Patent Description:
Due to the convergence of information and communication technologies and the automotive industry, automobile smartization is rapidly progressing. Due to smartization, automobiles are evolving from simple mechanical devices to smart cars, and autonomous driving is drawing attention as a key technology of smart cars.

Autonomous driving is a technology in which a vehicle reaches its destination without the driver controlling the driving functions of a vehicle, such as manipulating the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brakes.

Recently, various additional functions related to autonomous driving have been developed, and research on a method for providing a safe autonomous driving experience to occupants by controlling various components of a vehicle based on recognized driving environment continue to thrive to improve autonomous driving experience.

<CIT> describes sensor-equipped traffic safety message systems and related methods. <NPL> describes an approach for Reliability Analyses for autonomous vehicles.

Provided are an electronic device according to claim <NUM> and a method according to claim <NUM> for assisting with driving of a vehicle. Further advantageous embodiments arise from the subclaims.

Provided are an electronic device and a method for assisting with driving of a vehicle. Also, provided is a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method on a computer. The technical problem to be solved is not limited to the technical problem as described above, and other technical problems may be solved by way of practicing the embodiments of the disclosure.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the following description and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments of the disclosure.

According to the invention, there is provided an electronic device for assisting autonomous driving of a vehicle as defined by claim <NUM> of the claims appended hereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to generate an emergency message including information about the dangerous situation and transmit the emergency message to the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine a transmission time point for transmitting the emergency message based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine a number of times to transmit the emergency message, based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine a communication channel among a plurality of communication channels through which the emergency message is to be transmitted, based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, based on determining that the object situation is not a dangerous situation, generate a default message and transmit the default message based on a pre-set cycle.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine whether the object is capable of communicating with the vehicle, based on at least one of the obtained obj ect data or identification information of the obj ect, the identification information being transmitted from the object.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a sensing unit comprising at least one sensor. The processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to control the at least one sensor to obtain the object data of the object.

According to an embodiment, the object data includes at least one of a time point at which the object is sensed, a location of the object, a moving speed of the object, a moving direction of the object, or an expected moving path of the object.

According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to analyze the object situation of the object, the object situation indicating whether the object is in the dangerous situation, based on the object data.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of assisting autonomous driving of a vehicle as defined by claim <NUM> of the claims appended hereto.

According to an embodiment, the transmitting the message further includes, based on determining that the object situation is the dangerous situation, generating an emergency message including information about the dangerous situation and transmitting the emergency message to the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the method further includes determining a transmission time point for transmitting the emergency message based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the method of further includes determining a number of times to transmit the emergency message, based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the method further includes determining a communication channel among a plurality of communication channels through which the emergency message is to be transmitted, based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

According to an embodiment, the transmitting the message further includes, based on determining that the object situation is not the dangerous situation, generating a default message and transmitting the default message based on a pre-set cycle.

According to an embodiment, the method further includes determining whether the object is capable of communicating with the vehicle, based on at least one of the obtained object data or identification information of the object, the identification information being transmitted from the object.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program including executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of assisting autonomous driving of a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining object data of an object located in a driving environment of the vehicle; based on determining that the object is incapable of communicating with the vehicle, obtaining an object situation of the object, the object situation being determined based on the object data; determining whether the object situation is a dangerous situation; based on determining the object situation, determining a message type for notifying at least one of the object data and the object situation to the vehicle; and transmitting a message generated according to the determined message type through a communicator.

The driving environment is determined based on a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

The communicator is configured to exchange data based on V2X communication.

The terms used in the disclosure are selected from among common terms that are currently widely used in consideration of their functions in the disclosure. However, the terms may be different according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, a precedent, or the advent of new technology. Also, in particular cases, the terms are discretionally selected by the applicant of the disclosure, and the meaning of those terms will be described in the corresponding part of the detailed description. Therefore, the terms used in the disclosure are not merely designations of the terms, but the terms are defined based on the meaning of the terms and content throughout the disclosure.

Throughout the disclosure, when a part "includes" an element, it may be understood that the part additionally includes other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless indicated otherwise. Also, the terms, such as "unit," "module," etc., denote a unit processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for one of ordinary skill in the art to be able to perform the disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein.

The expression "at least one of a, b or c" indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an example of an operation of an electronic device for assisting with driving of a vehicle according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a device for assisting with or controlling a driving operation of a vehicle. The electronic device <NUM> may be located around a road on which the vehicle drives. The electronic device <NUM> may be loaded in road infrastructure, such as traffic lights, traffic centers, closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), etc. and may assist with or control a driving operation of an autonomous vehicle or a vehicle capable of autonomously controlling part of a driving operation.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication refers to a communication function between a vehicle and an object, whereby the vehicle may exchange information with the object, such as other vehicles, mobile devices, roads, etc. through wired or wireless networks.

For example, a vehicle having the V2X communication function may transmit and receive data to and from the electronic device <NUM> through V2X communication. Also, the vehicle having the V2X communication function may transmit and receive data to and from another vehicle also having the V2X communication function.

Referring to <FIG>, a first vehicle 200a and a second vehicle 200b are capable of being connected with a peripheral object in a network, and transmitting and receiving data to and from the peripheral object through the V2X communication. Thus, data exchange between the first vehicle 200a and the second vehicle 200b may be possible. Also, data exchange among the first vehicle 200a, the second vehicle 200b, and the electronic device <NUM> may be possible.

However, there may be a third vehicle 300a, which may not include a V2X communication function. Here, the third vehicle 300a and a pedestrian 300b may be incapable of communication with the first vehicle 200a, the second vehicle 200b and the electronic device <NUM>.

An object may mean an object that is sensed as being located in a driving environment. For example, an object may include a vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle on a driving path, etc., but is not limited thereto. Here, a driving environment may mean any interrelationship between objects. For example, a driving environment of the first vehicle 200a may include the pedestrian 300b running at <NUM> mph, in a certain direction represented in a coordinate system, at <NUM> away from the first vehicle 200a. Also, a driving environment may be set based on a predetermined distance from a target object. For example, assuming that a predetermined distance is <NUM>, the driving environment may include any objects within a radius of <NUM> from a target object or the vehicle. However, this is merely an example, and there may be other features and characteristics associated with the driving environment.

The electronic device <NUM> may include various sensors that may detect an object in a driving environment of a vehicle. Also, the electronic device <NUM> may receive a sensing result generated by an external server or a device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may sense an object, for example, the third vehicle 300a and the pedestrian 300b, by using at least one sensor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

The electronic device <NUM> may provide information about the third vehicle 300a and the pedestrian 300b, which are incapable of performing V2X communication, to the first vehicle 200a and the second vehicle 200b, which are capable of performing V2X communication. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit an emergency message including information on a dangerous situation, based on whether a situation (for example, position and moving direction) of the third vehicle 300a and the pedestrian 300b in the driving environment pose a dangerous situation (for example, a danger of collision of a vehicle and a pedestrian).

Accordingly, the first vehicle 200a and the second vehicle 200b may perform accurate autonomous driving taking into account a peripheral driving environment, based on the emergency message received from the electronic device <NUM>.

In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may be installed or loaded in the road infrastructure, such as traffic lights, traffic centers, CCTVs, etc., and may sense objects on the road at a high altitude to cover a broad range of area. Thus, the accuracy of detecting objects may be increased.

Also, the electronic device <NUM> operating in the road infrastructure may comprehensively determine situations of a plurality of objects within a sensing range, and thus, may accurately and quickly predict a danger of collision of the plurality of objects and avoid a dangerous situation, thereby providing a safe driving environment.

Also, the electronic device <NUM> operating in the road infrastructure to perform complex calculations required for a driving control operation may provide a relatively quicker and more accurate control operation.

The operations of the electronic device <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings herein below.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an operating method of the electronic device <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

In operation S201, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain object data corresponding to an object located in a driving environment of a vehicle.

The electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data by sensing the object. According to the invention, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object data from an external server.

The object data may include information about driving or moving of an object. For example, the object data may include a time point at which an object is sensed, a location of the object, a moving speed of the object, a moving direction of the object, an expected moving path of the object, and a relative distance between the object and another object. However, the object data is not limited thereto.

In operation S202, when the object is determined to be incapable of communicating with the vehicle, the electronic device <NUM> obtains an object situation of the object, the object situation being determined based on the object data.

According to an embodiment, based on whether the object is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle, the electronic device <NUM> may provide information about the object incapable of communicating with the vehicle to the autonomous driving vehicle.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle, based on at least one of identification information of the object, the identification information being transmitted from the object, or the obtained object data.

Also, the electronic device <NUM> may analyze whether the object situation is a dangerous situation (for example, a danger of collision with the vehicle, a danger of collision with a pedestrian, a danger of collision with an obstacle on a driving road, etc.) based on the object data.

According to the invention, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object situation determined based on the object data, from an external server.

In operation S203, the electronic device <NUM> determines a message type for notifying about the object situation, based on whether or not the object situation is a dangerous situation. In operation S204, the electronic device <NUM> transmits a message generated according to the determined message type through a communicator <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, for exchange of information between devices capable of V2X communication, a cooperative awareness message (CAM) and a decentralized environmental notification message (DENM) may be used.

When it is determined that the object situation is a dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate an emergency message including information about the dangerous situation and transmit the emergency message to the vehicle.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit a DENM packet. The DENM packet may be generated by recognizing a dangerous situation (for example, a danger of collision with a vehicle, a danger of collision with a pedestrian, a danger of collision with an obstacle on a driving road, etc.).

The DENM packet may include information about the dangerous situation. For example, the DENM packet may include a still image and a video capturing a dangerous situation, and data about a degree of danger, but is not limited thereto.

Also, when it is determined that the object situation is not a dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate a default message and transmit the default message.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit a CAM packet. The electronic device <NUM> may generate and broadcast the CAM packet based on a pre-set cycle.

For example, the CAM packet may include information about a location, a moving speed, a moving direction, an expected moving path, etc. of an object that is sensed, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an example of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of obtaining object data, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic view illustrating another example of the method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of obtaining the object data, according to an embodiment.

Here, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain object data corresponding to an object located in a driving environment of a vehicle.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a sensing unit <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) including at least one sensor. The electronic device <NUM> may detect an object by using the at least one sensor. Based on the detection of an object using at least one sensor, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data.

The object data may include information about driving or moving of an object. The object data may include a time point at which an object is sensed, a location of the object, a moving speed of the object, a moving direction of the object, an expected moving path of the object, etc., but is not limited thereto.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data based on a result of sensing the third vehicle 300a and the pedestrian 300b.

The electronic device <NUM> may sense an object around the electronic device <NUM>, for example, another driving vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle around a driving path, etc., by using a radar detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

The RADAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense objects in a driving environment by using a radio signal. Also, the RADAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense speeds and/or directions of objects.

The LIDAR sensor <NUM> may sense a shape, a distance, a topographical feature, etc. of a peripheral object by outputting a laser beam by using a laser and obtaining a reflection signal from the object by using at least one laser receiver.

Also, the electronic device <NUM> may capture an environment around the electronic device <NUM> by using an image sensor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and track an object in the captured environment.

The image sensor <NUM> may include a still camera or a video camera configured to record an environment outside the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the image sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of cameras and the plurality of cameras may be arranged in a plurality of locations inside and outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating another example of the method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of obtaining the object data, according to the invention.

According to the invention, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object data from an external server <NUM>.

The external server <NUM> may include at least one sensor described as the sensing unit <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>. Further, the external server <NUM> may sense an object, for example, a driving vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle around a driving path, etc., by using the RADAR sensor <NUM>, the LIDAR sensor <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the external server <NUM> may sense the vehicle 300a and the pedestrian 300b by using the sensing unit <NUM>. The external server <NUM> may generate the object data based on the sensed object and transmit the object data to the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an example of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of determining whether an object is capable of communicating with a vehicle, according to an embodiment; <FIG> is a flowchart of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of determining whether an object is capable of communicating with a vehicle, according to an embodiment; <FIG> is a flowchart of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of determining whether the object is capable of communicating with the vehicle, according to another embodiment; <FIG> is a flowchart of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of determining whether the object is capable of communicating with the vehicle, according to another embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle, based on at least one of identification information indicating the object, the identification information being transmitted from the object, or object data.

Referring to <FIG>, the first vehicle 200a may broadcast identification information of the first vehicle 200a to the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the electronic device <NUM> may receive the identification information of the first vehicle 200a. The electronic device <NUM> may determine that the first vehicle 200a is capable of V2X communication, based on the identification information received from the first vehicle 200a.

The identification information may include information for identifying an object from another object. The identification information may include a communication identification, a number of a vehicle, a current location of the vehicle, a driving speed of the vehicle, a driving direction of the vehicle, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S601, an object <NUM> may transmit identification information to the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a vehicle capable of V2X communication may broadcast identification information thereof according to a pre-set cycle (for example, <NUM>).

In operation S602 of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object <NUM> is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle. Here, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the object <NUM> is capable of communicating with the vehicle, based on the identification information received from the object <NUM> in operation S601.

Also, referring back to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain the object data, which include information about the object. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain the object data by sensing the first vehicle 200a and the third vehicle 300a using the sensing unit <NUM> and obtains the object data from the external server <NUM> which may separately obtain object data of objects based on sensors included in the external server <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S701, the electronic device <NUM> may sense an object <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may sense the third vehicle 300a by using the sensing unit <NUM>.

In operation S702, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data based on data of the sensed object <NUM>. Specifically, the electronic device <NUM> may sense the third vehicle 300a and generate the object data based on a result of the sensing. For example, the object data may include a speed, a direction, a location of the third vehicle 300a, etc. However, object data is not limited thereto, and may include other features that may be detected by the sensing unit <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

In addition, as described above, the electronic device <NUM> may sense the first vehicle 200a and a third vehicle 300a. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data of the sensed first vehicle 200a and the third vehicle 300a including respective driving speeds, driving directions, and expected driving paths for each vehicle, based on a result of the sensing.

In operation S703, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle. The electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object is capable of communicating with the vehicle, based on the object data generated in operation S702. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the third vehicle 300a is incapable of communicating with another vehicle based on the object data of the third vehicle 300a.

Also, as described above, the electronic device <NUM> may receive, via the external server <NUM>, the object data generated based on a result of sensing the first vehicle 200a and the third vehicle 300a.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S801, the external server <NUM> may sense an object.

According to an embodiment, the external server <NUM> may include at least one sensor similar to the sensing unit <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Therefore, the external server <NUM> may also sense the object by using the least one sensor.

In operation S802, the external server <NUM> may generate the object data based on data of the sensed object in operation S801.

In operation S803, the external server <NUM> may transmit the object data to the electronic device <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> may receive the object data from the external server <NUM>.

In operation S804, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the object <NUM> is capable or incapable of communicating with a vehicle based on identification information of the object <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the sensed object is incapable of communicating with the vehicle, if the identification information of the object <NUM> indicates that it does not support the V2X communication. Alternatively, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the object <NUM> is capable of communicating with the vehicle if the identification information of the object <NUM> indicates that it supports the V2X communication.

For example, referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the third vehicle 300a is incapable of communicating with another vehicle, based on the identification information of the vehicle 300a, the identification information being received from the external server <NUM>. Here, the identification information may also be included as part of the generated object data.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example in which the electronic device <NUM> generates object data and analyzes an object situation, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data and analyze the generated object data to determine the object situation.

In operation S901, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may sense an object by using the sensing unit <NUM> and generate the object data based on a result of the sensing.

In operation S902, the electronic device <NUM> may analyze the object situation. That is, the electronic device <NUM> may analyze whether the object is in a dangerous situation based on the object data.

In operation S903, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a message type based on whether or not the object situation is the dangerous situation. When it is determined that the object situation is the dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate an emergency message including information on the dangerous situation.

Also, when it is determined that the object situation is not the dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate a default message and transmit the default message according to a pre-set cycle.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example in which the electronic device <NUM> receives object data and an object situation from the external server <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object data from the external server <NUM>. In operation S <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object situation from the external server <NUM>. That is, the external server <NUM> may analyze object situation upon receiving object data from an object and transmit the object data and the object situation to the electronic device <NUM>.

In operation S <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> determines a message type based on whether or not the object situation received from the external server <NUM> is a dangerous situation.

As described above, when it is determined that the object situation received from the external server <NUM> is the dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate an emergency message including information on the dangerous situation. Also, when it is determined that the object situation is not the dangerous situation, the electronic device <NUM> may generate a default message and transmit the default message according to a pre-set cycle.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example in which the electronic device <NUM> receives object data from the external server <NUM> and analyzes an object situation, according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1101, the electronic device <NUM> receives the object data from the external server <NUM>. In operation S1102, the electronic device <NUM> may analyze the object situation based on the object data received from the external server <NUM>.

In operation S1103, the electronic device <NUM> determines a message type based on whether or not the object situation is the dangerous situation.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example in which the electronic device <NUM> generates object data and receives an object situation from the external server <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1201, the electronic device <NUM> may generate the object data. Here, the electronic device <NUM> may sense an object by using the sensing unit <NUM> and generate the object data based on a result of the sensing.

In operation S1202, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the object data to the external server <NUM>. In operation S1203, the electronic device <NUM> may receive the object situation from the external server <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the external server <NUM> may analyze the object situation based on the object data received from the electronic device <NUM> and transmit the analyzed object situation to the electronic device <NUM>.

In operation S1204, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a message type based on whether or not the object situation is a dangerous situation.

<FIG> illustrate various embodiments. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example of a method, performed by the electronic device <NUM>, of transmitting a message, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1301, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a transmission time point for transmitting the message.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> determines a message type as an emergency message, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit the emergency message without delay.

Alternatively, when the electronic device <NUM> determines the message type as a general message, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit the general message based on a pre-set cycle. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may generate and transmit the general message after standing by for a pre-set time period (for example, <NUM>).

In operation S1302, the electronic device <NUM> may determine the number of times to transmit the message.

That is, the electronic device <NUM> may determine the number of times to transmit the message according to a degree of danger of a dangerous situation of an object. The electronic device <NUM> may increase the number of times to transmit the message, as the degree of risk is higher. For example, when it is requires an immediate attention of the driver to avoid a collision, a plurality of emergency messages may be generated and transmitted to the object at a predetermined cycle, the predetermined cycle being relatively shorter in time frame. Furthermore, when the degree of danger of a situation increases, the number of times to transmit an identical message may also be increased to repeatedly notify the object about the urgent situation.

In operation S1303, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a communication channel for transmitting the message.

That is, the electronic device <NUM> may search for an optimum channel for quickly transmitting the message and may transmit the message by using the optimum channel. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the message by using a channel having the lowest interference and noise signals. In other words, the electronic device <NUM> may identify a channel with the highest transmission rate for messages and transmit the messages through the identified channel. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may use a plurality of channels to quickly transmit the messages as separate packets.

Furthermore, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a priority order with respect to channel selection according to the degree of danger of the dangerous situation of the object. For example, as the degree of danger of the dangerous situation of the object increases, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the emergency message by selecting a channel having a high stability with the lowest interference and noise signals.

<FIG> is merely an example of an embodiment. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an example in which the electronic device <NUM> transmits an emergency message according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the first vehicle 200a may control a driving operation of the first vehicle 200a based on a message received from the electronic device <NUM>.

For example, the first vehicle 200a may control a driving operation (for example, a sudden stop, a change of direction, etc.) when the first vehicle 200a receives an emergency message, from the electronic device <NUM>, that a dangerous situation is expected because a pedestrian 300c suddenly enters into the front road. Accordingly, the first vehicle 200a may control its driving operation to make a sudden stop to safely drive by the pedestrian 300c suddenly entering the road in front of the first vehicle 200a.

Also, the first vehicle 200a may provide a warning message to notify a driver of the first vehicle 200a about a dangerous situation. For example, the first vehicle 200a may output a message, such as "Be careful!, there is a pedestrian <NUM> ahead" via audio message. Also, the first vehicle 200a may output the message through a head up display (HUD), but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating another example in which the electronic device <NUM> transmits an emergency message according to an embodiment.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may sense a vehicle 300d speeding from the left side of a driving direction of the first vehicle 200a and notify the first vehicle 200a about a danger of collision with the vehicle 300d.

Based on a message indicating the object situation received from the electronic device <NUM>, the first vehicle 200a may control a driving operation of the first vehicle 200a.

For example, when the first vehicle 200a receives an emergency message indicating a danger of collision with the vehicle 300d, the first vehicle 200a may control the driving operation (for example, deceleration, a change of lane, a change of direction, or the like) to avoid a collision. Thus, the dangerous situation may be prevented.

Also, the first vehicle 200a may provide a warning message to notify a driver about a dangerous situation. For example, the first vehicle 200a may output a message, such as "Danger! Possible collision with a vehicle <NUM> ahead!" via audio. Also, the first vehicle 200a may output the message through an HUD, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> merely illustrate examples of embodiments, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a communicator <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may include one or more processors. The processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to obtain object data corresponding to an object located in a driving environment of a vehicle. Also, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to obtain the object data by using at least one sensor.

In addition, the processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to receive the object data sensed by an external server from the external server <NUM> through the communicator <NUM>.

When the object is determined to be incapable of communicating with the vehicle, the processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to obtain an object situation of the object, the object situation being determined based on the object data.

The processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to analyze the object situation about whether or not the object is in a dangerous situation, based on the object data. Also, the processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to receive the object situation determined by the external server from the external server <NUM> through the communicator <NUM>.

Furthermore, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to determine whether the object is capable or incapable of communicating with the vehicle based on at least one of identification information indicating the object, the identification information being transmitted from the object, or the obtained object data.

Also, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to determine a message type to notify about the object situation, based on whether or not the object situation is the dangerous situation. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> executes one or more instructions to transmit a message generated according to the determined message type through the communicator <NUM>.

Also, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to generate an emergency message including information on the dangerous situation and transmit the emergency message, when it is determined that the object situation is a dangerous situation.

Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to generate a default message and transmit the default message according to a pre-set cycle, when it is determined that the object situation is not a dangerous situation.

Also, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to determine a transmission time point for transmitting the message based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

In addition, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to determine the number of times to transmit the message based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

Also, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more instructions to determine a communication channel for transmitting the message based on a degree of danger of the dangerous situation.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may include the sensing unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, an outputter <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, an inputter <NUM>, and the communicator <NUM>.

The sensing unit <NUM> may include a plurality of sensors configured to sense information about a peripheral environment of an object and may include one or more actuators configured to change a location and/or alignment of the sensors. For example, the sensing unit <NUM> may include a global positioning system (GPS) <NUM>, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) <NUM>, the RADAR sensor <NUM>, the LIDAR sensor <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, and an odometry sensor <NUM>. The sensing unit <NUM> may include at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor <NUM>, an infrared sensor <NUM>, an atmospheric sensor <NUM>, a proximity sensor <NUM>, or an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor) <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto. A function of each sensor may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art based on its name.

Also, the sensing unit <NUM> may include a motion sensing unit <NUM> capable of sensing motion of an object. The motion sensing unit <NUM> may include a magnetic sensor <NUM>, an acceleration sensor <NUM>, and a gyroscope sensor <NUM>.

The GPS <NUM> may be configured to estimate a geographical location. That is, the GPS <NUM> may include a transceiver configured to estimate a location of an object on.

The IMU <NUM> may be a combination of sensors configured to sense changes of location and alignment based on inertia acceleration. For example, the combination of sensors may include accelerometers and gyroscopes.

The RADAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense objects in a driving environment by using radio signals. Also, the RADAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense a speed and/or a direction of the objects.

The LIDAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense objects in a driving environment by using laser beams. Specifically, the LIDAR sensor <NUM> may include a laser light source and/or a laser scanner configured to emit a laser beam, and a sensor configured to sense reflection of the laser beam. The LIDAR sensor <NUM> may be configured to operate in a coherent (for example, using heterodyne sensing) or an incoherent sensing mode.

The image sensor <NUM> may include a still camera or a video camera configured to record a driving environment. For example, the image sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of cameras and the plurality of cameras may be arranged in a plurality of locations inside or outside of a vehicle.

The odometry sensor <NUM> may estimate a location and measure a moving distance. For example, the odometry sensor <NUM> may measure a value of a change of location by using the number of rotations of a wheel on a vehicle.

The storage <NUM> may include a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, and a flash memory. Alternatively, the storage <NUM> may include a portable universal serial bus (USB) data storage. The storage <NUM> may store system software for executing examples related to the embodiments of the disclosure. The system software for executing the examples related to the embodiments may be stored in a portable storage medium.

The communicator <NUM> may include at least one antenna for wireless communication with another device. For example, the communicator <NUM> may be used to wirelessly communicate with a cellular network or other wireless protocols and systems through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The communicator <NUM> controlled by the processor <NUM> may transmit and receive radio signals. For example, the processor <NUM> may execute a program included in the storage <NUM> so that the communicator <NUM> may transmit and receive a wireless signal to and from a cellular network.

In addition, the communicator <NUM> may perform V2X communication.

The inputter <NUM> may be a device for a user to input data for controlling the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the inputter <NUM> may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a touch capacitance method, a pressure resistive method, an infrared detection method, a surface ultrasonic conductive method, an integral tension measuring method, a piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc., but it is not limited thereto. Also, the inputter <NUM> may include a microphone and may be configured to receive an audio signal (for example, a voice command) from a user.

The outputter <NUM> may be a device that outputs an audio signal or a video signal. The outputter <NUM> may include a display <NUM> and a sound outputter <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional (3D) display, or an electrophoretic display. The outputter <NUM> may include two or more displays <NUM>.

The sound outputter <NUM> may output audio data received from the communicator <NUM> or stored in the memory <NUM>. The sound outputter <NUM> may include a speaker, a buzzer, etc..

The inputter <NUM> and the outputter <NUM> may include a network interface and may be realized as a touch screen.

The processor <NUM> may execute the programs stored in the storage <NUM> to generally control the sensing unit <NUM>, the communicator <NUM>, the inputter <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, and the outputter <NUM>.

The devices according to the embodiments of the disclosure may include a processor, a memory for storing program data and executing it, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for handling communications with external devices, and user interface devices, etc. Methods implemented as software modules or may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium as computer-readable codes executable by the processor or program commands. Examples of computer-readable recording media may include magnetic storage media (for example, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical reading media (for example, CD-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), etc.), etc. The computer-readable recording media may be distributed in computer systems connected in networks and computer-readable codes may be stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Media may be computer-readable, stored in a memory and executed by a processor.

The embodiments of the disclosure may be indicated as functional block components and various processing operations. The functional blocks may be implemented as various numbers of hardware and/or software components performing specific functions. For example, the embodiments of the disclosure may implement direct circuit components, such as a memory, a processing circuit, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc., which may perform various functions under control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. The components of the disclosure may be implemented by software programming or software components. Similarly, the embodiments of the disclosure may include various algorithms implemented by a combination of data structures, processes, routines, or other programming components and may be implemented by programming or scripting languages, such as C, C ++, Java, assembler, and the like. Functions aspects may be implemented by an algorithm executed by one or more processors. Also, the embodiments of the disclosure may implement the related art for electronic environment settings, signal processing, and/or data processing. The terms, such as "mechanism," "element," "unit," etc., may be broadly used and are not limited to mechanical and physical components. The terms may denote a series of software routines in connection with a processor, etc..

While the embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the disclosure described above should be interpreted as examples and do not limit the embodiments in all aspects. For example, each component described as a single unit may be executed in a distributed fashion, and likewise, components described as being distributed may be executed in a combined fashion.

The use of all examples or example terms (e.g., etc.) in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the disclosure.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments of the disclosure may be realized in modified forms.

As the disclosure allows for various changes to the embodiments of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments of the disclosure described herein should be understood as examples in all aspects and should not be construed as limitations.

Also, the terms, such as "unit," "module," etc., denote a unit processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof.

A "unit" and a "module" may be stored in a storage medium that is to be addressed and may be implemented as a program executable by a processor.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) for assisting autonomous driving of a vehicle, the electronic device comprising:
a communicator (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) storing one or more instructions; and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to:
obtain object data of an object located in a driving environment of the vehicle;
based on determining that the object incapable of communicating with the vehicle, obtain an object situation of the object, the object situation being determined based on the object data;
determine whether the object situation is a dangerous situation;
based on whether or not the object situation is a dangerous situation, determine a message type for notifying at least one of the object data and the object situation to the vehicle; and
transmit a message generated according to the determined message type through the communicator,
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:
receive the object data obtained by an external server (<NUM>) from the external server through the communicator (<NUM>), and
receive the object situation of the object, the object situation being determined by the external server, from the external server through the communicator.