VEHICLE IRENE SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a camera system mounted on the vehicle and oriented to capture images within a mapped area along the vehicle's route, a navigation system containing map data, and a siren mounted on the vehicle and configured to emit different audible tones in a variety of siren modes. A controller processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data, identifies an event based on the processed images, and classifies the event as one of a variety of stored events. The controller then selectively activates the siren in one of the variety of siren modes based on the classified event.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicle warning systems, and more particularly to a siren system for emergency vehicles. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire and rescue vehicles, and police vehicles, typically include one or more sirens to alert others in the vicinity to the presence of the emergency vehicle under certain circumstances. In some vehicles, the siren is typically activated manually. It would be desirable to provide a vehicle siren system that can efficiently accommodate different driving events. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a camera system. The camera system is located on the vehicle and is configured to capture images in a mapped area along a travel path of the vehicle. A navigation system is included that has map data. A siren is located on the vehicle and is configured to output different audible tones in a plurality of siren modes. A controller processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifies an event based on the processed images and classifies the event as one of a plurality of stored events. The controller selectively activates the siren in one of the plurality of siren modes based on the classified event.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the event is a driving event involving another vehicle traveling in the vehicle's path; - the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when it detects that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area; - the driving event includes a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle must stop; - the driving event includes detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected other vehicle approaching the roadway; - the driving event involves oncoming traffic; - the driving event includes approaching a traffic control sign on the roadway; - a sensor that generates a sensor signal for detecting objects within the imaged area, wherein the controller further identifies the event based on the sensor signal; - the vehicle includes an emergency vehicle; and - the roadway comprises one carriageway.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle siren system includes a camera system. The camera system is configured to be located on a vehicle and is adapted to capture images in a mapped area along a travel path of the vehicle. A navigation system is included that has map data. A siren is configured to be located on the vehicle and is configured to emit different audible tones in a variety of siren modes.A controller processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifies a driving event based on the processed images and classifies the driving event as one of a plurality of stored driving events, wherein the controller selectively activates the siren in one of the plurality of siren modes to generate a pattern of sounds and an audible volume based on the classified driving event.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the driving event involves another vehicle driving on the vehicle's path; - the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when it detects that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area; - the driving event includes a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle must stop; and - the driving event includes detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected other vehicle approaching the roadway.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a siren on a vehicle includes capturing images of a roadway in an imaged area along a path of the vehicle with a camera system, tracking the path of the vehicle and upcoming features with map data on a navigation system, determining when the vehicle is approaching a driving event based on the captured images and the map data, classifying the driving event as one of a plurality of known driving events, and controlling the siren to operate in one of a plurality of siren modes to generate an audible output in a pattern dependent on the classified driving event.

[0008] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the driving event involves another vehicle driving on the vehicle's path; - the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when it detects that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area; - the driving event includes a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle must stop; and - the driving event includes detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected other vehicle approaching the roadway.

[0009] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be better understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The following applies in the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle on a roadway and with a siren controlled based on detected driving events; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an image taken with a camera and used to determine a driving event of another vehicle traveling in a forward path on the roadway; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an image taken of the roadway ahead of the vehicle, further including traffic lights at a roadway intersection and a navigation map overlay; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an image taken from the roadway illustrating a driving event with a lane sign at a cross street; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an image taken of the roadway showing a driving event in which another vehicle is approaching the roadway; Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating processing controls for controlling the siren according to one embodiment; and Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a routine for controlling the siren according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for emphasis and clarity.

[0012] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily depict a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be exaggerated or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0013] For the purposes of description in this document, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0014] The presently illustrated embodiments primarily involve combinations of method steps and device components associated with a vehicle and a vehicle siren system. Accordingly, the device components and method steps are represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, showing only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals represent like elements in the description and the drawings.

[0015] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more elements, means that any of the listed elements may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain only A; only B; only C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0016] In this specification, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or act from another entity or act, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or acts. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or facility that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, procedure, article, or facility. An element that "comprises a...’ does not exclude, without further limitation, the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or device incorporating that element.

[0017] As used in this specification, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and properties are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or greater or lesser if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or range endpoint, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or range endpoint referenced. Regardless of whether a numerical value or range endpoint includes "about" in the description, the numerical value or range endpoint is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one unmodified by "about."It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the domains are significant both relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0018] The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to indicate that a described characteristic is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or approximately flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal to or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values ​​within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "the," "the," "a," or "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "only one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] In relation to Fig. 1, an automobile or wheeled motor vehicle 10, according to one example, is generally illustrated traveling on a roadway 26 and approaching a traffic light 28. The motor vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 generally defining a cabin interior typically including a plurality of driver and passenger seats and configured to accommodate a driver and one or more passengers within the vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 includes a plurality of wheels 14 in contact with the roadway 26. The vehicle body 12 includes a roof 16 with a roof-mounted light bar 22 at the top and a grille / bullbar light bar 18 at the front end.

[0021] The motor vehicle 10 is illustrated as an emergency vehicle equipped with a siren 20 and a plurality of lights 24 for use in emergency response. The emergency vehicle may be configured as any of a variety of vehicles, such as a police vehicle, a fire and rescue vehicle, an ambulance, and other vehicles equipped with a siren to alert persons, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles, to the presence of the emergency vehicle.

[0022] In the example shown, the siren 20 is located on the grille / bullbar light bar 18 at the front end of the motor vehicle 10. Additionally, the grille / bullbar light bar 18 may be equipped with one or more lights operable in a variety of selectable modes to blink or flash in predetermined sequences, color, and brightness based on the location of the motor vehicle 10 and one or more detected driving events and inputs. Additionally, the roof-mounted light bar 22 is provided on the roof 16 of the motor vehicle 10.The roof-mounted light bar 22 includes a plurality of lights that are equally operable in a plurality of selectable modes to blink or flash in different colors and patterns of different color and brightness based on the location of the motor vehicle 10 and one or more detected driving events, such as objects detected in a path of the motor vehicle 10, and inputs as described herein.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with one or more sirens, such as siren 20, and that one or more sirens may be located at any of a number of locations on the vehicles, such as at the front of the motor vehicle 10 in the grille / bullbar light bar 18, on the roof-mounted light bar 22, or at any other location on the motor vehicle 10 where the audible sound may be emitted and heard by operators of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other persons or animals.Additionally, any number of sirens with or without lights 24 may be located at various locations on the motor vehicle 10, such as the light bar 22, the grille / bullbar light bar 18, and may be integrated with other lighting on the motor vehicle 10, such as the headlights, turn signals, taillights, and other lights that can provide an illuminated visual indication.

[0024] The motor vehicle 10 includes a camera system located on the motor vehicle 10 and configured to capture images of an imaging area along a path of travel of the motor vehicle 10. The camera system may include one or more cameras, such as an imaging camera 30, which is generally shown located on or below the roof 16 of the vehicle near the top of the windshield and is forward-facing to capture images of the path of travel of the motor vehicle 10. The imaging camera 30 captures images of the roadway and surrounding area generally aligned along the path of travel of the motor vehicle 10. The captured images are processed by an image processor associated with a controller to identify an event based on the processed signals.

[0025] Additionally, the motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a navigation system that includes map data including roadways, traffic lights, traffic signs, intersections, roadsides, and other geographical features. The navigation system may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 32 that determines and communicates longitude and latitude position data of the motor vehicle 10. Given the determined location of the position data of the motor vehicle 10, the surrounding landscape can be determined from map data in the local area. For example, during a driving event, the motor vehicle 10 may be detected based on the map data as approaching an intersection, roadway, traffic light, road sign, or other objects, the position of these objects and the position and direction of travel of the motor vehicle 10, as determined by the GPS data, being known.

[0026] The motor vehicle 10 includes a controller for processing the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifying one or more driving events based on the processed images and classifying the driving event as one of a plurality of stored driving events. For example, as some examples of driving events, the controller may determine that the motor vehicle 10 experiences a first driving event in which it is following another vehicle in the roadway, or experiences a second driving event in which it is approaching another oncoming vehicle, or experiences a third driving event in which it is approaching a traffic light, or experiences a fourth driving event in which it is approaching a traffic sign, such as a stop sign, or experiences a fifth driving event in which it is approaching another vehicle that is determined to be entering the roadway in front of the motor vehicle 10.The classified driving events may include these examples and other examples of driving events. In response to determining the driving event, the controller may activate the siren in a selectable mode to emit a pattern comprising a sequence of audible sounds and an audible volume based on the classified driving event. Additionally, the controller may further activate one or more of the lights in a pattern comprising light illumination based on the classified driving event.

[0027] The siren can be controlled to activate in a siren mode in a pattern having any of a number of sounds or audible volume levels that can be successively triggered based on the classified driving event. For example, the siren can be activated in a high-pitched mode, which has a low-frequency tone that can attract the attention of other vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc., ahead of an emergency vehicle by emitting low-frequency sound waves that other drivers and passengers can perceive as vibrations, and the audible tone can be heard. Another example of a siren mode can be an air horn mode, which can emit an audible tone in repeated short bursts for a medium or even longer duration. The air horn mode can have a deep, low-frequency tone, such as that emitted by a semi-trailer truck.The siren mode may further include a priority mode, which may be a high-pitched, rapidly repeating firing tone that can be activated at intersections to warn nearby traffic. Another siren mode may include a whine mode, which may include a series of short, high-pitched wailing tones that convey a sense of urgency and ensure a quick response from other vehicle drivers or pedestrians to clear the way for the emergency vehicle. Another siren mode may include a howl mode, which is more like a conventional original siren tone, repeating long, then fading high and low frequency tones. Yet another siren mode may include a dual-tone mode, producing, for example, a high-pitched III-OOOOO, IIIII-OOOOO, which is a tone often used by emergency vehicles.The siren modes may further include a manual mode similar to the wailing mode, but with arbitrary emphasis on the duration of the high and low tones. Finally, in another example, the siren mode may include a blipper / phaser / piercer mode that generates a short, attention-grabbing, high-pitched ray gun tone that is intense and syncopated.

[0028] The siren 20 may be controlled according to the following example. The siren 20 may normally be set to wailing mode when no significant driving events are detected by the imaging camera 30, the GPS navigation, or the radar. If the imaging camera 30 detects another vehicle on or near the path on the roadway in front of or in the forward direction of the motor vehicle 10, indicating a driving event, the siren 20 may be switched to the high-pitched wailing mode. Similarly, the siren 20 may be switched to the air horn mode if the GPS navigation data detects an upcoming intersection on the roadway as another driving event. Changing from one siren mode to another siren mode during different driving events may occur automatically by the controller processing the image data, the GPS data, and radar data according to one embodiment.Furthermore, the siren 20 could be switched to a silent mode during an extended period without significant driving events, such as when the motor vehicle 10 is traveling on a highway without any immediately approaching traffic, intersections, or lane signs. It should be understood that other siren mode selections during different driving events may be automatically controlled by the controller, requiring no manual intervention by the driver of the motor vehicle 10.

[0029] In addition to controlling the siren 20 in a variety of siren modes during various driving events, the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with emergency lights and configured to control the illumination pattern of the emergency lights based on the processed images captured by the imaging camera 30 and the GPS navigation data for detecting driving events, as determined by the controller. For example, the light intensity, color, and / or frequency of the emergency lights may be changed depending on the operating mode, and the frequency of the strobe effect of the lights may be automatically changed by the controller during various driving events without requiring user or manual intervention.

[0030] Examples of driving events that can be detected and used to control Siren 20 are shown in Fig. 2-6 shown. In Fig. 2, the emergency vehicle-type motor vehicle 10 captures an image 34 on the roadway 26 defined by a centerline 36 and a roadside line 38. The image 34 is shown capturing another vehicle 40 in front of the motor vehicle 10, which is identified as being within a box 42. In this scenario, the controller may process the captured images and map data and determine that the other vehicle 40 is experiencing a driving event on a path in front of the motor vehicle 10, such that the siren 20 may be controlled to switch from one siren mode to another siren mode to alert the driver of the other vehicle 40 and others without requiring manual intervention by the driver of the emergency vehicle 10.

[0031] In relation to Fig. 3, the emergency vehicle-type motor vehicle 10 captures sequential images 34 of a path on the roadway 26 in front of the motor vehicle 10, where other vehicles in the adjacent lane may be detected, and the captured images and / or GPS data may be used to detect the presence of one or more traffic control signals, such as traffic lights 28, at an approaching intersection 48, which is determined to be another driving event. As the motor vehicle 10 approaches the intersection, the controller may activate the siren 20 to change siren modes based on the presence of the traffic signal indicating a driving event, as well as the indication on the traffic signal, such as whether the traffic signal displays a green light to proceed or a red light to stop, and may further take into account the surrounding vehicle traffic that is detected.

[0032] In relation to Fig. 4, the motor vehicle 10 captures images 34, which are processed to identify a further driving event involving a lane control sign 44, such as a stop sign. It is further understood that the lane control sign 44 may also be detected based on the navigation data and other data, such as acquired radar data, or otherwise. As the motor vehicle 10 approaches the lane control sign 44 at an intersection 48, the controller may activate the siren 20 to transition from one siren mode to another siren mode.

[0033] In relation to Fig. 5, an image 34 is captured along the path of motor vehicle 10, detecting another driving event in which another vehicle approaches the roadway from one side of the road. In this scenario, the controller can activate the siren to switch from a first mode to a second mode as motor vehicle 10 approaches the other vehicle 40.

[0034] It is understood that motor vehicle 10 may be configured with a controller to switch between any number of audible siren modes based on the detected driving event and as classified based on the data stored in memory. The classified events stored in memory may be programmed into the memory, downloaded from a service programmed into the memory, learned from a driving history, or otherwise generated.

[0035] In relation to Fig. 6, the controller 50 is generally illustrated as a microcontroller unit (MCU) including a microprocessor 52 and a memory 54. It should be understood that the controller 50 may otherwise be configured with analog and / or digital circuitry. The memory 54 is shown storing a routine 100 for executing a method performed by the microprocessor 52. Additionally, the memory 54 may include an image processing circuit 150, a GPS processing circuit 160, and a database 170 that may be used to store a plurality of selectable driving events and a plurality of siren patterns. The controller 50 receives inputs from the forward-facing camera 30 and the GPS navigation receiver 32 and processes the images and GPS navigation data according to the routine 100 to generate outputs for controlling the pattern of the siren 20 and the pattern of the lights 24.

[0036] In relation to Fig. 7 illustrates routine 100 for performing the method for controlling the siren from a plurality of siren modes according to one example. Routine 100 begins at step 102 and proceeds to decision step 104 to determine whether the emergency siren is on or off, and if not, ends at step 106. The emergency siren may be turned on, for example, by an operator of the vehicle. In other examples, the emergency siren may be turned on by an emergency response request, such as via an incoming emergency notification input. If the emergency siren is on, routine 100 proceeds to step 108 to obtain GPS navigation data, which may include the location of the motor vehicle and the surrounding location, particularly in front of the motor vehicle. Next, at step 110, routine 100 obtains image data from forward-facing camera 30.Next, routine 100 proceeds to step 112 to process the GPS navigation and image data before proceeding to decision step 114 to determine whether a significant driving event has been detected. A significant driving event may include, for example, any of the driving events described in . Fig.2-5. If no significant driving event is detected, routine 100 returns to step 108. If a significant event has been detected, routine 100 proceeds to step 116 to classify the significant driving event. Classifying the significant driving event may include identifying the driving event as any of a variety of driving events, including an in-lane traffic driving event 118, an oncoming traffic driving event 120, an upcoming intersection driving event 122, a cross-traffic driving event 124, a traffic signal driving event 126, and a traffic sign driving event 128. Given the classification of the significant driving event, routine 100 then proceeds to step 130 to switch the siren to the preset pattern for the particular driving event before returning to step 108.

[0037] Accordingly, the motor vehicle 10 advantageously employs a siren 20 that can be automatically controlled to alert drivers of other vehicles, bystanders, and other persons and animals to the presence of a motor vehicle of the emergency vehicle type by automatically changing the mode of the siren 20 in response to a classified significant driving event, thereby minimizing manual control of the siren.

[0038] It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0039] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided comprising: a camera system located on the vehicle and oriented to capture images in an imaged area along a path of travel of the vehicle; a navigation system including map data; a siren located on the vehicle and configured to emit different audible tones in a plurality of siren modes; and a controller that processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifies an event based on the processed images and classifies the event as one of a plurality of stored events, wherein the controller selectively activates the siren in one of the plurality of siren modes based on the classified event.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the event is a driving event that includes another vehicle traveling in the vehicle's travel path.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the event comprises detecting an intersection area on a roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when it is detected that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the event comprises a traffic control signal indicating that the vehicle must stop.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the event comprises detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected another vehicle approaching the roadway.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the event includes oncoming traffic.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the event comprises approaching a traffic control sign on the roadway.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a sensor that generates a sensor signal for detecting objects within the imaged area, wherein the controller further identifies the event based on the sensor signal.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the vehicle comprises an emergency vehicle.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the guideway comprises a roadway.

[0049] According to the present invention, a vehicle siren system is provided, comprising: a camera system configured to be located on a vehicle and oriented to capture images in a mapped area along a travel path of the vehicle; a navigation system including map data; a siren configured to be located on the vehicle and configured to emit different audible tones in a plurality of siren modes;and a controller that processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifies a driving event based on the processed images and classifies the driving event as one of a plurality of stored driving events, wherein the controller selectively activates the siren in one of the plurality of siren modes based on the classified driving event to generate a pattern having sounds and audible volume.;

[0050] According to one embodiment, the driving event includes another vehicle traveling in the vehicle's travel path.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when it is detected that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the driving event includes a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle must stop.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the driving event comprises detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected another vehicle approaching the roadway.

[0054] According to the present invention, a method for controlling a siren on a vehicle includes: capturing images of a roadway in a mapped area along a path of the vehicle with a camera system; tracking the path of the vehicle and upcoming features with map data on a navigation system; determining when the vehicle is approaching a driving event based on the captured images and the map data; classifying the driving event as one of a plurality of known driving events; and controlling the siren to operate in one of a plurality of siren modes to generate an audible output in a pattern dependent on the classified driving event.

[0055] In one aspect of the invention, the driving event includes another vehicle traveling in the vehicle's travel path.

[0056] In one aspect of the invention, the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein a controller changes the siren mode when it detects that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area.

[0057] In one aspect of the invention, the driving event includes a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle must stop.

[0058] In one aspect of the invention, the driving event includes detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected another vehicle approaching the roadway.

Claims

[1] Vehicle comprising: a camera system located on the vehicle and oriented to capture images in a mapped area along a path of travel of the vehicle; a navigation system that includes map data; a siren located on the vehicle and configured to emit different audible tones in a variety of siren modes; and a controller that processes the images captured by the camera system and the map data and identifies an event based on the processed images and classifies the event as one of a plurality of stored events, wherein the controller selectively activates the siren in one of the plurality of siren modes based on the classified event. [2] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event is a driving event involving another vehicle traveling in the path of travel of the vehicle. [3] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event comprises detecting an intersection area on a roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode when the vehicle is detected approaching the intersection area. [4] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event comprises a traffic control signal indicating that the vehicle is to stop. [5] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event comprises detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected another vehicle approaching the roadway. [6] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event comprises oncoming traffic. [7] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the event comprises approaching a traffic control sign on the roadway. [8] The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that generates a sensor signal for detecting objects within the imaged area, wherein the controller further identifies the event based on the sensor signal. [9] Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the vehicle comprises an emergency vehicle. [10] A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the travel path comprises a roadway. [11] A method for controlling a siren on a vehicle, the method comprising: Capturing images of a roadway in a mapped area along a path of the vehicle with a camera system; Tracking the vehicle's path and upcoming features using map data on a navigation system; Determine when the vehicle is approaching a driving event based on captured images and map data; Classifying the driving event as one of a plurality of known driving events; and Controlling the siren to operate in one of a plurality of siren modes to generate an audible output in a pattern dependent upon the classified driving event. [12] The method of claim 11, wherein the driving event includes another vehicle traveling in the path of the vehicle. [13] The method of claim 11, wherein the driving event comprises detecting an intersection area on the roadway, and wherein a controller changes the siren mode when it detects that the vehicle is approaching the intersection area. [14] The method of claim 11, wherein the driving event comprises a traffic signal indicating that the vehicle is to stop. [15] The method of claim 14, wherein the driving event comprises detecting another vehicle approaching the roadway from one side of the roadway, and wherein the controller changes the siren mode based on the detected another vehicle approaching the roadway.

Images