Patent Description:
When emergency situations such as disasters, car accidents, crimes, etc. take place, it is not only critical to send emergency responders to emergency scenes promptly and efficiently to provide rescue efforts to the people involved in the emergency event, but it is also important to guarantee the safety of emergency vehicles (EVs) responding to the emergency scene.

Widely used means to guarantee the safety of EVs includes providing direct emergency vehicle alerts based on conventional audio or visual signaling devices such as flashing lights, sirens and/or horns. However, these conventional signaling devices may not be adequate, or may provide unnecessary alerts to vehicles which are not even on roads that the EV can travel. These alerts may also easily be ignored by people, or go unnoticed by people with hearing impairments or by distracted drivers.

However, no prior work has been made on determining an appropriate size or shape of the EV geofence in consideration of an intent with which the EV is operated.

<CIT>) relates to methods and systems for alerting drivers to approaching emergency vehicles.

<CIT>) relates to systems, components, and methodologies that improve the safety of a semi-autonomous vehicle in areas such as areas that have high vehicle-pedestrian interaction.

<CIT>) relates to a system and method of utilizing a low-power, wide-area communication technology.

Aspects of the present disclosure are a system, method and storage medium for providing an emergency vehicle alert to other vehicles by dynamically configuring a size or shape of a geofence for the emergency vehicle according to an intent of the emergency vehicle operator.

According to one aspect, there is provided a system for providing an emergency vehicle (EV) alert, according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the system are provided in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for providing an emergency vehicle (EV) alert, according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the method are provided in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable program instructions, according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the computer-readable storage medium are provided in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the drawings.

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value.

The term "emergency vehicle (EV)" includes, but are not limited: a police vehicle, an ambulance, a fire truck, etc..

The term "geofence" of an emergency vehicle (EV) is defined as a boundary of a safety alert zone where other one or more vehicles in the vicinity of the EV are alerted to the presence of the EV. Thus, it can be appreciated that a zone encompassed by the geofence can be a safety alert zone. Further, "geofencing" for an EV can be understood as generating the safety alert zone for the EV.

<FIG> depicts an example environment where an EV alert management network is operated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring now to <FIG>, an EV <NUM> communicates with a remote management server <NUM> through a communication network <NUM>. In one embodiment, the EV <NUM> may transmit EV-related data <NUM>, a working mode selection signal <NUM> and/or the like to the remote management server <NUM>. The remote management server <NUM> may communicate with each of other vehicles 30a to 30d which travel on roads nearby the EV <NUM> with a geofence. In some embodiments, the EV <NUM> may directly communicate with the vehicles 30a to 30d by transmitting a geofence. The communication network <NUM> may be implemented using a wireless communication technique based on radio-frequency identification (RFID), code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), wideband CDMA, CDMA2000®, time division multiple access (TDMA), long term evolution (LTE), FirstNet, wireless LAN, Bluetooth®, or the like.

For example, in order to ensure the EV <NUM>'s safety during traveling over the road, a geofence (e.g., <NUM> of <FIG> or <NUM> of <FIG>) can be generated by the remote management server <NUM> or the EV <NUM>. The geofence refers to a safety zone of the EV <NUM> which allows the EV to traverse the traffic safely. Example embodiments regarding generating and transmitting of the geofence of an emergency vehicle are disclosed in Applicant's copending <CIT>, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VELOCITY-BASED GEOFENCING FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE". As disclosed in the <CIT>, a remote management server may generate a geofence based on EV-related data which are transmitted from the EV <NUM> and a size or shape of the geofence for an EV is varied based on a velocity of an EV.

Similarly,, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the remote management server <NUM> may generate a geofence (e.g., <NUM>) based on the EV-related data transmitted from the EV <NUM> and transmit the geofence <NUM> to the vehicles 30a to 30d. The EV-related data <NUM> include a location of the vehicle, a velocity of the vehicle, and an ID of the EV <NUM>.

However, in some embodiments, the EV <NUM> may generate a geofence (e.g., <NUM>) based on the EV-related data and transmit the geofence to the other vehicles 30a to 30d. Hereinafter, the present disclosure will primarily describe embodiments where the geofence is generated and transmitted by the remote management server <NUM> only for the sake of description. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Substantially the same or similar description given for the embodiments where the geofence is generated and transmitted by the remote management server <NUM> will be applied to the embodiments where the geofence is generated and transmitted by the EV <NUM>. Duplicate thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

In addition, compared to the above-mentioned Applicant's <CIT>, the present disclosure discloses embodiments where a size or shape of a geofence for the EV <NUM> is varied depending on a working mode of the EV <NUM>. The term "working mode" of the EV <NUM> refers to a mode in which the EV <NUM> is operated in association with a specific intent. In other words, the term "intent" may be understood as an emergency action or mission to which the EV <NUM> is assigned to take in regard to an emergency situation or event.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of an emergency subscriber device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> depicts a block diagram of a remote management server <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> depicts a block diagram of a subscriber device <NUM> receiving an EV alert from the remote management server <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> can be installed as a part of the EV <NUM>, a wearable or portable device attached to the EV <NUM>, or in the vicinity thereof. Similarly, in one embodiment, the subscriber device <NUM> can be installed as a part of each vehicle 30a to 30d, attached to the vehicle, or in the vicinity thereof.

In this section will be described the embodiments where the geofence (e.g., <NUM>) is generated and transmitted by the remote management server <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, an output device <NUM>, and one or more sensor devices <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the remote management server <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, and an output device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The remote management server <NUM> may reside on a network infrastructure or on a third-party service provider, such as a cloud storage and computing system. Further, referring to <FIG>, the subscriber device <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, and an alert-generation device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. Each vehicle 30a to 30d may be a vehicle registered for services that provide emergency vehicle alerts, so that at least one of the above components thereof is designed to have features to receive the emergency vehicle alerts.

Referring to <FIG>, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> generates EV-related data <NUM> and/or a working mode selection signal <NUM> and transmit the EV-related data <NUM> and/or the working mode selection signal <NUM> to the remote management server <NUM>. The EV-related data <NUM> includes a type of the EV, a location of the EV, a velocity of the EV, or the like. The working mode selection signal <NUM> includes a working mode of the EV <NUM> which is selected (or determined). More details of the working mode selection signal <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring further to <FIG>, the remote management server <NUM> receives the EV-related data <NUM> and/or the working mode selection signal <NUM> using a receiver <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> transmitted over the communication network <NUM> and store the EV-related data <NUM> and/or the working mode selection signal <NUM> into the memory <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> includes a transmitter <NUM> and the receiver <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> may be implemented to support at least one of the above-mentioned communication techniques such as RFID, CDMA, GSM, wideband CDMA, CDMA2000®, TDMA, LTE, wireless LAN, Bluetooth®, or the like. The input device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a keyboard, a touch screen, an audio input system, a voice recognition system, or the like. The output device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a screen, a speaker, a light, a siren, a visual system, an audio system, or the like.

The remote management server <NUM> can perform one or more safety actions to provide an alert of the EV <NUM> to other vehicles 30a to 30d traveling on roads nearby the EV <NUM>. The safety actions may include: determining a geofence based on the EV-related data <NUM>, generating a safety warning signal (e.g., 500a of <FIG> or 500b of <FIG>) based on the determined geofence; and transmitting the safety warning signal to the other vehicles 30a to 30d nearby the EV <NUM>, more details of which will be described later.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, illustrated is an example safety warning signal 500a generated by the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> and transmitted to the subscriber device <NUM> of each vehicle 30a to 30d. The safety warning signal 500a includes, but is not limited to: an EV ID <NUM> and geofence information <NUM> related to the EV ID <NUM>. The geofence information <NUM> can be any information used for identifying directly or indirectly features (e.g., size or shape) of the geofence for the EV <NUM>. For example, the geofence information <NUM> may be understood as a geofence, and thus, the geofence (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) is a part of the safety warning signal (e.g., 500a or 500b).

Referring to <FIG>, illustrated is another example safety warning signal 500b that further includes an EV type <NUM> and one or more alert actions <NUM> for each vehicle 30a to 30d to follow when a certain condition is met. The certain condition may include that a current location of each vehicle 30a to 30d is matched to a geofence defined by the geofence information.

In one embodiment, the geofence information <NUM> is directly provided as a set of location coordinates corresponding to a boundary of the determined geofence.

In another embodiment, the geofence information <NUM> is indirectly provided as an indication (e.g., geofence function G(x)) that can be used by the subscriber device <NUM> to retrieve the geofence from the geofence information <NUM>, more details of which will be described with reference to <FIG>. When the geofence information <NUM> is indirectly provided as an indication that can be used by the subscriber device <NUM>, a current location of the EV <NUM> may be provided in the safety warning signal 500a and/or safety warning signal 500b, so that the subscriber device <NUM> can combine the EV current location to generate a more exact geofence defined around the EV <NUM>, and/or the subscriber device <NUM> tracks of the EV <NUM>'s movement based on the EV current location and displays on a visual system thereof. By way of example, the indication can be an index identifying a specific geofence, and information regarding relationships between the indices and their respective mapping geofences can be prestored in the memory <NUM> of the subscriber device <NUM>, so that the subscriber device <NUM> can read out an appropriate geofence based on the index.

In some examples, the safety warning signal 500a or 500b is transmitted to the subscriber device <NUM> of each vehicle 30a to 30d, and the processor <NUM> of the subscriber device <NUM> processes the geofence information <NUM> in the safety warning signal 500a or 500b to display the geofence through a display of the alert-generation device <NUM> of the subscriber device <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the sensor devices <NUM> collects the EV-related data <NUM>. For example, the sensor data can be collected using sensor devices <NUM> including, but are not limited to: an accelerometer, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a velocity sensor, a motion sensor, infrared light sensors, radar, laser radar, cameras, a gyroscope, or the like. The collected EV-related data <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> or other storage (not shown).

In addition, the memory <NUM> includes program instructions executable by the processor <NUM> to perform functions or operations of the emergency subscriber device <NUM> described in the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> reads the stored data which have been collected from the sensor devices <NUM> and processes to generate messages that will be transmitted to the remote management server <NUM> through the transmitter <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>.

The communication device <NUM> may be implemented to support at least one of the above-mentioned communication techniques.

The input device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a keyboard, a touch screen, an audio input system, a voice recognition system, or the like. The output device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a screen, a speaker, a light, a siren, a visual system, an audio system, or the like.

Referring back to <FIG>, the communication device <NUM> includes a transmitter <NUM> and a receiver <NUM> which are implemented to support at least one of the above-mentioned communication techniques being capable of communicating with the communication device <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> and/or the communication device <NUM> of the EV <NUM>.

The safety warning signal 500a or 500b received through the receiver <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may retrieve a geofence for the EV <NUM> based on the safety warning signal 500a or 500b.

In one embodiment, if the geofence information <NUM> is provided as a set of location coordinates corresponding to a boundary of the determined geofence, the processor <NUM> of the subscriber device <NUM> determines whether a current location of the corresponding vehicle is matched to the geofence of the EV <NUM> based on the set of location coordinates in the geofence information <NUM>. For example, if the current location of each vehicle 30a to 30d is within the boundary defined by the set of location coordinates, the processor <NUM> determines a match between the vehicle current location and the geofence; otherwise, it determines a mismatch therebetween. If the match is found between the current location and the geofence, the processor <NUM> controls the alert-generation device <NUM> to perform one or more alert actions; otherwise (e.g., if no match is found therebetween), the processor <NUM> discards the safety warning signal 500a or 500b and performs no further action for providing the EV alert.

In one embodiment, if the geofence information <NUM> is provided as an indication for geofence (e.g., geofence function G(x)) as discussed above, the processor <NUM> further retrieves the geofence based on the geofence information <NUM> (e.g., based on the geofence function G(x)), and then determines whether the vehicle current location is located within the geofence or not. If a match is found between the current location and the geofence, the processor <NUM> controls the alert-generation device <NUM> to perform one or more alert actions; otherwise (e.g., if no match is found therebetween) the processor <NUM> discards the safety warning signal 500a or 500b and performs no further action for providing the EV alert.

In one embodiment, the alert-generation device <NUM> is configured to perform alert actions under control of the processor <NUM>. The alert-generation device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a screen, a speaker, a light, a siren, a visual system, an audio system, or the like. The input device <NUM> can be, but is not limited to: a keyboard, a touch screen, an audio input system, a voice recognition system, or the like. The current location can be collected using the sensor devices <NUM> such as a positioning device, as shown in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the alert actions include generating a visual and/or audible warning signal for a driver to recognize an EV alert for next safety actions such as yielding for the EV to let the EV safely pass.

In one embodiment, the alert actions are preprogrammed and stored in the memory <NUM> of the subscriber device <NUM>, and when a match is found between the current location and the geofence, the processor <NUM> reads the alert actions from the memory <NUM> to control the alert-generation device <NUM> to perform the alert actions.

In one embodiment, the alert actions are transferred from the remote management server <NUM> to the subscriber device <NUM> of each vehicle 30a to 30d through the alert action information field <NUM> in the safety warning signal 500b, as depicted in <FIG>. In this case, the processor <NUM> controls the alert-generation device <NUM> to perform the alert actions, as instructed in the alert action information field <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the geofence can dynamically be adjusted in size or shape according to a working mode of the EV <NUM>. For example, when determining the geofence for the EV <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> dynamically changes the shape or size of the geofence based on the working mode of the EV <NUM>. The working mode of the EV <NUM> can be selected (or determined) at the EV <NUM> or the remote management server <NUM>. In case the working mode is selected at the EV <NUM>, the selected working mode is provided in the working mode selection signal <NUM> and transmitted to the remote management server <NUM> over the communication network <NUM>.

The working mode includes a normal mode and one or more emergency modes. When the EV <NUM> is in a normal mode, it may be understood that the EV <NUM> does not perform any mission associated with the emergency situation; in this case, no geofence may be generated, or a geofence of a minimum size (e.g., GN(x)) may be generated. When the EV <NUM> is in an emergency mode, it may be understood that the EV <NUM> performs emergency actions(s) (with an intent) associated with the emergency situation. In addition, when the working mode of the EV <NUM> is changed from the normal mode to an emergency mode, a geofence having a larger size than the geofence GN(x) is generated and transmitted, so that the EV <NUM> can travel more safely.

In case of two or more emergency modes, the emergency modes may have different degrees of emergencies one from another, and different sizes or shapes of geofences may be generated and transmitted for the respectively emergency modes having different degrees of emergencies. For example, as the working mode is changed from an emergency mode having the lowest degree of emergency to an emergency mode having the highest degree of emergency, the size of a corresponding geofence to be generated and transmitted is increased accordingly, or vice versa.

In one embodiment, the working mode of the EV <NUM> can be selected (or determined) in a manual manner by a user selection input through an input device <NUM> of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>, which will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When an emergency situation takes place, information on the emergency situation may be collected by one or more network devices (not shown) and shared with the remote management server <NUM> and the EV <NUM> through the communication network <NUM>. If the EV <NUM> receives the information on the emergency situation, it may transmit the same to the emergency subscriber device <NUM> of the EV <NUM>. Examples of the information on the emergency situation, but are not limited: a location or time where the emergency situation has occurred, a content (e.g., car accident, fire, natural disaster, robbery, etc.) of the emergency situation, the number of deaths or injuries, or the like.

<FIG> depicts a flow chart of a method for selecting a working mode of an EV and varying a size or shape of a geofence based on the selected working mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> is made in a manual manner by a user selection input through the input device <NUM> of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>. In step S410, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) receives the information on the emergency situation from the remote management server <NUM> or other control systems which receive various information regarding emergency situations such as accidents, crimes, disasters, or the like. Next, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> may display an operator of the EV (e.g., driver) the information of the emergency situation using the output device <NUM> (e.g., display screen) (S420) and allow the EV operator to select (or input) one of emergency modes through the input device <NUM>. Thus, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> receives a user selection input for the working mode of the EV <NUM> (S430).

An example of selection menu for the working mode is depicted in <FIG>. For example, the selection menu may include a specific button, or the like which allows the user to select a working mode in which he wants to operate the EV <NUM>. The selection menu may include, but are not limited: a normal mode 1410_0, one or more emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M and/or one or more intents 1420_1 to 1420_N. Here, M and N are integers each equal to or more than one. Upon selecting one of the menu by a user (e.g., an operator of the EV <NUM>), the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) generates a working mode selection signal <NUM> that indicates the working mode corresponding to the selected menu (S440) and transmits the working mode selection signal <NUM> to the remote management server <NUM> using the transmitter <NUM> (S450). Next, the remote management server <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) varies a size or shape of a geofence for the EV <NUM> based on the working mode provided in the working mode selection signal <NUM>, when it determines the geofence (S460).

Upon selecting the normal node 1410_0, the working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating that the EV <NUM> is in the normal mode is transmitted to the remote management server <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> determines a geofence (e.g., GN(x)), generates a safety warning signal based on the geofence GN(x), and transmits the safety warning signal to the other vehicles 30a to 30d nearby the EV <NUM>. In some aspects, in the normal mode, no geofence may be generated. In further aspects, the selection menu of the input device <NUM> of <FIG> might not include the normal mode, so it may be conceivable that the normal mode is set as a default mode if none of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M and intents 1420_1 to 1420_N is selected.

In addition, the operator of the EV may determine a degree of emergency for an emergency situation based on the information of the emergency situation displayed on the output device <NUM> and select an emergency mode (among the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M) corresponding to the determined degree of emergency.

Upon selecting a particular emergency mode of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M, the working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating that the EV <NUM> is in the particular emergency mode is transmitted to the remote management server <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> determines a geofence corresponding to the particular emergency mode, generates a safety warning signal based on the geofence, and transmits the safety warning signal to the other vehicles 30a to 30d nearby the EV <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an example mapping relationship among multiple emergency modes, and geofence functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> depicts example geofence functions of <FIG> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M have different degrees of emergencies one from another which are respectively mapped to different geofence functions GE_1(x) to GE_M(x). For example, as the working mode is changed from the emergency mode 1410_1 to the emergency mode 1410_M, the degree of emergency increases, and thus, the size of corresponding geofence is increased from the geofence GE_1(x) to GE_M(x). as shown in <FIG>. Although it is illustrated in <FIG> that shapes of the geofences are similar to one to another, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the shapes thereof can be varied if necessary.

In addition, referring back to <FIG>, the EV operator may directly determine and select a particular intent from among the intents 1420_1 to 1420_N based on the information of the emergency situation displayed on the output device <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an example mapping relationship among intents, emergency modes, and geofence functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As exemplary depicted in <FIG>, for example, a certain intent (e.g., 1420_1) is associated with one (e.g., 1410_1) of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M, so that upon selecting such intent (e.g., 1420_1), the working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating that the EV <NUM> is in the emergency mode (e.g., 1410_1) is transmitted to the remote management server <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> determines a geofence corresponding to the emergency mode (e.g., 1410_1), generates a safety warning signal based on the geofence, and transmits the safety warning signal to the other vehicles 30a to 30d nearby the EV <NUM>. As a further example, another intent (e.g., 1420_N) is not associated with any of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M. In this case, upon selecting the intent (e.g., 1420_N), the working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating that the EV <NUM> is in an emergency mode (e.g., 1410_K) corresponding to the intent (e.g., 1420_N) is transmitted to the remote management server <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> determines a geofence (e.g., GK(x) corresponding to the emergency mode (e.g., 1410_K), generates a safety warning signal based on the geofence, and transmits the safety warning signal to the other vehicles 30a to 30d nearby the EV <NUM>. The emergency mode 1410_K might not be among the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M, for example, no degree of emergency might be assigned to the emergency mode 1410_K unlike the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M, and a corresponding geofence GK(x) might have a different size or shape from each of the geofences GE_1(x) to GE_M(x).

Although it is illustrated in <FIG> that the selection menu includes both the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M and the intents 1420_1 to 1420_N, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some examples, the system allows only one group of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M and the intents 1420_1 to 1420_N to be used for the working mode selection of the EV <NUM>, so that either of the emergency modes 1410_1 to 1410_M and the intents 1420_1 to 1420_N might not be shown or provided in the selection menu of <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the working mode of the EV <NUM> can be selected (or determined) in an automatic manner by the emergency subscriber device <NUM> of the EV <NUM>, which will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> is made in an automatic manner by the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>) based on the information on the emergency situation. In step S510, the processor <NUM> receives the information on the emergency situation from the remote management server <NUM> or other control systems which receive various information regarding emergency situations. Next, the processor <NUM> determines a working mode based on the information of the emergency situation (S520), generates a working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating the determined working mode (S530), and transmits the working mode selection signal <NUM> to the remote management server <NUM> using the transmitter <NUM> (S540). Next, the remote management server <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) varies a size or shape of a geofence for the EV <NUM> based on the working mode provided in the working mode selection signal <NUM>, when it determines the geofence.

In some aspects, the memory <NUM> stores information on a mapping relationship (not shown) between the information of the emergency situation and a desired working mode in which the EV <NUM> is expected to work. The processor <NUM> uses the mapping relationship to determine the working mode based on the information of the emergency situation.

In another aspects, the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be implemented using a machine learning system (e.g., artificial intelligence platform) (not shown) which allows for selecting (or determining) a working mode of the EV <NUM> based on the information on the emergency situation. The machine learning system can be embodied based on at least one machine learning algorithm of an artificial neural network (ANN), recurrent neural network (RNN) including long short-term memory (LSTM) (i.e., a LSTM network), a support vector machine, a decision tree, a deep learning, a sparse network of winnows (SNoW), a K-nearest neighbor, a Naive Bayes, or the like, or any combination thereof.

For example, if a police officer is stopped on the side of the road and places our control system in a state that is signaling motorists to the left of the vehicle, a officer initiated geofence is created. Further, the system can increase the degree of geo fence when the driver side door is opened and the driver seat sensor is signaling vacant. The geo fence severity therefore is signal the physical obstacle of the parked EV AND that an Officer is outside the vehicle and presumably in the road or on the roadside.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, examples of the intents 1420_1 to 1420_N may include, but are not limited: chasing or pursuing of criminal(s), emergency responding to the scene, safety actions for other stopping vehicles, pulling over vehicles, or the like if the EV <NUM> is a police car; emergency responding to the scene, transferring patients toward a hospital, or the like if the EV <NUM> is an ambulance; emergency responding to the scene, extinguishing fire, rescuing people or the like if the EV <NUM> is a fire truck or a rescue vehicle; roadside removal or assistance of a disabled vehicle in the case of a tow truck or motorist aid vehicle.

<FIG> depicts example classifications of the intents depending on a moving status of the EV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. <FIG> depict example geofences for the EV depending on the intents thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

By way of example only, the intents can be classified into two groups (e.g., mobile or immobile) depending on a moving status of the EV <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. For example, the intents such as chasing or pursuing of criminals <NUM>, emergency responding <NUM>, transferring patients <NUM>, or the like may be classified into a mobile group where the EV <NUM> moves along the road, and the intents such as safety actions for stopped vehicles <NUM>, extinguishing fire <NUM>, rescuing operations <NUM>, or the like may be classified into an immobile group where the EV <NUM> is stationary.

Referring now to <FIG>, in an example scenario (e.g., associated with intent <NUM>) where the EV <NUM> such as a police car chases a vehicle driven by criminals, all sorts of vehicles including the police car, the vehicle driven by criminals and other vehicles traveling therearound are at high risk for being involving in car accidents, gun violence, or the like, if the criminals possess firearms or bombs in their vehicle. Thus, to address this particular situation, the geofence <NUM> can be extended to cover as broad an area as possible which allows for providing an alert to as many vehicles or people as possible, so that the other vehicles can stay away from the scene. In an example, the geofence <NUM> may be broadened up to the opposing lanes.

Referring further to <FIG>, in another example scenario where an EV <NUM> such as a police car, a firetruck and an ambulance head to an emergency scene, the geofence <NUM> can be generated to cover a front direction of the EV <NUM> rather than a rear direction thereof and the size of the geofence <NUM> can be smaller than that of the geofence <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the area covered by the geofence can vary depending on a relative velocity of the EV <NUM> with respect to velocities (e.g., average velocity) of the other vehicles traveling around. The remote management server <NUM> may collect velocity information of the other vehicles traveling within a predetermined distance far from the EV <NUM> and determine an average velocity thereof, and use the average velocity to determine the size or shape of the geofence of the EV <NUM>.

For example, if the velocity of the EV <NUM> is equal to the average velocity, or is equal to the average velocity within a predetermined margin, the geofence <NUM> may be generated to evenly cover both the front and rear directions of the EV <NUM>. Further, if the velocity of the EV <NUM> is faster than the average velocity by more than the predetermined margin, the geofence <NUM> may be generated to cover the front direction of the EV <NUM>. On the other hand, if the velocity of the EV <NUM> is slower than the average velocity by more than the predetermined margin, the geofence <NUM> may be generated to cover the rear direction of the EV <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the EV <NUM> may be a police car which pulls over the vehicle 30a. In this case, the geofence <NUM> may be generated to cover only one or two lanes near a shoulder where the vehicle 30a is pulled over. On the other hand, referring to <FIG>, the EV <NUM> can be a police car or fire truck conducting emergency response operations to an accident or natural disasters in which the whole lanes are blocked for safety. In this case, the geofence <NUM> may be generated to cover the whole lanes. In both cases described with reference to <FIG>, the geofences <NUM> and <NUM> both extend to more cover the rear direction of the EV <NUM> than the front direction thereof.

It is noted that emergency modes corresponding to some intents such as chasing or pursuing of a criminal, safety actions for other stopping vehicles, pulling over vehicles, or the like are only selected in the manual manner by a user selection input through the input device <NUM> since the emergency actions associated with these intents may begin with instant decisions or actions of the EV operator rather than, for example, using the information on the emergency situation.

Further, although it is illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> that the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> is made at the EV <NUM>, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> can be made at the remote management server <NUM>. In this case, as similar to the case where the working mode selection is made at the EV <NUM>, for the manual selection mode the information on the emergency situation will be displayed on the output device <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM>, and the working mode selection menu will be provided on the input device <NUM>. In regard to the automatic selection mode, the processor <NUM> of the remote management server <NUM> (or a machine learning system thereof) determines a working mode based on the information on the emergency situation, as similar to the case where the working mode selection is made at the EV <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may store information on a mapping relationship (not shown) between the information of the emergency situation and a desired working mode in which the EV <NUM> is expected to work. The processor <NUM> may use the mapping relationship to determine the working mode based on the information of the emergency situation. Further, the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be implemented using a machine learning system (e.g., artificial intelligence platform) (not shown) which allows for selecting (or determining) a working mode of the EV <NUM> based on the information on the emergency situation. In addition, as the working mode is selected by the remote management server <NUM>, the working mode selection signal <NUM> indicating the selected working mode might not be generated and transmitted from the EV <NUM> to the remote management server <NUM>. Duplicate thereof will be omitted for the sake of description.

In this section will be described the embodiments where the geofence (e.g., <NUM>) is generated and transmitted by the EV <NUM>. It is noted that similar to or substantially the same descriptions as the embodiments where the geofence is generated and transmitted by the remote management server <NUM> can be applied except for what will be particularly described in this section. Duplicate thereof will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Referring to <FIG>, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> generates EV-related data <NUM> and stores the EV-related data <NUM> into the memory <NUM>.

In one embodiment, safety warning signals generated by the processor <NUM> of the emergency subscriber device <NUM> and transmitted to the subscriber device <NUM> are substantially the same as or similar to the safety warning signals 500a or 500b described with reference to <FIG>.

In addition, the memory <NUM> includes program instructions executable by the processor <NUM> to perform functions or operations of the emergency subscriber device <NUM> described in the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> reads the stored data which have been collected from the sensor devices <NUM> and processes to generate messages that will be transmitted to the subscriber device <NUM> through the transmitter <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the geofence can dynamically be adjusted in size or shape according to a working mode of the EV <NUM>. For example, when determining the geofence for the EV <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the emergency subscriber <NUM> dynamically changes the shape or size of the geofence based on the working mode of the EV <NUM>. The working mode of the EV <NUM> can be selected (or determined) at the EV <NUM> or the remote management server <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> is made in a manual manner by a user selection input through the input device <NUM> of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>. In step S810, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) receives the information on the emergency situation from the remote management server <NUM> or other control systems which receive various information regarding emergency situations such as accidents, crimes, disasters, or the like. Next, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> may display an EV operator (e.g., driver) the information of the emergency situation using the output device <NUM> (e.g., display screen) (S820) and allow the EV operator to select (or input) one of emergency modes through the input device <NUM>. Thus, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> receives a user selection input for the working mode of the EV <NUM> (S830). Next, the EV <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) varies a size or shape of a geofence for the EV <NUM> based on the selected working mode, when it determines the geofence (S840).

In one embodiment, the working mode of the EV <NUM> can be selected (or determined) in an automatic manner by the emergency subscriber <NUM> of the EV <NUM>, which will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the working mode selection of the EV <NUM> is made in an automatic manner by the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., the processor <NUM>) based on the information on the emergency situation. In step S910, the processor <NUM> receives the information on the emergency situation from the remote management server <NUM> or other control systems which receive various information regarding emergency situations. Next, the processor <NUM> determines a working mode based on the information of the emergency situation (S920). Next, the emergency subscriber device <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) varies a size or shape of a geofence for the EV <NUM> based on the selected working mode, when it determines the geofence (S930).

<FIG> is a block diagram of a computing system <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the computing system <NUM> may be used as a platform for performing: the functions or operations described hereinabove with respect to at least one of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>, the remote management server <NUM> and the subscriber device <NUM>; and the methods described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the computing system <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, I/O devices <NUM>, a memory system <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, and/or a network adaptor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may drive the I/O devices <NUM>, the memory system <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, and/or the network adaptor <NUM> through a bus <NUM>.

The computing system <NUM> may include a program module for performing: the functions or operations described hereinabove with respect to at least one of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>, the remote management server <NUM> and the subscriber device <NUM>; and the methods described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, the program module may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, or the like, for performing particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The processor (e.g., <NUM>) of the computing system <NUM> may execute instructions written in the program module to perform: the functions or operations described hereinabove with respect to at least one of the emergency subscriber device <NUM>, the remote management server <NUM> and the subscriber device <NUM>; and the methods described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The program module may be programmed into the integrated circuits of the processor (e.g., <NUM>). In an exemplary embodiment, the program module may be stored in the memory system (e.g., <NUM>) or in a remote computer system storage media.

The computing system <NUM> may include a variety of computing system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by the computer system (e.g., <NUM>), and it may include both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

The memory system (e.g., <NUM>) can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as RAM and/or cache memory or others. The computer system (e.g., <NUM>) may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media.

The computer system (e.g., <NUM>) may communicate with one or more devices using the network adapter (e.g., <NUM>). The network adapter may support wired communications based on Internet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or the like, or wireless communications based on code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), wideband CDMA, CDMA-<NUM>, time division multiple access (TDMA), long term evolution (LTE), wireless LAN, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or the like.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may include a system, a method, and/or a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium (e.g., the memory system <NUM>) has computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, or the like, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to the computing system <NUM> from the computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card (e.g., <NUM>) or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the computing system.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the computing system (e.g., <NUM>) through any type of network, including a LAN or a WAN, or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In an exemplary embodiment, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, system (or device), and computer program products (or computer readable medium).

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claim 1:
A system for providing an emergency vehicle, EV, alert, comprising:
a plurality of sensors (<NUM>) configured to collect EV-related data, including data related to at least an operation status and an occupancy status of an EV (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>) configured to generate a geofence for the EV (<NUM>) and configured to vary a size or shape of the generated geofence depending on a working mode of the EV (<NUM>),
a determined intent associated with the EV (<NUM>), and the EV-related data; and
a transmitter (<NUM>) configured to transmit the generated geofence,
wherein the working mode includes a non-emergency mode and at least one emergency mode, and wherein the intent is determined based on a moving status of the EV (<NUM>).