Technical field

The present invention relates to a call assistance safety system, for use in a vehicle, configured to increase the safety of a vehicle, as well as the occupants, when a driver is making or receiving a call.

Background

It is becoming increasingly common for drivers of vehicles to make and receive telephone calls whilst driving. Known system, such as hands free kits, exist to enable the driver to make such calls.

Hands free devices may be considered as dangerous as handheld devices. Whilst hands free calls are known to reduce the amount of distraction experienced by the driver, when compared to a hand held call, there is still some form of distraction associated with the call. Such distraction may take the driver's focus away from their primary task of driving. Some effects of distraction may include are reaction time slowness (Emergency braking, pedestrian cross, other unexpected events), compromising brain function (lack of awareness of other vehicles around, vehicle speed, distance from other vehicles / road users, traffic situations, Missing exits) and driver missing visual cues on the road (Missing traffic signs and warning, missing blind spot check, missing emergency vehicle), Unintended Lane changes.

Known hands free systems help reduce the level of distraction, however there exists a need to provide a system which can improve the safety of the user and vehicle whilst making and receiving calls.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a method and system for receiving a telephone call in a vehicle, the method and system comprising receiving the call at a first device, said first device in communication with a hands free call system associated with the vehicle; determining at a controller whether to accept call at the hand free system; and in the event that it is determined that the call is to be accepted at the hands free system selectively enabling, via the controller, one or more driver assistance systems associated with the vehicle.

The system therefore improves the safety of the vehicle, as well as the occupants, by selectively enabling one or more safety systems when the driver is making or receiving a call. Whilst driver assist systems are known, this can be selectively disabled by the driver. The present invention selectively enables one or more such systems thereby reducing, or mitigating, any potentially detrimental effect of distraction as a result of the call or conversation.

Optionally the enabled driver assistant systems are disabled after the call has ended.

This is preferred as it allows for the driver's preferences (e.g. the disabling of certain systems) to be maintained.

Optionally the method further comprises the step of rejecting the call, and optionally determining a likely journey time and informing the caller of the best time to call.

Optionally the invention further monitors the driver and vehicle for the duration of the call to determine if the driver is becoming distracted during the call. Should the driver be distracted further driver assist systems may be engaged.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the appended claim set.

Brief Description of Figures

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic of a vehicle having a call assist system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the process of receiving a call according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart of the process of making a call according to an embodiment of the invention;

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle having installed thereon the call assist system of the present invention.

There is shown the vehicle 10, having a controller 12, a hands free kit 14, a mobile telephone 16, a control unit 18, a first driver assist system 20 and a second driver assist system 22.

The vehicle 10 is any known road vehicle 10 which is driven by a driver. In further embodiments the vehicle 10 may be sea or air vehicle.

Whilst not shown the vehicle 10 may include one or more internal and external sensors. Internal sensors are known in vehicles to measure environmental conditions in the vehicle 10. Such sensors can also be used to measure physical attributes of the occupants of the vehicle. Known sensors include those able to measure the heartrate of the occupants. Furthermore, the internal sensors may include cameras which observe the driver whilst driver. Such sensors are known to measure the driver and determine when a driver may become drowsy and/or utilise eye tracking software to determine when the driver's attention is not focussed on the road. The vehicle 10 may include one or more external sensors which are used in driver assist systems. These sensors may include environmental sensors, image recognition sensors, LIDAR, Radar, collision detection sensors etc. Furthermore, as in known in the art the vehicle 10 may be equipped with further systems such as in car connectivity, satellite navigation etc.

The vehicle 10 is equipped with a known hands free kit 14. Such hands free kits 14 are well known and commercially available, and allow for the mobile telephone 16 to connect to the hands free kit 14 to allow the user to make and receive calls via their mobile telephone 16 without having to hold the mobile telephone 16. Such hands free kits 14 typically communicate with the mobile telephone 16 via Bluetooth protocols, though any suitable form of protocol may be used. The hands free kit 14 typically also includes, or are connected to speakers and one or more microphones (not shown) which are present in the vehicle 10. The mobile telephone 16 is a known mobile telephone 16 which functions in the known manner. The mobile telephone 16 communicates with the hands free kit 14 and controller 12 utilising known communication protocols such as Bluetooth. Whilst the present description is described with reference to a mobile telephone any suitable communication device may be used. Furthermore, whilst the following is described with reference to a single device multiple communication devices may be associated with the vehicle.

The controller 12 is also connected to a control unit 18. The control unit 18 refers to any known form of control unit, such as engine control unit (ECU) or driving control unit present in the vehicle 10. The control unit 18 refers to the system, or systems, which control the operation and function of any driver assist systems present in the vehicle.

The controller 12 is a known processor, or computer processing device which is configured to provide instructions to the control unit 18 to selectively turn on and off the driver assist systems 20 22. Furthermore the controller 12 is configured to control the operation of the hands free kit 14 to allow the hands free kit 14 to reject calls and/or affect the volume of the call. Optionally the controller 12 is configured to enable the mobile telephone to send a message, such as an SMS, email etc., to a recipient. In an embodiment the controller 12 is placed in the vehicle 10. In a further embodiment the controller 12 is installed on the mobile telephone 16, for example in the form of a software program or app.

For ease of reference there are shown two driver assist systems the first driver assist system 20 and the second driver assist system 22. The skilled person would understand that whilst two systems are shown there may be many more such systems depending on the vehicle 10.

Driver assist systems 20 22 are known in the art. A non-exhaustive list of such systems includes:

Front and rear vehicle distance indicators Adaptive cruise control Traction control Low speed automatic breaking

Busy traffic alert and traffic information, wrong way warning

Mirror check monitoring and alert

Turning Assist

Traffic signs and warning

Lane departure warning • Pedestrian crossing warning

• Blind spot check and warning

• Intersection assistant

• Driver monitoring system (drowsiness)

As in known in the art such systems may be selectively engaged or disengaged according to driving conditions, user preference etc. Such systems are known to provide assistance to the driver whilst driving. Such assistance is aimed at improving the safety of the vehicle 10.

The invention provides an improved call handling system for use in a vehicle 10.

As is known in the prior art, the driver makes, or receives a call, with their mobile telephone 16. The mobile telephone 16 is in communication with the hands free kit 14, thereby allowing the driver to take the call without having to hold the mobile telephone 16. However, whilst such systems are much safer than making the call whilst holding the telephone they still potentially provide some form of distraction to the user, thus potentially affecting the driver.

The present invention provides a system and method for improving the safety of the vehicle 10 and the occupants whilst the drive is making a call, or conversing, via the hands free kit 14.

In use, the mobile telephone 16 is connected to the controller 12. In an embodiment the Hands free system and controller 12 (call assist system) can be integrated in to an ECU. When a call is received at the mobile telephone 16, the controller 12 screens the call to determine whether the call is important or expected. In an embodiment the caller ID of the caller is compared to a list of known, or favourite, contacts and if the caller is on the list the controller 12 connects the call to the hands free kit 14 thus enabling the driver to take the call in the known manner. Similarly, if the caller ID is associated with known unfavourable contacts e.g. sales or spam calls, the controller 12 does not connect the call to the hands free kit 14. In a further embodiment, the call may be compared to a calendar application on the mobile telephone and if the call coincides with an expected call (as defined by a calendar entry) the controller 12 connects the call to the hands free kit 14. Further examples of the screening of the call, and assigning a level of importance of the call are provided below with reference to Figure 2. Once the controller 12 has determined that the call is important, or expected, the controller further selectively engages the first driver assist system 20 and optionally the second driver assist system 22 by instructing the control unit 18 to engage one or more of the driver assist systems which is presently not engaged. The driver assist systems which are engaged at the time when the call is made or received are referred to as the pre-call settings.

Thus when the driver is taking the call, the controller 12 has selectively engaged and turned on, one or more driver assist systems thereby increasing the safety of the vehicle 10. Therefore, when the driver is making the call the controller 12 turns on further driver assistance systems, thus providing the driver with a greater degree of assistance.

The choice of driver assistance system which is engaged may be preselected or determined by the driving conditions. In one embodiment, the same systems are always activated during the call. In a further embodiment the systems that are activated, or engaged, are dependent on the present driving conditions. For example if it is determined that the vehicle is in an urban environment, then the low speed automatic breaking system may be turned on. Conversely if the vehicle is driving on a motorway then a lane assist system may be engaged. In further examples, where the vehicle 10 has sensors configured to determine the weather conditions, in icy, or wet weather, traction control may be selectively engaged.

When the call is terminated the controller 12 preferably disengages the one or more driver assist systems that have been turned on. Thus the assistance is only provided during the call, so as not to affect the driver's driving experience.

If the controller 12 determines that the call is not important, or is unexpected, the call is not forward to the hands free kit 14 and therefore the driver is not able to take the call. Preferably the caller is given the option to leave a voicemail message.

Optionally, the controller 12 determines a predicted journey time if such information is available. For example if the vehicle 10 has a satellite navigation system, this would provide an indication as to the expected journey time. This information is sent to the caller, preferably along with a message to inform the caller that the driver is driving and to try at the later time. Optionally when the vehicle 10 has reached the destination, the controller 12 provides a reminder at the mobile telephone 16 to remind the driver to check their voicemail. Optionally the caller is given the option to continue with the call. For example this may occur via a voice command, or input on a keypad. If the caller selects such an option the call is connected and one or more driver assist systems are engaged as described.

The driver is further able to make a call with the hands free kit 14 in a known manner. In such situations the controller 12 activates one or more driver assist systems 20 22 for the duration of the call in the manner described.

As such the system allows for the calls to be made in a safer manner, with the driver being provided with extra assistance for the duration of the call.

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the process of receiving a call according to an aspect of the invention.

In Figure 2 the mobile telephone 16 is connected to the controller 12 and hands free kit 14 and thus the driver is able to take calls in the known manner.

At step S102 the mobile telephone 16 receives a call. As is known in the art, the call is received at the mobile telephone 16 with caller ID information.

At step S104 the controller 12 determines whether the call is a call that the driver could take, or should ignore.

In an embodiment the controller 12 determines a level of importance to the call and based on the level of importance determines whether or not the driver will accept the call. In an embodiment the level of importance is based on one or more properties of the call. An example of the property of the call is the caller ID information. If the caller ID matches an entry in the mobile telephone 16 (i.e. it is a known number to the user) then the level of importance is increased. Optionally the user may have a list of favourite numbers, or contacts, and if the caller ID is on the list the call is deemed to be one that the driver could take. Similarly, if the caller ID is associated with known unfavourable contacts e.g. sales or spam calls, the level of importance of the call is decreased.

In a further embodiment the call is connected to the controller 12, which provides an automated message saying that the recipient is driving. In an embodiment the controller 12 provides the caller with the option to identify the call as important or an emergency, for example, by entering a subsequent input of a number. If the call is subsequently identified as important or an emergency, this property of the call will increase the level of importance of the call.

In a further embodiment the mobile telephone 16 has a calendar application, and if the time of the call coincides an entry then the call is deemed to be one that the driver could take and the level of importance of the call is increased as it is deemed to be expected, or anticipated by the driver. Other examples of the property of the call include: geographic origin of the call, where calls from certain geographic locations may be assigned a lower, or higher, level of importance; the format of the number with certain number prefixes, such as those associated with premium rate numbers, being assigned a lower level of importance; and the time of the call.

In a further example, the driver may determine themselves whether or not to accept the call. The driver may indicate to accept the call using known inputs (for example an input integrated on the steering wheel, vocal commands etc.).

If the controller determines that the call, based on the determined level of importance of the call, is to be accepted the process moves to step S106. If the call is to be refused then the process moves to step SI 14.

At step S106 the controller 12 turns on the first driver assist system 20 and optionally the second driver assist system 22. In further examples multiple driver assist systems are turned on at this stage.

As detailed above the choice of which driver assist system to engage can be predetermined, or based on current driving and/or environmental conditions with the driver assist system which is deemed to be the most useful given the conditions being selected. The controller 12 instructs the control unit 18 to engage the driver assist system.

Preferably the engaging of the driver assist systems occurs in advance of the call being answered.

At step S108 once the driver assist system(s) has been turned on the call in connected to the driver via the hands free kit 14. This occurs in the known manner,

Once the call has been connected at step S108 optionally the controller 12 further monitors the driver and vehicle 10 during the duration of the call at step S110. At step S110 during the monitoring measures are taken to minimise driver distraction during the call. In an embodiment at step SI 10 the vehicle's behaviour is monitored using standard telemetry data. If it is determined that the driver is distracted, for example by driving erratically, accelerating and breaking harshly, or is not staying in the lane, then the controller 12 provides alerts to the driver via the hands free kit 14 or any other suitable means. Additionally, or separate to providing the alerts, the controller 12 may selectively engage further driver assistance systems at the control unit 18 if it is determined that the driver is distracted.

Furthermore, additionally, or as an alternate embodiment the controller 12 monitors the driver for signs of distraction during the call. Such monitoring may be in the form of monitoring the driver's voice during the call using known methods. If the driver's voice shows signs of stress, or excitement, which may indicate that the driver is distracted, then the controller 12 provides an alert to the driver. In embodiments where the vehicle 10 has a heartrate monitor, the heartrate is measured to determine if the driver's heartrate has increased. Optionally, or additionally, if the vehicle 10 is equipped with driver monitoring cameras the cameras are used by controller 12 to determine if the driver is becoming distracted during the call. For example, the controller may use known eye tracking software to determine if the driver's eyes are focussing on the road or not.

Further functionality and monitoring at step SI 10 may include monitoring the length of the call. If the call length surpasses a predetermined time limit, the controller 12 may present a warning (for example a verbal warning) to the driver. Optionally, the controller 12 may provide directions to the nearest parking area, or safe location or safe place, or service station to the driver to allow them to stop the vehicle and continue the call safely. Optionally when the controller determines that the driver is sufficiently distracted the controller may terminate the call.

Furthermore, the controller 12 may pause the call, for example by disabling the microphone and speakers of the hands free kit 14, when it is determined that the traffic conditions are such that they require the driver's full attention. The controller 12 may also give alerts to driver based on SAT NAV input (e.g.: roundabout exit reminder), modulate the voice level of the car speakers based on the driving situations and disconnect the call in emergency situations.

At step SI 12 once the call has ended the driver assist systems are returned to their pre call state. As many driver assist systems may be turned off according to user preference by returning to the pre-call state the vehicle 10 returns to driver's preference. At step S114 the controller 12, or driver, or caller, has determined that the call is not important enough and has rejected the call.

In the prior art this would either result in the call being terminated, or the caller proceeding to voicemail.

Optionally the controller 12 sends a message to the caller, for example in the form of an SMS or voice message, informing the caller that the driver is driving. Preferably the controller determines the likely journey time (for example using Sat-Nav data) and informs the caller when the driver is likely to have finished their journey. Alternatively the caller is informed via a voice message.

Optionally the controller 12 gives the caller the option to leave a voicemail.

At step SI 16 once the journey has been completed and the vehicle 10 has stopped, the controller is configured to generate reminder (for example in the form of a message on the mobile telephone 16) to the driver to check their voicemail and/or return the call to the caller.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the process of the driver making a call.

In contrast to the receipt of the call process as described above with reference to Figure2, as the driver has initiated the call there is no need to screen the call before connecting.

At step S202 the driver commences the call using the hands free kit 14.

At step S204 the controller 12 turns on one or more driver assist systems. This occurs in the same manner as step S106.

At step S206 the controller 12 monitors the driver during the call for signs of distraction. This occurs in the same manner as step S110.

At step S208 the call is terminated and the systems returned to their pre-call states as described with reference to step SI 12.

As such the present invention ensures that the driver's focus is kept on the road and the task of driving even when taking, or making a call. Furthermore, the invention in some embodiments allows for mitigating actions to be taken in the event that it is determined that the driver has become distract whilst making a call.