External audio alert system and method for vehicular use
In embodiments of the present invention, an Alert Controller coupled to an Internal Digital Communication System (“IDCS”) of a vehicle monitors vehicle states based on messages received over the IDCS and generates audio alerts projected external to the vehicle based on the vehicle states. Multiple vehicle states may be defined, with each vehicle state associated with receipt of one or more types of messages in a particular sequence and/or within a particular timeframe. Different audio alerts may be assigned to different vehicle states. The audio alerts may be customizable such as by the vehicle manufacturer and/or vehicle owner/operator. An alert selection interface may be provided in the vehicle for user-selection of audio alerts.
1. A method of producing an external audio alert for use in the course of operation of a motor vehicle having an internal digital communication system used to control or monitor at least a motor of the vehicle via a stream of messages, the method implemented by computer processes comprising:
processing of the stream of messages, by an alert processor coupled to the internal digital communication system and configured to snoop on the stream of messages on the internal digital communication system, to characterize a current state of the vehicle based on the stream of messages;
processing by the alert processor of the current vehicle state to determine whether the current vehicle state corresponds to an alert condition, the alert condition being a member of a stored set of pre-defined vehicle states; and
in the event that the current vehicle state does correspond to the alert condition, executing by the alert processor a macro corresponding to the alert condition, the macro specifying a plurality of behaviors to be performed in a specific order, wherein at least one of the plurality of behaviors includes causing generation of an external audio alert corresponding to the behavior.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each pre-defined vehicle state comprises a set of internal digital communication system messages and is based on at least one of:
the predetermined set of messages being received by the alert processor within a predetermined period of time; or
the predetermined set of messages being received by the alert processor in a predetermined order.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of behaviors includes sending by the alert processor a message on the internal digital communication system.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein processing of the stream of messages includes processing of the message sent by the alert processor on the internal digital communication system to evaluate a next state of the vehicle.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining by the alert processor at least one direction for the external audio alert; and
causing generation of the external audio alert in the at least one direction.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes an alert selection interface coupled to the internal digital communication system to cause generation of an operator-initiated alert message over the internal digital communication system, and pursuant to which the alert processor causes generation of the external audio alert corresponding to the operator-initiated alert message.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alert selection interface comprises a plurality of buttons and wherein the operator-initiated alert message corresponds to operation of at least one of the plurality of buttons.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the alert selection interface is on the steering wheel of the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer processes further comprise at least one of:
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert at a volume level appropriate to the particular alert message and the state of the vehicle; or
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert for a duration of time appropriate to the particular alert message and the state of the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing generation of an external audio alert corresponding to the behavior comprises:
processing by the alert processor to cause creation of a digitally encoded message intended to be transmitted to and received by one or more other vehicles in the vicinity;
processing by the alert processor to modulate an audio signal, within an audible or non-audible frequency spectrum, with digitally encoded message; and
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert including the modulated audio signal.
11. An alert controller for producing an external audio alert for use in the course of operation of a motor vehicle, the alert controller comprising:
an alert processor; and
a bus node interface for connecting the alert processor to an internal digital communication system used to control or monitor at least a motor of the vehicle via a stream of messages, the alert processor configured to snoop on the stream of messages on the internal digital communication system and to perform computer processes comprising:
processing of the stream of messages on the internal digital communication system to characterize a current state of the vehicle based on the stream of messages;
processing of the current vehicle state to determine whether the current vehicle state corresponds to an alert condition, the alert condition being a member of a stored set of pre-defined vehicle states; and
in the event that the current vehicle state does correspond to the alert condition, executing by the alert processor a macro corresponding to the alert condition, the macro specifying a plurality of behaviors to be performed in a specific order, wherein at least one of the plurality of behaviors includes causing generation of an external audio alert corresponding to the behavior.
12. The alert controller of claim 11 , wherein each pre-defined vehicle state comprises a set of internal digital communication system messages and is based on at least one of:
the predetermined set of messages being received by the alert processor within a predetermined period of time; or
the predetermined set of messages being received by the alert processor in a predetermined order.
13. The alert controller of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of behaviors includes sending by the alert processor a message on the internal digital communication system.
14. The alert controller of claim 13 , wherein processing of the stream of messages includes processing of the message sent by the alert processor on the internal digital communication system to evaluate a next state of the vehicle.
15. The alert controller of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining by the alert processor at least one direction for the external audio alert; and
causing generation of the external audio alert in the at least one direction.
16. The alert controller of claim 11 , wherein the vehicle includes an alert selection interface coupled to the internal digital communication system to cause generation of an operator-initiated alert message over the internal digital communication system, and pursuant to which the alert processor causes generation of the external audio alert corresponding to the operator-initiated alert message.
17. The alert controller of claim 16 , wherein the alert selection interface comprises a plurality of buttons and wherein the operator-initiated alert message corresponds to operation of at least one of the plurality of buttons.
18. The alert controller of claim 16 , wherein the alert selection interface is on the steering wheel of the vehicle.
19. The alert controller of claim 11 , wherein the computer processes further comprise at least one of:
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert at a volume level appropriate to the particular alert message and the state of the vehicle; or
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert for a duration of time appropriate to the particular alert message and the state of the vehicle.
20. The alert controller of claim 11 , wherein causing generation of an external audio alert corresponding to the behavior comprises:
processing by the alert processor to cause creation of a digitally encoded message intended to be transmitted to and received by one or more other vehicles in the vicinity;
processing by the alert processor to modulate an audio signal, within an audible or non-audible frequency spectrum, with digitally encoded message; and
processing by the alert processor to cause generation of the external audio alert including the modulated audio signal.