Monitoring and reporting slow drivers in fast highway lanes

A system for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane is disclosed. The system includes a set of proximity sensors on a first vehicle, for detecting a passage of another vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle, a processor on the first vehicle, for logging a number of times that another vehicle passed the first vehicle, a transmitter on the first vehicle, for transmitting said number of times to a vehicle that is detected as passing the first vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle, a set of proximity sensors on a second vehicle, a receiver on the second vehicle, a processor on the second vehicle, for storing said number of times received via said at least one receiver, and a transmitter on the second vehicle, for transmitting said number of times to a third party.

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates generally to vehicles, such as cars, trucks, vans, motor homes, etc. and, more specifically, to processes for improving vehicle driver behavior on highways.

BACKGROUND

A passing lane, fast lane or overtaking lane is the lane on a multi-lane highway or roadway closest to the left side of the road. In modern traffic planning, passing lanes on freeways are usually designed for through/express traffic, while the remaining lanes are for slower traffic. A passing lane is commonly referred to as a “fast lane” because it is often used for extended periods of time for through traffic or fast traffic. In theory, a passing lane should be used only for passing, thus allowing, even on a road with only two lanes in each direction, motorists to travel at their own pace. Common practice on United States highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake. Evidence exists demonstrating the efficiency of this practice. The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states: Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic. It is also illegal in many states in the U.S. to fail to yield to faster moving traffic that is attempting to overtake in the fast lane.

A common problem arising from misuse of the left lane is speeding and tailgating. These actions create road rage and increase overall danger. A driver hoping to pass a slow motorist in the “fast lane” can be stuck in an awkward situation. One strategy, which is dangerous and illegal, is to drive very close to the “fast lane” driver's bumper (this is known as tailgating). The National Safety Council estimates 38,300 people were killed and 4.4 million injured on U.S. roads in 2015, which saw the largest one-year percentage increase in deaths in half a century, resulting in an average of 105 deaths and 12,055 injuries per day. Many accidents are caused by slow drivers in the left lane. These slow drivers annoy other impatient drivers who are driving faster, causing them to move in and out of traffic, which results in accidents.

It should also be noted that when a slow vehicle stays in the left or fast lane and blocks faster vehicles, the driving violation may be almost invisible to the casual observer. This is because traffic keeps flowing and the infraction effectively disappears to the casual observer. Thus, the problem caused by slow drivers in the fast lane can be difficult to identify and ascertain.

Various approaches exist for monitoring vehicles in lanes on highways and roads. Two well-known approaches employ a sensor to measure vehicle speeds in multiple lane highways from a fixed overhead structure. Another known approach also employs a sensor used from a fixed physical position to monitor vehicles in their respective lanes. But none of the above cited approaches detect and solve the problem of slow drivers blocking the path of faster drivers in the left lane of roads and highways.

Therefore, a need exists for improvements over the prior art, and more particularly for more efficient methods and systems for improving the driving behavior of drivers on the public highways, namely, slow drivers in the fast lane.

SUMMARY

A method and system for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane is provided. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, a system for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane, the system comprising: a set of proximity sensors on a first vehicle, wherein said set of proximity sensors are configured for detecting a passage of another vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle; at least one processor on the first vehicle, the at least one processor communicatively coupled with the set of sensors on the first vehicle, the at least one processor configured for logging a number of times that the another vehicle passed the first vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle; at least one transmitter on the first vehicle, the transmitter communicatively coupled with the at least one processor on the first vehicle, the transmitter configured for wirelessly transmitting said number of times to a vehicle that is detected as passing the first vehicle on a right side of the first vehicle, a set of proximity sensors on a second vehicle, wherein said set of proximity sensors on the second vehicle are configured for detecting a passage of another vehicle on a left side of the second vehicle; at least one receiver on the second vehicle, the at least one receiver communicatively coupled with the at least one processor on the second vehicle, the at least one receiver configured for wirelessly receiving communications from another vehicle; at least one processor on the second vehicle, the at least one processor on the second vehicle communicatively coupled with the set of sensors on the second vehicle and the at least one receiver on the second vehicle, the at least one processor configured for storing said number of times received via said at least one receiver; and at least one transmitter on the second vehicle, the transmitter communicatively coupled with the at least one processor on the second vehicle, the transmitter configured for wirelessly transmitting said number of times to a third party via a communications network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments herein may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Instead, the proper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims.

The claimed subject matter improves over the prior art by providing a more efficient, safe and precise way of monitoring drivers that are driving too slowly in the fast lane. The claimed subject matter utilizes active proximity sensors to report vehicle speeds and lane information (namely, slow drivers in the fast lane) to other drivers on a vehicle to vehicle basis. The claimed subject matter records and, through its effects, changes the behavior of slow drivers in the left lane and the manner in which the slow drivers operate and block faster vehicles in the fast lane of roads and highways. The claimed subject matter acts as an educational, and potentially an enforcement, tool for all drivers on roads and highways, especially slow drivers in the fast lane. The claimed subject matter reduces traffic congestion and lessens the need for faster drivers to impulsively switch from the fast left lane over to slower right lane and back again to the fast lane, which can cause accidents. Effectively, the claimed subject matter improves drivers' operational behavior on a daily basis, especially slow drivers in the fast lane.

FIG. 1Ais a diagram of an operating environment100that supports a method and system for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane. The server102may be communicatively coupled with a communications network106, according to an example embodiment. The environment100comprises vehicles122,124with computing devices that may communicate with server102via a communications network106. Vehicle122is associated with a mobile computing device120, which may comprise a cellular/mobile telephone, smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, wearable computer, network connection device, or the like. Vehicles122,124may also comprise other computing devices such as desktop computers, workstations, servers, and game consoles, for example. The mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124, may be connected either wirelessly or in a wired or fiber optic form to the communications network106. Communications network106may be a packet switched network, such as the Internet, or any local area network, wide area network, enterprise private network, cellular network, phone network, mobile communications network, or any combination of the above. Server102, mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124may each comprise a computing device600, described below in greater detail with respect toFIG. 6.

In another embodiment, mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124may also calculate current geographical position (otherwise referred to as geographical location data) using an on-board processor or a connected processor. In one embodiment, the devices may calculate current position using a satellite or ground based positioning system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) system, which is a navigation device that receives satellite or land based signals for the purpose of determining the device's current geographical position on Earth. A satellite navigation system with global coverage may be termed a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). A GPS receiver, and its accompanying processor, may calculate latitude, longitude and altitude information. In this embodiment, a radio frequency signal is received from a satellite or ground based transmitter comprising a time the signal was transmitted and a position of the transmitter. Subsequently, the device calculates current geographical location data of the device based on the signal. In another embodiment, the device calculates current geographical location using alternative services, such as control plan locating, GSM localization, dead reckoning, or any combination of the aforementioned position services. The term spatial technologies or spatial processes refers generally to any processes and systems for determining one's position using radio signals received from various sources, including satellite sources, land-based sources and the like.

Server102includes a software engine that delivers applications, data, program code and other information to networked devices, such as mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124. The software engine of server102may perform other processes such as transferring multimedia data in a stream of packets that are interpreted and rendered by a software application as the packets arrive.FIG. 1further shows that server102includes a database or repository104, which may be a relational database comprising a Structured Query Language (SQL) database stored in a SQL server. Mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124may also include their own database, either locally or via the cloud. The database104may serve contact data, passing data, message data, as well as related information, which may be used by server102, mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124.

Server102, mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124may each include program logic comprising computer source code, scripting language code or interpreted language code that perform various functions of the disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, the aforementioned program logic may comprise program module607inFIG. 6. It should be noted that althoughFIG. 1shows only one mobile computing device120, two vehicles122,124, and one server102, the system of the disclosed embodiments supports any number of servers, vehicles and mobile computing devices connected via network106. Also note that although server102is shown as a single and independent entity, in one embodiment, server102and its functionality can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion wherein different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems.

Environment100may be used when mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124engage in traffic logging and reporting activities that comprise reading, generating, and storing passing data, contact data, message data and related information. Various types of data may be stored in the database104of server102(as well as data storage on mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124) with relation to traffic logging and reporting. For example, the database104(or mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124) may store one or more user records for each vehicle or user. A user record may include a user name, address, age, location, credit card information, email address, phone number, vehicle type, vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle VIN number, vehicle color, license plate data, vehicle efficiency information, driver's license data, vehicle registration data, etc.

In another example, the database104(as well as data storage on mobile computing device120, and vehicles122,124) may store passing data and message data. Passing data may include data related to the passing of one vehicle by another. Passing data may include contact or identifying data for one or more vehicles (such as any of the user record data above), the date and time of each passing incident, weather conditions for each passing incident, the speed of each vehicle in each passing incident, the number of times of passing incidents, the geographical locations of each vehicle in each passing incident, etc. Passing data may also include images, photographs and videos of a vehicle that has been passed or of the vehicle being passed itself. Message data may include text message data, audio message data, video message data, unique identifiers, code data, etc. In another embodiment, any of the data mentioned above may be stored in a separate file or record that is associated with a corresponding user record.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing the main components of a system400on a vehicle, such as122,124, according to an example embodiment. The system400includes a processor or processing unit402(described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 6) communicatively coupled with interior sensors408, as well as exterior vehicle sensors406configured for detecting a passage of another vehicle on its side. Processor402is configured for detecting a passage of another vehicle on its side and for logging or storing a number of times that another vehicle has passed itself.

Interior sensors408refer to sensors that measure data pertaining to the vehicle on which the system400is located, such as speed sensors, engine status sensors, etc. The system400also includes a radio404for vehicle-to-vehicle communications, which may include a radio transmitter and receiver, as well as geographical location sensors, such as a GPS or GNSS system412. The system400also includes a network connection device410, used for communicatively coupling the system400to the network106, described in greater detail below with reference toFIG. 6. The system400may also include a camera420, used for taking images, photographs, video, etc. The system400may also include human interface430that may include a screen, display, microphone, speakers, buttons, touchscreen, etc.

Exterior vehicle sensors406refers to proximity or near-field object sensors that detect the passing of another vehicle in another lane. The exterior vehicle sensors406may be proximity sensors that are laser based, acoustic or ultrasonic based, RADAR based, or the like. The sensors406typically comprise a system that emits a signal (weather it is acoustic, laser, etc.) that receives a return signal, thereby collecting data about the surrounding environment.FIG. 5Ashows how a vehicle122(with steering wheel504) may include three exterior vehicle sensors510,511,512on the front bumper506of the vehicle, and three exterior vehicle sensors513,514,515on the rear bumper508of the vehicle.FIG. 5Ashows that each proximity sensor510through516senses proximity to another vehicle or object in a different direction extending radially out from the vehicle122. In one embodiment, the above exemplary sensors includes all of the functions of said conventional sensors, which are well known in the art.FIG. 5Ashows the placement of six sensors510through516respectively positioned on the front and back bumpers in the position of left, middle and right positions. The sensors can be built into the bumpers at the time of manufacturing or attached to the vehicle's front and rear bumpers, mirrors, windshields, etc. If the sensors are built into the bumpers, the bumpers may have optically transmissive, radio frequency permeable or radio frequency transmissive windows or areas built into them. The sensors may be installed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or added at a later time as a retro-fit with the needed sensors and microprocessors.

In one embodiment, three of said set of six proximity sensors on the vehicle are located on a right side of the vehicle and three of said set of six proximity sensors are located on a left side of the vehicle. Alternatively, two of said set of six proximity sensors are located at or near a middle of the vehicle on the left side of the vehicle and two of said set of six proximity sensors are located at or near a middle of the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the placement of a sensor would be in any physical position that effectively captures the presence of another vehicle. Two of said set of six proximity sensors may be located on a right side of the vehicle, two of said set of six proximity sensors may be located on a left side of the vehicle, one sensor may be located on the front of the vehicle and one sensor may be located on the rear of the vehicle.

The microprocessor402and the associated software may also calculate vehicle speed by calculating the time a vehicle takes to pass between the two beams (emitted by one or more of the sensors406. Specifically, the microprocessor402utilizes a microsecond time increment, and is reset to zero when the first beam detects the presence of a vehicle, and is read when the vehicle is detected by the second beam. To determine the vehicle speed, the software automatically calculates the distance between the two beams. The speed is then identified by calculating the distance between the beams and dividing it by the time the vehicle takes to travel that distance.

The sensors406can also be utilized to ascertain the existence of poor highway visibility conditions, which is useful in providing a warning to drivers to slow down because of dangerous visibility conditions. The amplitude of the return signal received by the vehicle sensor is proportional to the atmospheric transmittance (visibility). Analysis has shown that the sensor can detect vehicles until heavy fog or rainfall reduces the visibility range to, for example, 18 m. The return signal corresponds to the change in visibility from clear day to foggy conditions, wherein the received signal power may decrease by a large factor. Thus, a measurement of the return-signal amplitude can be used to ascertain the existence of poor highway visibility conditions. If the microprocessor402senses a return-signal level from the roadway below a certain preselected threshold, then the software can initiate an output through an interface to an appropriate visibility warning signal.

FIG. 3is a flow chart showing the control flow of the process300for logging and reporting on slow drivers in a fast lane, according to an example embodiment. Process300describes the steps that occur when the systems100and400are used in a traffic logging and reporting scenario. The process300is described with reference toFIG. 2, which shows the general data flow200of the process300, as well asFIGS. 5A through 5B.

Process300starts with step302wherein, as shown inFIG. 5B, two vehicles122,124are traveling in the left lane driving at two different speeds. Vehicle124is in the lead and is going 55 mph while vehicle122is coming from behind and is going 70 mph.

In one embodiment, the processor402of each vehicle is configured for detecting a speed of the vehicle and disabling the set of proximity sensors on the vehicle if said speed is below a predefined threshold, and then enabling the set of proximity sensors on the vehicle if said speed is above a predefined threshold.

In step304, prior to vehicle122moving over to the right lane to pass vehicle124, the driver in vehicle122turns on his right hand directional signal indicating that he intends to move over to the right hand lane and pass vehicle124on the right. Optionally, in step304, a camera on vehicle122takes an image or photograph of the vehicle124including its license plate, and stores said image or photograph.

In optional step306, system400in vehicle122transmits a message206to vehicle124indicating vehicle124is about to be passed. Said message206may be displayed in the interface430of system400on vehicle124. Now the driver in vehicle124is aware that he will soon be passed by vehicle122in the right lane.

The system400of vehicle122may include a set of pre-recorded voice messages or other signals, wherein the transmitter of vehicle122is configured to transmit certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals to vehicle124, when the set of proximity sensors of vehicle122detects the passage of vehicle124on the left side of vehicle122. The receiver of the vehicle124is configured for receiving certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals from vehicle122, and includes an audio speaker communicatively coupled with the at least one processor on vehicle124, the audio speaker configured for playing said certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals received.

The system400of vehicle124may include a set of pre-recorded voice messages or other signals, wherein the transmitter of vehicle124is configured to transmit certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals to vehicle122, when the set of proximity sensors of vehicle124detects the passage of vehicle122on the right side of vehicle124. The receiver of the vehicle122is configured for receiving certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals from vehicle124, and includes an audio speaker communicatively coupled with the at least one processor on vehicle122, the audio speaker configured for playing said certain ones of the pre-recorded messages or other signals received.

In step308, as shown inFIG. 5C, vehicle122going 70 mph has now moved over to the right lane and is now passing vehicle124from the right lane. The sensors on both vehicles sense the passing that is occurring and thereby generate and store said passing data.

In step310, as shown inFIG. 5D, vehicle122has passed vehicle124, and the system400of vehicle122may finish generating passing data204and transmits said data to vehicle124indicating that it has been passed by a vehicle going 70 mph.

In step312, as shown inFIG. 5E, vehicle122has moved over to the left lane and vehicle124has moved over to the right lane.

In step314, each vehicle may transmit the passing data it generated and stored to the server102via network106. Vehicle122may transmit passing data202to server102and vehicle124may transmit passing data208to server102.

In one embodiment, the environment100may operate in conjunction with autonomous vehicles without having any conflict. Additionally, in one embodiment, the passing data202,208may be stored by server102online and made accessible such that drivers may go online to see their driver history, i.e., how many times drivers have been passed. Drivers may also view all stored passing data, and view how many vehicles their system has reported. Viewers may see a trend regarding the same license plate showing up in multiple reports. Also, if a vehicle does not have the system400, it could be alerted to a fast lane violation through the driver's cell phone, Bluetooth, WiFi, mail or its equivalent.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of a system including an example computing device600and other computing devices. Consistent with the embodiments described herein, the aforementioned actions performed by server102, device120, processor402, or computers in vehicles122,124may be implemented in a computing device, such as the computing device600ofFIG. 6. Any suitable combination of hardware, software, or firmware may be used to implement the computing device600. The aforementioned system, device, and processors are examples and other systems, devices, and processors may comprise the aforementioned computing device. Furthermore, computing device600may comprise an operating environment for systems100,400and processes200,300, as described above. Processes200,300may operate in other environments and are not limited to computing device600.

With reference toFIG. 6, a system consistent with an embodiment herein may include a plurality of computing devices, such as computing device600. In a basic configuration, computing device600may include at least one processing unit602and a system memory604. Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, system memory604may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile (e.g. random access memory (RAM)), nonvolatile (e.g. read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, or any combination or memory. System memory604may include operating system605, and one or more programming modules606. Operating system605, for example, may be suitable for controlling computing device600's operation. In one embodiment, programming modules606may include, for example, a program module607for executing the actions of vehicles122,124, processor402, server102, device120. Furthermore, embodiments herein may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or any other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system. This basic configuration is illustrated inFIG. 6by those components within a dashed line620.

Computing device600may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device600may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG. 6by a removable storage609and a non-removable storage610. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory604, removable storage609, and non-removable storage610are all computer storage media examples (i.e. memory storage.) Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by computing device600. Any such computer storage media may be part of device600. Computing device600may also have input device(s)612such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device, a camera, a touch input device, etc. Output device(s)614such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. Computing device600may also include a vibration device capable of initiating a vibration in the device on command, such as a mechanical vibrator or a vibrating alert motor. The aforementioned devices are only examples, and other devices may be added or substituted.

Computing device600may also contain a network connection device615that may allow device600to communicate with other computing devices618, such as over a network in a distributed computing environment, for example, an intranet or the Internet. Device615may be a wired or wireless network interface controller, a network interface card, a network interface device, a network adapter or a LAN adapter. Device615allows for a communication connection616for communicating with other computing devices618. Communication connection616is one example of communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both computer storage media and communication media.

As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in system memory604, including operating system605. While executing on processing unit602, programming modules606(e.g. program module607) may perform processes including, for example, one or more of the stages of the processes200,300as described above. The aforementioned processes are examples, and processing unit602may perform other processes. Other programming modules that may be used in accordance with embodiments herein may include electronic mail and contacts applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, slide presentation applications, drawing or computer-aided application programs, etc.

Furthermore, embodiments herein may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip (such as a System on Chip) containing electronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments herein may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments herein may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.