple collision risk levels. N of these collision risk levels are respectively designated as N risk levels requiring warning. The processing unit generates the risk assessment result by: determining whether any of the risk determination conditions corresponds to a speed range and a distance range that respectively cover the speed value and the interval distance value; if the determination result is yes, generating the risk assessment result based on the collision risk level indicated by the one risk determination condition.

[0011] In some embodiments of the driving warning system of the present invention, the driving warning system is also suitable for use in conjunction with another driving warning system installed on another vehicle. The processing unit is further configured to: when the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to the warning risk level, transmit a synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system, so that the other driving warning system executes the risk assessment procedure according to the synchronous warning trigger command to generate another risk assessment result, and decides whether to output a shoo-away warning sound based on the other risk assessment result.

[0012] In some embodiments of the driving warning system of the present invention, the processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure only after determining that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to a speed threshold value. The processing unit transmits the synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system only when it determines that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, and the distance between the processing unit and the other driving warning system is less than or equal to a proximity distance threshold value.

[0013] Another objective of this invention is to provide a driving warning method that helps reduce animal roadkill incidents.

[0014] The present invention provides a driving warning method implemented by a driving warning system. This driving warning system is suitable for installation in a vehicle and includes a storage unit, an output unit, and a processing unit electrically connected to the storage unit and the output unit. The storage unit stores risk assessment rule data, which indicates rules for determining driving risks using the vehicle's speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. The driving warning method includes: (A) the processing unit performing a risk assessment procedure upon obtaining a speed value and a distance value, wherein the speed value is related to the vehicle's speed, and the distance value is related to the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects; the processing unit performing the risk assessment procedure includes: generating a risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance value using the risk assessment rule data, wherein the risk assessment result indicates a collision risk level; (B) if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is a warning-required level, the processing unit controls the output unit to output a scare warning sound with an audio frequency varying within a default frequency range.

[0015] In some embodiments of the driving warning method of the present invention, in step (B), the lowest frequency of the default frequency range is greater than or equal to 20 kHz.

[0016] In some embodiments of the driving warning method of the present invention, in step (B), if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to the warning risk level, the processing unit further adjusts the volume of the shooing warning sound output according to the level of the collision risk, so that the volume of the shooing warning sound is positively correlated with the collision risk level.

[0017] In some embodiments of the driving warning method of the present invention, the risk determination rule data includes multiple consecutive speed ranges, multiple consecutive distance ranges, and multiple risk determination conditions. Each risk determination condition corresponds to one of the speed ranges and one of the distance ranges, and indicates one of multiple collision risk levels. N of the collision risk levels are respectively regarded as N risk levels requiring warning. In step (A), the processing unit generates the risk assessment result by: determining whether any of the risk determination conditions corresponds to a speed range and a distance range that respectively cover the speed value and the interval distance value; if the determination result is yes, generating the risk assessment result based on the collision risk level indicated by the one risk determination condition.

[0018] In some embodiments of the driving warning method of the present invention, the driving warning system is also suitable for use in conjunction with another driving warning system installed on another vehicle. The driving warning method further includes, after step (A): (C) if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to the warning risk level, the processing unit transmits a synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system, so that the other driving warning system executes the risk assessment procedure according to the synchronous warning trigger command to generate another risk assessment result, and determines whether to output a shoo-away warning sound based on the other risk assessment result.

[0019] In some embodiments of the driving warning method of the present invention, in step (A), the processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure only after determining that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to a speed threshold value. In step (C), the processing unit transmits the synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system only when it determines that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, and the distance between the processing unit and the other driving warning system is less than or equal to a proximity distance threshold value.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program product that helps reduce animal roadkill incidents.

[0021] The computer program product of the present invention includes an application program, wherein the application program includes risk assessment rule data, the risk assessment rule data indicating rules for determining driving risks using vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects, and when the application program is loaded and executed by an in-vehicle electronic device, the application program enables the in-vehicle electronic device to implement the driving warning method as described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the processing unit of the driving warning system can generate the risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance value using the risk determination rule data. Furthermore, when the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result falls within the warning level, the system controls the output unit to output a scare warning sound with an audio frequency varying within the default frequency range. Therefore, the driving warning system can output the scare warning sound when the collision risk is relatively high, thereby achieving the effect of repelling wild animals around the vehicle. Thus, this driving warning system helps prevent wild animals from entering the road area and colliding with vehicles, thereby reducing roadkill incidents and effectively achieving the purpose of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented with reference to the embodiments in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the driving warning system of the present invention, as well as a vehicle, another vehicle, and another driving warning system installed in the other vehicle, suitable for use in conjunction with this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram, exemplarily illustrating a speaker device included in this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart used to exemplarily illustrate how this embodiment implements a vehicle warning method. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Before this invention is described in detail, it should be noted that the term "electrically connected" as used in this specification describes the coupling relationship between hardware (e.g., electronic systems, devices, apparatuses, units, modules, components). Unless otherwise defined, "electrically connected" broadly refers to a "wired electrical connection" that physically connects multiple hardware components to each other through conductor / semiconductor materials, and a "radio connection" that uses wireless communication technologies (e.g., but not limited to wireless networks, Bluetooth, electromagnetic induction, etc.) to achieve wireless data transmission. On the other hand, unless otherwise defined, "electrically connected" also broadly refers to a "direct electrical connection" that directly couples multiple hardware components to each other, and an "indirect electrical connection" that indirectly couples multiple hardware components to each other through other hardware.

[0028] Before this invention is described in detail, it should be noted that the term "unit" as used in this specification can refer to a single piece of hardware with a specific function, or it can refer to a group of hardware with similar functions. For example, a "processing unit" can refer to a single processor with data processing capabilities, but it can also refer to a collection of processors.

[0029] See Figure 1 An embodiment of the driving warning system 1 of the present invention is suitable for installation on a vehicle 50. The vehicle 50 may be, for example, a locomotive; however, in different application environments, the vehicle 50 may also be other types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses.

[0030] The driving warning system 1 is suitable for use in conjunction with another driving warning system 1' installed on another vehicle 60, wherein the other driving warning system 1' is substantially the same as the driving warning system 1. It should be further noted that, in actual implementations, the driving warning system 1 can simultaneously be used in conjunction with multiple other driving warning systems installed on multiple vehicles. However, for ease of understanding, the following description uses only the latter two systems. Figure 1The other driving warning system 1' shown here will be used to illustrate this embodiment.

[0031] In this embodiment, the driving warning system 1 includes a storage unit 11, a sensing unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a processing unit 15 electrically connected to the storage unit 11, the sensing unit 12, the input unit 13 and the output unit 14.

[0032] In this embodiment, the storage unit 11 is a data storage device for storing digital data, which may be, for example, a solid-state drive, an embedded memory implemented with flash memory, or other types of computer-readable recording media. However, in different embodiments, the storage unit 11 may also be a collection of multiple storage devices of the same or different types.

[0033] The sensing unit 12 includes an object sensing module 121 and a positioning module 122.

[0034] The object sensing module 121 is suitable for being installed at the front of the vehicle 50. In this embodiment, the object sensing module 121 is implemented as a 60GHz millimeter-wave radar sensor, capable of sensing objects in its surroundings (corresponding to the area around the vehicle 50). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the object sensing module 121 is capable of wirelessly communicating with the processing unit 15 via Bluetooth.

[0035] Additionally, in other embodiments, the sensing unit 12 may also include multiple object sensing modules 121. For example, in one embodiment, the sensing unit 12 may include three object sensing modules 121 (i.e., three millimeter-wave radar sensors), and the three object sensing modules 121 are suitable to be respectively located at the front, right rear, and left rear of the vehicle 50.

[0036] The positioning module 122 is, for example, a satellite positioning module implemented using Assisted Global Positioning System (AGPS) technology.

[0037] However, in other embodiments, the positioning module 122 does not necessarily have to utilize AGPS technology. Specifically, the actual implementation of the positioning module 122 only needs to be able to sense the absolute position and speed of the vehicle 50. Therefore, the positioning module 122 can also be a satellite positioning module based on one of the Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), Galileo, and GLONASS.

[0038] The input unit 13 is, for example, a touch panel. However, in different embodiments, the input unit 13 may also be a button combination, or may include both the touch panel and the button combination.

[0039] The output unit 14 includes a display screen 141 and a speaker 142.

[0040] The display screen 141 is implemented together with the input unit 13 (a touch panel in this embodiment) as a touch screen.

[0041] See also Figure 2 The speaker device 142 includes a circuit controller 421 electrically connected to the processing unit 15, an alarm sound processing circuit 422 electrically connected to the circuit controller 421, and a speaker 423 electrically connected to the alarm sound processing circuit 422.

[0042] The circuit controller 421 can communicate wirelessly with the processing unit 15 via Bluetooth. Specifically, the circuit controller 421 can be implemented using a system-on-a-chip with product numbers nRF52832, nRF52833, or nRF52840, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] The warning sound processing circuit 422 is used to drive the speaker 423 to output a scare warning sound. Furthermore, the warning sound processing circuit 422 includes an audio adjustment transistor Q, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, and a third switch SW3, all electrically connected to the circuit controller 421. Each of the audio adjustment transistor Q, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 can be controlled by the processing unit 15 through the circuit controller 421, operating in either a conducting state or an open-circuit state.

[0044] The frequency at which the audio adjustment transistor Q switches between the on state and the open state is equivalent to the frequency of the sound emitted by the speaker 423.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 are all operating in the open-circuit state, the alarm sound processing circuit 422 can respond to a first power supply (e.g., Figure 2 The speaker 423 is driven by the power of a 5-volt DC voltage source (as shown) to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 95 dB / 30 cm. When the first switch SW1 is in the ON state and the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are in the OFF state, the warning sound processing circuit 422 can output the scare warning sound according to a second power source (e.g., a 5-volt DC voltage source). Figure 2The speaker 423 is driven by the power of an 8-volt DC voltage source (as shown) to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 110 dB / 30 cm. When the second switch SW2 is in the ON state and the third switch SW3 is in the OFF state, the warning sound processing circuit 422 can output the scare warning sound based on a third power source (e.g., an 8-volt DC voltage source). Figure 2 The 12-volt DC power source shown drives the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 130 dB / 30 cm. When both the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are in the ON state, the warning sound processing circuit 422 can use a transformer to boost the voltage of the third power supply (for example, boost the voltage of 12 volts peak to peak to 30 volts), and thereby drive the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 155 to 165 dB / 30 cm.

[0046] The processing unit 15 is a processor implemented with integrated circuits and has data processing and instruction transmission and reception functions. Furthermore, the processing unit 15 is suitable for wirelessly communicating with another processing unit (not shown) included in the other driving warning system 1' via Bluetooth or a network (e.g., a mobile communication network). It should be noted that in different embodiments, the processing unit 15 may also be a circuit assembly including a processor and a circuit board, or a collection of multiple processors.

[0047] In this embodiment, the storage unit 11, the positioning module 122 of the sensing unit 12, the input unit 13, the display screen 141 of the output unit 14, and the processing unit 15 are, for example, implemented together as a portable in-vehicle electronic device, and the in-vehicle electronic device is suitable for being detachably installed in the vehicle 50. More specifically, the in-vehicle electronic device is a smartphone; however, in other embodiments, the in-vehicle electronic device may also be an in-vehicle computer. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the object sensing module 121 (millimeter-wave radar sensor) of the sensing unit 12 is suitable for being independently installed in the vehicle 50, separate from the in-vehicle electronic device, as is the speaker 142.

[0048] It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the driving warning system 1 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in other embodiments, the driving warning system 1 may also be implemented as a complete in-vehicle device, or a combination of an in-vehicle device and a service device. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the display screen 141 of the sensing unit 12, the input unit 13, and the output unit 14 may not be included in the driving warning system 1, but may be used as an external component in conjunction with the driving warning system 1.

[0049] The storage unit 11 stores a risk assessment rule data D, wherein the risk assessment rule data D indicates a rule for determining driving risk using the vehicle's speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects.

[0050] More specifically, in this embodiment, the risk determination rule data D includes multiple consecutive speed ranges, multiple consecutive distance ranges, and multiple risk determination conditions.

[0051] In this embodiment, each speed range is a range representing the relative speed between the vehicle and surrounding moving objects (e.g., other vehicles). More specifically, the risk assessment rule data D includes five speed ranges, which are respectively a maximum speed range (e.g., 20–25 km / h), a high speed range (e.g., 15–20 km / h), a medium speed range (e.g., 10–15 km / h), a low speed range (e.g., 5–10 km / h), and a minimum speed range (e.g., 0–5 km / h), but are not limited thereto.

[0052] Each distance range represents a range of distances between a vehicle and surrounding moving objects. More specifically, the risk assessment rule data D includes five distance ranges, which are: the longest distance range (e.g., 14–20 meters), the longer distance range (e.g., 9–14 meters), the medium distance range (e.g., 5–9 meters), the shorter distance range (e.g., 2–5 meters), and the shortest distance range (e.g., 0–2 meters).

[0053] Each risk assessment condition corresponds to one of the speed ranges and one of the distance ranges, and indicates one of multiple collision risk levels. Furthermore, N of these collision risk levels are respectively designated as N warning risk levels, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the total number of collision risk levels. In this embodiment, the total number of collision risk levels is five, and these five collision risk levels are ordered from highest to lowest as highest risk level, slightly high risk level, medium risk level, slightly low risk level, and lowest risk level. The highest risk level, slightly high risk level, medium risk level, and slightly low risk level are respectively designated as four warning risk levels in this embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0054] More specifically, in this embodiment, the risk determination rule data D contains fifteen risk determination conditions for the processing unit 15 to determine, and the specific forms of the fifteen risk determination conditions are as follows.

[0055] The first risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "maximum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "shortest distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "maximum risk level".

[0056] The second risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "high speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "shortest distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "highest risk level".

[0057] The third risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "maximum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "short distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "high risk level".

[0058] The fourth risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "high speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "short distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "high risk level".

[0059] The fifth risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "medium speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "short distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "high risk level".

[0060] The sixth risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "medium speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "medium distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "medium risk level".

[0061] The seventh risk assessment criterion is: if the vehicle's speed is within the "low speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "medium distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "medium risk level".

[0062] The eighth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is within the "minimum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "medium distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "medium risk level".

[0063] The ninth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is within the "maximum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "relatively long distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "relatively low risk level".

[0064] The tenth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is covered by the "low speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is covered by the "long distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "low risk level".

[0065] The eleventh risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is within the "minimum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is within the "relatively long distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "relatively low risk level".

[0066] The twelfth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is covered by the "maximum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is covered by the "maximum distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "minimum risk level".

[0067] The thirteenth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is covered within the "medium speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is covered within the "longest distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "lowest risk level".

[0068] The fourteenth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is covered by the "low speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is covered by the "longest distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "lowest risk level".

[0069] The fifteenth risk assessment criterion: If the vehicle's speed is covered by the "minimum speed range" and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects is covered by the "maximum distance range", then the collision risk level is determined to be the "minimum risk level".

[0070] The specific details of the fifteen risk assessment conditions in this embodiment can also be represented by the following table.

[0071]

[0072] It is worth mentioning that, in this embodiment, the total number of risk determination conditions (fifteen) is less than the number of possible combinations of the speed range and the distance range (twenty-five). Therefore, this embodiment reduces the time required for the processing unit 15 to determine the risk determination conditions.

[0073] It should be noted that, in different embodiments, each speed range may also be a range representing the speed of the vehicle itself (i.e., the absolute speed of the vehicle), or a range representing the speed of moving objects around the vehicle (e.g., other vehicles), and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0074] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3The following exemplarily illustrates how the driving warning system 1 of this embodiment implements a driving warning method.

[0075] First, in step S1, the processing unit 15 controls the object sensing module 121 to continuously perform object sensing and controls the positioning module 122 to continuously perform satellite positioning, so as to continuously receive object sensing data from the object sensing module 121 and continuously receive position data and speed data from the positioning module 122.

[0076] The object sensing data is the scanning result of a millimeter-wave radar sensor, indicating the real-time changes in the distance between the vehicle 50 and surrounding moving objects (such as other vehicles). The location data indicates the real-time changes in the vehicle's absolute geographical location (i.e., latitude and longitude). The speed data indicates the real-time changes in the vehicle 50's speed.

[0077] While the processing unit 15 continues to receive the object sensing data, the position data, and the speed data, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0078] In step S2, the processing unit 15 determines, at least based on the speed data, whether a potential risk condition is met.

[0079] In this embodiment, the potential risk condition includes a sustained overspeed sub-condition. The sustained overspeed sub-condition means that the moving speed indicated by the speed data (equivalent to the moving speed of the vehicle 50) is continuously greater than or equal to a speed threshold value.

[0080] More specifically, the sustained overspeed subcondition means that the speed indicated by the speed data is greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, and the duration for which the speed is greater than or equal to the speed threshold value reaches the time length threshold value.

[0081] The speed threshold and the time threshold can be preset values. For example, the speed threshold could be 60 km / h, and the time threshold could be 30 seconds. In other words, in this embodiment, if the vehicle 50 continues to move at a speed greater than or equal to 60 km / h for 30 seconds, the processing unit 15 will determine that the continuous speeding sub-condition is met.

[0082] However, in different embodiments, the speed threshold value can also be determined by the processing unit 15 in real time based on the current location of the vehicle 50 (e.g., based on the speed limit of different road sections). On the other hand, in some embodiments, the continuous speeding sub-condition can also represent that the moving speed indicated by the speed data is greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, and the cumulative distance traveled at the speed greater than or equal to the speed threshold value reaches a distance threshold value (e.g., 1 kilometer). Therefore, the actual state of the continuous speeding sub-condition is not limited to this embodiment.

[0083] If the processing unit 15 determines that the potential risk condition is met (i.e., the judgment result is yes), the process proceeds to step S3. If the processing unit 15 determines that the potential risk condition is not met (i.e., the judgment result is no), the process restarts from step S2 at the end of a current cycle period.

[0084] In step S3, which follows step S2, once the processing unit 15 determines that the potential risk condition is met, the processing unit 15 outputs a driving reminder notification to alert the driver of the vehicle 50. Specifically, the processing unit 15 may output the driving reminder notification by controlling the display screen 141 of the output unit 14 to display a visual reminder included in the driving reminder notification, and / or by controlling the speaker module (not shown) included in the vehicle electronic device to play a driving prompt tone, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] After the processing unit 15 outputs the driving reminder notification, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0086] In step S4, if the moving speed indicated by the speed data is still greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, the processing unit 15 executes a synchronization warning procedure.

[0087] Specifically, the processing unit 15 executes the synchronization warning procedure by using Bluetooth or a mobile network to determine whether there are any other driving warning systems (e.g., Figure 1 The distance between the driving warning system 1' shown and the driving warning system 1 itself is less than or equal to the proximity distance threshold (e.g., 150 meters, but not limited thereto). In other words, the processing unit 15 is equivalent to determining whether there are other vehicles equipped with the same driving warning system (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The distance between vehicle 60 and vehicle 50 shown is less than or equal to the approach distance threshold. Assume... Figure 1If the distance between vehicle 60 and vehicle 50 is less than or equal to the approach distance threshold, and the processing unit 15 determines that the approach distance threshold is true, then the processing unit 15 sends a reminder trigger command to the driving warning system 1', causing the processing unit of the driving warning system 1' to output another driving reminder notification based on the reminder trigger command, thereby reminding the driver of vehicle 60. On the other hand, if the processing unit 15 determines that the approach distance threshold is false, then the synchronous warning procedure ends.

[0088] Additionally, if the processing unit 15 communicates with the driving warning system 1' via Bluetooth, the processing unit 15 can determine the distance between itself and the driving warning system 1', for example, by using the signal strength during communication. On the other hand, if the processing unit 15 communicates with the driving warning system 1' via a mobile network, the processing unit 15 can determine the distance between itself and the driving warning system 1', for example, by using the location data and another location data provided by the driving warning system 1'.

[0089] After the processing unit 15 executes the synchronization alert procedure, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0090] In step S5, if the moving speed indicated by the speed data is still greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, the processing unit 15 obtains the speed value and the interval distance value based on the object sensing data and the speed data, and performs a risk assessment procedure based on the speed value, the interval distance value and the risk determination rule data D.

[0091] In this embodiment, the speed value refers to the relative speed between the vehicle 50 and surrounding moving objects (such as other vehicles), that is, the moving speed of the surrounding moving objects relative to the vehicle 50. The interval distance value refers to the distance between the vehicle 50 and surrounding moving objects.

[0092] The processing unit 15 executes the risk assessment procedure by using the risk rule data to generate a risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance interval value. This risk assessment result indicates one of the collision risk levels. More specifically, the processing unit 15 determines whether any of the risk determination conditions corresponds to a speed range and a distance range that respectively cover the speed value and the distance interval value. If the determination result is yes, the processing unit 15 generates the risk assessment result based on the collision risk level indicated by one of the risk determination conditions.

[0093] For ease of explanation later, the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result will be used as the matching collision risk level.

[0094] By executing this risk assessment procedure, the processing unit 15 essentially first determines, based on the speed value, which speed range the current driving speed of the vehicle 50 corresponds to, and based on the distance value, which distance range the distance between the vehicle 50 and surrounding moving objects corresponds to. In other words, the processing unit 15 essentially performs fuzzification processing based on the speed value and the distance value. Next, the processing unit 15 assesses the risk level of a collision involving the vehicle 50 based on the speed range (i.e., the speed range covering the speed value) and the distance range (i.e., the distance range covering the distance value) corresponding to the current driving situation of the vehicle 50, which is equivalent to performing fuzzy inference processing. Finally, the processing unit 15 generates a risk assessment result indicating the degree of collision risk based on the assessment result, which is equivalent to performing defuzzification processing.

[0095] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, depending on the actual situation of the speed range, the speed value may also refer to the moving speed of the vehicle 50 itself, or the moving speed of moving objects around the vehicle 50. On the other hand, identifying the types of surrounding objects and their moving speeds using the scanning results of millimeter-wave radar sensors can be achieved with existing technology, so the details are not described here.

[0096] After the processing unit 15 executes the risk assessment procedure to generate the risk assessment result, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0097] In step S6, the processing unit 15 determines whether the degree of collision risk of the matching is a level of risk that requires warning.

[0098] Specifically, in this embodiment, if the degree of matching collision risk is one of the highest risk level, the high risk level, the medium risk level, and the low risk level, the processing unit 15 will determine that the degree of matching collision risk belongs to the level of risk that needs to be warned.

[0099] If the judgment result of the processing unit 15 is yes, the process proceeds to steps S7 and S8 simultaneously. If the judgment result of the processing unit 15 is no, the process ends.

[0100] In step S7, which follows step S6, once the processing unit 15 determines that the level of the matching collision risk is a level that requires warning, the processing unit 15 controls the speaker device 142 of the output unit 14 to output a scare warning sound through the speaker 423, wherein the audio of the scare warning sound changes periodically within a default frequency range.

[0101] In this embodiment, the default frequency range is implemented as 22–60 kHz. In other words, the audio adjustment transistor Q is controlled by the circuit controller 421 to switch between the on and off states at a frequency of 22–60 kHz. This allows the scare warning sound to be detected and deterred by felines (e.g., leopard cats), canines, macaques, rodents, bats, and other animals. Therefore, this embodiment helps prevent collisions between these animals and the vehicle 50, thereby reducing roadkill incidents. Furthermore, since most human-perceptible sound frequencies are below 20 kHz (outside the default frequency range), the scare warning sound in this embodiment will hardly cause any interference to humans.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing unit 15 also adjusts the volume of the eviction warning sound output according to the level of the collision risk, so that the volume of the eviction warning sound is positively correlated with the level of the collision risk.

[0103] More specifically, in this embodiment, if the collision risk level is low, the processing unit 15 will control the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 to operate in the open-circuit state via the circuit controller 421, so that the warning sound processing circuit 422 drives the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 95dB / 30cm. If the collision risk level is medium, the processing unit 15 will control the first switch SW1 to operate in the on-circuit state and control the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 to operate in the open-circuit state via the circuit controller 421, so that the warning sound processing circuit 422 drives the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 110dB / 30cm. If the collision risk level is considered high, the processing unit 15 controls the second switch SW2 to operate in the ON state and the third switch SW3 to operate in the OFF state via the circuit controller 421, so that the warning sound processing circuit 422 drives the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 130dB / 30cm. If the collision risk level is considered the highest risk level, the processing unit 15 controls both the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 to operate in the ON state via the circuit controller 421, so that the warning sound processing circuit 422 drives the speaker 423 to output the scare warning sound at a volume of approximately 155-165dB / 30cm. Therefore, this embodiment can output the scare warning sound at a higher volume when the collision risk level is higher, thereby appropriately improving the scare effect.

[0104] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the lowest frequency of the default frequency range only needs to be greater than or equal to 20kHz. For example, the default frequency range can also be implemented as 20kHz to 80kHz. Therefore, the specific form of the default frequency range is not limited to this embodiment.

[0105] In step S8, which follows step S6, once the processing unit 15 determines that the level of the matching collision risk is a level of risk that requires warning, and the moving speed indicated by the speed data is still greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, the processing unit 15 executes the synchronous drive-away trigger procedure.

[0106] Specifically, the processing unit 15 executes the synchronized deceleration triggering procedure by using Bluetooth or a mobile network to determine whether there are any other driving warning systems (e.g., Figure 1 The distance between the driving warning system 1' shown and the driving warning system 1 itself is less than or equal to a proximity threshold (e.g., 40 meters, but not limited to this). Assume... Figure 1 If the distance between vehicle 60 and vehicle 50 is less than or equal to the proximity threshold, and the processing unit 15 determines that the distance is less than or equal to the threshold, then the processing unit 15 sends a synchronous warning trigger command to the driving warning system 1'. This causes the processing unit of the driving warning system 1' to execute the risk assessment procedure according to the synchronous warning trigger command, as described in steps S5 to S7, to generate another risk assessment result. Based on this other risk assessment result, it then decides whether to output another deterrent warning sound. In this way, the driving warning system 1' and the driving warning system 1 can synchronously output deterrent warning sounds when the collision risk is high, thereby further improving the deterrent effect and preventing animals from entering the road area and colliding with vehicles.

[0107] The above is an example of how the driving warning system 1 in this embodiment implements the driving warning method.

[0108] In some embodiments, the potential risk condition further includes a hazardous weather sub-condition, a hazardous time period sub-condition, and a hazardous road segment sub-condition. More specifically, in these embodiments, the processing unit 15 determines that the potential risk condition is met only when it determines that the continuous speeding sub-condition, the hazardous weather sub-condition, the hazardous time period sub-condition, and the hazardous road segment sub-condition are all met. The hazardous weather sub-condition represents that the processing unit 15 determines, based on current weather data from an external server (e.g., a weather forecasting agency server, not shown in the figure), that the current weather is hazardous (e.g., heavy rain, dense fog, etc.). The hazardous time period sub-condition represents that the current time belongs to a pre-set hazardous time period (e.g., 10 PM to 6 AM). The hazardous road segment condition represents that the processing unit 15 determines, based on the location data, that the current location of the vehicle 50 belongs to a pre-set hazardous area (e.g., a suburban area prone to wildlife). In other embodiments, the potential risk condition may also include one or more of the continuous speeding sub-condition, the hazardous weather sub-condition, the hazardous time period sub-condition, and the hazardous road segment condition.

[0109] In some embodiments, steps S2 to S4 of the driving warning method may be omitted. In other words, the processing unit 15 does not necessarily have to execute the risk assessment procedure described in step S5 only if the potential risk conditions are met.

[0110] It should be noted that steps S1 to S8 and in this embodiment are particularly important. Figure 3 The flowchart provided is merely an example illustrating one possible implementation of the driving warning method of the present invention. It should be understood that even if steps S1 to S8 are combined, split, or rearranged in order, if the resulting process performs similar functions and yields similar results compared to this embodiment, it still falls under the category of a possible implementation of the driving warning method of the present invention. Therefore, steps S1 to S8 of this embodiment and... Figure 3 The flowchart is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0111] The present invention also provides an embodiment of a computer program product. This computer program product includes an application program, and the application program includes the risk assessment rule data D. When the application program is installed on an in-vehicle electronic device and loaded and executed by the in-vehicle electronic device, the application program enables the in-vehicle electronic device to implement the driving warning method provided by the present invention.

[0112] In summary, by implementing this driving warning method, the processing unit 15 of the driving warning system 1 can generate a risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance value using the risk determination rule data D. When the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result falls within the warning level, the output unit 14 is controlled to output a scare warning sound with an audio frequency varying within the default frequency range. Therefore, the driving warning system 1 can output the scare warning sound when the collision risk is relatively high, thereby achieving the effect of driving away wild animals around the vehicle 50. Thus, the driving warning system 1 helps prevent wild animals from entering the road area and colliding with the vehicle, thereby reducing roadkill incidents, and thus effectively achieves the purpose of this invention.

[0113] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A driving warning system suitable for installation in a vehicle, characterized in that: This driving warning system includes: The storage unit stores risk assessment rule data, wherein the risk assessment rule data indicates rules for determining driving risks using vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects; Output unit; and The processing unit is electrically connected to the storage unit and the output unit; The processing unit is used for: A risk assessment procedure is performed upon obtaining a speed value and a distance interval value, wherein the speed value is related to the vehicle's speed, and the distance interval value is related to the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. The processing unit performs the risk assessment procedure by: generating a risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance interval value using the risk determination rule data, wherein the risk assessment result indicates the degree of collision risk; and If the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is a warning level, the output unit is controlled to output a scare warning sound that varies within a default frequency range.

2. The driving warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lowest frequency in the default frequency range is greater than or equal to 20 kHz.

3. The driving warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result falls within the warning risk level, the processing unit further adjusts the volume of the eviction warning sound output according to the collision risk level, so that the volume of the eviction warning sound is positively correlated with the collision risk level.

4. The driving warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The risk assessment rule data includes multiple consecutive speed ranges, multiple consecutive distance ranges, and multiple risk assessment conditions. Each risk assessment condition corresponds to one of the speed ranges and one of the distance ranges, and indicates one of multiple collision risk levels. N of these collision risk levels are respectively designated as N warning risk levels. The processing unit generates the risk assessment result by: determining whether one of the risk determination conditions corresponds to a speed range and a distance range that respectively cover the speed value and the interval distance value; and when the determination result is yes, generating the risk assessment result based on the collision risk level indicated by one of the risk determination conditions.

5. The driving warning system according to claim 1 is also suitable for use in conjunction with another driving warning system installed on another vehicle, characterized in that: The processing unit is further configured to: when the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result belongs to the warning risk level, transmit a synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system, so that the other driving warning system executes the risk assessment procedure according to the synchronous warning trigger command to generate another risk assessment result, and decides whether to output a shoo-away warning sound according to the other risk assessment result.

6. The driving warning system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure only after determining that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to a speed threshold value; and The processing unit only sends the synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system when it determines that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to the speed threshold value, and the distance between the processing unit and the other driving warning system is less than or equal to the proximity distance threshold value.

7. A driving warning method, implemented by a driving warning system suitable for installation in a vehicle, comprising a storage unit, an output unit, and a processing unit electrically connected to the storage unit and the output unit, wherein the storage unit stores risk assessment rule data indicating rules for determining driving risks using vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects, characterized in that: This driving warning method includes: (A) The processing unit executes a risk assessment procedure upon obtaining a speed value and a distance interval value, wherein the speed value is related to the vehicle's speed, and the distance interval value is related to the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. The processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure by: generating a risk assessment result based on the speed value and the distance interval value using the risk determination rule data, wherein the risk assessment result indicates the degree of collision risk; and (B) If the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is a warning level, the processing unit controls the output unit to output a scare warning sound with an audio frequency varying within a default frequency range.

8. The driving warning method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step (B), the lowest frequency of the default frequency range is greater than or equal to 20 kHz.

9. The driving warning method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step (B), if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is within the warning risk level, the processing unit further adjusts the volume of the shooing warning sound output according to the level of the collision risk, so that the volume of the shooing warning sound is positively correlated with the collision risk level.

10. The driving warning method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The risk assessment rule data includes multiple consecutive speed ranges, multiple consecutive distance ranges, and multiple risk assessment conditions. Each risk assessment condition corresponds to one of the speed ranges and one of the distance ranges, and indicates one of multiple collision risk levels. N of the collision risk levels are respectively regarded as N risk levels that require warning. In step (A), the processing unit generates the risk assessment result by: determining whether one of the risk assessment conditions corresponds to a speed range and a distance range that respectively cover the speed value and the interval distance value. If the determination result is yes, the risk assessment result is generated according to the collision risk level indicated by the one of the risk assessment conditions.

11. The driving warning method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The driving warning system is also suitable for use in conjunction with another driving warning system installed on another vehicle; the driving warning method further includes, after step (A): (C) if the collision risk level indicated by the risk assessment result is within the warning risk level, the processing unit transmits a synchronous warning trigger command to the other driving warning system, so that the other driving warning system executes the risk assessment procedure according to the synchronous warning trigger command to generate another risk assessment result, and decides whether to output a shoo-away warning sound according to the other risk assessment result.

12. The driving warning method according to claim 11, characterized in that: In step (A), the processing unit executes the risk assessment procedure only after determining that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to the speed threshold value; and In step (C), the processing unit sends the synchronization warning trigger command to the other driving warning system only when it determines that the vehicle's moving speed is continuously greater than or equal to the speed threshold value and the distance between the processing unit and the other driving warning system is less than or equal to the proximity distance threshold value.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that: The computer program product includes an application program, wherein the application program includes risk assessment rule data, the risk assessment rule data indicating rules for determining driving risks using vehicle speed and distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects, and when the application program is loaded and executed by an in-vehicle electronic device, the application program enables the in-vehicle electronic device to implement the driving warning method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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