WO2017069714A1

WO2017069714A1 - An apparatus providing communication between vehicles in the traffic

Info

Publication number: WO2017069714A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050386
Authority: WO
Inventors: Muhammet Talha CANGUL; Enes CELT
Original assignee: Cangul Muhammet Talha; Celt Enes
Priority date: 2015-10-21
Filing date: 2016-10-18
Publication date: 2017-04-27

Abstract

The invention is related to an electronic apparatus (10) providing immediate communication among vehicles to minimize accidents and losses occurring in the traffic and to provide a secure journey.

Description

An apparatus providing communication between vehicles in the traffic Technical Field

The invention is related to a system providing immediate communication between vehicles to minimize accident rates and losses occurring in the traffic and to provide safe journey.

State of the Art

In present application, there is not an immediate communication and warning system between vehicles such as ambulance, police, and fire vehicles and other vehicles in the traffic in cases of importance such as an accident or an incident in the traffic.

At times, drivers confront numerous hazards while driving and they need to inform vehicles ahead or behind about this. In present application, there is not a system to meet the said need.

At points (such as hairpin turn, behind a hill) and under conditions (such as fog, rain, snow) where the sight distance in the traffic is limited, chain accidents and mortalities may be caused due to not noticing the situation of the vehicle ahead. In present application, there is not a system to prevent the said situation.

In another present application, a navigation device or a navigation software on mobile devices, in general, are utilized to calculate the most convenient route to travel from a point to another and to lead the journey on a planned route. Finally, due to the aforementioned disadvantages and the insufficiency of present solutions about the issue, there is need for improvement in the related field.

Object of the Invention The object of the invention is to minimize accident rates and losses occurring in the traffic and to provide a safe journey by providing a platform for data exchange between mobile and navigation systems. The most important feature of the invention is that it is a cost efficient system which may selectively be mounted as a prototype on vehicles or activated on smart phones by a mobile application. With the invention, mobile devices and navigation devices are enabled to exchange data with each other. Users, with this system, both meet their need for navigation and maintain their safety of life with an immediate communication system in the traffic.

This system is a user-friendly system working with GPS (Global Positioning System), which may be used by all drivers conveniently, applicable not only on personal vehicles but also on police, ambulance, fire, military vehicles, etc. Thus, it is intended to avoid mortalities and to provide safer travel opportunities in the traffic.

Another object of the invention is to provide immediate communication between vehicles such as ambulance, fire, police vehicles and the other vehicles causing the accident or the incident in the traffic, in cases of importance due to an accident or an incident in the traffic. Additionally, it is intended to quicken the process of giving way to said vehicles with the right of way such as ambulance, police, and fire vehicles. That is, the location of an ambulance is displayed on the map and vehicles on the route are informed from, for instance, 700 meters behind or ahead, and give a clear passage. In case of failure in giving way to the ambulance, it is possible for ambulances with recorders turned on to identify the car plate number and to provide fine.

In a specialized embodiment of the invention for police vehicles, the police may be allowed to activate the system in case of any road controls, give a warning to the cars in a range of, for instance, 1400 meters and vehicles be informed of the traffic controls. By specifying the location of the police on GPS, other drivers are allowed to be informed of the place where there is a traffic control. This may be expanded widely in the future, and the police may be allowed to find at will any vehicles involved in any incidents. During control, the system may be allowed to send signals constantly by its on/off switching feature. The aim of this is to increase the life safety of the police and to facilitate their work during controls. Today, accidents occur during traffic controls and it is desirable to prevent this.

Another object of the invention is to prevent chain accidents on crooked roads, during night drive, in foggy, rainy, and snowy weather, at times when sight is limited while driving, during accidents, sudden brakes or drifts by providing communication between vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide safe journey for both approaching and following vehicles by giving a warning (by pressing the warning button) to other vehicles in case of en-route situations that may be risky because of natural causes such as rough road, puddle formations on roads, and icy roads.

Another object of the invention is to give a warning by means of an on/off switch on irrigation vehicles and heavy machinery to other vehicles en-route during the operation of the said roadwork, irrigation vehicles and heavy machinery when there is road work. Thus, any accidents are avoided as other vehicles are more cautious while driving through the said route. This application is in the form of an on/off switch. During operation, this switch is turned on and a constant warning is given to the vehicles en- route in order to prevent accidents. Thereby, all vehicles driving through that route drive more carefully and cautiously as they receive that warning instantly. These warnings are in the form of audio and visible light. Also, it is displayed on the navigation display screen as a location. Another object of the invention is to detect and display the location of the warning received by a mobile or navigation apparatus while the vehicle is en-route. In case of any accidents, the G force sensor on the navigation apparatus or mobile application in the vehicle involved in the accident, being activated and receiving the accident location, sends location information of the involved vehicle audibly and visibly to all the vehicles present in that area by means of GPRS-GSM (General Packet Radio Service), via the internet through a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) module. Drivers receiving these warnings drive more cautiously and carefully.

Another object of the invention is to make drivers more cautious by giving the opportunity to view the location of vehicles in a particular range of a vehicle en-route by means of GPS area measurement. Thereby, for instance, vehicles are given a safe drive by displaying location of vehicles where drivers are unable to see ahead (such as after a turning, a hill). Application in the form of a navigation apparatus on vehicles such as ambulance, police, fire, roadwork, commercial vehicles and cranes, application in the form of a navigation apparatus or this Android application with navigation features may selectively be utilized on personal vehicles. The invention is a system providing immediate communication between vehicles in the traffic. This communication is performed most optimally and most cost-efficiently. Today, almost everybody has a smart phone. By means of present hardware on these smart phones, they are allowed to communicate with smart phones immediately by adding certain hardware and software features to present navigation systems. Also, the invention allows present navigation devices to be used on this system. That is, present products of navigation companies may be integrated with a kit hosting the said features to provide communication with smart phones.

Being inspired by the present conditions, the invention aims at eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages.

An electronic device having a GPS module allowing detection of location information and allowing instant communication between vehicles in the traffic to perform the abovementioned objects, characterized in that; the said electronic device consists:

- an acceleration/G force meter mounted on the said electronic device that measures and transmits to the processor module, the force/acceleration during accidents and/or sudden brakes and/or crashes and/or drifts for the purposes of warning, alerting and/or communication,

- a GPRS module, mounted on the said electronic device, mediating data exchange between vehicles with the electronic device and transmission of location information, connected to GSM infrastructure and providing data exchange via the internet,

- a SIM card, mounted on the said electronic device, providing service connected to GSM infrastructure, - a processor module, inter-controlling and -handling the said elements, transmitting location information received from the GPS module to the GPRS module, wherein a software provides the transmission of a warning signal to other vehicles depending on the magnitude of the signal received from the acceleration/G force meter.

Structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the present invention will be understood more clearly by means of the figures and the detailed description written in reference to those figures and it should be appreciated by taking these figures and detailed description into account.

Drawings that will help the understanding of the invention

Figure 1, is a two-dimensional top view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus of the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic in the form of a navigator.

Figure 2, is a two-dimensional top view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus of the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic in the form of a mobile device.

Figure 3, is a two-dimensional block diagram view of a preferred embodiment of the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic in the form of a mobile device.

Description of References to the Elements

10. Electronic device

11. Acceleration/G force meter

12. GPRS module

13. GPS module

14. SIM card

15. GPRS-GSM adapter

16. Processor module

17. Display screen

18. Warning/alert signal 100. Navigation apparatus

200. Mobile device

SIM: Subscriber Identity Module

The drawings are not necessarily scaled and unnecessary details in understanding the invention may have been ignored. Moreover, elements at least substantially same or having at least substantially same functionalities, are designated with same numbers. Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, a preferred embodiment of an electronic device (10) subject to the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic is described for the purposes of better understanding the subject.

The invention is related to an electronic device (10) providing immediate communication between vehicles to minimize accidents and losses occurring in the traffic and to provide a safe journey. Said instant communication is provided by an electronic device (10) to be present on vehicles. Said electronic device (10) consists of; an acceleration/G force meter (11), a GPRS module (12), a GPS module (13), a SIM card (14), a GPRS-GSM adapter (15), a processor module (16), a display screen (17), an audio warning element (speaker) and a warning/alert signal (18).

Said electronic device (10) may be a mobile device (200) (smart phone) or a navigation apparatus (100) in alternative embodiments of the invention. Said instant communication may be merely between navigation apparatus (100) or merely between mobile devices (200), whereas it may be between navigation apparatus (100) and mobile devices (200).

In an alternative embodiment of said electronic device (10) subject to the invention in the form of a navigation apparatus (100) may consists an acceleration/G force meter (11), a GPRS module (12), a GPS module (13), a SIM card (14), a GPRS-GSM adapter (15), a processor module (16), a display screen (17), and a speaker embedded into the navigation apparatus (100). In addition to these, processor module (16) positioned in the electronic device (10) is installed with a software providing communication between electronic device (10) and required for automatic warning system (AWS).

In an alternative embodiment of the electronic device (10) in the form of a kit that may be integrated into present navigation apparatus; navigation apparatus used in the present art and with merely a module (13) may be used being embedded a kit wherein an acceleration/G force meter (11), a GPRS module (12), a SIM card (14), a processor module (16), and preferably a GPRS-GSM adapter (15) are located.

In an alternative embodiment of said electronic device (10) in the form of a mobile device (200) subject to the invention, mobile devices (200) already consists an acceleration/G force meter (11), a GPRS module (12), a GPS module (13), a SIM card (14), a processor module (16), a display screen (17), and warning/alert signals (18) to be displayed on a display screen (17) embedded at the stage of production. Thanks to hardware and open source software present in smart phones (200), electronic device (10) subject to the invention providing instant communication may be attained by merely installing required mobile application for automatic warning system (AWS) on said smart phones (200). Said application may be installed externally on the mobile device (200), whereas it may be downloaded from the internet (play store).

Elements making the invention and their functions are as follows; G force is the vectorial sum of non-gravitational forces which a freely moving object is exposed to. Acceleration/G force meter (11) is the part, which ensures alerting vehicles by calculating force/accelerations during an accident, sudden brake, crash or drift.

GPRS module (12) is the part, which is mounted on the navigation apparatus (100) subject to the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic or embedded in present smart phones (200) at the stage of production, mediating data exchange between vehicles having an electronic device (10), connected to GSM infrastructure (network systems such as CDMA networks - LTE networks, etc. may be used) and providing data exchange via the internet (2G-3G-4G-4.5G-5G etc.). GPS module (13) is the part, which ensures detecting location.

SIM card (14) is the service provider part, which is mounted on the alternative embodiment of the electronic device (10) in the form of a navigation apparatus (100) or located on a kit to be mounted on present navigation devices, having a use on present smart mobile devices (200).

GPRS-GSM adapter (15) is the part, which performs adaption process required for data exchange between a navigation apparatus (100) and a mobile device (200) on a system with alternative embodiments of said electronic device (10) in the form of a navigation apparatus (100) and a mobile device (200).

Processor module (16) is the part, which transmits location information received from the GPS module (13) to the GPRS module (12), consisting software which ensures the transmission of warning signal to other vehicles depending on the magnitude of the signal received from acceleration/G force meter (11).

Display screen (17) is the part, which displays locations and warning/alert signals (18) of vehicles with an electronic device (10) visually on a map.

Method for using, and procedures during operation for an alternative embodiment of electronic device (10) providing communication between vehicles in the traffic, the location, features, and functions of whose elements are described above, are as follows:

- activating an electronic device (10) subject to the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic to send a warning/alert sign (18) or to communicate for any reasons,

- detecting the location of said activated electronic device (10) via a GSP module (13),

- transmitting the detected location information via the GPS module (13) to a GPRS module (12) via a processor module (16),

- transmitting location information transmitted to the GPRS module (12) via the processor module (16) to electronic devices (10) in vehicles in a certain range from the vehicle wherein said electronic device (10) is located via GSM infrastructure,

- displaying location of vehicles and warning/alert sign (18) visually on the display screen (17) of the electronic device (10) located in vehicles in said range.

The reasons for activating an electronic device (10) subject to the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic to send a warning/alert sign (18) or to communicate may be as follows: sending a warning/alert sign (18) to other vehicles upon calculating the force of a car having an accident, sudden brake or drifting in the traffic by means of an acceleration/G force meter (11) located on an electronic device (10) in said vehicle at the time of said accident, sudden brake, crash or drift,

vehicles with a right of way such as ambulance, police vehicle, and fire engines willing to give audio or visual alert to other vehicles in the traffic at will, vehicles performing roadwork, irrigation vehicles, heavy machinery willing to give alert by pressing an on/off switch on the electronic device (10) of said vehicles for the safety of other vehicles in the traffic at will,

en-route vehicles willing to give a warning/alert (18) to other vehicles at will by pressing the warning button on the electronic device (10) in cases that may be risky because of natural causes such as rough road, puddle formations on roads, and icy roads,

drivers willing to see the location of the other vehicle in the range of the vehicle on crooked roads, during night drive, in foggy, rainy, and snowy weather, at times when sight is limited while driving.

In addition to the aforementioned, as vehicles will be aware that they should give way to vehicles with the right of way in the traffic thanks to this electronic device (10) subject to the invention providing communication between vehicles in the traffic, other vehicles which do not give way to vehicles with the right of way in the traffic such as an ambulance will be identified by a recorder on vehicles with the right of way in the traffic, and said vehicles may be fined.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the invention is a software on smart mobile devices (200), which becomes active by means of a Bluetooth kit in vehicles, and activates the application by starting the software automatically after exceeding, for instance, 20 km speed even when it is forgotten to be activated. A USB input may also be available in the Bluetooth kit to charge the phone.

The invention is a system instantly and constantly displaying the location of both itself and other vehicles on a map with a navigation feature. For instance, by displaying maximum 20 vehicles, a much safer travel opportunity is provided by letting know how many vehicles are ahead and behind. It is in instant communication with drivers activating the AWS software by connecting to smart phones with an active GPS. This product detects sudden brake, drift, and accident of the vehicle by calculating the G force and sends a warning to other vehicles. Danger warning sign is present on the product along with an ambulance warning sign and police warning sign. The invention may be charged either from the lighter socket or USB slot via an extension cable with a charger. For instance; a system displaying the location of 20 vehicles on the navigation both 700 meters ahead and 700 meters behind sends warning to all vehicles in its scope in emergency situations. Seeing an ambulance approaching from 700 meters behind, it is much easier and faster to open the way for the ambulance. Thus, it is intended to reduce the numbers of mortalities due to loss of time. This system, capable of working through a GPS provides instant communication between vehicles and sends working. Upon confronting an accident en-route, following drivers are warned to be more careful by pressing the warning button. Sending a warning to other vehicles in cases that may be risky because of natural causes such as rough road, puddle formations on roads, and icy roads, etc. en-route provides a safer journey. Vehicles doing roadwork may also be included in this and warning may be sent.

In addition to these, by mounting a Bluetooth kit on personal vehicles, after connecting the vehicle to a smart mobile device (200) via said Bluetooth, said smart mobile device (200) is activated when the vehicle exceeds 20 km speed.

Claims

An electronic device (10) comprising a GPS module (13) allowing detection of location information and allowing instant communication among vehicles in the traffic characterized in that; said electronic device (10) comprises:

- an acceleration/ G force meter (11) mounted on the said electronic device (10) that measures and transmits to the processor module (16), the force/accelerations during accidents and/or sudden brakes and/or crash and/or drift for the purposes of warning, alerting and/or communication,

- a GPRS module (12), mounted on the said electronic device (10), mediating data exchange among vehicles with the electronic device (10) and transmission of location information, connected to GPS infrastructure and ensuring data exchange via the internet,

- a SIM card (14), mounted on the said electronic device (10), providing service connected to GSM infrastructure,

- a processor module (16), inter controlling and handling the said elements, transmitting the location information received from the GPS module (13) to the GPRS module (12), wherein a software ensures the transmission of warning signal to other vehicles depending on the magnitude of the signal received from acceleration/G force meter (11).

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; said electronic device (10) is a navigation apparatus (100).

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; said software is a mobile application and the electronic device (10) is a mobile device (200) consisting said mobile application.

An electronic device (10) according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that; in a system wherein said navigation apparatus (100) and mobile devices (200) co-exist; said navigation apparatus (100) comprises a GPRS-GSM adapter (15) performing the required adaption to ensure data exchange between the navigation apparatus (100) and the mobile device (200).

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises a display screen (17), which displays locations and warning/alert signals (18) of vehicles with an electronic device (10) visually on a map.

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises an audio warning element ensuring audio warning of drivers.

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; said electronic device (10) comprises an on/off switch ensuring that drivers send constant warning/alert and warning to the drivers of other vehicles with an electronic device (10) related to the actual location for a pre-determined period of time.

An electronic device (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; said electronic device (10) comprises a warning/alert button ensuring that drivers send instant alert and location information where said warning is sent instantly.

A kit which can be integrated onto a navigation apparatus consisting a GPS module (13) ensuring detection of location information to provide communication between vehicles in the traffic, characterized in that; said kit comprises:

- an acceleration/ G force meter (11) mounted on the said kit that measures and transmits to the processor module (16), the force/accelerations during accidents and/or sudden brakes and/or crash and/or drift for the purposes of warning, alerting and/or communication,

- a GPRS module (12), mounted on the said kit, mediating data exchange between vehicles and transmission of location information, connected to GPS infrastructure and ensuring data exchange via the internet,

- a SIM card (14), mounted on the said kit, providing service connected to GSM infrastructure,

10. A kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that;

said kit comprises a GPRS-GSM adaptor (15) performing the process of adaption required for data exchange between the kit and mobile device (200) in a system wherein; · navigation apparatus integrated with said kit, and

• mobile devices (200) comprising an acceleration/G force meter (11) having the same features as said acceleration/G force meter (11), a GPRS module (12) having the same features as said GPRS module (12), a SIM card (14) having the same features as said SIM card (14), and a processor module (16) having the same features as said processor module (16) coexist.

11. A kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that; said kit comprises a warning/alert button ensuring that drivers send constant warning/alert and warning to the drivers of other vehicles with a kit related to the actual location for a pre-determined period of time.

12. A kit according to Claim 9, characterized in that; said kit comprises a warning/alert button ensuring that drivers send instant alert and location information where said warning is sent instantly.