Parked Vehicle Emergency Alert Reception Using User Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency alert systems in vehicles do not effectively notify users of emergency alerts when the vehicle is turned off, as the audio entertainment system, including radio receivers, is typically depowered in the dormant state.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors whether a user remains in the vehicle or is nearby after turning off the ignition, and if so, activates the broadcast receiver to monitor for emergency alerts, notifying the user through horn honking, flashing lights, or audio/messages on the vehicle's display/speakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the audio entertainment system including radio receivers is depowered in the dormant state to conserve battery energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive and notify emergency alerts is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user presence in or near the vehicle before an emergency alert is broadcast. When the user is detected to be in the vehicle or within proximity, the radio receiver is activated in advance to monitor for emergency alerts, ensuring immediate notification capability while maintaining energy conservation when the user is absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio receiver's power state is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions the receiver between dormant and active states based on real-time user presence detection. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining emergency alert capability precisely when needed - creating a adaptive power management strategy.
2Quantity of substance
If the radio receiver remains inactive in the dormant state to preserve battery charge, then vehicle startup energy is preserved, but real-time emergency alert reception is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The user presence detection system acts as an intermediary between the dormant radio receiver and emergency alert broadcasts. When the user is detected to be present or nearby, this intermediary triggers the receiver to activate and monitor for alerts, bridging the gap between energy conservation mode and emergency information reception without requiring continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting user presence and activating the radio receiver only when necessary. The system monitors its own operational context (user presence, vehicle state) and autonomously adjusts receiver activation, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while optimizing both battery conservation and emergency alert reception.
3Loss of energy
If the vehicle ignition is turned off to conserve energy or during extended parking, then battery drain is reduced, but the user cannot receive emergency alert notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence before the vehicle is fully shut down or while in dormant state. By detecting whether the user remains in or near the vehicle, the system prepares the radio receiver for potential emergency alert reception, ensuring notification capability is maintained even when the vehicle ignition is off and traditional alert systems are inactive.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a radio receiver configured to receive emergency alert messages initiated by an alerting authority and broadcast by an alerting disseminator. The radio receiver is normally inactive when the vehicle is in the dormant state. A user monitor is configured to track a user during a time that the vehicle is in the dormant state to detect whether the user remains in the vehicle or is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. A controller coupled to the radio receiver and to the user monitor is configured to activate the radio receiver during the dormant state when the user is present. The controller detects the existence of a relevant emergency alert message and initiates an annunciation signal which is generated by the vehicle and perceptible to the user to inform the user that the relevant emergency alert message is available.