Method and device for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling. The method is implemented by at least one processor and comprises the following steps: - reception (31), by the vehicle via communication between a communication device of the hitchhiker and the vehicle via a network infrastructure, of initial data representing a ride request, the destination to which the hitchhiker wishes to go, and the hitchhiker's geographical position; - generation (32) of second data representing said ride request, the distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker, and said direction; and - control (33) of an on-board display system of the vehicle to display the second data on a screen. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling, for example, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and device for wireless data communication between the vehicle and a communication device of the hitchhiker. Technological background

[0002] It is common for hitchhikers to stand on the side of the road with their finger raised to signal to motorists that they wish to be picked up. Motorists wishing to pick up a hitchhiker on the side of the road must react quickly because they generally only see the hitchhiker at the last moment. The vehicle may then brake suddenly and unexpectedly, which can surprise motorists in vehicles following behind. Furthermore, the driver must also ensure that a safe spot is found on the side of the road so that the hitchhiker can get into the vehicle safely.

[0003] This hitchhiking practice can be dangerous because drivers following the stopped vehicle may not have anticipated the decision to pull over. Furthermore, the stopped vehicle may be obstructing the roadway.

[0004] Furthermore, the driver of the vehicle does not always know the hitchhiker's destination, and the hitchhiker is not picked up if their destination is not on the route the driver is going to take. Some hitchhikers use signs to indicate their destination, but these signs are difficult for drivers to see. It can therefore happen that a driver wishing to pick up a hitchhiker is unable to do so because their destinations are incompatible. The vehicle's stop on the side of the road is then pointless and has created a road safety hazard.

[0005] One problem is to improve road safety for hitchhiking. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which traffic is traveling vehicle, said process being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - reception, by the vehicle, using communication between a hitchhiker's communication device and the vehicle established via a network infrastructure, of initial data representing a request for a ride, the hitchhiker's desired destination and a geographical position of the hitchhiker; - generation of second data representing said hitchhiking request, a distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker and said destination; and - control of an on-board display system of the vehicle to display the second data on a screen.

[0008] Receiving initial data from a vehicle indicating a hitchhiking request, the hitchhiker's desired destination, and the hitchhiker's geographical location makes hitchhiking safer. First, it allows a hitchhiker to signal their location along the road being traveled by a vehicle using a communication device configured to communicate with the network infrastructure. The vehicle approaching the hitchhiker's location then receives this hitchhiking request, and the driver can anticipate stopping based on this knowledge. Furthermore, the method allows the hitchhiker's desired destination to be indicated, thus avoiding unnecessary stops along the road. The method improves the safety of hitchhiking on roads.

[0009] According to one variant, the method may further include a step of validating the hitchhiking request by a vehicle user.

[0010] According to one variant, the vehicle user can validate the hitchhiking request from an on-board human-machine interface of the vehicle.

[0011] According to one variant, the human-machine interface can be implemented by an on-board touchscreen of the vehicle.

[0012] According to one variant, the first data can be emitted by a communication device of the hitchhiker.

[0013] According to one variant, the method may further include a step of transmitting a third piece of data to the hitchhiker's communication device, the third piece of data being representative of a validation of the hitchhiking request.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located at the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0015] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0017] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0020] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0021] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0023] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a data communication environment between a hitchhiker's communication device and a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured for a request to stop a car stopper located at the edge of a road on which the vehicle of [Fig.1] is traveling, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of an application process of picking up a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which the vehicle of [Fig.1] is traveling, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0026] A method and device for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located at the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling will now be described in what follows with joint reference to figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0027] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0028] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a hitchhiking request from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling is implemented by one or more processors of one or more onboard computers of a vehicle. To this end, initial data representing a hitchhiking request, the hitchhiker's desired destination, and the hitchhiker's geographical position are received by the vehicle through communication between a communication device of the hitchhiker and the vehicle established via a network infrastructure. Secondary data representing a hitchhiking request and the distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker and said destination are then generated, and an onboard display system of the vehicle is controlled to display the second set of data on a screen.

[0029] Communication between a hitchhiker's communication device and the vehicle established via a network infrastructure corresponds to a broadcast mode configured to broadcast the hitchhiking request to any vehicle traveling on the road at a reasonable distance, typically less than one kilometer, from the hitchhiker's geographical position.

[0030] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a data communication environment 1 between a hitchhiker's communication device and a vehicle 11, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Environment 1 includes a vehicle 11 and a communication device 12 used by a hitchhiker (not shown).

[0032] Vehicle 11 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 11 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0033] The vehicle 11 and the device 12 are said to be connected, that is to say they are configured to communicate data according to a wireless communication mode, for example via a wireless network infrastructure.

[0034] For this purpose, the device 12 can for example be a smart phone, a laptop or a tablet.

[0035] The vehicle 11 includes a communication system or interface comprising, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called a TCU (from the English "Telematic Control Unit"), itself connected to one or more computers of the vehicle's on-board system.

[0036] The antenna(s), the TCU unit and the computer(s) of the communication interface form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle.

[0037] The computer(s) and the TCU unit communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network) type communication bus, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0038] Communication between device 12 and vehicle 11 can be bidirectional, i.e., device 12 is configured to transmit data to vehicle 11 and device 12 is configured to receive data transmitted by vehicle 11.

[0039] Communication between the device 12 and the vehicle 11 can be implemented by a V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) type communication system which can, for example, be based on the 3GPP LTE-V or IEEE 802.1 lp standards of ITS G5. In such a V2X communication system, the vehicle 11 and the device 12 are considered as nodes (or wireless communication system / interface) which enable vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication according to the present invention.

[0040] The network infrastructure includes, for example, communication devices 101, 102, each device 101, 102 corresponds, for example, to a UBR (“Roadside Unit”), each corresponding to a node of the network, in addition to the nodes equipping the vehicle 11 and the device 12.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment, the set of nodes (i.e., the wireless communication systems or interfaces associated with the vehicle 11, the device 12, and the UBRs 101, 102) of the network forms, for example, a wireless ad hoc network (also called a WANET (from the English "Wireless Ad Hoc Network") or a MANET (from the English "Mobile Ad Hoc Network")), corresponding to a decentralized wireless network. The wireless ad hoc network advantageously corresponds to a vehicular ad hoc network (or VANET, from the English "Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork") or to an intelligent vehicular ad hoc network (or InVANET, from the English "Intelligent Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork"), also called a "GeoNetworking" network. In such a network, vehicle 11 (or several vehicles each carrying a node) can communicate with the hitchhiker device 12 via vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication.

[0042] The nodes corresponding to UBR 101 and 102 are advantageously connected to the "cloud" 100 (or in French "nuage") via a wired and / or wireless connection. UBR 101 and 102 can thus act as relays between the "cloud" 100 and the vehicle 11 and the device 12.

[0043] The vehicle 11 and the device 12 each advantageously comprise or carry a geolocation system receiver enabling the vehicle 11 and the device 12 to obtain data or information representative of their geographic position at any time, for example in the form of coordinates (latitude and longitude), via a satellite link with a set of satellites (not shown in [Fig. 1]). The geolocation system corresponds, for example, to a GPS (Global Positioning System), Galileo, or GLONASS type system. The geographic position obtained for the vehicle 11 and for the device 12 from a geolocation system is said to be absolute in that the coordinates are expressed in a world coordinate system.

[0044] The vehicle 11 also includes a display system comprising a touchscreen and a computer configured to control the display of content from a graphical human-machine interface (HMI) on the touchscreen. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, known as the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) computer of the vehicle 11.

[0045] The touchscreen corresponds, for example, to an LCD screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of the TFT type (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[0046] The communication interface, the geolocation system receiver and the display system communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN, CAN FD, FlexRay or Ethernet type data bus communication bus.

[0047] The device 12 further includes graphical interface means which allow the hitchhiker to enter a destination.

[0048] For example, graphical interface means may include a touch screen and a processor and memory configured for text input.

[0049] Device 12 also includes means for formatting the hitchhiking request, the geographical position and the characters of a text entered as initial data intended to be disseminated by the communication between device 12 and the network infrastructure.

[0050] According to one variant, the vehicle 11 further includes means for formatting validation data intended to be issued by the vehicle 11 to the device 12 via communication between the vehicle 11 and device 12.

[0051] A process for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which the vehicle 11 is traveling is advantageously implemented by a device or system embedded in the vehicle 11 such as a computer, that is to say by one or more processors of this device.

[0052] In a first operation of the process, initial data is received by vehicle 11 using communication between device 12 and vehicle 11 established via the network infrastructure of [Fig. 1]. The initial data is transmitted by device 12. It represents a request for a ride from the hitchhiker, the hitchhiker's desired destination, and the hitchhiker's geographical position along the road.

[0053] According to one variant, the first data can be emitted by the device 12.

[0054] In a second operation of the process, second data are generated. The second set of data represents the said hitchhiking request, the distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker and the said destination.

[0055] For example, the distance can be calculated by the difference between the current geographical position of the vehicle 11 obtained from the receiver of the vehicle 11's on-board geolocation system and the geographical position of the hitchhiker received.

[0056] According to a particular and non-limiting example of an embodiment, the hitchhiker's request for a ride can be represented by a Boolean value, for example 1, the geographical position can be represented by several characters representing a geographical position, the distance can be represented by an integer value expressing the distance in meters separating the hitchhiker's vehicle and said destination and the destination can be represented by a string of characters.

[0057] In a third operation of the process, the vehicle's on-board display system 11 is controlled to display the second data on a screen of said display system.

[0058] For example, the display system can be controlled by signals instructing it to display a string indicating that a hitchhiking request has been received and asking the vehicle driver to accept or reject this request. The display system can also be controlled to display the distance between vehicle 11 and the hitchhiker and the received destination.

[0059] According to one variant, in a fourth operation of the process, the hitchhiking request can be validated by a user of vehicle 11, typically the driver of vehicle 11.

[0060] For example, the user (driver) of vehicle 11 can validate the request for assistance from an on-board human-machine interface of vehicle 11. This human-machine interface can be implemented by the touch screen of the display system of vehicle 11.

[0061] According to one variant, in a fifth operation of the process, a third piece of data can be formed and emitted by the vehicle 11 to the device 12, the third piece of data being representative of a validation of the request to stop.

[0062] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured to receive a ride request from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling, for example, vehicle 11, according to various specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device installed in vehicle 11 (for example, a computer).

[0063] Device 2 is, for example, configured to carry out at least some of the operations described opposite [Fig. 1] and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a TCU, a controller, a computer, a server, or a mobile communication device (e.g., embedded in a vehicle and connected to that vehicle by wired or wireless communication). The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 2 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or modules. software (or computer software) or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0064] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0065] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

[0066] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0067] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, 5G; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0068] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a wired LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) network.

[0069] According to a particular, non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touchscreen or not, one or more loudspeakers 250, and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system), respectively, via output interfaces 24, 25, and 26. In one variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0070] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the different steps in a method for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which the vehicle of Figure 1 is traveling, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented by the vehicle 11, for example by the device 2 of Figure 2.

[0071] In a first step 31, initial data is received by the vehicle through communication between the hitchhiker's communication device and the vehicle, established via a network infrastructure. This initial data is transmitted by the hitchhiker's communication device. It represents a request for a ride from the hitchhiker, the hitchhiker's desired destination, and the hitchhiker's geographical location.

[0072] In a second step 32, second data are generated. The second data represent the said hitchhiking request, the distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker and the said destination.

[0073] In a third step 33, the vehicle's on-board display system is controlled to display the second data on a screen of said display system.

[0074] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.1] apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.3].

[0075] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling, according to various graphic representations that would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0076] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising device 2 of [Fig.2],

Claims

Demands

1. A method for requesting a ride from a hitchhiker located on the side of a road on which a vehicle is traveling, said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31), by the vehicle, by means of communication between a communication device of the hitchhiker and the vehicle established via a network infrastructure, first data representing a request for a ride, the desired destination of the hitchhiker and a geographical position of the hitchhiker; - generating (32) second data representing said request for a ride, a distance separating the vehicle from the hitchhiker and said destination; and - controlling (33) an on-board display system of the vehicle to display the second data on a screen.

2. A method according to claim 1, which further comprises a step of validating the hitchhiking request by a vehicle user.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle user validates the hitchhiking request from an on-board human-machine interface of the vehicle.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the human-machine interface is implemented by an on-board touchscreen of the vehicle.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first data is emitted by a hitchhiker's communication device.

6. A method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of sending a third piece of data to the hitchhiker's communication device, the third piece of data being representative of a validation of the hitchhiking request.

7. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.

8. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 6

9. 1 d O. Device (2) for alerting an attempt to damage a first vehicle, said device comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle comprising device (2) according to claim 9.

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