Road-side detection and alert system and method

Abstract

To provide an alert system and a method that include one alert beacon.SOLUTION: An alert beacon includes a processor operable to poll a LiDAR sensor to read a predetermined number of beta values in response to receipt of an initial reading from the LiDAR sensor indicating the presence of a vehicle within a predetermined distance away from the alert beacon. The processor is further operable to calculate an average distance to the vehicle and an average speed of the vehicle in response to receipt of the predetermined number of beta values when the vehicle is present within the predetermined distance from the alert beacon. The processor is further operable to activate an audio alert and a visual alert in response to the calculation of the average distance and the average speed when the average distance is below a distance threshold and the average speed exceeds a speed threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Application Serial No. 16 / 878,272, filed on May 19, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] An alarm system and method are disclosed that activate an alarm when an object (e.g., an approaching vehicle) is detected to be traveling at a predetermined speed and within a predetermined distance of a roadside alarm beacon.

Background Art

[0003] Every year, service technicians and emergency responders are injured when rescuing stranded, stalled, or parked vehicles or when rushing to them. For example, an accident may occur when an approaching vehicle is traveling at an undesirable speed or is within an undesirable distance from a service vehicle or a damaged vehicle. To prevent accidents and give advance warning to approaching vehicles, cones and barrels including blinking LED lights may be employed to warn the approaching vehicles that rescue is being provided. However, conventional cones and barrels do not always effectively give advance warning to approaching vehicles, and conventional cones and alarms do not give warning to service technicians and emergency responders either.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An alarm system and method deployed on or along a road. This alarm system may include at least one alarm beacon having one or more sensors (e.g., LiDAR sensors). This alarm beacon further includes a processor operable to poll the LiDAR sensor to read a predetermined number of β values in response to receiving an initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that a vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the alarm beacon. The processor is further operable to calculate an average distance to the vehicle and an average speed of the vehicle in response to receiving the predetermined number of β values when the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the alarm beacon. The processor is also operable to activate an audio alert and a visual alert in response to the calculation of the average distance and the average speed when the average distance is below a distance threshold and the average speed is above a speed threshold.

[0005] Each alarm beacon may include one or more digital cameras operable to acquire images of one or more of the vehicles in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that a vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the alarm beacon. The processor may be operable to calculate a second average distance to the vehicle and a second average speed of the vehicle using one or more of the images. The processor may be further operable to activate the audio alert and the visual alert when the second average distance is below the distance threshold and the second average speed is above the speed threshold. The processor may be further operable to analyze one or more of the digital images to determine whether a service restoration protocol is being executed.

[0006] Each warning beacon may further include a Global Positioning System (GPS) operable to provide location data and a network interface operable to communicate with a remote server. Each processor may be further operable to transmit the ID of the at least one warning beacon and the location data in response to a request signal received from the remote server. Each processor may be further operable to transmit the location data of the beacon to the remote server in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon. Each processor may be further operable to navigate the at least one warning beacon to the geographical coordinates in response to a request to deploy the at least one warning beacon at the geographical coordinates based on the location data.

[0007] It is contemplated that the at least one warning beacon may be a flying drone operable to hover around the geographical coordinates based on the location data. A mobile software application executed on a mobile device may be operable to communicate with the at least one warning beacon. Each processor may be further operable to transmit a signal to the mobile software application to activate a visual notification and an audible notification on the mobile device in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon. Each processor may be further operable to transmit a warning to be displayed on the in-vehicle infotainment system in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] If necessary, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which can be embodied in various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed in a limiting sense, but rather are to be construed as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to employ the present invention in various ways.

[0010] Every year, people can get injured when trying to rescue or approach a distressed vehicle, a stopped vehicle, or a parked vehicle. For example, FIG. 1 shows a service vehicle 102 parked behind a damaged vehicle 104 in need of service. The damaged vehicle 104 may be parked along one side of a road 106 or on a road shoulder 108. And a service assistant may get out of the service vehicle 102 and approach the damaged vehicle 104 to provide assistance near the road 106 or along the road shoulder 108. If the rescuer needs to tow the damaged vehicle 104, the service assistant may have to connect a towing hitch to the damaged vehicle 104.

[0011] While the service assistant is connecting the two vehicles, changing a tire, or fixing the damaged vehicle 104 in some way, the service assistant may not be aware of the position or speed of an approaching vehicle 110. Alternatively, an object (e.g., concrete, a rock, or a part from the approaching vehicle 110) may protrude dangerously close to the service vehicle 102 and the damaged vehicle 104 that the service assistant is dealing with. Failing to notice the approaching vehicle 110 or the object can create a potentially dangerous situation for the service assistant, the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104, or the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110. Therefore, when such a potentially dangerous situation occurs, it is desirable to provide a system and method that can detect it and provide an early warning.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an alarm system 200 that can be deployed to detect and provide an alarm when an object (e.g., an approaching vehicle, concrete, a rock, or other articles) is determined to be approaching at an undesirable speed and / or along an undesirable path. The alarm system 200 is contemplated to be deployable for a service technician to monitor a work area where the damaged vehicle 104 and the occupants within the damaged vehicle 104 are being rescued.

[0013] The alarm system 200 may include at least one alarm beacon 202. The alarm beacon 202 may include at least one processor 204 operably connected to the memory unit 208. The processor 204 may be one or more integrated circuits implementing the functions of the CPU 206 (i.e., central processing unit). The processor 204 may be a microcontroller board (e.g., Arduino microcontroller). Alternatively, the processor 204 may be a commercially available CPU implementing instructions such as the x86, ARM, Power, or MIPS instruction set family.

[0014] During operation, the CPU 206 may execute stored program instructions fetched from the memory unit 208. The stored program instructions may include software that controls the operation of the CPU 206 to perform the operations described herein. In some examples, the processor 204 may be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that integrates the functions of the CPU 206, the memory unit 208, the network interface, and the input / output interface into a single integrated device. The processor 204 may implement an operating system for managing various aspects of the operation.

[0015] The alarm beacon may include an electrical energy source 226 composed of a DC-battery or a high voltage capacitor. During operation, the power source 226 may receive recharge energy from an external solar panel 228. Alternatively, a wind turbine may supply recharge energy to the power source 226. It is also contemplated that the power source may be connected to an AC-energy source (i.e., 120V AC outlet) that can be used to recharge the power source 226.

[0016] Memory unit 208 may include volatile and non-volatile memories for storing instructions and data. The non-volatile memory may include solid-state memory such as NAND flash memory, magnetic and optical storage media, or any other suitable data storage device that retains data when the alarm system 200 is deactivated or loses power. The volatile memory may include static and dynamic random access memories (RAMs) for storing program instructions and data.

[0017] Alarm beacon 202 may include one or more sensors. For example, alarm beacon 202 may use a pulsed laser to measure distance, speed (using the change in distance), acceleration, or the speed of an approaching object, and may include a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensor 210 operable to use light in the form of such a pulsed laser. As described later, processor 204 may be operable to algorithmically detect an approaching object and calculate its speed in miles per hour using the data provided by LiDAR sensor 210.

[0018] Alarm beacon 202 may also include other radar sensors 212, such as ultrasonic radar sensors or short / medium / long range radar sensors, operable to transmit a pulsed signal that may be used by alarm beacon 202 to measure the range (distance) from an object. Alarm beacon 202 may include a digital camera 214 operable to capture an image or video that may be processed by alarm beacon 202 to detect a stationary or approaching object. Alarm beacon 202 may include a global positioning system (GPS) 215 for detecting the position of alarm beacon 202.

[0019] The warning beacon 202 may further include one or more audible alerts 216. The audible alerts 216 may be composed of speakers that provide voice alerts or sirens to people within a predetermined radius from the warning beacon 202. Alternatively, the audible alerts 216 may include a plurality of unique alerts that provide different notifications to service technicians. For example, one unique alert may be used to alert a service technician that an approaching vehicle 110 is approaching from behind the damaged vehicle 104, and a different alert may be used for an approaching vehicle 110 that may be in the forward path of the damaged vehicle 104.

[0020] The warning beacon 202 may further include one or more visual alerts 218 for people within a predetermined radius from the warning system 200. For example, the visual alerts 218 may include a lighting system (e.g., one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) that continuously lights up, shines brightly, or blinks to provide visual alerts to people. Alternatively, the visual alerts 218 may be an electronic message board that is operable to provide alerts that can be read and changed to people.

[0021] It is contemplated that audible alerts 216 and / or visual alerts 218 may be used to alert the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110, service technicians, or the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104. It is also contemplated that one or more relays may be used by the warning beacon to activate and operate the audible alerts 216 and visual alerts 218 for alerting the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110, service technicians, or the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104. It is further contemplated that the audible alerts 216 and / or visual alerts 218 may operate to alert the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110 (i.e., the driver) to deviate from their path and move away from the warning beacon 202, service vehicle 102, and / or damaged vehicle 104. Alternatively, the audible alerts 216 and / or visual alerts 218 may operate to alert service technicians or the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104 to move away from the approaching vehicle 110.

[0022] The alarm beacon 202 may include a network interface device 220 configured to provide communication with external systems and devices. For example, the network interface device 220 may include a wired and / or wireless Ethernet interface defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards. The network interface device 220 may include a cellular communication interface for communicating with a cellular network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G). The network interface device 220 may be further configured to provide a communication interface to an external network 222 or the cloud.

[0023] The external network 222 may be interconnected to the World Wide Web or the Internet. The external network 222 may establish a standard communication protocol among one or more external computing devices 224. The external network 222 may enable the easy exchange of information and data between the computing device 224 and the network interface 220. For example, the external device 224 may be composed of one or more servers that communicate with the alarm beacon 202 via the external network 222. Alternatively, the external device 224 may include a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, smartwatch) that communicates with the alarm beacon 202 via the external network 222.

[0024] It is further contemplated that the alarm system 200 may be implemented using one or more alarm beacons 202. Although FIG. 2 illustrates only a single alarm beacon 202, it is intended that each of the various features and functions described above may be separated and implemented by a plurality of alarm beacons 202. For example, the alarm system 200 may be composed of a plurality of alarm beacons 202 each having separate sensors 210-214, an audible alert 216 and a visual alert 218. Also, each alarm beacon 202 may operate independently, or the alarm beacons 202 may communicate to operate as a mesh network. Further, the alarm beacon 202 may communicate with a remote server (e.g., device 224) using an external network 222 that may be used to monitor or deploy the alarm beacon 202.

[0025] When a plurality of alarm beacons 202 are employed, the alarm system 200 may communicate between individual alarm beacons 202 using the external network 222. For example, the alarm system 200 may be operable to communicate between a first alarm beacon 202 located in front of the damaged vehicle 104 and a second alarm beacon 202 located behind the service vehicle 102 using the external network 222. By arranging a plurality of alarm beacons 202, the alarm system 200 can provide the ability to scan for vehicles or objects approaching from multiple directions (e.g., a vehicle approaching from in front of the damaged vehicle 104 or a vehicle approaching from behind the service vehicle 102) using LiDAR 210, radar 212 or camera 214. Further, even if one alarm beacon 202 stops operating, the remaining alarm beacons 202 can continue to operate to scan for and detect approaching vehicles 110 or objects and issue an alarm. Therefore, implementing a plurality of alarm beacons 202 provides redundancy to the alarm system 200.

[0026] The warning beacon 202 may be designed to operate under extreme weather conditions across geographically different regions. For example, the warning beacon 202 may be designed to operate when exposed to extremely cold or hot weather, or rain, sleet or snow. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the warning beacon may be enclosed or placed within an Ingress Protection (IP) housing to protect components (e.g., processor 204, LiDAR 210) from various weather conditions and climate changes.

[0027] Figures 3A - 3D show various exemplary warning beacons 202 that may be deployed as part of a warning system 200 to detect approaching objects (e.g., approaching vehicles or debris) and provide warnings. It is contemplated that the warning beacon 202 may be deployed by a service assistant to detect potentially dangerous objects while the damaged vehicle 104 is being serviced. However, the warning beacon 202 may be deployed by service personnel of police, fire or ambulance vehicles providing emergency services. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the warning beacon 202 may be designed as a commercial system that can be utilized and deployed by motor vehicle drivers.

[0028] Here too, the warning beacon 202 may include one or more audible alerts 216 and / or visual alerts 218 that are operable to indicate the presence of the service vehicle 102 or the damaged vehicle 104 to the approaching vehicle 110. Alternatively, the audible alert 216 and / or visual alert 218 may be operable to indicate the presence of the approaching vehicle 110 to the service assistant. As shown in Figure 3A, the visual alert 218 may include a bucket light emitting display (LED) that indicates the presence of the service vehicle 102 or the damaged vehicle 104 to the approaching vehicle 110. As described above, the audible alert 216 may be designed using a speaker system to audibly indicate to the service assistant that the approaching vehicle 110 is approaching at a dangerous speed or distance.

[0029] It is also contemplated that the warning system 200 may operate by detecting whether an approaching vehicle 110 is within a predetermined distance using data provided by the LiDAR sensor 210 or the radar 212. The processor 204 may include instructions to perform error checking and may remove any false positive data received from the LiDAR sensor 210 or the radar 212.

[0030] Also, the processor 204 may operate on beta measurements or samples for an approaching object (i.e., the approaching vehicle 110) before determining the average distance. If the processor 204 determines that a measurement is not within a predetermined range, the processor 204 may not store the measurement in the memory 208 and / or may discard the measurement. The processor 204 may continue polling the LiDAR sensor 210 or the radar 212 until a predetermined number of measurements (i.e., beta measurements) are within a predetermined range (e.g., [γ, δ] centimeters) as shown in the following equation (1).

[0031] TIFF2025102655000002.tif12168

[0032] In equation (1), x i is the distance (cm) to the approaching object. When the processor 204 calculates the average distance, the processor 204 may further calculate the speed of the approaching object. The speed of the approaching object may be represented as the change in position (cm) divided by the change in time (ms) as shown in the following equation (2).

[0033] TIFF2025102655000003.tif12168

[0034] Here, p i is the i-th position, and t iis the i-th time. The processor 204 may be operable to convert the calculated speed to miles per hour (MPH). The processor 204 may convert the calculated speed from centimeters per millisecond to miles per hour using the following equations (3), (4), and (5).

[0035] TIFF2025102655000004.tif11168

[0036] TIFF2025102655000005.tif11168

[0037] TIFF2025102655000006.tif12168

[0038] The processor 204 may determine whether the speed of an object (i.e., the approaching vehicle 110) is moving at a speed greater than or equal to a predetermined speed (e.g., 25 MPH) and whether the speed of the object is less than or equal to a predetermined distance (e.g., 3000 cm) as shown by the following equation (6).

[0039] TIFF2025102655000007.tif13168

[0040] Here, z may be an output indicating whether the audible alert 216 or the visual alert 218 should be activated, x is the speed in miles per hour (MPH), and y is the distance in centimeters (cm). If the processor 204 determines that the object is within the predetermined speed and distance, the processor may activate the visual alert 218 (e.g., an LED light) or the audible alert 216 (e.g., a loud siren).

[0041] Figure 3A illustratively shows that the warning beacon 202 may include a plurality of LiDAR sensors 210A - 210C, a plurality of radar sensors 212A - 212C, and a plurality of cameras 214A - 210C. The LiDAR sensors 210A - 210C, radar sensors 212A - 212C, and cameras 214A - 210C may be arranged at various positions around the warning beacon 202. By including the plurality of LiDAR sensors 210A - 210C, radar sensors 212A - 212C, and cameras 214A - 210C, the warning beacon 202 may be operable to scan for approaching objects or vehicles in all directions. For example, the warning beacon 202 may use the plurality of LiDAR sensors 210A - 210C, radar sensors 212A - 212C, and cameras 214A - 210C to scan all approaching vehicles 110 regardless of the direction in which they are approaching the service vehicle 102 or the damaged vehicle 104. Also, it is contemplated that only a set of LiDAR, radar, and camera (e.g., 210A, 212A, 214A) may be included, and that set may be designed to rotate around the warning beacon 202 to scan for approaching objects or vehicles in all directions.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3A, the warning beacon 202 may be designed or shaped as a traffic cone. However, it is contemplated that the warning beacon 202 may be shaped or deployed in other forms or styles depending on the intended use. For example, FIG. 3B shows that the warning beacon 202 is designed as a roadside triangular stop sign. As shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of visual alerts 218 (e.g., an LED lighting system) may be included to provide a visual warning to approaching traffic, service assistants, or bystanders. FIG. 3B also shows that a plurality of audible alerts 216 may be included within the warning beacon 202. Additional audible alerts 216 and visual alerts 218 may be desired depending on the size or use of the warning beacon 202. FIG. 3C further shows the warning beacon 202 designed as a roadside cylinder.

[0043] Figure 3D shows that the warning beacon 202 may also be designed as an aerial drone. As used within this application, the term "drone" may refer to an aerial vehicle that can operate autonomously to perform a given function, or may refer to an aerial vehicle that is controlled by a human operator. The warning beacon 202 may include one or more thrust devices 230A - 230D. As shown, the plurality of thrust devices 230A - 230D may be arranged at the periphery and may include propeller members that rotate to generate thrust. The thrust devices 230A - 230D may be configured to provide both lift (vertical thrust) and lateral thrust (horizontal thrust). The vertical and horizontal components of the thrust enable the altitude, lateral movement, and orientation (attitude) of the warning beacon 202 to be changed.

[0044] Finally, it is contemplated that the warning beacon 202 may be designed as clothing or an IoT device worn by a service technician when rescuing the damaged vehicle 104. The warning system 200 may still provide a wireless connection between the warning beacon 202 (i.e., clothing or IoT device) worn by the service technician and additional warning beacons 202 arranged around the service vehicle 102 and the damaged vehicle 104. However, it is contemplated that the clothing or IoT device may be an alternative form of the warning system 200, independent of the warning beacon 202 illustrated by FIGS. 4A - 4D.

[0045] For example, the clothing may be a vest worn by a service technician. The vest may include one or more LiDAR sensors or radar sensors that detect the position and speed of an approaching vehicle 110 or an object. The vest may include one or more camera sensors that detect and record video. The vest may be operable to determine whether an approaching vehicle is approaching within a predetermined distance or speed from the service vehicle 102 or the damaged vehicle 104. The vest may include an audible alert and a visual alert that operate to notify the service technician about the approaching vehicle 110 or object. When employed as wearable glasses or contact lenses, the warning system 200 may display a visual alert to the service technician. Alternatively, the clothing may be a smartwatch (e.g., an Android watch or an Apple watch), and on the smartwatch, a mobile software application may be utilized to provide a visual alert or an audible alert to the service technician.

[0046] FIG. 4A shows a warning system 200 having a number of warning beacons 202A - 202D located around the service vehicle 102 and the damaged vehicle 104. It is contemplated that the service technician may deploy and position the warning beacons 202A - 202D to surround the vicinity of the service vehicle 102 and the damaged vehicle 104. Alternatively, each warning beacon 202A - 202D may include a motor and wheels that enable automatic deployment from the service vehicle 102. Thus, the warning system 200 may automatically position the warning beacons 202A - 202D to surround the vicinity of the damaged vehicle 104 without the assistance of the service technician.

[0047] However, it is contemplated that the service technician may manually control the placement of the warning beacons 202A - 202D using the network interface 220. For example, the service technician may use a mobile device or a remote control wirelessly connected to each warning beacon 202A - 202D via the network interface 220. For example, the service technician may use a selectable mobile app for each warning beacon 202A - 202D. After a warning beacon 202A - 202D is selected, the mobile app may provide the service technician with a function to control the placement of the warning beacon 202A - 202D.

[0048] Here too, each warning beacon 202A - 202D may be an aerial drone operable to hover over the vicinity of the service vehicle 102 and the damaged vehicle 104 as shown in FIG. 3D. When deployed using an aerial drone, the warning beacons 202A - 202D may be positioned above the first lane 406, the second lane 408, or the shoulders 108A, 108B. When the drone is hovering over the approaching vehicle 110, the visual alert 216 (e.g., an LED light) may be visible from a location far from the service vehicle 102. When activated, the visual alert 216 may be a blinking light visible even from an approaching vehicle 110 located at a distance of more than a quarter mile. The improved visibility may be due to the drone not being obstructed by other vehicles or roadside obstacles.

[0049] In addition, each warning beacon 202A - 202D is also contemplated to include an electric assembly (not shown) controlled by the processor 204 to self - level the LiDAR 210, radar 212, and camera 214 regardless of the road gradient. For example, the processor 204 may be programmed as follows. (1) Scan downward until the ground is detected, (2) scan upward to detect the horizon, and (3) automatically level the LiDAR 210 at the position projected towards the approaching vehicle 110. Alternatively, the processor may use an accelerometer to determine the specific orientation of the LiDAR 210, radar 212, and camera 214 and provide a self - leveling function that measures different values of downward acceleration due to gravity.

[0050] It is further contemplated that each warning beacon 202A - 202D may be physically attached to the service vehicle 102. For example, each warning beacon 202A - 202D may be attached to the light bar on the top of the service vehicle 102, or may be attached via a device attached inside or outside the service vehicle 102. The LiDAR 210, radar 212, and camera 214 may also be arranged around the service vehicle 102 and used by the processor 204 to detect approaching vehicles 110 approaching from various directions. The LiDAR 210, radar 212, and camera 214 may also be controlled by a service technician or may operate automatically in conjunction with traffic flow and road position.

[0051] As shown by FIG. 4A, warning beacons 202A-202D may be disposed near the edge of the shoulder 108 behind the service vehicle 102. The approaching vehicle 110 may initially approach in the first lane 406 towards the warning beacon 202. However, when the approaching vehicle 110 is alerted to the warning beacon 202, the approaching vehicle 110 may be guided into the second lane 408 along the first path 402. When the visual alert 218 (e.g., LED bucket light) is visible to the driver, the oncoming vehicle 110 may be guided into the second lane 308. Alternatively, the oncoming vehicle 110 may send a message to a vehicle, phone, or IoT device to move into the second lane. Alternatively, the oncoming vehicle 110 may be autonomously controlled and may be guided into the second lane 408 based on sensed or received data transmitted by the warning system 200. By being repositioned into the second lane 408, the warning system 200 may not activate the audible alert 216.

[0052] However, as shown by FIG. 4B, the approaching vehicle 110 may not deviate from the first lane 406. Instead, the approaching vehicle 110 may travel along a second path 404 that approaches near the warning beacon 202. The approaching vehicle 110 may approach near the warning beacon 202 even though the visual alert 218 is activated and is operating to alert the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110. When the approaching vehicle 110 reaches a predetermined distance or speed from the warning beacon 202, the audible alert 318 may be activated to alert the service technician. The audible alert 318 may be alerted when the approaching vehicle 110 reaches a predetermined distance or speed so that the service technician has sufficient time to reposition himself and, in some cases, alert the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104.

[0053] Camera 214 may be operable to provide video recording of an area around damaged vehicle 104. Camera 214 may be operable at any time when warning beacon 202 is deployed. Alternatively, camera 214 may be operable to record video only when approaching vehicle 110 is determined to move within a predetermined speed (i.e., velocity) or direction of damaged vehicle 104, service vehicle 102, or warning beacon 202. The predetermined speed value and direction value may be stored in memory 208. The predetermined direction and speed values may be calibratable or adjustable by a service technician. Also, warning beacon 202 may be operable to record and store digital images, recorded videos, or video segments obtained from camera 214 in memory 208 or to store them in external network 222. Further, camera 214 may be used in combination with a machine learning algorithm by processor 204 to determine whether a service technician is following a predetermined set of safety protocols or operating protocols while rescuing the occupants of damaged vehicle 104.

[0054] Further, the warning system 200 may be operable to use an external network 222 to transmit video to a remote storage (e.g., device 224) that may be disposed within the service vehicle 102. Alternatively, the warning beacon 202 may be operable to transmit video to a remote server (e.g., a corporate server or cloud-based storage such as Amazon Web Services) using the external network 222. The transmitted video may then be observed by remote workers during the provision of the service or at a later time. Remote workers can observe the video to monitor and supervise the work being done by the service technician. Alternatively, remote workers may observe the video as an additional level of safety for the service technician and the occupants of the damaged vehicle 104. The video and GPS location may be live streamed to a central location via the network interface 220 and the external network 224, enabling supervisors and fleet operators to monitor the work in real time.

[0055] The warning system 200 may also be operable to process real-time traffic analysis stored in the memory 208 using video collected from the camera 214. The traffic analysis may again be transmitted, using the external network 222, to a central system or cloud-based storage (e.g., device 224) that may monitor multiple warning systems 200 (i.e., multiple emergency service vehicles) distributed at various locations. The traffic analysis data may be used both internally and externally to provide accurate information to service technicians and drivers.

[0056] Data from the GPS 215 may similarly be transmitted to a monitoring service or an emergency service (via the external network 222) when the processor 204 determines that an approaching vehicle 110 is approaching the service vehicle 102, the damaged vehicle 104, or the warning beacon 202 at a predetermined speed, distance, or route. Also, data provided by the GPS 215 may be processed for internal analysis regarding the location of the spreading damaged vehicle.

[0057] The warning system 200 can also be operable to transmit a warning to an infotainment system, a head-up display, a video monitor, or a mobile device located within the approaching vehicle 110 using the external network 222. For example, the warning system 200 can also be capable of providing geo-fencing capabilities that can provide a warning within an oncoming vehicle by employing the external network 222. The warning system 200 may transmit data indicating the location of the service vehicle 102, the damaged vehicle 104, or the warning beacon 202 to the approaching vehicle 110 via the external network 222. Also, the warning system 200 may receive data indicating the location of the approaching vehicle 110 from the external network 222. The warning system 200 may determine when to activate the audible alert 216 or the visual alert 218 based on the position and speed of the approaching vehicle 110 in relation to the service vehicle 102, the damaged vehicle 104, or the warning beacon 202. Further, the warning system may then communicate with a mobile software application that can provide route information to the driver and give real-time traffic information to advise the occupants of the approaching vehicle 110.

[0058] Further, the warning system 200 may send an instruction via the external network 222 from the network interface 220 to slow down a predetermined speed of the approaching vehicle 110. For example, the warning system 200 may send data or instructions to notify local emergency services regarding the damaged vehicle 104 via the external network 222. The local emergency services may be equipped to send a notification signal to the approaching vehicle 110 in the vicinity of the damaged vehicle 104 (e.g., within a radius of 1 / 4 mile). Upon receiving the notification signal, the approaching vehicle 110 may be programmatically controlled to decelerate to a specified speed (e.g., 25 MPH) regardless of whether the driver attempts to depress the accelerator pedal. The notification signal may not be required to come from an emergency service location and is contemplated to be sent by the warning system 200 or a monitoring service communicating with the warning system 200.

[0059] Further, the warning system 200 may send a notification signal operable to initiate automatic braking or collision avoidance within the approaching vehicle 110. For example, the notification signal may be used to provide automatic braking within the approaching vehicle 110 approaching the warning beacon 202, the service vehicle 102, or the damaged vehicle 104 within a predetermined speed or distance. Alternatively, the notification signal may be used to guide the approaching vehicle 110 away from the warning beacon 202, the service vehicle 102, or the damaged vehicle 104.

[0060] The warning system 200 may further be operable to connect to a roadside billboard or a local government notification system using the external network 222 to provide an additional warning to the approaching vehicle 110. For example, many roadside billboards are currently equipped as video electronic displays. The warning system 200 may be operable to connect to such billboards (either directly or through a notification service) using the external network 222 so that information can be provided to the approaching vehicle 110. Many cities also have electronic billboards that can be used to warn the approaching vehicle 110 about the current traffic situation. These electronic signs may also be used by the warning system 200 to notify the approaching vehicle 110 about the location of the service vehicle 102, the damaged vehicle 104, or the warning beacon 202.

[0061] Also, the warning system 200 may be operable to connect using an external network to a mobile device worn by a service technician. For example, the warning system 200 may include a mobile software application that can be downloaded onto a mobile device (e.g., an app available and downloadable on an Apple or Android smartphone). The mobile software application may use the audible or visual alert function of the mobile device to alert the service technician when it is determined that the speed of the approaching vehicle 110 exceeds a predetermined threshold or when it is determined that the direction of the approaching vehicle 110 is within a predetermined distance.

[0062] The warning system 200 may be integrally and operably used with sensors or warning systems disposed within the service vehicle 102. Alternatively, the warning system 200 may integrate or alternatively rely on sensors disposed within the damaged vehicle 104. For example, the damaged vehicle 104 may be operable to include a function that enables a service technician to connect the warning system 200 to sensors (e.g., LiDAR, camera) disposed within the damaged vehicle 104. The sensors disposed within the damaged vehicle 104 may then be implemented by the warning system 200 to further detect and provide warnings about approaching vehicles 110 or objects.

[0063] Also, the warning system 200 may transmit data indicating the traffic pattern surrounding the damaged vehicle 104 to the external network 222. Alternatively, the warning system 200 may transmit an instruction requesting rerouting of traffic away from the damaged vehicle 104. The data and instructions may be provided to a mapping software provider (e.g., Google or Waze) so that approaching vehicles 110 can be notified and / or rerouted away from the damaged vehicle 104. For example, the warning system 200 may request that approaching vehicles 110 be rerouted away from the damaged vehicle 104 at a predetermined distance (e.g., 1 / 2 mile).

[0064] Furthermore, it is contemplated that the area surrounding the damaged vehicle 104 may have movable traffic flow devices. For example, certain roads include a lane diversion system that permits additional or alternative traffic lanes. The warning system 200 can activate and use this additional or alternative traffic lane to reroute approaching vehicles 110 away from the damaged vehicle 104 to provide a safe working environment for the service technician.

[0065] The warning system 200 can also be designed to receive information regarding the location where the damaged vehicle 104 is located. For example, the damaged vehicle 104 may be located in a highly traversed area, an area including visual obstacles (such as bridges, thickets) for approaching vehicles 110, or a location that does not include a space suitable for servicing the damaged vehicle 104 (such as a small shoulder area or an area without any shoulder). The warning system 200 may be operable to evaluate and determine whether the damaged vehicle 104 is located in an area that is not safe for service technicians. The warning system 200 may be operable to warn the damaged vehicle 104 to move to another location before being serviced.

[0066] It is also contemplated that the warning system 200 may be operably configured to receive data from an external network 222 from a local weather service regarding pending weather conditions surrounding the damaged vehicle 104. If the warning system 200 determines that the received data regarding weather conditions may increase the likelihood of an accident with approaching vehicles 110, additional safety measures may be adopted. For example, if the warning system 200 receives data regarding a severe snowstorm, or if there are icy road conditions surrounding the damaged vehicle 104, the warning system 200 can request to increase the coverage rate by the warning beacon 202 surrounding the damaged vehicle 104. Also, the radius and number of the warning beacon 202 may be increased so that the warning system 200 can provide advanced warnings to service technicians. Further, the warning system 200 may operably adopt a machine learning algorithm so that the service vehicle 102 can access telematics data and determine any deterioration of the warning beacon 202 that may lead to a malfunction or equipment failure.

[0067] It is further contemplated that the alarm system 200 may implement a face recognition algorithm, a blockchain algorithm, optical character recognition (OCR), or image recognition to track and detect any potential misplacement or theft of any one of the alarm beacons 202. For example, the alarm beacon 202 may be taken from the roadside or from the rear of the service vehicle 102. Using the network transmitter 220, the processor 204 may transmit the digital images acquired by the camera 214. The processor 204 may employ a face recognition algorithm to identify the individual responsible for photographing the alarm beacon 202. Also, the processor 204 may employ the GPS data from the GPS 215 to determine and transmit the location of the alarm beacon 202 for recovery by the authorities.

[0068] Further, the processor 204 may employ the camera 214 to acquire an image of the license plate from the oncoming vehicle 110. If it is determined that the acquired license plate belongs to a stolen or missing vehicle, the alarm system 200 may communicate with an external server (e.g., a police database) or an emergency service using the external network 222. The alarm system 200 may detect the occurrence of a stolen or missing vehicle using the images acquired by the camera 214. The alarm system 200 may transmit a notification indicating the location where the stolen or missing vehicle was confirmed to the local authorities (e.g., a police station) (using the external network 222). If the alarm system 200 cannot capture the license plate, it can still capture an image of the vehicle and use object / color detection to obtain the make, model, and color of the stolen or missing vehicle.

[0069] The LiDAR sensor 210, radar sensor 212, camera 214, and GPS 215 may also be used to create a surface or terrain map of the location where the damaged vehicle 104 is located. The surface / terrain map may be used by the warning system 200 to detect dangerous road conditions or obstacles. And, the warning system 200 may provide an alert to the service technician if the road condition or obstacle may present a dangerous working environment. For example, the road surface map may indicate that there is a large pothole (hole in the road) near the damaged vehicle 104. The warning system 200 may provide an audible or visual alert to the service technician about the pothole. Next, the service technician may use this alert to add additional warning beacons 202 around the service vehicle 102 or the damaged vehicle 104 so that the approaching vehicle 110 can surely avoid the obstacle (e.g., pothole).

[0070] Also, the warning system 200 may be operable to store location, terrain data, and weather conditions in the memory 208 when servicing the damaged vehicle 104. The warning system 200 may use this information to generate analysis data regarding the general locations where the damaged vehicle 104 may need service. If a given location routinely includes damaged vehicles 104 that need service, the warning system 200 may notify the local authorities. The warning system 200 may also provide data to the local authorities regarding the potential reasons for an increase in the number of damaged vehicles 102 at a given location. For example, the warning system 200 may be operable to evaluate analysis data including terrain, satellite imagery, or surface maps obtained from the LiDAR sensor 210, radar 212, camera 214, or GPS 215 and determine that a given location may contain several large potholes. The warning system 200 may be operable to transmit the analysis data using the network interface 220. The analysis data may be received by local authorities who can use the information to repair or correct the potholes.

[0071] The alarm system 200 may further use a microphone (e.g., within the camera 214) to record and analyze voice analysis while a service technician services the damaged vehicle 104. Thereafter, the voice analysis may be further processed to determine customer satisfaction while the damaged vehicle is being serviced. If the alarm system 200 determines a positive customer satisfaction, the alarm system 200 may be capable of providing a post to a social networking website (e.g., LinkedIn or Facebook) regarding the service technician and the work performed. Further, the alarm system 200 may further enable tracking of the response time and the time required to service the damaged vehicle 104. In this case also, the alarm system 200 may then be operable to post an update regarding the response time or service time to the social networking website. Alternatively, the time update may be used to notify another potential customer about the expected wait time.

[0072] It is further contemplated that an occupant of the damaged vehicle 104 can fill out an application process accessible by the alarm system 200 using an external network 222. The application process may be part of a registration system with an insurance agency (e.g., AAA in the state of Michigan). The application process may include emergency contact information. The alarm system 200 may be operable to provide an alert to the emergency contact when the alarm system 200 is deployed for an occupant of the damaged vehicle 104.

[0073] Exemplary embodiments have been described above, but these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in this specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the features of the various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claim 1 An alarm system deployable on or along a road, comprising: at least one alarm beacon including a LiDAR sensor; an operable processor, which upon receiving an initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that a vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the alarm beacon, polls the LiDAR sensor to read a predetermined number of β values; when the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the alarm beacon, calculates an average distance to the vehicle and an average speed of the vehicle in response to receiving the predetermined number of β values, and is operable to activate an audio alert and a visual alert in response to the calculation of the average distance and the average speed when the average distance is below a distance threshold and the average speed is above a speed threshold. An alarm system comprising such a processor. Claim 2 The at least one alarm beacon further includes a digital camera operable to acquire one or more digital images, and the processor is further operable to upon receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the alarm beacon, acquire one or more images of the vehicle, calculate a second average distance to the vehicle and a second average speed of the vehicle using the one or more images, and is operable to activate the audio alert and the visual alert when the second average distance is below the distance threshold and the second average speed is above the speed threshold. The alarm system according to claim 1. Claim 3 The processor of the alarm system according to claim 2 is further operable to analyze the one or more digital images to determine whether a service restoration protocol is being executed. Claim 4 The at least one alarm beacon further includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) operable to provide position data and a network interface operable to communicate with a remote server. The alarm system according to claim 1. Claim 5 The processor of the alarm system according to claim 4 is further operable to transmit the ID of the at least one alarm beacon and the position data in response to a request signal received from the remote server. Claim 6 The warning system according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further operable to transmit the position data of the warning beacon to the remote server in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon.

7. The warning system according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further operable to navigate the at least one warning beacon to the geographical coordinates based on the position data in response to a request to deploy the at least one warning beacon to the geographical coordinates.

8. The warning system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one warning beacon is a flying drone operable to hover around the geographical coordinates based on the position data.

9. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein a mobile software application executed on a mobile device is operable to communicate with the at least one warning beacon.

10. The warning system according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further operable to send a signal to the mobile software application in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the at least one warning beacon, and to activate visual and audio notifications on the mobile device.

11. The warning system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to send a warning to be displayed on the in-vehicle infotainment system in response to receiving the initial measurement value from the LiDAR sensor indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon.

12. A method of operating a warning system deployable on or along a road, comprising: polling the one or more sensors to read a predetermined number of beta distance values in response to receiving an initial distance measurement value from at least one sensor indicating that a vehicle is within a predetermined distance from a warning beacon; calculating an average distance to the vehicle and an average speed of the vehicle in response to receiving the predetermined number of beta distance values when the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon; When the average distance is less than a distance threshold and the average speed is greater than a speed threshold, in response to the calculation of the average distance and the average speed, operating one or more alarms; An operation method of an alarm system including the above.

13. Receiving the initial distance measurement values from one or more of the sensors indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon, and acquiring images of one or more of the vehicles from a digital camera; Calculating a second average distance to the vehicle and a second average speed of the vehicle using the one or more images; When the second average distance is less than the distance threshold and the second average speed is greater than the speed threshold, operating one or more of the alarms; The operation method according to claim 12, further including the above.

14. The operation method according to claim 13, further including analyzing one or more of the digital images to determine whether a service repair protocol is being executed.

15. The operation method according to claim 13, further including transmitting the ID of the warning beacon and the position data provided by a Global Positioning System (GPS) in response to a request signal received from a remote server.

16. The operation method according to claim 15, further including transmitting the position data of the beacon to the remote server in response to receiving the initial distance measurement values from one or more of the sensors indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon.

17. The operation method according to claim 15, further including navigating the warning beacon to the geographical coordinates based on the position data in response to a request to deploy the warning beacon at the geographical coordinates.

18. The operation method according to claim 12, further including transmitting a signal to a mobile application in response to receiving the initial distance measurement values from one or more of the sensors indicating that the vehicle is within the predetermined distance from the warning beacon, and activating a visual notification and an audio notification on the mobile device.

19. A warning beacon that can be deployed on or along a road, Polling one or more sensors to read a predetermined number of β distance values in response to determining whether a vehicle is present within a predetermined distance, When the vehicle exists within the predetermined distance, in response to the reception of the predetermined number of β distance values, calculate the average distance to the vehicle and the average speed of the vehicle. An alarm beacon including a controller operable to activate an alarm in response to the calculation of the average distance and the average speed when the average distance is below a distance threshold and the average speed is above a speed threshold.

20. Further comprising a digital camera operable to acquire one or more digital images. The controller further In response to the reception of initial measurement values from one or more of the sensors indicating that the vehicle exists within the predetermined distance, acquire an image of one or more of the vehicles. Using the one or more images, calculate a second average distance to the vehicle and a second average speed of the vehicle. The alarm beacon according to claim 19, operable to activate one or more of the alarms when the second average distance is below the distance threshold and the second average speed is above the speed threshold.

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