Patent Application
20190221107
Disclosed application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/617,283, filed Jan. 14, 2018.
Recent advancements in OEM In-vehicle Infotainment Systems have made it possible for improved methods and systems for emergency lighting and siren controls. These improved control methods allow for specially designed In-vehicle Infotainment firmware or software to incorporate emergency lighting and siren functionality into emergency vehicles, all while operating exclusively with OEM wired modules, over OEM communication networks comprised of a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), High Speed CAN (HSCAN), Low Speed CAN (LSCAN), Infotainment CAN (InfoCAN) or any other OEM CAN bus network.
By a unique Graphic User Interface (GUI) made exclusively for an In-vehicle Infotainment System, data outputs to control pulse signal, voltage, current or amperage can be sent to an Infotainment System Network, Gateway Module (GWM), or any other OEM equipped module to operate an OEM light, emergency light or siren. This enhanced control method allows for compliance with National Highway and Safety and Transportation Administration (NHSTA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR).
Eliminating existing add-ons, like external non-OEM controllers reduce the total purchase price of an emergency vehicle and standardizes wiring for emergency controls, eliminating variability that can lead to vehicle down-time. Additionally, the vehicle will have more useable space available as peripheral mounting for non-OEM modules will be eliminated, which also reduces the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Additional benefits from the In-vehicle Infotainment System Emergency Lighting and Siren Application is the ability to record emergency lighting and siren functionality and activation via an event data recorder (EDR), which communicates over the vehicle's OEM CAN bus network, from inputs received from the firmware or software. This improved system enables vehicle owners to legally contest claims pertaining to accidents where lighting and siren activation and functionality are in question.
The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims.
The Infotainment System Emergency Lighting and Siren Application will control all emergency lighting and sirens equipped on a vehicle and include an emergency home screen on the GUI, allowing the user to operate both the emergency lighting and sirens after initial configurations have been pre-set. Much like a push-button hand controller, currently used to operate the pre-programed functionality, the In-vehicle Infotainment Emergency Lighting and Siren Application will now control lighting and siren functionality.
A further embodiment method includes using the in-vehicle infotainment system to transmit an input to an OEM module, such as the Gateway Module (GWM), Body Control Module (BCM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Transmission Control Module (TCM) or any other OEM module for the purposes of adjusting pulse signal, voltage, current or amperage to an OEM light. Modification of the pulse signal, voltage, current or amperage allows for the OEM lighting to be utilized as emergency lighting for additional functionality, such as strobe, light color, flash pattern, etc. Utilizing the improved method ensures compliance with the National Highway and Safety and Transportation Administration (NHSTA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR).
A further embodiment method includes a GUI capable of displaying a visual depiction of the vehicle with emergency lights in operation, to test pattern configuration, which can be reconfigured from the In-vehicle Infotainment System GUI. Visual depiction on the GUI will allow the user to view and configure the emergency lighting from a forward facing vehicle, displaying the front, right hand side, left hand side, top and rear view. Changes to the configuration include, but are not limited to turning lights on or off, lighting flash patterns, light color, light directional indicators, light bulb pulse, park, turn or strobe. Changes to the siren sound will also be configurable from a separate siren configuration screen on the GUI.
The following detailed description illustrates exemplary embodiments by way of example for the present disclosure herein. In-vehicle Infotainment System Emergency Lighting and Siren Application is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects. Further, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components.
Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
Further, as used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to encompass computer-readable data storage that is configured with computer-executable instructions that cause certain functionality to be performed when executed by a processor. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a function, or the like. It is also to be understood that a component or system may be localized on a single device or distributed across several devices. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference.
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The network 120 includes a firmware 122 and software 124 for download onto one or more of the embodiments in the infotainment system network 110. Function of network 120 will include a method to adjust emergency lighting and siren including turning lights on or off, changing lighting flash patterns, light color, light directional indicators, light bulb pulse, park, turn, strobe and adjusting sounds out of the siren. Firmware 122 or software 124 will also include a transmission method to recognize when emergency lighting is activated.
The Gateway Module (GWM) 130 acts as a gateway to receive or send data from a multitude of in-vehicle modules. GWM 130 receives or sends signal 119 from infotainment system network 110. In some configurations, the GWM 130 may be bypassed.
The network 140, independent of infotainment network 110 and GWM 130, includes a Powertrain Module (PCM) 142, Body Control Module (BCM) 144 and Transmission Control Module (TCM) 146. Function of network 140 will control pulse signal, voltage, current or amperage, with additional capability to recognize when vehicle engine is on or off, the speed of vehicle and transmission gear the vehicle is in when the emergency lighting and siren are activated. In one embodiment, the PCM 142 communicates signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of the embodiments as seen in Network 110. In another embodiment, the BCM 144 communicates signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of the embodiments as seen in network 110. In yet another embodiment the TCM 146 communicates data via signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates signal 119 to any of the embodiments as seen in network 110. In yet another embodiment the PCM 142 communicates to the BCM 144 and both or one of the modules communicates data via signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of to any of the embodiments as seen in network 110. In yet another embodiment the TCM 146 communicates to the BCM 144 and both or one of the modules communicates data via signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of to any of the embodiments as seen in network 110. In yet another embodiment, both the PCM 142, BCM 144 and TCM 146 communicate directly to each other and both or one of the modules communicates data via signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of to any of the embodiments as seen in infotainment system network 110. In yet another embodiment the PCM 142 and TCM 146 communicate directly to each other and both or one of the modules communicates data via signal 147 to the GWM 130, which then communicates data via signal 119 to any of to any of the embodiments as seen in infotainment system network 110.
Antenna 150 includes any embodiment of a singular or plurality of in-vehicle antenna(s) including GPS, Cellular, PCS, WI-FI or Satellite. Antenna 150 receives GPS, Cellular, PCS, Wi-Fi or Satellite data via signal 151 and transmits that data via signal 131 to the GWM 130 for any and all embodiments included from networks 110 or 120.
The network 160 includes an exemplary system that facilitates a method to transmit or receive data into the vehicles antenna(s) 150 via input signal 151. The network 160 includes an array of transmitters including a Satellite 162, Wi-Fi 164 and Cell Tower 166. In one embodiment the data from network 160 will be transmitted or received from a Satellite transmitter 162 directly onto the vehicle antenna 150 via input signal 151. In another embodiment the data from network 160 will be transmitted or received from external Wi-Fi transmitter 164 directly onto the vehicle antenna 150 via input signal 151. In yet another embodiment the data from network 160 will be transmitted or received from Cell Tower 166 directly to a vehicle antenna 150 via input signal 151. In yet another embodiment the data from network 160 will be transmitted or received in conjunction with a plurality of transmitters or receivers including Satellite Antenna 162, external Wi-Fi Antenna 164 and Cell Tower 166 directly to the vehicle antenna 150 via input signal 151.
Cloud server 170 is an external remote device responsible updating the In-vehicle Emergency Lighting and Siren Application. When changes occur to the Emergency Lighting and Siren Application such as, but not limited to addition of new light bars, GUI updates, new LED light locations, changes to siren sounds, new siren and or LED light makes, models or brands, the Cloud Server 170 will wirelessly update the Infotainment System Network 110, from over-the-air updates from a Wi-Fi, satellite or cellular download.
Network 190 includes any and all emergency lights 194 and siren 192 equipped on the vehicle. Data transmitted by networks 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 via output signal 191 for operation of emergency lighting and siren.
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It is contemplated that the external devices that communicate with the computing device 500 via the input interface 580 and the output interface 570 can be included in an environment that provides substantially any type of user interface with which a user can interact. Examples of user interface types include GUI, natural user interfaces, and so forth. For instance, a GUI may accept input from a user employing input device(s) such as a keyboard, mouse, remote control, or the like and provide output on an output device such as a display. Further, a natural user interface may enable a user to interact with the computing device 500 in a manner free from constraints imposed by input device such as keyboards, mice, remote controls, and the like. Rather, a natural user interface can rely on speech recognition, touch and stylus recognition, gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to the screen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision, touch, gestures, machine intelligence, and so forth.
Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to be understood that the computing device 500 may be a distributed system. Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of a network connection and may collectively perform tasks described as being performed by the computing device 500.
While the methodologies are shown and described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For example, some acts can occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act can occur concurrently with another act. Further, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein.
Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executable instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/or stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executable instructions can include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread of execution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of the methodologies can be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and/or the like.
Plurality of in-vehicle communication networks pre-existing in vehicle including CAN bus networks designed with multiplex electrical wiring, allowing in-vehicle microcontrollers and modules to communicate between each other exist in a multitude of embodiments. Local Interconnect Network (LIN) operating on 1 Kbps to 20 Kbps. High Speed CAN (HSCAN) operating between 125 Kbps and 500 Kbps. Low Speed CAN (LSCAN) operating between 40 Kbps and 125 Kbps. Infotainment CAN (InfoCAN) operating from a transfer speed of both 40 Kbps to 125 Kbps or 125 Kbps to 500 Kbps, when paired to other in-vehicle microcontrollers or transfer speeds ranging from 1 Kbps to 11 Gbps on a cellular network or 11 Mbps to 7,000 Mbps operating on Wi-Fi, with speeds falling under Wi-Fi standards 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n or 802.11ac.
Various functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer-readable storage media. A computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc (BD), where disks usually reproduce data magnetically and discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Further, a propagated signal is not included within the scope of computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media also includes communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A connection, for instance, can be a communication medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of communication medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the details description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62617283 | Jan 2018 | US |
