RU2214933C1 - Complex system providing safety of automobile driving, comfort conditions for driver and passengers and protection against unauthorized use - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport engineering; security systems. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to radioelectronic equipment of automobile. Proposed system contains User remote identification unit with automobile-mounted and driver-carried parts. Automobile WEB-server, data format controller-converter connected between WEB-server and INTERNET intercoupled by communication and data transmission network, automobile electronic protection, driving safety and comfort conditions providing devices, all mounted on automobile. Each electronic devices is coupled by multiplexed bus with WEB-server. Operating stations and information center are located outside automobile. Peculiarity of system is that it employs loudspeaker communication set, loudspeaker communication control unit made for radio exchange with mobile telephones by means of built-in wireless communication units, noise reduction and acoustic echo suppression unit, loudspeaker communication extension control and programming unit, storage unit of data concerning automobile User, voice order and service sound signals storage unit and oral message storage unit. EFFECT: provision of effective protection of automobile on the road owing to supplying driver with all necessary information. 1 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to mobile information systems for a vehicle (TS) and is intended to provide a vehicle driver and passengers (hereinafter referred to as TS users) with operational information of a reference nature (about the presence and location of street traffic jams, about the location of nearby stores, about train schedules, etc. .) from external sources (databases).

 In recent years, automotive electronics, especially used in expensive models of foreign cars, have received widespread use of various kinds of computer networks and devices, including those with the ability to connect to external databases and automated information systems.

 So, in the patent US 6148253, G 06 F 7/00, G 06 F 17/00, 11/14/2000, a control system for a vehicle is described, comprising a server serving a driver and a passenger located in the front seat of a car, and a server serving passengers, located on the rear seats of the car, which through modems and wearable phones have access to the public telephone network and the Internet. This allows remote diagnostics and tuning of various functional organs and units of the car using remote computer terminals and information centers. The presence on board the vehicle of a server similar to the Internet server and compatible with standard browser programs for working on the Internet allows TS users to receive information messages from various external sources, for example, from a home computer or from an information center, using standard programs.

 Connection with the device on which the browser program is installed can be provided by connecting to any of the communication networks and transmitting data from a fixed or land mobile radio service, to a satellite communication system and / or to the Internet. With the help of modern Internet technologies, access to external information of a global nature can be provided.

 The mobile communication and control system of the vehicle according to the patent US 5732074, Н 04 М 11/00, 03.24.1998, which contains a number of electronic devices installed on the vehicle, designed to control the vehicle, ensure the safety of its movement, also belongs to the same class of information systems for vehicles and creating comfortable conditions for the user to stay in the vehicle, including providing him with operational information from external information and reference sources. Each of these electronic means is connected to a local area network for communication and data transfer and through a single control bus it is connected to an on-board WEB server, similar to Internet servers and compatible with standard browser programs for viewing information on the Internet, which is connected via a serialization block, a controller and the format converter is connected to a communication and data network of a fixed or land mobile radio service, as well as workstations located outside the vehicle, each of which contains a computer a computer terminal equipped with a global connection modem with a fixed or land mobile radio service communication and data network and a browser program for viewing Internet messages, an information center containing a central server connected via a modem to a fixed or land mobile radio service communication and data network and a server Internet connection, connected via modem to the ISP.

 However, it should be noted that, having wide functional capabilities for remote control of the functional organs and nodes of the vehicle using external computer terminals and information centers, standard communication networks and fixed and mobile radio communications and modern Internet technologies, these systems are practically not able to withstand attempts to unauthorized use of the vehicle (hijacking, hijacking, theft). This is due to the lack of sufficiently effective means of counteracting the unauthorized use of the vehicle, in particular, means of remote identification of the user of the vehicle. Since theft, hijacking and other types of unauthorized use of the vehicle are one of the most common and dangerous crimes, this drawback very significantly limits the scope of practical application of the above information systems for the vehicle.

 This drawback is eliminated in the communication and control system according to patent RU 2186697, 60 R 25/00, 08/10/2002, containing the necessary means to protect the vehicle from unauthorized use. The specified system includes a number of electronic devices installed on the vehicle designed to control the vehicle, ensure the safety of its movement and create comfort for the user of the vehicle, including providing it with operational information from external sources, each of which is connected to the local network of the vehicle and through a single control bus connected to an on-board WEB server, similar to Internet servers and compatible with standard browser programs for viewing information on the Internet. The on-board WEB server is connected through a series-connected matching unit, controller and format converter to a communication and data network of a fixed or land mobile radio service. The system also includes workstations located outside the vehicle, each of which contains a computer terminal equipped with a global connection modem with a fixed or land mobile radio service and data network and a browser program for viewing Internet messages, an information center containing a central server connected through the first modem with a fixed or land mobile radio service network, and the gateway server connected to the central server and through the modem with the by the Internet access center, at least one of the electronic devices connected to the local area network of the TS is capable of blocking one or more functional organs of the TS, for which purpose a serial decoder, a three-input memory element and a relay are connected to the aforementioned electronic device, the output of which is connected with a blocked functional body of the vehicle, a delay element and a motion sensor, the outputs of which are connected respectively to the second and third inputs of the memory element, while the user of the vehicle and C are equipped with respectively a portable remote user identification unit and a portable information reader for identifying a user whose output is connected to the on-board WEB server, and at least one of the workstations has a local connection modem connected to a computer terminal and providing in accordance with by the specified protocol, data exchange with a portable local connection modem installed on the vehicle and connected to the on-board WEB server. The specified system is a prototype of the claimed technical solution.

 The disadvantage of the prototype system is the lack of tools that would allow, without distracting the user from driving the vehicle and without compromising road safety, bring to it the necessary background information obtained from external databases. As you know, currently the main source of external information during the movement of the vehicle is a mobile phone. In recent years, liquid crystal indicators and monitors have also become widespread, allowing you to display the movement of the vehicle against the background of a terrain map and display the necessary service information on the screen. However, the appeal of the vehicle driver to any of the indicated audio and video sources requires him to be distracted from his main duty - to control the vehicle, which significantly increases the risk of an emergency and can lead to a traffic accident (accident).

 The objective of the present invention is to remedy this drawback of the prototype system, that is, to create a set of technical means that would, while preserving all the advantages of the above information systems, guarantee, first of all, effective protection against unauthorized use and enable the user of the vehicle to receive external reference information during movement, without violating traffic safety.

 This problem is solved due to the fact that the onboard equipment of the known system containing a remote user identification unit, consisting of a portable and a portable part connected by a radio channel located on the vehicle and its user, and an on-board WEB server connected to the mobile part installed on the vehicle remote user identification unit, a data format controller-converter connected between the on-board WEB server and the interconnected communication and data network and the Internet, throne devices to ensure vehicle safety, comfortable conditions in the cabin and protection against unauthorized use, each of which is connected via a single multiplex bus with an on-board WEB server, as well as workstations located outside the vehicle connected to a communication and data transmission network, and an information center connected to the same network and with an Internet service provider - a hands-free installation kit connected with a microphone and a loudspeaker, a speakerphone control unit into which a wireless communication unit is built in, capable of radio data exchange with a wireless communication unit embedded in a mobile phone, a noise reduction and acoustic echo cancellation unit, connected between the speakerphone control unit and the speakerphone installation kit, a remote control unit and speakerphone programming connected to the control unit the input of the speakerphone control unit, a user data storage unit included between the speakerphone control unit and the on-board WEB server, as well as the associated the speakerphone control unit, the voice command and service sound signal memory unit and the voice message memory unit, the on-board WEB server is configured to connect to the voice message memory unit and connected to the speakerphone control unit, and the information center is configured to receive, enter and storing arrays of reference information from external sources.

The structural diagram of the inventive system is presented in figure 1, which uses the following notation:
1 - microphone; 2 - speakerphone installation kit; 3 - block noise reduction and suppression of acoustic echo; 4 - speakerphone control unit; 5 - a memory unit for voice commands and auxiliary sound signals; 6, 7 - nodes of wireless communication; 8 - a mobile phone; 9 - communication and data network; 10 - information center; 11 - workstation; 12 - provider Internet center; 13 - controller-converter data format; 14 - on-board WEB server; 15 - loudspeaker; 16 - a block of memory of voice messages; 17 - remote control and programming speakerphone; 18 is an electronic device; 19 - block storage of user data; 20 - block remote user identification; 21 - the movable part of the remote user identification unit; 22 - wearable part of the remote user identification unit.

 The system in question includes a hands-free installation kit 2 connected to a microphone 1 and a loudspeaker 15, as well as a speakerphone control unit 4. Between the speakerphone installation kit 2 and the speakerphone control unit 4, there is a noise reduction and acoustic echo suppression unit 3. This block is designed to create the most favorable conditions for the user to listen to voice messages. As these blocks, the components of the REEF HF-1000 hands-free car kit, commercially available by the applicant, can be used.

 In the speakerphone control unit 4, a wireless communication unit 6, for example, a Bluetooth node, is integrated. Similar Bluetooth nodes 7 are mounted in mobile phones 8. The specified technical solution is described, for example, in patent RU 2184661, 60 R 25/00, 07/10/2002.

 Thanks to the use of wireless technology, the mobile phone 8 does not need to be inserted into the holder. It can be, for example, in a bag or in a pocket of a jacket of a vehicle driver, which provides the most convenient and comfortable conditions for using mobile communications while driving a vehicle.

 The voice command and service sound memory unit 5, the voice message memory unit 16 and the vehicle user data storage unit 19 also interact with the speakerphone control unit 4. The control unit 4 is carried out using connected to it a remote control 17 and hands-free programming.

The above blocks 5, 16 and 19 are also part of the commercially available car speakerphone kit REEF HF-1000. Information on a maximum of three mobile phones 8 can be entered into this kit. In block 5 of the memory of voice commands and service sound signals, 16 ring tones are provided. The maximum range at which radio data exchange between Bluetooth nodes 6 and 7 is possible is 10 m, which is quite enough to place a mobile phone 8 anywhere in the car interior. The REEF HP-1000 Handsfree Car Kit allows you to work with the following 8 handsets that have an integrated Bluetooth host 7:
- Ericsson models R 520m, T39, T68;
- Sony Ericsson T68i;
- Nokia models 8910, 6310, 6310j;
- Philips Fisio 820.

 The speakerphone control unit 4 is connected to the on-board WEB server 14, which plays a key role in the management of all systems and functional organs of the vehicle. On the one hand, as in other security and anti-theft systems that are widely used in practice (patents RU 2160196, 60 R 25/00, 06.21.2000, RU 2159191, 60 R 25/00, 05.16.2000, etc.), it plays the role of a processing unit for processing incoming information and synthesizing control commands for that part of electronic devices 18 that perform anti-theft functions, and on the other hand, provides the ability to flexibly control the settings and settings of the functional organs of the vehicle using Internet technologies, mobile cellular communications technology and wireless data transmission over short distances (Bluetooth technology, IEEE 802.11, etc.). A local connection of the on-board WEB server 14 with electronic devices 18 acting on the functional organs of the vehicle is carried out using a common multiplex bus, for example, a CAN bus, which is widely used in automotive electronics, especially on expensive foreign car models (see, for example, patent DE 19963210, 60 R 16/02, 07/12/2001).

 The on-board WEB server 14 is also connected with the remote user identification unit 20, which, in turn, consists of a transportable 21 and 22 wearable parts connected by a radio channel. The wearable part 22 of the remote user identification unit is a device widely used in electronic vehicle protection systems. This is the so-called electronic "tag". The construction of the mobile part 21 of the remote user identification unit depends on the type of said “tag”.

 So, when executing the wearable part 22 in the form of an active keyfob equipped with a power source, the mobile part 21 of the remote user identification unit includes a request signal generator. The wearable part 22 is provided with means for generating an identification code intended for its transmission over the air to the transportable part 21 of the remote user identification unit.

 When carrying the wearable part 22 in the form of a passive remote control equipped with an antenna for receiving signals of the pumping frequency, as well as an ID code generation unit, the transportable part 21, in addition to the reception circuit of the identification code, includes a pump generator.

 When carrying the wearable part 22 in the form of a passive transponder card with a digital memory in which an identification code is fixed, the transportable part 21 of the remote user identification unit is equipped with a pump signal generator with a circuit in inductive communication with the inductive circuit of the transponder card. In this case, the transponder card creates a variable load for the mobile part, which varies in accordance with the code recorded in the digital memory of the transponder card. The demodulator, which is part of the mobile part 21, captures the change in the load of the generator, and, thus, the code from the digital memory of the portable part 22 of the specified block is fixed in the mobile part 21 of the remote user identification unit.

 The global connection of the on-board WEB server 14 with the data center 10 and the remote workstations 11 is provided through a data format converter 13 by connecting to a standard communication network 9 and transmitting data, for example, a GSM mobile network.

 Each of the workstations 11 is a computer terminal equipped with a modem for accessing the communication and data transmission network 9 and a standard browser program for viewing Internet messages.

 As a computer terminal, you can use: a personal computer or portable computer devices such as LapTop or PDA, on which the standard WWW browser program is installed, as well as other types of personal use electronic equipment. The role of the computer terminal of the remote workstation 11 can be performed, in particular, by special models of cell phones using a WAP browser (currently commercially available from Ericsson, Siemens, and others). The global connection of the on-board WEB server 14 with the data center 10 can be carried out over the Internet. To do this, as a rule, use the Internet service provider 12. The connection can be made through the network 9 communications and data transfer or using both of these networks. For this, the information center 10, along with the central server that stores the necessary information for exchanging data with the on-board WEB server 14, includes an interworking server.

 Using the markup language HTML or WML, the on-board WEB server 14 can provide pages for viewing all the conditions of automotive electronic devices to both the user of the vehicle and its authorized persons, for example, employees of technological service stations or personnel carrying out pre-sale preparation of the vehicle. Using the standard protocol of interaction with the on-board WEB server 14, it is possible to control the modes and settings of both nodes of the anti-theft alarm system of the vehicle and various functional bodies and nodes of the vehicle, which provide the ability to effectively control the vehicle, increase the safety of its movement and create individual conditions for comfortable stay the user in the vehicle interior (adjusting the temperature in the cabin, controlling the sound volume of the audio system, etc.).

 Moreover, if the prototype system does not allow, without violating the requirements for vehicle safety, to fully use external reference information, the system proposed for patenting has practically no specified restrictions.

 The system under consideration works as follows.

 Suppose that when a vehicle moves along a street-road network (UDS), a user who is driving needs to obtain information about street traffic jams along the vehicle’s traffic route, which is available in the database of the information center of the Traffic Police Department of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs in Moscow.

 The system under consideration enables the user to obtain such information without taking his hands off the steering wheel of the vehicle and without distracting the view on the monitor screen.

 It is enough for the user to utter the corresponding voice command, which with the help of microphone 1 is converted into an electric signal and through the speakerphone installation kit 2 and the unit 3 for noise reduction and acoustic echo suppression enter the speakerphone control unit 4. In the handsfree control unit 4, this command is compared with the commands stored in the voice command and service sound signals memory unit 5.

 If there is such a command in block 5 in the speakerphone control unit 4, a response voice signal is generated, taken from the voice message memory unit 16, which is transmitted via the wireless communication unit 6 to the wireless communication unit 7, integrated in the mobile phone 8. As noted above, mobile phone 8 can be located at the same time anywhere in the vehicle compartment, including in the “glove compartment”, in a bag or in the pocket of the vehicle driver’s jacket.

 The wireless communication unit 7 integrated in the mobile telephone 8 receives the indicated message, converts it into a cellular mobile communication format, and transmits it according to the telephone number contained in the response signal via the communication and data network 9, for example, a GSM cellular mobile communication network, to a specified subscriber. This message passes through the cellular mobile network, which is one of the possible options for the implementation of the block 9 of communication and data transfer, and is received by an external subscriber, for example, is transmitted to the operator’s console of the information center 10 or workstation 11. A specific type of communication of the information center 11 and workstations 11 with the communication and data transmission unit 9 is not significant for the present invention. It can be telephone wire communication channels, optical fiber or radio channels (in the drawing, these channels are indicated by two-way arrows).

 As already noted, to obtain information about street traffic jams along the planned traffic route, the user requests a server located in the information center 10 of the Traffic Police Department of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate in Moscow. The answer to this request through the Internet provider center 12 is received via the Internet and then via the communication and data transmission network 9 - to the mobile phone 8 or through the controller-converter 13 - to the on-board WEB server 14.

 After receiving this informational message by the mobile phone 8, it is converted in the built-in wireless communication node 7, for example, the Bluetooth node, into the standard of the used wireless local area network and transmitted via the radio channel formed by the wireless communication nodes 7 and 6, and then it goes to the speakerphone control unit 4 . The speakerphone control unit 4 transmits the specified message through the noise reduction and acoustic echo cancellation unit 3 and the speakerphone installation kit 2 to the loudspeaker 15, which reproduces the indicated signal in the form of an informational audio message. Having up-to-date information about street traffic jams, the user gets the opportunity to change the vehicle route along the CDS in such a way as to avoid congestion.

 The on-board WEB server 14 helps him in this. Having received the message about street traffic jams from the speakerphone control unit 4, the on-board WEB server 14, using the appropriate calculation algorithm, calculates the optimal route along the UDS bypassing the indicated traffic jams. As you know, a similar service is provided in Moscow by the Avtokompas company together with the Office of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Moscow. This route in the form of information about the reference points of the optimal route is transmitted to the speakerphone control unit 4, where the specified information is converted into the corresponding voice commands for the vehicle user using data stored in the voice message memory unit 16, transmitted through the chain "noise reduction unit 3 and acoustic echo cancellation, installation kit 2 speakerphone and 15 "speaker.

 In order to interrupt the communication at the end of the information message, the user presses the control button, which is part of the remote control 17 and hands-free programming. The speakerphone control unit 4 gives a short sound signal informing that the connection is broken. You do not need to press the button of the remote control and programming speakerphone 17 at the end of the call, because as soon as the subscriber “hangs up”, the corresponding command will be transmitted from the wireless communication unit 7 to the wireless communication unit 6, after which the speakerphone control unit 4 will automatically break the connection.

 Entering and exiting the speakerphone programming mode is by turning the ignition on / off and pressing / releasing the button of the remote control 17 and the speakerphone programming. At the same time, the speakerphone control unit 4 accompanies the indicated actions with corresponding sound signals. In more detail, the programming procedure and other operations performed by the units of the car speakerphone kit can be found, for example, in the "User Guide" of the REEF HF-1000 car speakerphone kit, commercially available by the applicant company. Since the details of these operations are not essential for this invention, they are not given in this application.

 The implementation in the claimed system of hands-free functions is organically combined with the implementation of security and anti-theft functions. This happens as follows.

 When any electronic device 18 from the electronic devices that are part of the vehicle anti-theft alarm system (not shown in the drawing) is activated, the corresponding code message is sent to the on-board WEB server 14. After a predetermined time after the WEB anti-theft system has been activated -server 14 instructs in the block 19 for storing data about the user of the vehicle command to read from the memory of this block a pre-recorded phone number of the subscriber, for example, the owner of the vehicle, and transfer this number to block 4 speakerphone control. The speakerphone control unit 4 requests, from the voice message memory unit 16, a warning text recorded in advance in the vehicle owner about the operation of the anti-theft alarm system of his vehicle. The specified voice message is received in the wireless communication unit 6 integrated in the speakerphone control unit 4 and transmitted by radio to the mobile phone 8 located in the vehicle compartment 8. The wireless communication unit 7 integrated in the mobile phone 8 receives the message and converts it into a cellular mobile communication format and transmits this message through a mobile phone 8 over a communication and data network 9 to a mobile phone of an external subscriber, for example, the owner of the vehicle. Having received the message, the owner of the vehicle gets the opportunity to respond to it, for example, without wasting time, head to the parking lot of the vehicle and prevent theft.

 If the owner is far away from the vehicle, then he can use his mobile phone to prevent theft of the vehicle. To do this, he must transmit on board the vehicle a secret code blocking the movement of the vehicle. Having received a message containing the specified secret code over the cellular communication and data network 9, the mobile phone 8 transmits this message to the wireless communication unit 6 integrated in the hands-free control unit 4 through the built-in wireless communication unit 7. Further, this message is sent to the vehicle user data storage unit 19, where the incoming code is compared with the secret codes of the vehicle user stored in block 19. If the accepted code coincides with one of the vehicle’s secret user codes stored in the vehicle block 19, the on-board WEB server 14 issues a command to the vehicle anti-theft system to block the vehicle’s movement, which can be carried out in various ways (by cutting off the fuel supply by the gas pump, blocking the ignition, etc. )

 To prevent the unauthorized use of the vehicle in the parking lot, the system uses the vehicle user’s remote identification unit 20, consisting of the transportable part 21 of the vehicle’s user identification and the vehicle user’s wearable part 22 of the vehicle’s remote identification.

 The operation of the vehicle user’s remote identification unit 20 is carried out in the same manner as in any anti-theft alarm system commercially available by the applicant company (see "Automotive Security Systems", Catalog 2002, "Altonika") and does not need separate explanations.

 A similar procedure can be used for remote control of various service functions on board the vehicle. For example, if a vehicle user accidentally forgot a key inside the cabin and closes the vehicle doors, then he can use his mobile phone to remotely open the vehicle doors. To do this, he must contact the vehicle on board with a mobile phone and transmit the corresponding voice command to mobile phone 8. The voice command is compared with the voice command stored in the memory unit 5 of the voice commands and service sound signals. If the transmitted command is not recognized, then the speakerphone control unit 4, through the integrated wireless communication unit 6, transmits a command to terminate the telephone communication with the external subscriber. If the voice commands match, then the user of the vehicle enters a predefined voice message with a voice, i.e. A typical phrase describing a predefined function.

 So, when entering a voice message corresponding, for example, to the “open doors” function code, and matching it with the corresponding voice command stored in the voice command and service sound memory block 5, the speakerphone control unit 4 through the user data storage unit 19 The vehicle transmits a door opening command to the on-board WEB server 14, which is implemented using one of the electronic devices 18.

 Thus, while maintaining all the advantages of the prototype system and analog systems (see above), the proposed technical solution eliminates the main disadvantage of the prototype system associated with the need to distract the vehicle driver from its main function - vehicle control - in cases where from the outside reference information comes to him. The ability to quickly obtain and use reference information while driving a vehicle on CDS without compromising traffic safety presents the user with many additional benefits, especially in urban settings, improves the environmental situation and helps ensure road safety in the city.

Claims (1)

 A system for comprehensively protecting a vehicle from unauthorized use, its traffic safety and comfortable conditions in the cabin, containing a remote user identification unit consisting of transportable and wearable parts connected by a radio channel located on the vehicle and on its user, installed on the vehicle WEB server associated with the mobile part of the remote user identification unit, format converter controller data included between the on-board WEB server and the interconnected communication and data network and the Internet, electronic devices to protect the vehicle from unauthorized use, its safety and comfortable living conditions, each of which is connected via a single multiplex bus to the on-board WEB server, as well as workstations located outside the vehicle, connected to the communication and data transmission network, and an information center connected to the same network and with Internet center, characterized in that it includes a hands-free installation kit associated with a microphone and a speaker, a speakerphone control unit, in which a wireless communication unit is built in, capable of radio data exchange with wireless communication units embedded in mobile phones, a unit for noise reduction and acoustic echo suppression, connected between the speakerphone control unit and the speakerphone installation kit, the remote control and speakerphone programming, connected to the control input of the speakerphone control unit, a vehicle user data storage unit connected between the corresponding signal input of the speakerphone control unit and the on-board WEB server, as well as the voice command and service sound signal memory unit and the unit connected to the speakerphone control unit the voice message memory, while the on-board WEB server is configured to connect to the voice message memory unit and is connected to the speakerphone control unit, and the information center full with the ability to receive, enter and store arrays of reference information from external sources.