Methods of operation for plug-in wireless safety device

Abstract

An aftermarket plug-in safety device that allows a vehicle to communicate with other vehicles or infrastructures in a V2X communications system. The device includes a radio for transmitting and receiving signals and a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals and providing vehicle position data. The device also includes a memory for storing digital security certificates and vehicle application data and a processor configured to be put in electrical communication with a vehicle CAN bus. The processor receives vehicle location signals from the GPS receiver, files from the memory and signals from the radio and providing signals for transmission to the radio. The processor identifies the vehicle that the plug-in device is coupled to and provides data on the CAN bus identifying the device. The processor also performs self-configuring operations based on type of vehicle, access to vehicle systems and location of the vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to an aftermarket plug-in or dealer retrofit device providing vehicle wireless communications and, more particularly, to an aftermarket plug-in device that can be coupled to a vehicle's on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector or another accessible location to provide vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications or vehicle-to-entity communications (V2X).[0003]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0004]Traffic accidents and roadway congestion are significant problems for vehicle travel. Vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) based active safety and driver assistance systems, such as a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) system, known to those skilled in the art, allow a vehicle to transmit messages to other vehicles in a particular area with warning messages about dangerous road conditions, driving events, accidents, etc. In these systems, either direct broadcast commu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an aftermarket plug-in safety device that allows a vehicle to communicate with other vehicles or infrastructures in a V2X communication system. The device includes a radio for transmitting and receiving signals, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver for providing vehicle position data, and a secure memory for storing digital security certificates and vehicle application data. The processor receives the vehicle location signals from GPS receiver or directly from the vehicle's CAN bus interface, and provides signals for transmission to the radio. The processor identifies the vehicle that the plug-in device is coupled to and provides data on the CAN bus identifying the device to enable the vehicle to authenticate the device. The processor also performs self-configuring operations based on type of vehicle, access to vehicle systems, and location of the vehicle. Overall, the present invention improves safety and efficiency of communication in the V2X communication system.

Problems solved by technology

Traffic accidents and roadway congestion are significant problems for vehicle travel.

In the early years of deployment, certain safety and other features may only be available in a limited fashion, as the number of communicating vehicles is not sufficient to provide safety benefits on a large scale.

Existing vehicles without communications equipment will not be able to communicate with newer vehicles that have been deployed with a V2X communications system.

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