Methods for reducing the potential for vehicle hazards

Abstract

Method for reducing a vehicle hazard potential, wherein the method comprises: Detecting one or more objects (74) in a vehicle environment by means of a sensor using low-frequency ultrasound; Determine whether the one or more objects (74) are of a specific type, which includes that: A perception map of the vehicle's environment is generated from sensor information; one or more objects (74) are found on the perception map; and that one or more objects (74) will be compared with one or more test patterns; wherein it is determined that the one or more objects (74) are of the specific type if the one or more objects (74) match the one or more test patterns; whereas otherwise it is determined that the objects (74) are not of the specific type; where, in the event that it is determined that one or more objects (74) are of the specific type, the procedure further comprises: Emitting high-frequency ultrasound pulses by means of a detection sensor (35) that are focused in the direction of the detected object (74); The detection sensor (35) captures the high-frequency ultrasound pulses reflected as echoes from the detected object (74) in order to provide more accurate detection than detection generated by low-frequency sound; Filtering the high-frequency echoes to generate the shape of the detected object (74); Determine whether the high-frequency echo pattern matches one or more test patterns; and To prevent the one or more objects (74) from colliding with a vehicle, based on the specific type of the one or more objects (74), if the radio frequency echo pattern matches the test pattern(s).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for reducing a vehicle hazard potential.

[0002] For example, US patent 2014 / 0074359A1 discloses a method in which, if animals are detected near a vehicle, the vehicle emits warning signals intended to scare the animals away. The driver of the vehicle can also be warned of such a dangerous situation.

[0003] Further details of the state of the art can be found in the publications US 2018 / 0 286 232 A1 and US 2019 / 0 079 526 A1. INTRODUCTION

[0004] Studies have estimated that approximately 1.5 million vehicle collisions involving wildlife occur each year, resulting in more than $1 billion in vehicle damage, approximately 200 fatalities among vehicle occupants, and tens of thousands of injuries. Furthermore, the majority of these wildlife collisions occur at dusk or late in the evening, when animals are difficult to see off-road.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to create a system and a method that enable a vehicle to detect an animal or other potentially dangerous object in advance and then use a defense mechanism to minimize the risk of an accident. Furthermore, it is desirable to store the detection information in the cloud and then transmit this information as a warning to other vehicles in the vicinity of the potentially dangerous animal or object. Further desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and from the accompanying claims, together with the accompanying drawings and this background information. SUMMARY

[0006] A system of one or more computers can be configured to perform certain operations or actions because it has software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof built into the system that, during operation, causes or causes the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs can be configured to perform certain operations or actions because they contain instructions which, when executed by data processing devices, cause the devices to perform the actions.

[0007] A general aspect includes a method for reducing a vehicle hazard potential, characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method further includes the step of providing a hazard potential notification to one or more vehicle occupants. The method, in which the hazard potential notification is displayed as an image, the image being a model of the vehicle's surroundings built from sensor data. The method further includes the step of sending sensor information from one or more objects in the vehicle's surroundings to a data center, the data center being configured to convert the sensor information into warning information, and the data center being further configured to send the warning information to one or more other vehicles.The method in which: one or more objects are detected by passively receiving one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects; wherein the determination of the one or more objects includes: comparing the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects with one or more test patterns; and wherein it is determined that the objects are of a certain type if the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects match the one or more test patterns; otherwise, that the objects are not of the certain type. The method in which the one or more objects are defended against by a defense device. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software in a medium accessible to a computer.

[0009] Furthermore, a system for reducing a vehicle hazard potential is presented, characterized by the features of claim 4.

[0010] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: The system in which the executable instructions allow the processor to perform the additional step of providing a hazard potential notification to one or more vehicle occupants. The system in which the hazard potential notification is displayed as an image, where the image is a model of the vehicle's surroundings built from sensor data. The system in which the executable instructions allow the processor to perform the additional step of sending sensor information from one or more objects in the vehicle's surroundings to a data center, wherein the data center is configured to convert the sensor information into warning information, and furthermore, wherein the data center is configured to send the warning information to one or more other vehicles.The system in which: one or more objects are detected by passively receiving one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects; wherein the determination of the one or more objects includes: comparing the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects with one or more test patterns; and wherein it is determined that the objects are of a certain type if the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects match the one or more test patterns; otherwise, that the objects are not of the certain type. The system in which the one or more objects are defended against by a defense device. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software in a medium accessible to a computer.

[0011] A general aspect includes a non-transitory and machine-readable medium containing executable instructions designed to mitigate a vehicle hazard potential. When provided to and executed by a processor, these instructions cause the processor to perform the following steps: detecting one or more objects in a vehicle environment via a sensor; determining whether the one or more objects are of a specific type; and preventing the one or more objects from colliding with a vehicle, based on the specific type of the one or more objects. Other embodiments of this aspect include appropriate computer systems, devices, and computer programs recorded in one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the procedures.

[0012] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: A non-transitory and machine-readable medium in which the processor performs the additional step of providing a hazard potential notification to one or more vehicle occupants. A non-transitory and machine-readable medium in which the hazard potential notification is displayed as an image, where the image is a model of the vehicle environment built from sensor data. A non-transitory and machine-readable medium in which the processor performs the additional step of sending sensor information from one or more objects in the vehicle environment to a data center, wherein the data center is configured to convert the sensor information into warning information and is further configured to send the warning information to one or more other vehicles.The non-transitory and machine-readable medium, in which the determination of the one or more objects includes: generating a perception map of the vehicle environment from sensor information; locating one or more objects on the perception map; comparing the one or more objects with one or more test patterns; and determining that the one or more objects are of the specific type if the one or more objects match the one or more test patterns; otherwise, that the objects are not of the specific type.The non-transitory and machine-readable medium in which: the one or more objects are detected by passively receiving one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects; wherein the determination of the one or more objects includes: comparing the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects with one or more test patterns; and wherein it is determined that the objects are of a certain type if the one or more sounds produced by the one or more objects match the one or more test patterns; otherwise, that the objects are not of the certain type. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software in a medium accessible to a computer.

[0013] The above features and advantages, and further features and advantages of the present gauges, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the execution of the gauges in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The examples revealed here are described below together with the following drawings, where the same reference symbols denote the same elements; they show: Fig. 1 a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system capable of utilizing the system and method disclosed herein; Fig. 2. An exemplary flowchart for the use of an exemplary system and procedure for reducing a vehicle hazard potential; Fig. 3. An exemplary flowchart for the use of an active detection technique that focuses on one aspect of the process flow. Fig. 2 can be applied; Fig. 4. An illustrative aspect of the process flow Fig. 3; Fig. 5. An exemplary flowchart for the use of an active detection technique that focuses on one aspect of the process flow. Fig. 2 can be applied; and Fig. 6. An illustrative aspect of the process flow Fig. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described here. Of course, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may take different and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of certain components. Thus, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are to be interpreted merely as a representative basis for teaching the person skilled in the art the various uses of the present system and / or method. As the person skilled in the art understands, various features shown and described with respect to any of the figures can be combined with features shown in one or more other figures to create embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described.The combinations of features shown provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, for certain applications or implementations, different combinations and modifications of the features, consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, might be desirable.

[0016] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an operating environment which, among other features, includes a mobile vehicle communication system 10 and which can be used to implement the method disclosed herein. In general, the communication system 10 includes a vehicle 12, one or more wireless carrier systems 14, a fixed communication network 16, a computer 18, and a data center 20. Naturally, the disclosed method can be used with any number of different systems. Furthermore, the architecture, design, structure, and operation of the system 10 and its individual components are generally known in the field. Thus, the following paragraphs simply provide a brief overview of such a communication system 10; however, other systems not shown here could also utilize the disclosed method.

[0017] Vehicle 12 is shown in the illustrated embodiment as a passenger car, but it should be noted that any other vehicle, including motorcycles, trucks, buses, all-terrain vehicles (SUVs), motorhomes (RVs), construction vehicles (e.g., bulldozers), trains, transport carts, seagoing vessels (e.g., boats), airplanes, helicopters, amusement park vehicles, agricultural machinery, golf carts, trams, etc., could also be used. Fig. Figure 1 shows a part of the vehicle electronics 28, which includes a telematics unit 30, a microphone 32, one or more pushbuttons or other control input devices 34, a detection sensor 35, an audio system 36, a defense device 37, a visual display 38, and a GPS module 40, as well as a number of vehicle system modules (VSMs) 42. Some of these devices, such as the microphone 32 and the one or more pushbuttons 34, the detection sensor 35, may be directly connected to the telematics unit 30, while others are indirectly connected using one or more network connections, such as a communication bus 44 or an entertainment bus 46.Examples of suitable network connections include a Controller Area Network (CAN), WIFI, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy, a Media Oriented System Transmission (MOST), a Local Area Network (LIN), a Local Area Network (LAN) and other suitable connections such as Ethernet or others that conform to known ISO, SAE and IEEE standards and specifications, to name a few.

[0018] The telematics unit 30 can be an OEM-installed (embedded) or retrofitted transceiver device installed in the vehicle, enabling wireless voice and / or data communication via the wireless carrier system 14 and wireless networking. This allows the vehicle to communicate with the data center 20, with other telematics-enabled vehicles, or with another entity or facility. Preferably, the telematics unit 30 uses radio transmissions to establish a communication channel (a voice channel and / or a data channel) with the wireless carrier system 14, enabling the transmission and / or reception of voice and / or data transmissions over the channel.By providing both voice and data communication, the telematics unit 30 enables the vehicle to offer a number of different services, including those related to navigation, telephony, emergency assistance, diagnostics, infotainment, etc. Data can be transmitted using established techniques, either via a data connection such as packet data transmission over a data channel or via a voice channel. For combined services that utilize both voice communication (e.g., with a live advisor 86 or with a speech output unit in the data center 20) and data communication (e.g.,, to provide GPS location data or vehicle diagnostic data for data center 20), the system can use a single call over a voice channel and switch between voice and data transmission over the voice channel as needed, using techniques known to a person skilled in the art.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the telematics unit 30 utilizes mobile communication according to standards such as LTE or 5G and thus includes a standard mobile communication chipset 50 for voice combinations such as hands-free calls, a wireless modem for data transmission (i.e., a transceiver), an electronic processing unit 52, at least one digital storage device 54, and an antenna system 56. It should be noted that the modem can be implemented either by software stored in the telematics unit and executed by the processor 52, or it can be a separate hardware component located inside or outside the telematics unit 30. The modem can operate using any number of different standards or protocols, such as WCDMA, LTE, and 5G.Using the telematics unit 30, wireless networking between the vehicle 12 and other networked devices can also be established. For this purpose, the telematics unit 30 can be configured to communicate wirelessly according to one or more wireless protocols, such as any of the IEEE 802.11 protocols, WiMAX, or Bluetooth. If the telematics unit is used for packet-switched data communication, such as TCP / IP, it can be configured with a static IP address or it can be set up to automatically receive an assigned IP address from another device in the network, such as a router or a network address server.

[0020] The telematics controller 52 (processor) can be any type of device capable of processing electronic instructions, including microprocessors, microcontrollers, host processors, controllers, vehicle communication processors, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It can also be a dedicated processor used solely for the telematics unit 30 or it can be shared with other vehicle systems. The telematics controller 52 executes various types of digitally stored instructions, such as software or firmware programs stored in memory 54, enabling the telematics unit to provide a wide variety of services. For example, the controller 52 can execute programs or process data to perform at least part of the method disclosed herein.

[0021] The telematics unit 30 can be used to provide a diverse range of vehicle services, including wireless communication to and / or from the vehicle. Such services include: route guidance instructions and other navigation-related services provided in conjunction with the GPS-based vehicle navigation module 40; airbag deployment notifications and other emergency or roadside assistance-related services provided in conjunction with one or more vehicle system modules 42 (VSM); diagnostic reporting using one or more diagnostic modules; and infotainment-related services, in which music, websites, movies, television programs, video games, and / or other information are downloaded by an infotainment module (not shown) and stored for current or later playback.The services listed above are by no means an exhaustive list of all the capabilities of the telematics unit 30, but are simply an enumeration of some of the services that the telematics unit 30 is capable of providing. Furthermore, it should be understood that, to name just a few possibilities, at least some of the modules mentioned above could be implemented as software instructions secured within or outside the telematics unit 30, as hardware components located within or outside the telematics unit 30, or integrated and / or shared with each other or with other systems located anywhere in the vehicle. If the modules are implemented as VSMs 42 located outside the telematics unit 30, they could use the vehicle bus 44 to exchange data and commands with the telematics unit.

[0022] The GPS module 40 receives radio signals from a constellation 60 of GPS satellites. From these signals, the module 40 can determine the vehicle's position, which is used to provide navigation and other location-based services to the driver. Navigation information can be displayed on the screen 38 (or on another display in the vehicle) or can be presented verbally, as is the case when route guidance is provided. The navigation services can be provided using a dedicated vehicle-integrated navigation module (which may be part of the GPS module 40), or some or all of the navigation services can be provided via the telematics unit 30, with the position information being sent to a remote location to provide the vehicle with navigation maps, map annotations (points of interest, restaurants, etc.), route calculations, and the like.The position information can be delivered to data center 20 or to another remote computer system, such as computer 18, for other purposes, such as fleet management. Furthermore, new or updated map data can be downloaded from data center 20 to GPS module 40 via telematics unit 30.

[0023] In addition to the audio system 36 and the GPS module 40, the vehicle may include 12 other VSMs 42 in the form of electronic hardware components located throughout the vehicle. These VSMs typically receive input from one or more sensors and use the acquired input to perform diagnostics, monitoring, control, reporting, and / or other functions. Preferably, each VSM 42 is connected to the other VSMs and to the telematics unit 30 via the communication bus 44 and can be programmed to perform vehicle system and vehicle subsystem diagnostic tests.

[0024] For example, one VSM 42 could be an engine control module (ECM) that controls various aspects of engine operation, such as fuel injection and ignition timing; another VSM 42 could be a powertrain control module that regulates the operation of one or more components of the vehicle's powertrain; and yet another VSM 42 could be a body control module that manages various electrical components located throughout the vehicle, such as the central locking system, headlights, and horn system. According to one embodiment, the engine control module is equipped with on-board diagnostic (OBD) features that provide a wealth of real-time data, such as that received from various sensors, including vehicle emission sensors, and provide standardized sets of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that enable a technician to quickly identify and correct malfunctions within the vehicle.As the expert will appreciate, the VSMs mentioned above are only examples of some of the modules that can be used in the vehicle 12, as numerous others are also possible.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle electronics 28 include a number of vehicle user interfaces that provide vehicle occupants with a means of providing and / or receiving information, including a microphone 32, one or more pushbuttons 34, a detection sensor 35, an audio system 36, a defense device 37, and a visual display 38. As used here, the term 'vehicle user interface' encompasses any suitable form of electronic device, including both hardware and software components, located in the vehicle that enables a vehicle user to communicate with or about a component of the vehicle. The microphone 32 provides audio input to the telematics unit to enable the driver or another occupant to provide voice commands and make a hands-free call via a wireless carrier system 14.For this purpose, it can be connected to an automated on-board speech processing unit that uses a human-machine interface (HMI) technology known in the field.

[0026] The one or more pushbuttons 34 enable manual user input into the telematics unit 30 to initiate wireless telephone calls and provide other data, a response, or control input. Separate pushbuttons can be used to initiate emergency calls as opposed to regular customer service calls to the data center 20. The detection sensor 35 can be mounted on the front bumper trim and / or on side panel elements of the vehicle 12. The detection sensor 35 uses either infrasound or ultrasonic propagation to detect objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. Furthermore, the detection sensor 35 can have passive detection capabilities (i.e., the sensor listens for sound generated by foreign objects) as well as active detection capabilities (i.e., the sensor uses sound generated by foreign objects to detect objects).The sensor emits sound pulses and then listens for echoes reflected by foreign objects, or the sensor 35 can use both these passive and these active detection techniques. The detection sensor 35 can also be used for acoustic localization purposes and for measuring the echo characteristics of foreign objects to enable the generation of one or more perception maps. The audio system 36 provides audio input for a vehicle occupant and can be a dedicated, stand-alone system or part of the primary vehicle audio system. According to the particular embodiment shown here, the audio system 36 is functionally coupled to both the vehicle bus 44 and the entertainment bus 46 and can provide AM, FM, media streaming services (e.g., PANDORA RADIO™, SPOTIFY™, etc.), satellite radio, CD, DVD, and other multimedia functionality.This functionality can be provided together with or independently of the infotainment module described above.

[0027] The deterrent device 37 can be mounted on the exterior body of the vehicle 12 (e.g., at the front right and left corners of the vehicle roof). Air moving through the device generates sound (e.g., ultrasound) intended to be heard by and warn animals (e.g., deer and dogs) in the vicinity approaching a vehicle. The visual display 38 is preferably a graphic display, such as a touchscreen on the instrument panel or a head-up display projected onto the windshield, and can be used to provide a variety of input and output functions (i.e., it is capable of a GUI implementation). The audio system 36 can also generate at least one audio notification to announce that such third-party contact information is being displayed on the display 38 and / or can generate an audio notification that independently announces the third-party contact information.Since the interfaces are made of . Fig. While 1 is only one example of a particular implementation, various other vehicle user interfaces can also be used.

[0028] The wireless carrier system 14 is preferably a mobile phone system comprising several mobile phone masts 70 (only one is shown), one or more mobile network infrastructures (CNIs) 71, and any other networking components required to connect the wireless carrier system 14 to the fixed network 16. Each mobile phone mast 70 includes transmit and receive antennas and a base station, with the base stations of different mobile phone masts being connected to the CNI 71 either directly or via intermediate equipment such as a base station controller. The mobile phone system 14 can implement any suitable communication technology, including, for example, analog technologies such as AMPS or newer digital technologies such as 4G-LTE and 5G. As the person skilled in the art will recognize, various mobile phone mast / base station / CNI arrangements are possible and could be used with the wireless system 14.For example, the base station and a mobile phone mast could be located at the same site, or they could be located far apart, with each base station being responsible for a single mobile phone mast, or a single base station serving multiple mobile phone masts, and different base stations being coupled to a single MSC, to name just a few of the possible arrangements.

[0029] In addition to using the wireless carrier system 14, another wireless carrier system in the form of satellite communication can be used to provide single-directional or two-way communication with the vehicle. This can be done using one or more communication satellites 62 and an uplink transmitting station 64. Single-directional communication can be, for example, satellite radio services, in which program content (news, music, etc.) is received by the transmitting station 64, packed for uploading, and then sent to the satellite 62, which broadcasts the programs to subscribers. Two-way communication can be, for example, satellite telephony services, which use the satellite 62 to relay telephone communications between the vehicle 12 and the station 64.If this satellite telephony is used, it can be used either in addition to or instead of the wireless carrier system 14.

[0030] The fixed network 16 is a conventional telecommunications fixed network connected to one or more landline telephones and linking the wireless carrier system 14 to the data center 20. The fixed network 16 may, for example, include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) such as that used to provide wired telephony, packet-switched data communications, and the Internet infrastructure (i.e., a network of interconnected computer facility nodes). One or more segments of the fixed network 16 could be implemented using a standard wired network, a fiber optic or other optical network, a cable network, power lines, other wireless networks such as wireless local area networks (WLANs) or networks providing wireless broadband access (BWA), or any combination thereof.Furthermore, the data center 20 does not need to be connected via the fixed network 16, but could contain wireless telephony equipment so that it can communicate directly with a wireless network such as the wireless carrier system 14.

[0031] The computer 18 can be one of a number of computers that can be accessed via a private or public network, such as the Internet. Each such computer 18 can be used for one or more purposes, such as being a web server that can be accessed by the vehicle via the telematics unit 30 and the wireless carrier 14. Other such computers 18 that can be accessed could be, for example, a customer service center computer (e.g.,a SIP presence server), to which diagnostic information and other vehicle data can be uploaded from the vehicle via the telematics unit 30; a client computer used by the vehicle owner or another subscriber for purposes such as accessing or receiving vehicle data, setting or configuring subscriber preferences, or controlling vehicle functions; or a third-party storage device to which or from which vehicle data or other information is provided, whether by communicating with the vehicle 12, the data center 20, or both. A computer 18 can also be used to provide internet connectivity, such as DNS services, or as a network address server using DHCP or another suitable protocol to assign an IP address to the vehicle 12.

[0032] The data center 20 is designed to provide a number of different system backend functions for the vehicle electronics 28 and, according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, generally includes one or more switchboards 80, servers 82, databases 84, live advisors 86, and an automated voice response system (VRS) 88, all of which are known in the field. Preferably, these various data center components are interconnected via a wired or wireless local area network 90. ​​The switchboard 80, which may be a private branch exchange (PBX) switchboard, routes incoming signals such that voice transmissions are typically sent either through the regular telephone to the live advisor 86 or to the backend computer 87, or, using VolP, to the automated voice response system 88. The server 82 may include a data controller 81, which essentially controls the operations of the server 82.The server 82 can control data information and act as a transceiver for sending and / or receiving data information (i.e. data transmissions) from the databases 84 and / or the telematics unit 30 and / or the mobile computer device 57.

[0033] The Controller 81 is capable of reading executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium and may include a processor and / or a microprocessor and / or a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) and / or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or free-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs) and / or state machines and / or a combination of hardware, software, and firmware components. As indicated by the dotted line in Fig. If number 1 is specified, the live advisor phone can also use VoIP. VoIP and other data communication via switchboard 80 is implemented using a modem (i.e., a transceiver) connected between the fixed communication network 16 and the local network 90.

[0034] Data transmissions are transferred via the modem to the server 82 and / or to the database 84. The database 84 can store account information such as vehicle dynamics information and other relevant subscriber information. Data transmissions can also be carried out via wireless systems such as 802.11x, GPRS, and the like. Although the embodiment described has been presented as being used in conjunction with a staffed data center 20 using the live advisor 86, it should be noted that the data center could instead use the VRS 88 as an automated advisor, or that a combination of the VRS 88 and the live advisor 86 could be used. PROCEDURE

[0035] now transitioning to Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a method 200 for reducing the potential for a collision between a moving vehicle and a dangerous object, e.g., an animal such as a deer, a dog, or a child. One or more aspects of the warning method 200 can be executed by the telematics unit 30. For example, the memory 54 contains executable instructions stored therein, and the processor 52 executes these executable instructions to perform one or more aspects of the method 200. One or more additional aspects of the warning method 300 can also be completed by one or more vehicle devices, such as the detection sensor 35 and the defense device 37.

[0036] Additionally, based on Fig. 2. Procedure 200 begins at 201, where vehicle 12 travels along road 72 ( Fig. 4) In step 210, vehicle 12 comes close to a potentially dangerous object 74 on, near, or above road 72, such as an animal, rock debris, a low bridge, or an embankment (in Fig. 4 as two deer and in Fig. 6 as children). In addition, the detection sensor 35 detects the potentially dangerous object 74 in this step. As shown below using the following Fig. As discussed in Section 3, the detection sensor 35 uses an active detection technique 76 (e.g., echolocation) in one or more embodiments when it detects the object 74. According to one or more alternative embodiments, the detection sensor 35 uses, as described below, Fig. 6 is discussed, a passive detection technique 78 ( Fig. 6) when it detects object 74. The person skilled in the art sees that implementing a passive detection technique can be helpful if object 74 is behind an obscured corner and thus hidden from the view of one or more vehicle occupants (e.g., the driver). Furthermore, the person skilled in the art sees that passive detection can be used as a substitute if the detection sensor 35 does not have active detection capabilities.

[0037] In step 220, it is determined whether the detected object 74 is of a specific type. This determination differs depending on whether the detection sensor 35 implements an active detection technique 76 or a passive detection technique 78 (or both). Non-exclusive embodiments of this determination process with respect to the active detection technique are described below. Fig. 4) and passive detection technology ( Fig. 6) discussed.

[0038] If, in step 230, it is determined that the detected object 74 is of a specific type, e.g., an animal, the telematics unit 30 acts to prevent the object 74 from being in a position vulnerable to collision with the moving vehicle 12. According to one or more embodiments, the defense device 37 is activated to generate an audible warning by means of ultrasonic sounds, e.g., by startling the animal and causing it to move away from the road 72 out of fear, thus preventing the animal from colliding with the vehicle 12. According to one or more alternative embodiments, the vehicle's horn system (not shown) is activated to generate an audible warning by means of sequential horn tones, e.g.,By startling the animal, causing it to become frightened and move away from road 72 in fear, the system prevents the animal from colliding with vehicle 12. The person skilled in the art sees that activating the vehicle's horn system is useful if such animals are human children who cannot hear ultrasonic sounds from devices such as the deterrent device 37. According to one or more embodiments, the vehicle's headlights (not shown) are activated to produce a visible warning by means of one or both headlights, consisting of several successive short flashes of light (high beam or low beam), which, for example, by startling the animal, causing it to become frightened and move away from road 72 in fear in one direction, prevents the animal from colliding with vehicle 12.

[0039] In optional step 240, a hazard potential notification is generated in the interior of the vehicle 12 to inform one or more vehicle occupants (e.g., the driver) that there is a potentially hazardous object 74 in the vicinity of the vehicle 12. According to one or more embodiments, this notification is generated via the audio system 36 as a bell tone. According to one or more embodiments, the notification can, for example, display the sensor information built up on the display 38 as a virtual model of the near-field environment of the vehicle 12 if the detection sensor 35 uses an active detection technique 76. Thus, no sunlight needs to be present in the vehicle's surroundings to build up this model, and it can be useful to display objects 74 that are not easily visible in the darkness of night, such as rock debris, low-hanging bridges, or embankments.It is understood that in certain embodiments the hazard potential notification itself is used to prevent the driver from colliding with the potentially dangerous object.

[0040] In the optional step 250, the collected sensor information (i.e., object detection information) is stored, at least temporarily, in memory 54 and then sent to data center 20. Furthermore, data center 20 converts the sensor information into warning information after receiving it. Data center 20 also detects one or more third-party vehicles 92 that are nearby (e.g., within 500 yards) and traveling in a direction essentially toward object 74. Upon detecting such vehicles 92, data center 20 sends them the generated warning information, which can then be displayed inside the one or more third-party vehicles 92 as a hazard potential notification. After step 250, procedure 200 proceeds to completion 202.

[0041] now transitioning to Fig. Figure 3 describes an embodiment of an active detection technique 300 for detecting potentially dangerous objects 74 by emitting pulses (chirps) of sound and then listening for echoes reflected from these objects 74 (i.e., echolocation). The method 300 (which is described in Figure 300) Fig. Step 301 (represented as reference numeral 76) begins at 301, where the detection sensor 35 (e.g., a SENIX ultrasonic transmitter) is in an operating state. In step 310, the detection sensor emits low-frequency ultrasound pulses in a direction projected away from the vehicle 12 (e.g., forward or backward), for example, by activating an acoustic pulse generator and a transducer to convert the pulses into sound and subsequently transmit them. In step 315, the low-frequency ultrasound pulses are reflected as echoes by one or more unknown objects 74 and subsequently detected by the detection sensor 35 via an acoustic receiver. In step 320, the weak / soft echoes (i.e., those reflected by objects other than the relevant unknown object) and ambient noise are filtered out, so that only relevant echoes (i.e.,Those echoes that have been reflected off the unknown object are processed. Furthermore, one or more amplifiers can be used to increase the amplitude of the relevant / strong echoes being processed.

[0042] In step 325, a perceptual map is generated from the processed relevant / strong echoes. This map should thus represent a relatively accurate reconstruction of the environment surrounding vehicle 12. For example, the map can be constructed by observing and recording the appropriate time delays of each relevant echo in the light of the echo's direction of travel. This map also accurately constructs a model of the vehicle's environment, regardless of whether daylight is present in the vehicle's environment itself. In step 330, the echo pattern from the unknown object 74, determined in the perceptual map (i.e., the outline of object 74's shape), is checked against one or more echo patterns (object shapes) stored in a database (test patterns).Furthermore, a timing sequence can be implemented so that these echoes can be checked over time or at two different time points (across two perception maps) to perceive whether the unknown object 74 appears to be moving, and if so, in which direction this object 74 is moving. In 335, it is determined whether the echo pattern matches one or more test patterns. If the echo pattern matches one or more test patterns, essentially the detected object identified on the map has tested positive for being a potentially hazardous object 74 (i.e., an object of a specific type), procedure 300 proceeds to step 340. Otherwise, if the tests of the detected object are negative, procedure 300 returns to step 310.

[0043] In step 340, the detection sensor 35 emits pulses of high-frequency sound focused in the direction of the detected object, which has tested positive. Furthermore, the high-frequency ultrasound pulses are reflected as echoes by the detected object 74 and subsequently captured by the detection sensor 35 to provide more accurate detection than that produced by the low-frequency sound alone (i.e., object echoes can differ with varying frequency patterns). In step 345, these high-frequency echoes are filtered to generate the shape of the detected object and subsequently checked against the test pattern(s) previously read from the corresponding database. In step 350, it is determined whether the high-frequency echo pattern matches one or more previously read test patterns. If the high-frequency echo pattern does not match the test pattern(s), the sensor 35 is then tested.If the test patterns match, procedure 300 proceeds to step 302, as the detected object is verified as potentially hazardous. Otherwise, if it is determined that the original result for the detected object is indeed false (i.e., the test result of step 355 is a false positive), procedure 300 returns to step 310.

[0044] Following the conclusion 302, which only occurs if the detected object 74 is determined to be of a potentially hazardous type, the telematics unit 30 takes measures to prevent the detected object 74 from being in a position vulnerable to collision with the moving vehicle 12. As discussed in more detail above, examples of such measures include activating the defense device 37 to produce an audible warning, activating the vehicle's horn system (not shown) to produce sequential horn sounds, and / or activating one or more headlights (not shown) to produce several successive short flashes (high beam or low beam). Furthermore, a potential hazard notification can be generated inside the vehicle 12 to alert one or more vehicle occupants (e.g., passengers, passengers, etc.).to notify the vehicle driver that there is a potentially hazardous object 74 in the vicinity of vehicle 12. As discussed above, this notification can be a bell tone and / or a model of the near-field environment of vehicle 12. Additionally, the sensor information (e.g., the high / low frequency echo patterns of the detected object) can be sent to data center 20 after completion 302 so that data center 20 can send one or more alerts to other vehicles 92 in the vicinity of the detected object, which is identified as a potentially hazardous type.

[0045] now transitioning to Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a passive detection technique 500 for listening for one or more sounds produced by potentially dangerous objects, and which can be used as a substitute technique when active sonar capabilities are not available (or when the detection sensor 35 is not equipped for active sonar detection). The method 500 (in Figure 500) is described in Figure 500. Fig.Step 6 (represented as reference numeral 78) begins at 501, where the detection sensor 35 is in an operating state and listening for sounds in the vicinity of the vehicle 12. In step 510, the detection sensor 35 detects sounds from one or more unknown objects in the vehicle's environment. In step 520, weak / soft sound patterns (i.e., those detected by objects other than the unknown object) and ambient noise are filtered out so that any relevant sound patterns (i.e., those detected by the unknown object) are processed. In step 530, the filtered sound pattern from the unknown object 74 is checked against one or more sound patterns (object shapes) stored in a database (test patterns). In step 540, it is determined whether the sound pattern matches one or more test patterns. If it is determined that the sound pattern substantially matches the test pattern(s), the process continues until the test pattern is selected.If the detected object matches the test patterns, it was tested as positive, indicating that it is a potentially hazardous object 74 (i.e., an object of a specific type), and procedure 500 proceeds to completion 502. Otherwise, if the detected object tests negative, procedure 500 returns to step 510.

[0046] Following the conclusion of phase 502, which only occurs if a detected object is determined to be of a potentially hazardous type, the telematics unit 30 takes measures to prevent the potentially hazardous object 74 from being in a position vulnerable to collision with the moving vehicle 12. As discussed in more detail above, examples of such measures include activating the defense device 37 to produce an audible warning, activating the vehicle's horn system (not shown) to produce sequential horn sounds, and / or activating one or more headlights (not shown) to produce several successive short flashes (high beam or low beam). Furthermore, a potential hazard notification can be generated inside the vehicle 12 to alert one or more vehicle occupants (e.g., passengers, passengers, etc.).to notify the vehicle driver that there is a potentially hazardous object 74 in the vicinity. As discussed above, this notification can be a bell tone and / or a model of the vehicle's immediate surroundings 12. Additionally, the sensor information (e.g., the sound patterns of the detected object) can be sent to the data center 20 upon completion 502, so that the data center 20 can send one or more alerts to third-party vehicles 92 in the vicinity of the detected object, which is identified as a potentially hazardous type.

[0047] The processes, procedures, or algorithms disclosed herein may be deliverable / implemented by a processing device, controller, or computer, which may include any existing programmable electronic control unit or dedicated electronic control unit. Similarly, the processes, procedures, or algorithms may be stored as data and instructions executable by a controller or computer in many forms, including but not limited to information permanently stored in non-writable storage media such as ROM devices, and information modifiably stored in writable storage media such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CDs, RAM devices, and other magnetic and optical media. The processes, procedures, or algorithms may also be implemented in a software-executable object.Alternatively, the processes, procedures or algorithms can be embodied as a whole or in part using suitable hardware components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), free programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), state machines, controllers or other hardware components or devices, or a combination of hardware, software and firmware components.

Claims

[1] Method for reducing a vehicle hazard potential, the method comprising: Detecting one or more objects (74) in a vehicle environment by means of a sensor using low-frequency ultrasound; Determine whether the one or more objects (74) are of a specific type, which includes that: A perception map of the vehicle's environment is generated from sensor information; one or more objects (74) are found on the perception map; and that one or more objects (74) will be compared with one or more test patterns; wherein it is determined that the one or more objects (74) are of the specific type if the one or more objects (74) match the one or more test patterns; whereas otherwise it is determined that the objects (74) are not of the specific type; where, in the event that it is determined that one or more objects (74) are of the specific type, the procedure further comprises: Emitting high-frequency ultrasound pulses by means of a detection sensor (35) that are focused in the direction of the detected object (74); The detection sensor (35) captures the high-frequency ultrasound pulses reflected as echoes from the detected object (74) in order to provide more accurate detection than detection generated by low-frequency sound; Filtering the high-frequency echoes to generate the shape of the detected object (74); Determine whether the high-frequency echo pattern matches one or more test patterns; and To prevent the one or more objects (74) from colliding with a vehicle, based on the specific type of the one or more objects (74), if the radio frequency echo pattern matches the test pattern(s). [2] Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a hazard potential notification to one or more vehicle occupants. [3] Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sending sensor information from one or more objects (74) in the vehicle environment to a data center (20), wherein the data center (20) is configured to convert the sensor information into warning information, wherein the data center (20) is further configured to send the warning information to one or more third-party vehicles (92). [4] System for reducing a vehicle hazard potential, the system comprising: a memory (54) configured to include multiple executable instructions and a processor (52) configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor (52) to execute the method according to claim 1.

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