GB2582005A

GB2582005A - Detection and signalling system and method for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2582005A
Application number: GB1903113.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harer Felicity; Peter Kelly Lewis; Mani Mohammad; Mitutani Tom
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-08
Filing date: 2019-03-08
Publication date: 2020-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-08
Also published as: GB201903113D0; GB2582005B

Abstract

A system 101 for a vehicle 100 for responding to a body 110 being detected proximal to the vehicle, comprises signalling means 102, 108 for providing a signal, the signalling means having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource (e.g. stored electrical energy, computational processing capacity, or data storage capacity). The system also comprises detection means 104 for detecting a body proximal to the vehicle, the detection means having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means. The system is operable in: a first mode in which the detection means is active; and a second mode in which the signalling means is activated in dependence on the detection means detecting a body proximal to the vehicle. The signalling means may comprise telecommunications device for transmitting data to a remote device, e.g. for sending live video to a driver’s mobile device. Also provided is a corresponding controller for a vehicle and a method.

Description

DETECTION AND SIGNALLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a detection and signalling system and method for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a system for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, a controller for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, a vehicle comprising the system or the controller, and a method of providing for a vehicle a signal in response to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Various monitoring and response systems and methods for vehicles are known. For such vehicles (for example, waterborne vehicles such as yachts, aircraft, or land vehicles such as automobiles) a typical system may include a system for detecting a break-in (or attempted break-in) to the vehicle, and an alarm sounder triggered when a break-in is detected.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a system for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, a controller for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, a vehicle comprising the system or the controller, and a method of providing for a vehicle a signal in response to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, the system comprising: signalling means for providing a signal, the signalling means having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource; and detection means for detecting a body proximal to the vehicle, the detection means having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means, wherein the system is operable in: a first mode in which the detection means is active; and a second mode in which the signalling means is activated in dependence on the detection means detecting a body proximal to the vehicle.

This system allows a low resource consumption detection means to be used for the detection phase, and activation of the high resource consumption signal only when a body adjacent to the vehicle has been detected. This is particularly advantageous where a system resource, facility, asset or reserve is finite or limited, or requires optimisation or to be conserved, and in particular where the system would be unable to function properly without that resource. This means that a more complex and sophisticated, and usually inevitably high resource consumption, response can be provided, even in vehicles where resources are usually limited.

The relatively high resource consumption of the signalling means may be such that the response cannot be activated more than a given number of times or for longer than a given period before exhausting the resource. It may be that the high consumption rate is a given significant proportion of the finite resource.

The signal provided by the signalling means on detection of the proximal body may be a signal prompting a response to the detection. For example, the response may be to generate an alert, a deterrent action, a monitoring response or the like. The response may be to provide a surveillance, monitoring, or awareness action in response to the detection of the body. The body proximal to the vehicle may be adjacent, in range, in the vicinity of the vehicle, encroaching on, approaching, or touching the vehicle. The body may be an object or a person. The detection of the body may trigger, activate, or make operational the second mode. The resource consumption characteristic may be an attribute or property of the resource consumption, relative to the finite system resource.

The system resource may be a facility, asset, reserve being finite, though available for consumption. The resource may be one that is to be optimised, or needs to be conserved, or may be such that the system may not be able to function if the resource is exhausted.

In an embodiment, the resource consumption characteristic of the signalling means is prohibitively high in relation to the finite system resource for activation of the signalling means in the first mode, and wherein the resource consumption characteristic of the detection means is sufficiently low in relation to the finite system resource for activation in the first mode.

The activation of the signalling means continuously, or during the first mode, could otherwise drain the system resource before any advantage would be gained by its use. Thus, the signalling means is only activated on detection of the proximal body.

Suitably, the signalling means is operable as a detection component, the detection component having a resource consumption characteristic prohibitively high for use in the first mode.

The resource consumption characteristic of the detection component may be sufficiently high in relation to the finite system resource so as to be impractical to be always on, or in use continuously.

Optionally, the signalling means and the detection means are provided by a detection and signalling device, the device being operable in: a second device condition, operating at a high resource consumption load in relation to the finite system resource, for providing a signal; and a first device condition operating at a lower resource consumption load than that of the second device mode, for detecting the proximal body.

Thus, the detection and signalling device can provide both the detection and signalling or response functions for the system, by using two different modes or conditions of the device which have differing resource consumption.

Suitably, the signalling means comprises a means for monitoring a region external to the vehicle. The means for monitoring may also monitor the adjacent body. In embodiments, the detection means or component can be used as the monitor.

In some circumstances, an alarm may be an insufficient response to a proximal person or object. The use of monitoring provides an alternative or additional response, which also can be used as a covert response (of which the person or object may not be aware). In some circumstances, monitoring the environment of the vehicle, or of the proximal body may be the most appropriate response to the detection; there may be no need to sound an alarm or provide a deterrent if the aim is merely to monitor nearby activity. In addition, there may be false positive alerts; for example, small animals may be detected, but not need to be deterred. In addition, the means for monitoring may be provided for the region, but not by a means located in or on the vehicle itself; the monitor may be detachable from the vehicle, or may be located for example in a regular parking spot for the vehicle.

Suitably, the signalling means comprises an imaging device. In embodiments, the imaging device may be a parking or reversing imaging device of the vehicle.

In embodiments, one or more of: the signalling means; and the detection means, are configured to, in the second mode, determine that the detected body is no longer proximal to the vehicle. This step of course may require that a detection of the body has been previously made. Alternatively, the detection means may determine that the body is no longer a threat. Optionally, the system is configured to enter the first mode in dependence on the detected body no longer being proximal to the vehicle.

Suitably, the signalling means comprises a telecommunications device operable to transmit data to a remote device. This may be a user device, or a partner or linked device.

In an embodiment, the finite system resource comprises: stored electrical energy for the system; computational processing capacity for the system; or data storage capacity for the system.

Optionally, the detection means comprises a sensor for sensing exterior to the vehicle.

This may for example be an ultrasound sensor. Suitably, the sensor comprises a parking sensor of the vehicle.

Optionally, the detection means may comprise an alarm system of the vehicle.

In embodiments, the detection means comprises at least one processor, configured to process input signals from the sensor to determine the presence of the body proximal to the vehicle. This means that, for example, (standard) parking sensors already fitted to a vehicle can be used as the detection means, with the normal signals from the sensors simply being processed to determine whether a proximal body has been detected.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a controller for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, the controller operable to: receive response signals from a signalling means, the signalling means having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource; and receive body detection signals from a detection means, the detection means configured to detect a body proximal to the vehicle, the detection means having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct activation of the detection means; and on receipt of a body detection signal from the detection means, instruct activation of the signalling means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system according to any of the above described embodiments, comprising a controller according to the aspect above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising: a system or a controller according to any of the above described embodiments.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a signal in response to a body being detected proximal to a vehicle, the method comprising: operating a detection means having a first system resource load characteristic; detecting a body proximal to the vehicle; and in dependence on the detection of a body proximal to the vehicle activating a signalling means, at a higher system resource load characteristic than that of the detection means to provide a signal.

Optionally, the method employs a system comprising: at least one finite system resource; detection means having the first system resource load characteristic; and signalling means having the higher system resource load characteristic.

Suitably, the method comprises operating the signalling means as a detection component, the detection component having the higher system resource load characteristic. Optionally, the method comprises: operating a detection and signalling device as the signalling means and the detection means; and operating the device in: a second device condition, having the higher system resource load characteristic, for providing the signal; and a first device condition, having the first system resource load characteristic, for detecting the proximal body.

Suitably, the method comprises operating the signalling means to monitor a region external to the vehicle.

In embodiments, the method comprises operating one or more of: the signalling means; and the detection means to determine that the detected body is no longer proximal to the vehicle.

Suitably, the method comprises operating for the detection means a sensor for sensing exterior to the vehicle. Optionally, the method comprises, by a processor, processing input signals from the sensor to determine the presence of the body proximal to the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for a vehicle for providing a response to a body adjacent to the vehicle, the system comprising: detection means for detecting a body adjacent to the vehicle, which detection means having a given resource consumption characteristic; and signalling means for, following a detection of a body adjacent to the vehicle, providing a response, which means for providing have a resource consumption characteristic higher than that of the detection means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, the system comprising: a signalling device having a processor for generating a signal, and an output for providing an output signal, the signalling device having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource; an electronic memory device electrically connected to processors of the system, and having instructions stored therein; and a detector configured to detect a body proximal to the vehicle, by receiving a detector input and by a detection processor determining detection of the proximal body, the detector having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means, wherein the system comprises a control processor operable to execute instructions to provide: a first mode in which the detector is activated by the control processor; and a second mode in which the signalling means is activated by the control processor in dependence on the detector detecting a body proximal to the vehicle.

Further aspects of the invention comprise computer programs or computer program applications which, when loaded into or run on a computer or processor, cause the computer or processor to become a system, or to carry out a method, according to the aspects described above. Further aspects of the invention comprise non-transitory computer readable medium comprising such a computer program or computer program application.

Processors or controllers described herein may suitably comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. Thus there may be a single processor or controller or alternatively different functions of the processor or controller may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers. As used herein the term "controller" or "processor" will be understood to include both a single control unit or processor and a plurality of control units or processors collectively operating to provide any stated functionality.

To configure a processor or controller, a suitable set of instructions may be provided which, when executed, cause said control unit or computational device to implement the techniques specified herein. The set of instructions may suitably be embedded in said one or more electronic processors. Alternatively, the set of instructions may be provided as software to be executed on said computational device.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle comprising a system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a method according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating components of a computer management system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing a high resource load response for a vehicle which is triggered on detection of a nearby object or person by a low resource load detection means. This means that vehicle resources are only used for the response when necessary, when a detection means has determined that a person or object is nearby. This conserves the vehicle resources, so that the response can be sophisticated, complex and optionally multi-tasking with a high resource consumption load, but nevertheless be used with the vehicle's limited resources.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 100 comprising a response system 101 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 100 may be any kind of vehicle, and in particular embodiments is a land vehicle, such as an automobile. The vehicle 100 is equipped with a signalling means 102, 108, 112, and detection means 104, for detecting an adjacent or nearby person 110. Additionally or alternatively, the system may be configured to detect other nearby bodies or objects.

As is typical of vehicles, the use of various vehicle systems and devices is limited by resources available in the vehicle. For example, many systems operate using electrical energy provided from an energy storage means of the vehicle 100, such as a battery 114. The battery 114 may only have a limited amount of stored electrical energy available at any given time, particularly where the battery 114 is not being charged via an alternative energy source, such as an alternator of the vehicle 100 or, for example, by wired or wireless charging from an external energy source.

Other system and vehicle resources are also limited. For example, a computer management system 108 for the vehicle 100, such as an electronic control unit (ECU) or a telematics control unit (TCU) has a limited amount of computing and processing power, and therefore any response device associated with the ECU or TCU will be limited in its processing capabilities. Any memory or electronic storage will also be limited; for example any response involving recording audio or images, available storage memory will be a finite resource. If a response device uses any electro-mechanical means, the device may be limited by how long the device can be operated before overheating or otherwise malfunctioning.

In embodiments of the invention, resources are conserved by only providing a high resource load response when the detection means 104 identifies a nearby object or person. Referring additionally to Figure 2, a diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention, the detection means 104 can be operated 200 without the signalling means being active. This incurs the minimum system resource load, and is therefore appropriate for periods when the vehicle is inactive, or at other times when resources are limited or to be conserved. For example, as is common in for certain vehicles, various systems may be activated when the vehicle is unoccupied and/or left unattended.

The detection means may use any of the means available to the vehicle for detecting approaching objects which have low resource load. These may include systems or devices added to a vehicle for use in the system, but advantageously can include systems or devices already available in a previously considered vehicle. This means that new components need not be added, and existing components can be tasked with these features.

In the vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1, detection means 104 comprises one or more sensors 104 which are used for other features available to the vehicle 100 and which are re-purposed for use in the system 101. For example, ultrasound sensors, such as parking distance control sensors, can additionally be used to detect approaching objects while the car is stationary (rather than while moving, during normal use), and use comparatively little electrical energy than other available sensing means, such as cameras and the like. A further sensor 104 mounted in or to a wing mirror 106 which is usually used to detect a ground level obstacle or quality, can be used to detect a ground level object. The detection means 104 may alternatively comprise radar sensors and/or adaptive cruise control (ACC) sensors. Some radar systems are, in normal use, too high-powered to be approved for use when the car is stationary. However, such systems can be adapted to use a high-power mode during travel, and a low-power mode when stationary, for use in the system 101, as required.

Other examples of low resource load sensors and devices which can be used in the system are: LIDAR, as used for example on autonomous vehicles for way-finding; microwave sensors; wireless and short-range radio frequency communications protocols, which can be used to detect approaching RF devices, whether carried by an object/vehicle or a person; infra-red sensors (which may be high in electrical energy load, but low in other resources, such as computational load required); or sensors detecting trace elements of chemicals in the air around a vehicle.

A sensor for detecting contact with one or more surfaces of the vehicle may also be used, thus being operable to detect an object or person not merely in range of the vehicle, but in contact with it. For example, a capacitive or other known touch-sensitive surface may be used, though the electrical energy resource load may be prohibitive in some circumstances. Alternatively, surface wave technology may be used; surface wave technology enables communication between devices over a surface, and therefore can detect interruption of that communication over the surface if an obstacle (such as a person or body in contact with a vehicle) intervenes. Surface waves may be provided on a vehicle surface by surface wave launchers sited at boundaries of that surface, using the surface as the guiding medium.

As shown in Figure 2, when the system is running at the low system resource load, a determination 202 is made periodically whether a body (object, person) has been detected. The determination 202 can be made by a processor, for example by the computer management unit 108, on the basis of signals received from one or more of the sensors and devices described above.

In an embodiment, sensors 104 are used; signals from the sensors 104 are received by the computer management unit 108, and instead of being used to determine a distance from the object towards which the vehicle 100 is moving, the sensors 104 are used to determine whether a body is present in the vicinity of the vehicle 100. The sensors 104 are operable to emit acoustic signals which are reflected by a body in the vicinity of the vehicle (as in the normal function of ultrasonic sensors, as will be understood in the art). If the acoustic signals are received back at the sensors 104, the computer management unit 108 may determine a possible presence of a body in the vicinity of the vehicle 100.

For example, the computer management unit 108 may confirm the presence of a body if a signal indicative of a presence of a body within the vicinity of the vehicle 100 is maintained for three seconds or more, although other time periods are envisaged as will be apparent.

In embodiments, a determination may also be made of the distance of a body from the vehicle 100. Additionally or alternatively, a determination of a speed at which a body is moving relative to the vehicle 100 may be made. The speed at which the response is provided by the signalling means may be dependent on the speed at which the body is moving relative to the vehicle 100. For example, a body determined to be moving quickly (i.e. above a predefined speed threshold) towards the vehicle 100 can trigger a faster response when compared with a body determined to be moving below said speed threshold. If the body is not moving within expected tolerances, it may be noted as a false positive. In an embodiment, if the body is within one metre of the sensor for the three second period, it is noted that a body has been detected 202 adjacent to the vehicle 100.

It may be noted that additional sensors may be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle 100, so that other approaches to the vehicle 100 in different areas or ranges may be determined. For example, sensors may be positioned to detect objects approaching from above the vehicle 100 or below the undercarriage of the vehicle 100.

The detection means 104 may be configured to determine the size of the body. The detection means 104 may be configured to reject as a detection any bodies found below a certain size.

If no detection has been determined, the detection means 104 continues to operate at the low power resource load 200. However, if a detection has been noted, the signalling means is activated 204, thus now operating at a higher resource load.

The signalling means 102, 108, 112 may comprise one or more subsystems of the vehicle 100. For example, the signalling means 102, 108, 112 may comprise a monitoring system operable to track and/or record the body (person or object) detected near to or touching the vehicle 100. Advantageously, in such embodiments a person detected may not be aware that the monitoring system has been alerted to their presence. The monitoring system can then be used to decide whether to deter the detected body/person, or merely to monitor/record them without their being aware. In another example, the monitoring system may output a response to a central hub, or to a user device 120, so that the response can be evaluated. For example, if a user receives images of a person they recognise, they can instruct any further actions to be cancelled.

The signalling means 102, 108, 112 may comprise an alarm or other deterrent system. For example, an alert may be sent from the vehicle 100, for example via a telecommunications transceiver 112, to a central or remote management hub, or to a user device 120 comprising a telecommunications receiver, such as a smartphone or other user device. The user device 120 or management hub may then be able to provide further instructions for actions to be taken by the vehicle 100. For example, a user may be able to return instructions via the user device 120 to prevent any further actions being taken by the vehicle 100, for instance if they are expecting someone to be near the vehicle 100 at that time (such as a booked car cleaning service).

In an embodiment, the signalling means 102, 108, 112 comprises an imaging device 102 operable to record images of a detected body. Such imaging devices 102 typically use a large amount of electrical energy, in use, and therefore must be restricted to use only when necessary.

In embodiments, the imaging device 102 is operable to capture images which can then be stored locally on the vehicle in a memory of the imaging device, and/or transmitted via the telecommunications transceiver 112, for example to a user device 120 or to a remote storage facility. These images can similarly be used to determine whether a further response is required, such as a further on-board response, or whether an off-board response should be activated, such as requesting the user or a third party to attend the vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, the imaging device 102 may be situated outside the vehicle, for example in a designated area of a parking environment. In such embodiments, the response system is operable to trigger a response by transmitting a notification (via the telecommunications transceiver 112) to the external imaging device to instruct it to begin recording.

In a particular embodiment, the imaging device 102 may comprise parking/reversing cameras already present on previously considered vehicles. This again has the advantage of making use of components already present.

In embodiments, the detection and signalling means may comprise one or more common components. Certain such components may have high resource consumption whilst operating in a first mode (e.g. response mode), but may be able to be used in a lower resource consumption mode (e.g. a detection mode). For example, an imaging device 102 may be used in a low resource consumption mode, such as taking a still image every ten seconds. The computer management system 108 can process these images to determine whether an unexpected body then appears in the series of images (for example, by known simple methods of iterative image comparison). If the detection is made, this triggers a response, which in this case is to switch the imaging device to a high resource consumption mode in which images are captured at the normal video imaging frame rate.

Following the steps illustrated in Figure 2, once a response has been activated, the detection means 104 can also be used to de-activate the response. In embodiments, the detection means 104 will remain active during the response mode. For example, if the detection means 104 during the response mode finds 202 that the body is no longer adjacent to the vehicle, this can be used to instruct the response to cease; the signalling means (such as the imaging device 102 may be instructed to stop recording and power down, or a periodic alert transmission may be stopped.

Systems according to embodiments of the invention described herein can thus have further advantages over previously considered systems. For example, in contrast to a simple alarm system, the response will be triggered when the body is in the vicinity of the vehicle 100, for instance in range of the detection means 104, rather than merely when an attempted break-in is detected or determined to be taking place. Advantageously, this provides a system capable of monitoring or responding to bodies/people/objects within the vicinity of the vehicle 100 where no attempted break-in is detected or determined.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Initially the vehicle (here a car) is parked 302 in a non-secure location. In some circumstances, the user may decide not to turn the feature on 304. In this case, the car is locked and the user walks away with the key 306. Later, the user returns to the car 308, unlocks it and drives away 310.

In other circumstances, the user will choose to enable 322 the detection and response feature. The car is locked, and the user walks away with the key. The low resource detection means is then activated, in order to enable the detection mode; here low energy sensors are switched on 324. Later, the detection means detects that a person or object is close to the car for more than three seconds 326 or that a person/object has touched the car 328. This triggers the response means; in this embodiment, a camera 102, which begins filming 330. In embodiments, the user is also notified that the camera has been activated, for example, via a user device 120. In some circumstances, the user may choose not to respond to the alert 332. However, in other circumstances, the user may respond by choosing to view 334 the images being captured by the camera 102, which may be transmitted to the user via antenna 112 to the user device 120. In this way, the camera feed may be streamed to the user 336. The user may then choose not to return to the vehicle 338. The camera feed can in this (and other) circumstance(s) be transmitted to and saved 340 at a remote location, to prevent or mitigate any tampering with the camera 120 and/or the feed or stored images. In some circumstances, the user may choose to return to the car 342. In such instances the detection means may be switched off when the key is detected to be present within, adjacent to or within a predefined distance of the vehicle 100. Additionally or alternatively, the user may be able to switch off the detection means using via a user interface 344.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the components, structure and functionality of a computer system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention, such as an ECU or TCU, which can provide the features of the computer management system 108 illustrated in Figure 1.

The system 400 comprises a processing environment 420 with processor 421 and memory 422, with associated communications functionality 423. The communications functionality may include a networking capability allowing communication with a network, such as the vehicle bus, or directly with another device, such as the detection means 104, imaging device 102, and telecommunications device 112 as shown in Figure 1. The memory 422 may store readable instructions to instruct the processor to perform the functions of the system. The processor 421 is a representation of processing capability and may in practice be provided by several processors. A database 410 is provided, storing data as applicable. This database can provide the storage for previous response activations, such as data recorded during the responses. For example, these can be data identifying previous detections of bodies adjacent, how long they were adjacent for, what response was prompted, and any data from the response itself, such as video or audio recordings.

Elements shown within the processing environment 420 use the processor 421 and the memory 422 to deliver functionality; for example, these elements can provide steps of embodiments of the invention such as detecting a body adjacent to the vehicle, using input from the detection means, and following detection of the adjacent body, activating the signalling means to provide a signal or response.

A database management system 430 is located within the processing environment 420, to provide the management functions for the database. The database management system may also comprise functions of other parts of the system 400, such as the processor 421, the memory 422 and the database 410 itself.

The computing devices noted above with reference to Figure 4 may include one or more of logic arrays, memories, analogue circuits, digital circuits, software, firmware and processors. The hardware and firmware components of the computing devices may include various specialized units, circuits, software and interfaces for providing the functionality and features described herein. The processor(s) may be or include one or more microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs). The memory 422 may be or include RAM, ROM, DRAM, SRAM and MRAM, and may include firmware, such as static data or fixed instructions, BIOS, system functions, configuration data, and other routines used during the operation of the computing device and/or processor.

Many modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, the system comprising: signalling means for providing a signal, the signalling means having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource; and detection means for detecting a body proximal to the vehicle, the detection means having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means, wherein the system is operable in: a first mode in which the detection means is active; and a second mode in which the signalling means is activated in dependence on the detection means detecting a body proximal to the vehicle.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the resource consumption characteristic of the signalling means is prohibitively high in relation to the finite system resource for activation of the signalling means in the first mode, and wherein the resource consumption characteristic of the detection means is sufficiently low in relation to the finite system resource for activation in the first mode.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, the signalling means being operable as a detection component, the detection component having a resource consumption characteristic prohibitively high for use in the first mode.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the signalling means and the detection means are provided by a detection and signalling device, the device being operable in: a second device condition, operating at a high resource consumption load in relation to the finite system resource, for providing a signal; and a first device condition operating at a lower resource consumption load than that of the second device mode, for detecting the proximal body.
5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the signalling means comprises a means for monitoring a region external to the vehicle.
6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the signalling means comprises an imaging device.
7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of: the signalling means; and the detection means, are configured to, in the second mode, determine that the detected body is no longer proximal to the vehicle.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the system is configured to enter the first mode in dependence on the detected body no longer being proximal to the vehicle.
9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the signalling means comprises a telecommunications device operable to transmit data to a remote device.
10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the finite system resource comprises: stored electrical energy for the system; computational processing capacity for the system; or data storage capacity for the system.
11. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection means comprises a sensor for sensing exterior to the vehicle.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises a parking sensor of the vehicle.
13. A system according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the detection means comprises at least one processor, configured to process input signals from the sensor to determine the presence of the body proximal to the vehicle.
14. A controller for a vehicle for responding to a body being detected proximal to the vehicle, the controller operable to: receive response signals from a signalling means, the signalling means having a high resource consumption characteristic in relation to a finite system resource; and receive body detection signals from a detection means, the detection means configured to detect a body proximal to the vehicle, the detection means having a lower resource consumption characteristic than that of the signalling means, wherein the controller is configured to: instruct activation of the detection means; and on receipt of a body detection signal from the detection means, instruct activation of the signalling means.
15. A system according to any of the claims 1 to 13, comprising a controller according to claim 14.
16. A vehicle comprising: a system according to any of the claims 1 to 13 and 15; or a controller according to claim 14.
17. A method of providing a signal in response to a body being detected proximal to a vehicle, the method comprising: operating a detection means having a first system resource load characteristic; detecting a body proximal to the vehicle; and in dependence on the detection of a body proximal to the vehicle activating a signalling means, at a higher system resource load characteristic than that of the detection means to provide a signal.
18. A method according to claim 17, the method employing a system comprising: at least one finite system resource; detection means having the first system resource load characteristic; and signalling means having the higher system resource load characteristic.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, comprising operating the signalling means as a detection component, the detection component having the higher system resource load characteristic.
20. A method according to claim 19, comprising: operating a detection and signalling device as the signalling means and the detection means; and operating the detection and signalling device in: a second device condition, having the higher system resource load characteristic, for providing the signal; and a first device condition, having the first system resource load characteristic, for detecting the proximal body.
21. A method according to any of the claims 17 to 20, comprising operating the signalling means to monitor a region external to the vehicle.
22. A method according to any of the claims 17 to 21, comprising operating one or more of: the signalling means; and the detection means to determine that the detected body is no longer proximal to the vehicle.
23. A method according to any of the claims 17 to 22, comprising operating for the detection means a sensor for sensing exterior to the vehicle.
24. A method according to claim 23, comprising, by a processor, processing input signals from the sensor to determine the presence of the body proximal to the vehicle.
25. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program or computer program application which, when loaded into or run on a computer or processor, causes the computer or processor to carry out a method according to any of the claims 17 to 24.