A vehicle system and method of communicating from a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle system includes a vehicle and at least two satellite antennas, namely a first antenna at a first position on the vehicle and a second antenna at a second position. A controller is coupled to each of the antennas, the controller being configured to power and cause signals to be transmitted via one of the antennas. An accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller. The controller is configured to power and cause communication via the first antenna and depower the second antenna in response to an accident and, if a signal strength of the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the first antenna.

Description

[0001] A Vehicle System and Method of Communicating from a Vehicle

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicle system including plural satellite antennas provided on a vehicle and to an associated method.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0005] The Applicant works in the field of vehicle tracking and telemetry. The Applicant is aware of many vehicle tracking solutions using cellular communications via a cellular telephone network. However, the Applicant works with vehicles in areas where cellular telephone networks are unreliable or non-existent. Accordingly, the Applicant relies on satellite communications which do not require a terrestrial network of radio stations (as in the case of a cellular telephone network).

[0006] Satellite transmissions, e.g., L-band Satellite loT solutions, typically utilise patch antennas to connect to their respective satellite networks. A characteristic of satellite antennas, at least those within the scope of this disclosure, is that they require line-of- sight (LOS) to communicate effectively, or at all, with satellites. Obstructions tend to attenuate signals transmitted from the antennas significantly, to the point where even small obstructions can effectively prevent a signal from being received by an intended recipient satellite.

[0007] The Applicant is aware that antennas are currently installed on the roof or dashboard of vehicles to allow for line-of-sight with the satellite - the Applicant uses the Iridium™ satellite network. This solves the above-mentioned problem of tracking vehicles in remote locations where there is no cellular reception. However, after an accident, e.g., a high impact rollover (HIR) event, the vehicle orientation may change, causing the antenna to face in a different (e.g., opposite) direction to the satellite and / or be obstructed by the actual vehicle.

[0008] The Applicant considered simply providing a dual antenna system. However, to meet RF (Radio Frequency) loss and transmit power requirements, it is not possible simply to split signal delivery to a single path dual antenna system.

[0009] Accordingly, the Applicant desires a vehicle tracking system which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of these drawbacks.

[0010] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, there is provided a vehicle system which includes: a vehicle; at least two satellite antennas, namely a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; a controller communicatively coupled to each of the antennas, the controller being configured to power and cause signals to be transmitted via one of the antennas; and an accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller, the accident signal indicative of the vehicle having been in an accident, wherein: the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the first antenna and depower the second antenna in response to receipt of the accident signal and, if a signal strength of the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the first antenna; and the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the second antenna and depower the first antenna in response to the signal strength of the first antenna not meeting the acceptable threshold and, if a signal strength of the second antenna meets the acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the second antenna.

[0012] The distress message may be sent via the powered antenna (that is, the first or second antenna when powered), the distress message indicating a location of the vehicle and a possible distress situation.

[0013] If the signal strength of the second antenna also does not meet the acceptable threshold, the controller may be configured to power and attempt communications from the first antenna again.

[0014] The vehicle system may include a locating module (e.g., a GPS module) to determine a location of the vehicle.

[0015] For brevity, satellite antenna will be referred to merely as antenna. The antennas may be L-band antennas (e.g., 1 .5-1 .7 GHz), S-band antennas (e.g. 2-4 GHz) or any other satellite band that offers the required coverage and connectivity.

[0016] Accordingly, the controller may include, or may be coupled to, a switch configured to switch selectively between the antennas, such that only one of the antennas is operative, or powered, or can transmit a signal, at a given time. This may preserve RF loss and transmit power requirements in accordance with satellite antenna design specifications. The switch may be an RF splitter. The first position may be a top, or top section, of the vehicle. The first position may be in or on a roof of the vehicle. The first antenna may therefore be a top antenna.

[0017] The second position may be a bottom, or a bottom section, of the vehicle. The second section may be underneath (e.g., on or in the undercarriage) of the vehicle. The second antenna may therefore be a bottom antenna.

[0018] The first antenna may be considered a primary antenna. The primary antenna may be located at a position that is more likely to have line-of-sight connectivity (e.g., a roof). The second antenna may be a secondary antenna. The secondary antenna may be located at a position that is less likely than the primary antenna to have line-of-sight connectivity (e.g., an underside of the vehicle). The primary antenna may be given priority over the secondary antenna.

[0019] The vehicle system may include an orientation accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the orientation sensor being configured to measure an orientation of the vehicle and to communicate an orientation signal to the controller, the orientation signal indicative of the measured orientation of the vehicle. The controller may select one of the first or second antennas based on the orientation of the vehicle.

[0020] The orientation sensor may be integrated with the controller itself. Instead, the orientation sensor may be discrete from the controller. There may be plural orientation sensors.

[0021] The first orientation may be upright, or more upright than upside down. The second orientation may be upside down, or more upside down than upright. Accordingly, the controller may be configured to use the orientation of the vehicle and then use only the antenna which is most likely to have line-of-sight with a satellite network. The controller may alternate (at least once) between the first and second antennas, while depowering the other of the second and first antennas. The controller may alternate between the antennas a plurality of times, or indefinitely, in response to the signal strength via the selected antenna being below an acceptable threshold. This may ensure that a signal can be sent from each of the antennas (sequentially, not simultaneously) while still preserving RF loss and transmit power requirements.

[0022] The orientation sensor and / or the accident sensor may be provided by an accelerometer. The accident sensor may be integrated with the controller or may be discrete therefrom. The term “accident” includes a collision, sudden impact, adverse event, or similar adverse event impacting the vehicle. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the accident sensor indicating that an accident has (or may have) occurred.

[0023] The controller may be part of a transmission unit. The transmission unit may include additional components or modules, like a power supply module, a satellite communications module, etc.

[0024] The transmission unit may be provided in a housing. The housing may have a connection interface to the antennas.

[0025] The controller may be powered from an electrical system of the vehicle (e.g., from battery of the vehicle). Instead, or in addition, the controller may be powered from its own battery, namely an auxiliary battery.

[0026] The vehicle system may include more than two antennas, e.g., including a third antenna at a third position. The third position may be a side, front, back, etc., of the vehicle. The vehicle system may also include a panic button coupled to the controller and configured to receive a user input. In response to the panic button being pressed, the controller may send a panic message via one of the antennas.

[0027] The invention extends to a kit for installation in a vehicle, the kit including: at least two satellite antennas, namely a first satellite antenna and a second satellite antenna, wherein the first satellite antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second satellite antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; a controller communicatively configured to be coupled to each of the satellite antennas and to power and cause signals to be transmitted via the satellite antennas; and an accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller, the accident signal indicative of the vehicle having been in an accident, wherein: the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the first antenna and depower the second antenna in response to receipt of the accident signal and, if a signal strength of the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the first antenna; and the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the second antenna and depower the first antenna in response to the signal strength of the first antenna not meeting the acceptable threshold and, if a signal strength of the second antenna meets the acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the second antenna.

[0028] The controller may be provided in a housing. The housing may have a connection interface to the antennas. The controller may be provided as part of a transmission unit. The invention extends to a method of communicating from a vehicle, the method including: providing at least two satellite antennas on the vehicle, namely a first satellite antenna and a second satellite antenna, wherein the first satellite antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second satellite antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; providing a controller communicatively coupled to each of the satellite antennas, the controller being configured to power and cause signals to be transmitted via the satellite antennas; providing an orientation sensor communicatively coupled to the controller; measuring, by the orientation sensor, an orientation of the vehicle and communicating an orientation signal to the controller, the orientation signal indicative of the measured orientation of the vehicle; powering, by the controller, the first satellite antenna and depowering the second satellite antenna in response to receipt of the orientation signal indicating that the vehicle is in a first orientation; and powering, by the controller, the second satellite antenna and depowering the first satellite antenna in response to receipt of the orientation signal indicating that the vehicle is in a second orientation.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle system, in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a controller and associated parts of the vehicle system of FIG. 1 ;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the vehicle system of FIG. 1 in various types of distress; and

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method of communicating from a vehicle, in accordance with the invention.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

[0036] The following description of an example embodiment of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that changes can be made to the example embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the example embodiment without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the example embodiment are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description of the example embodiment is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle system 100, in accordance with the invention. The vehicle system 100 is fitted to a vehicle 110 which, in itself, may be a conventional vehicle. It may be an offroad vehicle like a pickup truck or a mining vehicle.

[0038] In accordance with the invention, the vehicle 110 has fitted thereto two satellite antennas 120, 122. A first satellite antenna 120 is fitted at a first position; in this example, the first position is a top position, at or on a roof of the vehicle 110. Accordingly, this antenna 120 is referred to as the top antenna 120. A second antenna 122 is provided at a second position; in this example, the second position is a bottom position, at or on an undercarriage of the vehicle 110. Accordingly, this second antenna 122 is referred to as the bottom antenna 122. The antennas 120, 122 are illustrated as domes and probably larger relative to the vehicle 110 than they would ordinarily be. This is merely for the sake of illustration, and the antenna 120, 122 may be any practicable size and shape, e.g., flat, fin-shaped, etc.

[0039] The antennas 120, 122 are communicatively coupled (e.g., by means of a wired connection 126) to a controller 124. The controller 124 may be located inside a cabin of the vehicle 110, e.g., near or in the dashboard. The location of the antennas 120, 122 is more important than the location of the controller 124.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates the controller and related components in more detail. The controller 124 is provided as part of a larger transmission unit 200. The controller 124 may be provided on a PCB in a protective housing or enclosure which houses other components of the transmission unit 200. The transmission unit 200 has a power supply protection module 204 which connects to a power system (including a battery) 202 of the vehicle 110 which is typically 12 V (or 24 V in larger vehicles). The power supply protection module 204 ensures reliable and safe power supply to various downstream components. The transmission unit 200 also includes a switch mode power supply 206.

[0041] Notably, the transmission unit 200 includes an accelerometer 208 coupled to the controller 124. The accelerometer 208 is important in this example because it functions as an accident sensor and optionally also as an orientation sensor. It is known in the art how an accelerometer can be configured to perform these functions. The transmission unit 200 may include additional modules (not illustrated) to assist with this, e.g., electronic gyroscopes and / or GPS modules.

[0042] The transmission unit 200 also includes a satellite communications module 210 and an antenna switch 212. The satellite communications module 210 may be configured to generate a signal to be transmitted via the antennas 120, 122. The satellite communications module 210 may itself be conventional, but is connected to the antennas 120, 122 via the switch 212 which is controlled by the controller 124.

[0043] The example will further be described, in use, with reference to FIGS 3 and 4. FIG. 3 illustrates various accident scenarios 300, 310, 320. FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 400 of communicating from the vehicle 110. While the method 400 is described with reference to the transmission unit 200, it is to be appreciated that the transmission unit 200 may be configured to perform a different method and that the method 400 may be implemented by a different apparatus.

[0044] Once the vehicle 110 is up and running, the controller 124 is powered and active (at block 402). The vehicle 110 may be driven by a driver in a rural or obscure area, for example where mining or other industrial operations are occurring. Driving conditions may be hazardous and accidents are possible. The controller 124 monitors (at block 404) readings from the accelerometer 208 for an accident signal. This may include a sudden deceleration or a lateral or unexpected acceleration. While no such accident signal is received, the controller 124 merely continues to be active and to monitor.

[0045] If an accident signal is received, the controller 124 activates and powers one of the antennas 120, 122. In this example, the top antenna 120 has priority and is designated as the primary antenna 120 and the controller 124 therefore switches (at block 408) to this primary antenna 120. The controller measures the signal strength available and determines (at block 410) if the signal strength meets acceptable criteria. If the signal strength is sufficient, the controller 124 will use this primary antenna 120 to send (at block 412) a distress message.

[0046] If no signal or poor signal is detected, the controller 124 will switch (at block 414) to the secondary antenna 122 to check (at block 416) the signal strength of the secondary antenna 122. If the signal strength is sufficient, the controller 124 will transmit the distress message via the secondary antenna 124. If not, the controller 124 will switch back to the primary antenna 122. The controller 124 will continue to switch between primary and secondary antennas 120, 122 until sufficient signal strength is available.

[0047] The distress message may be transmitted to a remote recipient which may be, as is conventional, a control station or other authorised party. This approach addresses a limitation of prior satellite transmission systems, which could fail when an antenna on the roof is unable to reach the satellite network after a rollover.

[0048] The Applicant believes that the invention as exemplified provides a way of communicating with the satellite network should the vehicle 110 not be in its normal (upright) orientation. Further, even though two antennas 120, 122 are used, the signal is not sent to both at the same time, which would cause the transmission unit 200 not to meet its RF loss and transmit power requirements. Overall, the system 100 provides for improved vehicle safety in challenging conditions.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A vehicle system which includes: a vehicle; at least two satellite antennas, namely a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; a controller communicatively coupled to each of the antennas, the controller being configured to power and cause signals to be transmitted via one of the antennas; and an accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller, the accident signal indicative of the vehicle having been in an accident, wherein: the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the first antenna and depower the second antenna in response to receipt of the accident signal and, if a signal strength of the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the first antenna; and the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the second antenna and depower the first antenna in response to the signal strength of the first antenna not meeting the acceptable threshold and, if a signal strength of the second antenna meets the acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the second antenna.

2. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the controller is configured to send the distress message via the first or second antenna when powered, thedistress message indicating a location of the vehicle and a possible distress situation.

3. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the controller includes, or is coupled to, a switch configured to switch selectively between the antennas, such that only one of the antennas is operative, or powered, or can transmit a signal, at a given time.

4. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 3, in which the switch is an RF splitter.

5. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the first position is a top, top section, or in or on a roof of the vehicle and the second position is a bottom, a bottom section, or an underneath of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes an orientation sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the orientation sensor being configured to measure an orientation of the vehicle and to communicate an orientation signal to the controller, the orientation signal indicative of the measured orientation of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 6, in which the controller is configured to select one of the first or second antennas based also on the orientation of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 7, in which the controller is configured to use the orientation of the vehicle and then power and use only the antenna which is most likely to have line-of-sight with a satellite network.

9. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the first antenna is considered a primary antenna and the second antenna is considered a secondary antenna, wherein the primary antenna is given priority over the secondary antenna.

10. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the controller is configured to alternate repeatedly between the first and second antennas, while depowering the other of the second and first antennas.

11. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a panic button coupled to the controller and configured to receive a user input, the controller being configured to send a panic message via one of the antennas in response to the panic button being pressed.

12. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1 , in which one of the first or second antennas is designated as a priority antenna and the controller is configured to power the priority antenna first or more often than the other of the second or first antennas.

13. A kit for installation in a vehicle, the kit including: at least two satellite antennas, namely a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; a controller communicatively configured to be coupled to each of the antennas and to power and cause signals to be transmitted via the antennas; and an accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller, the accident signal indicative of the vehicle having been in an accident, wherein:the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the first antenna and depower the second antenna in response to receipt of the accident signal and, if a signal strength of the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the first antenna; and the controller is configured to power and cause communication via the second antenna and depower the first antenna in response to the signal strength of the first antenna not meeting the acceptable threshold and, if a signal strength of the second antenna meets the acceptable threshold, to send a distress message via the second antenna.

14. The kit as claimed in claim 13, in which the controller is provided in a housing and the housing has a connection interface to the antennas.

15. A method of communicating from a vehicle, the method including: providing at least two satellite antennas on the vehicle, namely a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is provided at a first position on the vehicle and the second antenna is provided at a second position on the vehicle; providing a controller communicatively coupled to each of the antennas, the controller being configured to power and cause signals to be transmitted via the antennas; providing an accident sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the accident sensor being configured to measure characteristics of the vehicle indicative of an accident and to communicate an accident signal to the controller, the accident signal indicative of the vehicle having been in an accident; powering, by the controller, the first antenna and depowering the second antenna in response to receipt of the accident signal and, if a signal strengthof the first antenna meets an acceptable threshold, sending a distress message via the first antenna; and powering, by the controller, the second antenna and depowering the first antenna in response to the signal strength of the first antenna not meeting the acceptable threshold and, if a signal strength of the second antenna meets the acceptable threshold, sending a distress message via the second antenna.

Images