Abstract:
An intervehicle network provides for communicating information regarding driving conditions experienced by one vehicle to another remotely located vehicle. By receiving information regarding oncoming driving conditions, the vehicle driver may take action to anticipate the driving condition and avoid potential hazards or inconveniences. Additionally, for vehicles having onboard dynamically adjustable systems, an electronic controller may adjust the performance of the adjustable system responsive to the driving condition information received before the vehicle reaches the location of the driving condition. Another feature of a system designed according to this invention is to have onboard diagnostics where the controller monitors one or more variables to detect when one or more vehicle components are showing signs of aging or wear. Communications between vehicles in a system designed according to this invention may be directly between the vehicles or through a central information communication module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention generally relates to communications between different vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to a system for communicating driving condition information between vehicles to anticipate driving conditions.  
           [0002]    As drivers travel along roadways, they often encounter driving conditions that pose potential hazards. Examples include obstructions in the roadway, potholes or other breaks in the pavement and traffic situations. Often times, a driver is not able to respond as quickly as desired upon encountering such driving conditions.  
           [0003]    Advances in vehicle systems include dynamically adjustable suspension components, for example, that assist a driver in negotiating through various driving conditions. Even with such systems, however, the response time is not always quick enough to accommodate the particular situation. There are inherent communication delays between controllers and the adjustable components between the time the sensors and the controller recognize a condition and the controller provides an appropriate signal for the needed response. Even without a communication delay, there are physical limitations on such adjustable devices that limit their response time.  
           [0004]    It would be useful to provide a system that allows a driver or an onboard dynamically adjustable system to anticipate driving conditions to avoid potential hazards entirely or at least to have an anticipatory response when encountering the driving condition. This invention provides such a system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In general terms, this invention is an intervehicle communication network that utilizes information gathered at a location of a first vehicle regarding a driving condition and provides that information to a second vehicle approaching the location so that the driver or an onboard system of the second vehicle is able to anticipate the driving condition before encountering it.  
           [0006]    A system designed according to this invention includes at least one device supported on a first vehicle that generates a signal indicative of a driving condition at a location of the first vehicle. A receiver receives the driving condition signal. A controller supported on a second vehicle communicates with the receiver and controls at least one device on the second vehicle responsive to the driving condition signal. In this manner, the controller and the device which it controls anticipate the driving condition at the location before the second vehicle reaches the location of the driving condition.  
           [0007]    In one example, the receiver portion is located remotely from the vehicles and includes a data processing center that facilitates providing useful information to various vehicles regarding driving conditions within the region the vehicles are traveling.  
           [0008]    Another feature of this invention includes onboard diagnostics where the controller on a vehicle gathers information from sensors on the vehicle to anticipate potential repair or replacement needs of one or more vehicle components. In this manner, the system of this invention provides an anticipatory notification of a potential repair or replacement need, which minimizes inconvenience to the vehicle owner and facilitates avoiding undesirable repair costs.  
           [0009]    The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system designed according to this invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a communication network portion of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]    An intervehicle communication network  20  facilitates gathering information from one vehicle and providing that information to another vehicle regarding any one or more of a variety of driving conditions encountered by different vehicles. In one example system designed according to this invention, information gathered regarding a driving condition encountered by a first vehicle  22  are provided to a second vehicle  24  before the second vehicle  24  reaches the location where the first vehicle  22  encountered the driving condition.  
         [0013]    The term “driving condition” as used in this document is intended to encompass a variety of situations experienced by a driver of a vehicle or any one or more of various systems on the vehicle. Information indicative of such a driving condition may include, for example, a road surface condition, activation of antilock brakes or other traction control devices, air bag deployment, or other vehicle dynamics. While rough driving conditions, such as potholes are one example, this invention is not so limited. The type of driving conditions that preferably are addressed by a system designed according to this invention include traffic jams, accidents, slippery driving conditions, poor pavement conditions, etc. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will realize that there are a variety of driving conditions and associated information that can be relayed between vehicles to facilitate a better driving experience.  
         [0014]    The first vehicle  22  includes a controller  30  that communicates with a plurality of onboard devices  32  and  34  that provide an indication of driving conditions. In one example, the devices  32  and  34  include accelerometers that provide an indication of movement of the vehicle wheels relative to the vehicle body when rough driving conditions, such as potholes, are encountered. The controller preferably is also in communication with onboard devices or systems such as air bags and traction control components to receive signals indicating use of such devices or systems. A variety of known sensors or other suitable devices may be used with this invention to provide signals that are indicative of driving conditions.  
         [0015]    The controller  30  preferably also communicates with at least one device responsive to information regarding driving conditions. The illustrated example includes a driver interface  36 , which preferably includes a display for providing a visual indication to the driver regarding information gathered pertaining to driving conditions. Other responsive devices include dynamically adjustable suspension components  38  that alter the vehicle&#39;s suspension system response to various driving conditions, for example. Dynamically adjustable suspension components are known and those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select from among known components to incorporate them into a system or vehicle designed according to this invention.  
         [0016]    The second vehicle  24  includes a controller  40  that communicates with devices  42  and  44 . The devices  42  and  44 , like the devices  32  and  34 , preferably provide signals that are indicative of driving conditions encountered by the vehicle  24 . A driver interface  46  is supported on the second vehicle  24  and is controlled by the controller  40  to provide information to the driver in visual form. The second vehicle  24  preferably also includes responsive, dynamically adjustable suspension components  48  that are controlled based upon signals from the controller  40 . Other devices such as traction control components or a cruise control may also be controlled by the controller independent of driver input depending on the needs of a particular situation.  
         [0017]    Information gathered from the devices  32  and  34  regarding driving conditions at a location of the first vehicle  22  preferably are communicated to the second vehicle  24  to allow the controller  40  to anticipate the driving condition before it is encountered by the second vehicle  24 . Position information preferably is provided by global positioning technology, which is known. Each vehicle equipped with a controller designed according to this invention preferably includes global positioning technology that permits identification of the location of an encountered driving condition. The global positioning device also provides information regarding the location of each vehicle so that the distance to an anticipated driving condition can be determined. Global positioning technology is known and a variety of commercially available systems may be incorporated into a system designed according to this invention.  
         [0018]    In some situations, the vehicles will be in such close proximity that other sensors will provide information sufficient to identify the location of the encountered driving condition. For example, proximity sensors between two vehicles may provide distance information regarding a spacing between the front bumper of one car and the rear bumper of the car in front of it. Such distance information can provide location information to the controller  40  regarding the driving condition encountered by the first car.  
         [0019]    One example embodiment of this invention includes using information gathered from road strips or reflectors near the road to determine locations and relative distances. A variety of known technologies can be utilized within a system designed according to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select a combination of components and strategies that best suit the needs of their particular situation.  
         [0020]    The information shared between vehicles may be transmitted directly between the controllers  30  and  40 , for example. Alternatively, the information can be transmitted through a central communication network  50 . Having a central communication network is preferred because it enhances the available range of communication and the availability of a wider variety of information.  
         [0021]    One example communication network  50  includes a transceiver portion  52  that receives information from various vehicles and transmits that information to various other vehicles. The transceiver portion may be embodied in a satellite, cellular network tower or other wireless communication devices, for example. The transceiver portion  52  acts as a clearinghouse for information received from various vehicles.  
         [0022]    In the example of FIG. 2, a first data portion  54  includes data that is stored regarding driving conditions that are not likely to change immediately. For example, potholes may not be fixed for some time. Another example is construction on road segments that may be in progress over time. These types of driving conditions preferably are stored and handled through the first data portion  54 .  
         [0023]    The preferred embodiment includes segmenting driving condition information into various regions, schematically represented at  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66 . By dividing the driving condition information into regions, the transceiver portion  52  is better able to communicate with various vehicles in various regions. A driver in one region need not receive information regarding driving conditions that they are not likely to encounter in another region, for example.  
         [0024]    The communication network  50  preferably also includes a real time data portion  56  that is continuously updated. Example types of information that could be handled in the real time data portion  56  include slippery driving conditions, accidents, traffic jams and other types of driving conditions that are likely to change within moments or hours. The real time data portion  56  preferably is divided into regions schematically illustrated as memory portions  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  to facilitate communicating information only to those vehicles where the information may be useful.  
         [0025]    One advantage to separating out real time information is to facilitate a visual display such as an updated map of driving conditions that can be readily viewed by a driver using a commercially available driver interface screen.  
         [0026]    Other types of sensors or devices from which information can be gathered include airbag controllers, antilocking brake signals, etc., which may provide useful information regarding slippery driving conditions or an accident, for example.  
         [0027]    The controller on each vehicle preferably also monitors information regarding various components of the vehicle. This aspect of a system designed according to this invention allows the system to predict possible repair or replacement needs on the vehicle to provide an advanced indication of such to the vehicle owner so that situations may be addressed before they become too complicated or require related repairs that may increase expenses. Additionally, the inventive arrangement assists a service technician in diagnosing a problem or potential problem with a portion of a vehicle. Accordingly, a system designed according to this invention may include such enhancements that not only allow a driver to anticipate driving conditions but also to allow a variety of individuals to anticipate changes in the operating condition of vehicle components. An onboard monitoring system designed according to this invention may operate in several ways.  
         [0028]    One example includes acoustic sensors that detect noises associated with the operation of various components. For example, tire tread separation, bushing wear, worn parts and component failure often result in noises such as knocking, squealing or grinding. Acoustic sensors appropriately positioned to detect such noises will provide information to the controller regarding the condition of the appropriate components. The controller then makes a determination regarding which components may need attention and provides an appropriate indication to the vehicle owner. In one example, the controller provides a visual display to the driver upon vehicle start up and at vehicle shut down. In another example, the information is provided to the driver as the vehicle is traveling down a roadway.  
         [0029]    The preferred arrangement includes a database of information regarding frequency and sound quality that distinguishes between potential problem noises and noises that are normally experienced as the vehicle travels down the road because of wind, engine, or road noises, for example.  
         [0030]    Other example sensors or monitors include wheel speed sensors, brake pressure monitors, steering angle sensors and heat sensors, for example. A variety of combinations of sensors and monitors are possible and those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to choose from among commercially available components to achieve the results desired for a particular situation.  
         [0031]    In another example, the controller preferably is programmed to determine whether immediate action is required depending on the signal received regarding the vehicle component of interest. In some cases, for example, the controller may force A lower vehicle speed or provide an audible signal for warning the vehicle driver to take immediate action regarding the potential problem.  
         [0032]    In one example, the system determines when repair or replacements of various components may be needed based upon a profile of performance as viewed within a frequency domain. This includes a recognition that the profile of the roughness of performance of the component as described in the frequency domain remains constant in shape but shifts in amplitude with wear or looseness, for example.  
         [0033]    For example, a tire condition may be determined by developing a profile dependent on the overall vehicle dynamics. The profile is converted into a three dimensional vibration profile having six degrees of freedom. Vibration in some of those degrees may have much higher amplitude than vibrations in others. The sensing devices and an appropriately programmed controller provide a signature for the vehicle tire associated with the current driving conditions and the road. The signature preferably is based upon vibrations in at least one of the several of the degrees of freedom.  
         [0034]    The preferred arrangement includes having the sensors, signal conditioning and controller operating in a frequency range that is as wide as possible. The electronic controller preferably gathers sufficient real time information from the sensors and analyzes it to convert it into a frequency domain plot. This information preferably is supplemented by other information relating to actual driving conditions, such as average vehicle speed and average vehicle weight or other equivalent measurements of total sprung mass. The total information or plot becomes the signature of the component for the current driving conditions and the road. Such information provides a signature of the vibration response of the component (i.e., a tire) at that particular time.  
         [0035]    Signature information preferably is stored regarding at least one initial state and periodically over time. By comparing signature information, changes over time can be monitored. Changes in the signature, assuming the same or similar road and driving conditions, provides an indication of changes in the condition or wearability of the tire or other component.  
         [0036]    An additional feature in one example of the invention is to compare the signatures of several like components. For example, one front tire compared to the other front tire provides information regarding relative conditions of the two tires.  
         [0037]    The controller preferably is programmed to provide information to the vehicle owner, driver or a fleet controller, for example, regarding the determined component condition based upon the signature analysis. The controller preferably also provides recommendations, based upon information stored in memory, for what responsive action should be taken.  
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to suitably program microcontrollers or other processors to perform the functions of the controller(s) of this description. While a variety of controller functions have been described, not all of them are required in a system designed according to this invention. Various combinations of features and capabilities are within the scope of this invention and it will become apparent to those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description which particular features or functions to include for a particular situation.  
         [0039]    The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.