GB2562470A

GB2562470A - A method of controlling an automotive communications system

Info

Publication number: GB2562470A
Application number: GB1707362.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: O'neil Jon
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2017-05-08
Filing date: 2017-05-08
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-08
Also published as: GB201707362D0; GB2562470B; DE102018108387A1

Abstract

A method is disclosed for controlling mobile communications between a motor vehicle and a remote host in order to reduce the probability of driver distraction. The method comprises analysing the nature of the communication to and from a mobile communications device and analysing vehicle operating information. If the nature of communication indicates that distraction of a driver is probably occurring and analysis of the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is aggressive, erratic or lazy, then the communication is disabled, after a warning, until a driver initiated event such as key-off or stopping the vehicle occurs. Communication is considered distracting if it comprises expletives, long sentences or words, has a high volume or has a pattern indicating aggressive driver mood or includes texting. The manner of driving may be assessed based on changes in accelerator position, steering wheel position, braking, clutch control, engine speed and gear changes.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A method of controlling an automotive communications system Abstract Title: A method of controlling an automotive communications system (57) A method is disclosed for controlling mobile communications between a motor vehicle and a remote host in order to reduce the probability of driver distraction. The method comprises analysing the nature of the communication to and from a mobile communications device and analysing vehicle operating information. If the nature of communication indicates that distraction of a driver is probably occurring and analysis of the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is aggressive, erratic or lazy, then the communication is disabled, after a warning, until a driver initiated event such as key-off or stopping the vehicle occurs. Communication is considered distracting if it comprises expletives, long sentences or words, has a high volume or has a pattern indicating aggressive driver mood or includes texting. The manner of driving may be assessed based on changes in accelerator position, steering wheel position, braking, clutch control, engine speed and gear changes.

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Fig.1

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Fig.2

A Method of Controlling an Automotive Communications System

This invention relates to motor vehicles and in particular to a method of controlling mobile communications in an automotive environment.

It is well known to provide for the use of a mobile communications device such as a mobile telephone in a motor vehicle by providing a short range link to a vehicle communications module which is connectable to an external mobile communications host by way of a long range communications link.

Although the use of mobile communications is very convenient for the user there is growing concern that such communications can negatively affect the performance of a driver of a motor vehicle even if they are not directly using the mobile communications device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of controlling an automotive communications system so as to reduce the risk of driver distraction when mobile communications are taking place while the vehicle is in motion.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling an automotive communications system comprising analysing communications to and from a mobile communications device located in a motor vehicle and analysing vehicle operating information while the mobile communications device is in use wherein, if the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device indicates that distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle is probably occurring and the analysis of the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is one of aggressive, erratic and lazy the method further comprises disabling communications to and from the mobile communications device until a predefined driver initiated event has occurred.

The predefined driver initiated event may be one of a Key-off event and a stationary vehicle in neutral gear event.

A warning may be provided to the driver before disabling communications to and from the mobile communications device.

The method may further comprise re-enabling communications to and from the mobile communications device when the predefined driver initiated event has occurred.

The nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device may probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if it comprises at least one of expletives, long sentences and long words.

The nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device may probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the volume of the communication is above a predefined volume.

The nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device may probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if an analysis of the pattern of communication indicates an aggressive driver mood.

The nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device may probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if an analysis of the pattern of communication indicates a non-attentive driver mood.

The nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device may probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the communication is in the form of typed text and the communication is by the driver of the motor vehicle.

The vehicle operating information may indicate that the manner of driving is one of aggressive and erratic if it comprises at least one of repeated large rapid changes in accelerator position, repeated large rapid changes in steering wheel position, repeated sudden heavy braking events

The vehicle operating information may indicate that the manner of driving is lazy if it comprises at least one of slow gear changes, repeated failure to indicate proposed changes of direction and poor quality of clutch control resulting in one of engine speed flare during more than one take-off from rest or more than one engine stall during a take-off from rest.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which:Fig.l is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle having a mobile communications system controller; and

Fig.2 is a high level flow chart of a method of controlling an automotive communications system in accordance with this invention.

With reference to Fig.l there is shown a motor vehicle 10 having a mobile communications system including a mobile communications system controller 20, a number of vehicle operating inputs 22 and a mobile communications device in the form of a mobile telephone 50.

The mobile communications system controller 20 is arranged to communicate with a remote communications host 5 by way of a long range communications link such as a radio link 8 and communicate with the mobile telephone 50 by way of a short range link 30 such as a Bluetooth (Registered Trade Mark) connection. It will be appreciate that the invention is not limited to such communication links and any other suitable link could be used. For example and without limitation, the mobile telephone 50 could be connected to the mobile communications system controller 20 by a cable or other type of short range link and the link to the remote communications host could be via a satellite link.

It will be appreciated that a number of mobile telephone devices can be paired to the mobile communications system controller 20 and that the mobile communications device can be formed as part of the mobile communications system controller 20.

One of the features of the invention is that the inventor has realised that the mobile communications device causing a distraction may not necessarily be one that is currently being used by the driver and that usage by a passenger of a mobile communications device can also cause a driver distraction.

The mobile communications system controller 20 is arranged to receive a number of vehicle operating information (VOI) inputs indicated as 22 on Fig.l indicative of various operational parameters associated with the motor vehicle 10 that can be used to assess whether the motor vehicle 10 is being driven in a lazy, erratic or aggressive manner compared to predefined factory settings or against a record of normal driving style for the current driver.

These vehicle operating information inputs include, but are not limited to, engine temperature, transmission temperature, tyre pressures, accelerator pedal position, brake pedal position, brake system pressure; steering wheel position; vehicle Yaw; vehicle Pitch, location of vehicle based upon an input from a satellite navigation device and frequency of traffic indicator use.

The mobile communications system controller 20 is also connected to a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 28 which in this case is a touch screen device capable of displaying messages and receiving inputs from a driver of the motor vehicle to acknowledge that a displayed message has been recognised.

Operation of the mobile communications system controller 20 is as follows.

Firstly, the mobile communications system controller 20 monitors the nature of the communications being made. If the mobile telephone is not in use then no action is required and no further action needs to be taken.

However, if the mobile telephone 50 is in use the nature of the communications are compared to predefined patterns of communication to assess the nature of the communications .

For example :a/ If the communications include a number of audible expletives, the sentences used are extremely lengthy or the words used are long then this can indicate that the user is requiring a significant amount of attention to conduct the communication or that a driver is likely be distracted by the nature of the communication that is to say, is probably being distracted;

b/ the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the communication is in the form of typed text and the communication is known to be by the driver of the motor vehicle; and c/ the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the volume of the communication is loud that is to say above a predefined volume used for normal communications indicating shouting.

It is also possible to apply techniques such as those disclosed in US Patent Application 20150318002 to assess the mood of the user of the mobile telephone 50. That is to say, the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if an analysis of the pattern of communication indicates one of an aggressive mood and a nonattentive mood. This is particularly the case if the current user of the mobile communications device is known to be the driver of the motor vehicle.

If the result of the assessment of communications indicates that there is a significant probability that a driver of the motor vehicle 10 is being distracted by the nature of the communications then the mobile communications system controller 20 continues and compares one or more of the inputs 22 with expected patterns to establish whether the current operation of the motor vehicle 10 by the driver indicates that the driver is driving in an unacceptable manner such as aggressively, lazily or erratically.

For example, a number of sudden changes of direction (swerving) indicated by rapid rotation of the steering wheel, rapid acceleration or sudden heavy braking could indicate erratic behaviour or lack of attention that has required remedial action by the driver.

Similarly, a failure to indicate when the vehicle is making a turn or change of direction from one road to another road at a junction could indicate a lack of attention or lazy driving.

Aggressive driving is often indicated by hasher accelerating that can be detected through monitoring accelerator pedal position or throttle position, fuel metering or YAW sensors etc. Aggressiveness can also be attributed to heavy braking detected via brake pressure and ABS and YAW etc.

Lazy driving can be attributed to a change in turn signal frequency compared to normal driving pattern or mode and by detecting delayed gear changes or throttle response compared to normal driving pattern or mode.

That is to say, the vehicle operating information will indicate that the manner of driving is one of aggressive and erratic if it comprises at least one of repeated large rapid changes in accelerator position, repeated large rapid changes in steering wheel position and repeated sudden heavy braking events and the vehicle operating information will indicate that the manner of driving is lazy if it comprises at least one of slow gear changes, repeated failure to indicate proposed changes of direction and poor quality of clutch control resulting in one of engine speed flare during more than one take-off from rest or more than one engine stall during an attempted take-off from rest.

The manner in which the motor vehicle 10 is being driven is continuously assessed against a normal driving pattern or mode.

If the mobile communications system controller 20 after assessing the communications from the mobile telephone 50 and the manner in which the motor vehicle 10 is being operated comes to the conclusion that there is reason to believe that the driver is being distracted in some way by the continued usage of the mobile telephone 50 then a

- 8 warning is displayed on the HMI 28. For example the HMI 28 could display a message such as Please hang up telephone and concentrate on driving! or the HMI 28 could display a warning symbol such as a red triangle. In addition or alternatively, an audible warning or any other type of warning can be provided to the driver.

Should the driver continue to drive aggressively or lazily and ignore visual or audio warning messages the mobile communications system controller 20 is operable to disconnect the communication link between the mobile telephone 50 and the remote communications host 5 until a predefined driver initiated event has occurred. The predefined event is one that indicates the vehicle is in a state suitable for communications such as the motor vehicle 10 being stationary in a neutral gear or a Key-off event has occurred.

By alerting a driver that their driving style is being affected by the distracting influence of the mobile phone 50 safety for the driver and for other road users will be increased and there is the potential to reduce fuel economy if the driver has been driving aggressively.

Referring now to Fig.2 there is shown as a high level flow chart a method 100 of controlling an automotive communications system.

The method 100 commences in box 110 which, in the case of this example, is a Key-on event and then advances to box 120 to check whether a motor vehicle such as the motor vehicle 10 is moving. If the motor vehicle is not moving the method loops around box 120 until a Key-off event occurs whereupon the method 100 ends. It will be appreciated that whenever there is a Key-off event the method 100 will end and will restart in box 110 when the next Key-on event takes place. However, if when checked in box 120 the motor vehicle is determined to be moving then the method advances from box 120 to box 130 where it is checked whether a mobile device such as the mobile telephone 50 is in use.

In some alternative embodiments it is also checked whether a mobile communications device associated with a driver of the motor vehicle that is in use and the method will only be only used if it is a mobile communications device of the driver that is in use. This will require the identity of the driver and their phone to be established which can be done in any convenient way.

However, in the case of this example, if any mobile communications device is in use irrespective of the user then the method 100 is used.

Returning to box 130, if a mobile communications device is not in use, the method returns to box 120 and otherwise advances to box 135. In box 135 the nature of the communications from the mobile communications device is analysed to ascertain whether there is an indication that the communications are of a potentially distracting nature that is to say, they are probably distracting the driver.

For example and without limitation, if the communications include a number of expletives, the sentences used are lengthy, the volume of the communication is loud indicating shouting or the words used are long then this can indicate that the user is requiring a significant amount of attention to conduct the communication or that a driver will probably be distracted by the nature of the communication.

As before, a technique such as that disclosed in US Patent Application 20150318002 could be used to assess the mood of the user of the mobile telephone 50.

It will be appreciated that, even if it is not the driver using the mobile communications device, then there is still potential for driver distraction.

If the analysis of the communications to and from the mobile communications device indicate that there is no obvious risk of driver distraction, then the method returns to box 120 to continue monitoring of the vehicle and communications system and otherwise it advances to box 140 to see whether there is physical evidence based upon actual vehicle operating information (VOI) to support that the driver is being distracted.

Vehicle operating information can include, but is not limited to, accelerator pedal position, brake pedal position, brake system pressure; steering wheel position; vehicle Yaw; vehicle Pitch, location of vehicle based upon an input from a satellite navigation device and frequency of traffic indicator use.

If this vehicle operating information indicates that the driver is driving in an unacceptable manner that is to say, aggressively, erratically or lazily compared to predefined baseline standards or records of normal driving behaviour for the current driver then the method advances to box 150 and otherwise returns to box 120.

In box 150 the driver is warned that they may be being distracted by the use of a mobile communications device.

This warning can be by any convenient method such as a visual display of a warning message, the illumination of a warning lamp, an audible message or haptic feedback via for example a steering wheel or an accelerator pedal.

The method then advances from box 150 to box 155 to check whether the driver has responded to the warning. This is done by checking whether the vehicle operating information now indicates that the driver is driving the motor vehicle in an acceptable manner. If the check in box 155 indicates that the driver has responded to the warning of box 150 then the method returns to box 120 otherwise it advances to box 160 where the warning is repeated and, in the case of this example, the severity of the warning is increased.

The method then advances from box 160 to box 165 to check whether the driver has responded to the second warning. This is done by checking whether the vehicle operating information now indicates that the driver is driving the motor vehicle in an acceptable manner.

If the check in box 165 indicates that the driver has responded to the warning of box 160 then the method returns to box 120 otherwise it advances to box 170.

In some embodiments the boxes 160 and 165 are omitted and the method will advance directly to box 170 from box 155 if the driver has not responded to the warning.

In box 170 communications to and from the mobile communications device are disabled in some manner until a predefined event occurs. Disabling includes disconnecting the communications link and disrupting the communications link so that effective communications cannot be made and can include sending a message to the other connected party that disconnection is about to occur.

As before, the predefined event can be a Key-off event indicating that the motor vehicle is now stationary and not in active use or can be the halting of the motor vehicle and placing it in a neutral gear with a parking brake engaged indicating that the driver has parked the motor vehicle.

In box 190 it is checked whether the predefined event has occurred and if it has the method returns to box 120 after enabling communications as indicated in box 195. In some embodiments, occurrences of erratic or lazy driving events are recorded for review at a later date by vehicle dealers or the relevant authorities. If when checked in box 190 the predefined event has not occurred the method returns to box 170 and will loop around the boxes 170 and 190 until there is a Key-off event or the predefined event occurs.

It will be appreciated that the method 100 is exemplary in nature and that the invention is not limited to the exact steps, combination of steps or order of steps previously described with respect to Fig.2.

Therefore in summary a combination of communication analysis and vehicle operating information analysis is used to infer whether a driver is probably being distracted by the use within a motor vehicle of a mobile communications device. If the driver does not respond to a warning regarding the probability of distraction, the communications link between a mobile communications device and a remote communications host is disabled until the driver carries out one or more predefined activities indicative of a vehicle state in which communications will not affect the effective operation of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more embodiments it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and that alternative embodiments could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an automotive communications system comprising analysing communications to and from a mobile communications device located in a motor vehicle and analysing vehicle operating information while the mobile communications device is in use wherein, if the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device indicates that distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle is probably occurring and the analysis of the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is one of aggressive, erratic and lazy the method further comprises disabling communications to and from the mobile communications device until a predefined driver initiated event has occurred.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predefined driver initiated event is one of a Key-off event and a stationary vehicle in neutral gear event.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2 wherein a warning is provided to the driver before disabling communications to and from the mobile communications device.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the method further comprises re-enabling communications to and from the mobile communications device when the predefined driver initiated event has occurred.

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if it comprises at least one of expletives, long sentences and long words.

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4

10 wherein the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is lazy if it comprises at least one of slow gear changes, repeated failure to indicate proposed changes of direction and poor quality of clutch control resulting in one of engine speed flare during more than one

15 take-off from rest or more than one engine stall during a take-off from rest.

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB1707362.8

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the volume of the communication is above a predefined volume.

7. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if an analysis of the pattern of communication indicates an aggressive driver mood.

8. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if an analysis of the pattern of communication indicates a non-attentive driver mood.

9. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if the communication is in the form of typed text and the communication is by the driver of the motor vehicle.

10. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is one of aggressive and erratic if it comprises at least one of repeated large rapid changes in accelerator position, repeated large rapid changes in steering wheel position, repeated sudden heavy braking events

11. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is lazy if it comprises at least one of

5 slow gear changes, repeated failure to indicate proposed changes of direction and poor quality of clutch control resulting in one of engine speed flare during more than one take-off from rest or more than one engine stall during a take-off from rest.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

Claims

06 06 18

1. A method of controlling an automotive communications system comprising analysing a pattern of

5 communications to and from a mobile communications device located in a motor vehicle by comparing the pattern of communications to predefined patterns of communication to assess the nature of the communications and analysing vehicle operating information while the mobile

10 communications device is in use, if the assessed nature of the communications to and from the mobile communications device indicates that distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle is probably occurring and the analysis of the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of

15 driving is one of aggressive, erratic and lazy the method further comprises disabling communications to and from the mobile communications device until a predefined driver initiated event has occurred wherein the nature of the communications to and from a mobile communications device

20 will probably cause distraction of a driver of the motor vehicle if when assessed it comprises at least one of expletives, long sentences and long words.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the

25 predefined driver initiated event is one of a Key-off event and a stationary vehicle in neutral gear event.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2 wherein a warning is provided to the driver before disabling

30 communications to and from the mobile communications device.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the method further comprises re-enabling communications to and from the mobile communications device

35 when the predefined driver initiated event has occurred.

06 06 18

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the vehicle operating information indicates that the manner of driving is one of aggressive and erratic if it comprises at least one of repeated large rapid changes in

5 accelerator position, repeated large rapid changes in steering wheel position, repeated sudden heavy braking events