GB2456782A - System for displaying the positions of road users by each vehicle sending its location details to a central server that then broadcasts the details - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for informing drivers about the locations of other nearby vehicles. The system works by each vehicle having means to find its own location eg GPS. The vehicles then send their location details or coordinates to a central server or base station by satellite or by a mobile phone network. The central server then rebroadcasts the location details of the vehicles back to the vehicles equipped with a receiver. The receiver then displays on a map the location of nearby vehicles. The central base station may send back to a particular vehicle data packages with just the location details of the vehicles near the receiving vehicle to reduce the data flow and required bandwidth. The receiver may be linked to the vehicle's satellite navigation system to make use of the system's GPS receivers and map display.

Description

1 2456782 Vehicle Radar Technology (YR Tech) This invention is based on a process, which pinpoints other devices that incorporate the VR Tech' facility while active' within a given radius.

Looking at various locations and roads we have today, the possibility of motorists approaching a junction or a scenario containing nearby buildings on corners exist. This can put motorists at a hazardous disadvantage by reducing the scope of the motorist's vision. This can be crucial when assessing the safety of the motorist and its passengers especially when moving off at such a junction. To overcome this problem or reduce the likelihood of causing an accident one must enable the VR Tech function within the incorporating device to noti1' the user into making them aware of approaching vehicles especially when they find themselves subject to blind spots i.e. line of sight obscured by nearby buildings (figure 4).

This process can be integrated within a variety of Global Satellite Positioning systems to inform drivers of vehicles within a given radius. The magnitude of the Radius' or the circular area (radar's scope) can be determined by the bandwidth available on the communication channel/method through agreement by the primary data controller and the satellite communication service provider. In addition to bandwidth the primary controller must have sufficient processing capabilities at the central processing unit (i.e. a suitable server that can handle the data capacity required) to ensure data is transferred accurately and promptly as and when required. The core method of transferring data will be using GPRS and GSM technology where data will be transmitted and received in the same form as cellular phones relay data within the network. The indication of other VR Tech users will be displayed on the satellite navigation's screen as red dots for approaching vehicles (figure 3).

The core primary characteristics and capabilities are governed by the below points: * Within a given radius, pinpoints other users who are using devices which incorporate VR Tech at the time.

* This is done by its Bi-Directional communication capabilities via GSMIGPRS.

* Informs user of approaching vehicles, which will be extremely helpful when approaching blind spots.

* In conjunction will provide Visual & Audio indicators.

* Devices which have VR Tech integrated will have individually assigned serial numbers.

* Increase awareness in difficult weather.

Bi -Directional signalling is a generic term used to describe sending and receiving information between one device and another. The vehicle engineers responsible for designing computer control systems programmed them so a scan tool could request information or command a module to perform specific tests and functions; some manufacturers refer to Bi -Directional controls as functional tests, actuator tests, inspection tests, system tests or the like. Re-initialisation and reprogramming also can be included in the list of bi-directional controls. GPS Location data will be sent to and received from satellites using VR Tech.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the enable/disable selector facility also incorporating a way of indicating whether the function is enabled (green light on) or disabled (green light oft).

Figure 2 shows the flow of data requirements for the VR Tech function.

Figure 3 the outline of how the data will be presented to the user when VR Tech is applied to a bi-directional GSMJGPRS satellite navigation unit.

Figure 4 shows a illustrated scenario (left) and a general GPS output screen (right) In figure 2, the direction of data flow is illustrated emphasising on the key elements needed to ensure VR Tech operates as suggested. Devices incorporating VR Tech will continuously send and receive location data to and from the communication satellites in space. The flow of location data is described below using stages to elaborate the process: Stage 1: User I device sends location data X to satellite Stage 2: X data is then transmitted by the satellite to the communication server within the central processing cell/system.

Stage 3: X Data is then processed by the central server and is transmitted to the relevant satellite in space with instructions to transmit locally to other proximate devices within the pre-determined radius (if one is specified). If a radius is not specified then it can be assumed that the required maximwn bandwidth is available and location data can be transmitted anywhere within a country incorporating a satellite technology data network.

Stage 4: X Data is received by (for example) user 2's device incorporating yR Tech' and is indicated on user 2's map display by depiction as a red dot' providing User I is within the map range' of User 2' being displayed on User 2's output/screen (Figure 3 & 4).

This will exclusively assist with blind spots and locations which present motorists with restricted views especially on bends where it is common for motorists to overlook approaching traffic coming from beyond the angle of observational span. If unlimited data bandwidth for satellite communication can be facilitated, VR Tech can be applied on a national level able to relay location data anywhere nationally. As a result this will enable yR Tech to be integrated with national breakdown service providers.

Example: If a motorist is experiencing a breakdown, they can initialise a subordinate command to relay their location data, along with a SOS distress signal and transmit this data via a central server and I or where the data is finally received by the server located within the breakdown service provider's headquarters or data management cell. This will alert the breakdown service provider efficiently and accurately resulting in a quicker rendezvous (or arrival to scene) via accurately seeking and fmding the location to where the broken down vehicle, its accompanying motorist and its passenger(s) is stranded. This process will assist breakdown service providers to dispatch or co-ordinate their breakdown mechanics accurately to the scene saving time, improving efficiency and reducing inconvenience. The possibility of implementing such a plan remains open and can be integrated by adapting the VR Tech process within any breakdown management system.

In figure 3 the image consists of a map which indicates the primary user (person observing the screen) and the locations of the secondary users (other motorists using devices incorporating VR Tech) using red dots to indicate their precise location within a distance depending on pin point' accuracy.

In figure 4 (left) the image shows a scenario which involves a motorist approaching a junction indicating the field of vision of the motorist. The junction joins the main road where at that particular point a bend occurs on the main road. This makes it difficult for the driver to see past the buildings thus making it difficult for the motorist to make a decision to move off safely.

In figure 4 (right) the image shows a typical output screen where the VR Tech function has been integrated within a satellite navigation system where approaching vehicles are depicted by a red dot. The red dot moves according to the location data the unit incorporating VR Tech function' receives and sends to and from the satellite using real time' data processing via its satellite communication capabilities.

Key / Legend Figure 1 -VR-Tech indicator I. VR-Tech indicator (enabled -on, disabled -off) 2. Section of VDO (Visual Display Output) screen from a device incorporating YR-Tech Figure 2-Data flow system 1. Send 2. Receive 3. Satellite orbiting planet Earth 4. Vehicles facilitating the use of integrated or stand alone GPS devices, which incorporate an active VR Tech function 5. Central server / Central Data Management System 6. Planet Earth Figure 3-illustration of display on devices incorporating the VR-Tech function I. Indicates the position of the user 2. Indicates the position of other motorists who emit signals via their GPS devices, which incorporate the VR-Tech function.

Figure 4 Left -Scenario illustration 1. Location of user 2. Approaching vehicle 3. Buildings 4. Scope of user's vision / Line of sight 5. Windmill Hill (Road name) 6. Two Gates (Road name) Figure 4 Right -Generic Satellite Navigation Output screen a ** * S * * 1. Location of user a,..

* . ** 2. Approaching vehicle 3. Windmill Hill (Road name) *. : 4. Two Gates (Road name) * 5. Directional instruction (suggesting take right turn' to user) a.. * S S* * .

*:**., inventors / Patent Applicants: Foyez Miah Abdul Mumin Mohammad Emran Hussain

Claims (1)

1. Claims I. The Vehicle Radar Technology (VR Tech) function / module comprising integration means for electronically assessing and displaying surrounding users within a given radius (depending on bandwidth), scanning for other devices incorporating the VR Tech function whilst active.

   2. The scanning process according to claim I will consist of the relay of location data using Satellite / GPRS technology.

   3. The display / indication of surrounding active' VR Tech users according to claim I will be depicted by a red dot on a map compatible to its global positioning satellite navigation device which has VR Tech integrated within.

   4. Location data according to claim 2 will be relayed from the local user to the nearest available satellite. Data will then pass through the satellite system and be transmitted to a central server for processing. After data has been processed by the central server the location data will then be transmitted to the satellite for broadcast / transmission to the vicinity surrounding the local user to assist/inform an enquiring user nearby.

   5. The location data in question will contain two dimensional co-ordinates (in order to pinpoint) according to claim 2. The two dimensional location data format will allow a data network frame to pinpoint individual users geographically and will be compatible with satellite navigation systems which incorporate GPRS and GSM data transmission systems and methods.

   6. The ability to transmit complex characteristic and high quantities of location data according to claim 5 is highly dependent on the bandwidth made available by the satellite communication service provider.

   7. The yR Tech function according to claim I is selectable in the sense that the function will operate by the use of a switch as a selector' to make active/inactive as required by the user.

   8. On any given compatible device with YR Tech integrated the function VR Tech will be active according to claim 7 through a green LED selected via a switch'. When green light is on', The VR Tech function is active. When green light is off', the VR Tech function is off.

   9. The function VR Tech and its process according to claim I can be integrated to assist with breakdown management systems which exist within the framework and processes utilized by breakdown service providers used at the time of filing this patent successfully.

   11. The processing, transmission, retrieval of location data required to actively run' the YR Tech system / function according to claim 4 will occur continuously using real time' data processing thereby ensuring that the data set being processed will always be up to date.

   12. The movement of surrounding vehicles or motorists that use devices incorporating the YR Tech function according to claim 11 will be indicated through the continuous update of data transmitted and received via GPRS / GSM Satellite communications. The output generated by the device in question will simultaneously illustrate the motion of other vehicles or users of other devices (that incorporate the VR Tech function) nearby locally' or nationally (depending on bandwidth) instantly as new location data is received.