METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE

COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of intelligent interconnecting traffic, and in particular to a method, apparatus and system for vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

BACKGROUND ART

With the development of automotive interconnecting technology, the automobile is more likely to possess the basic networking communication function. In many cases, a vehicle owner (or driver) may also need to communicate with another vehicle owner (or driver) due to various conditions, such as: warning reminder, road congestion condition ahead, stuff fall-off from a preceding vehicle, overtaking reminder, and prompting a head-on vehicle to turn off the high beam.

In the prior art, when the following vehicle owner or driver needs to communicate with the preceding vehicle owner or driver, the following vehicle owner or driver needs to possess the contact information of the preceding vehicle owner or driver. If there is no phone number or other contact information, the preceding vehicle owner or driver can only be noticed in a manner such as whistling, but it is impossible to communicate with the opponent in specific content.

In the process of implementing the embodiments of the present invention, the present inventors find that the prior art is at least present with the following problems:

If the vehicle owner or driver of the following vehicle does not have the contact information of the preceding vehicle owner or driver, or if the following vehicle owner or driver ca nnot be in contact with the preceding vehicle owner or driver in other manners, the following vehicle owner or driver cannot substantively communicate with the preceding vehicle owner or driver. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication cannot be implemented by a short-distance communication means such as Bluetooth. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The technical solution is as follows:

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication implemented on vehicle-side, characterized in that, the method comprises the steps that: a first vehicle acquires a communication identificator of the first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle; the first vehicle sends the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server; the first vehicle receives a communication instruction from the server; the first vehicle acquires information content to be communicated in response to the received communication instruction; and the first vehicle sends the acquired information content to be communicated to the server.

Optionally, the license plate information is a license plate image of the second vehicle photographed by the first vehicle.

Optionally, the information content is text information, voice information or image information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication implemented on server-side, characterized in that, the method comprises the steps of:

receiving a communication identificator of a first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;

determining a communication identificator of the second vehicle according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle;

acquiring positioning information of the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle;

calculating a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle; determining whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D, and if the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D, sending a communication instruction to the first vehicle;

receiving information content to be communicated from the first vehicle;

sending the information content to be communicated to the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

Optionally, the license plate information is a license plate image of the second vehicle photographed by the first vehicle.

Optionally, the license plate information of the second vehicle corresponds to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

Optionally, the pre-set value D ranges from 10 to 500 meters, and is preferably 50 meters. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, characterized in that, the system method comprises the steps that:

a first vehicle acquires a communication identificator of the first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle;

the first vehicle sends the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server; the server determines a communication identificator of the second vehicle according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle;

the server acquires the positioning information of the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle;

the server calculates a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle;

the server determines whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D, and if the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D, the server sends a communication instruction to the first vehicle;

the first vehicle acquires the information content to be communicated in response to the received communication instruction;

the first vehicle sends the acquired information content to be communicated to the server; the server sends the information content to be communicated to the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

Optionally, the pre-set value D ranges from 10 to 500 meters, and is preferably 50 meters.

Optionally, the information content is text information, voice information or image information.

According to the present invention, both the first and second vehicles are networked vehicles that are accessed to the network. Each networked vehicle has a communication identificator for communication, wherein the communication identificator may form a one-to-one correspondence with the license plate information of the vehicle. First, the first vehicle may acquire its own positioning information from a positioning module of the in-vehicle system and acquire its own communication identificator from a communication module to communicate with the system server and other vehicles accessed to the network. The first vehicle photographs the license plate information of the second vehicle (preceding vehicle or other vehicle of the same road section) to be communicated with using a sensor (for example a camera). Then, the first vehicle sends the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server. As described above, since the license plate information of the vehicle corresponds to the communication identificator of the vehicle, the server may determine the communication identificator of the second vehicle according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle; then, the server may communicate with the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle, to acquire the positioning information of the second vehicle. The server may calculate the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle. Then, the server determines whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D, and if the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D, the server sends a communication instruction to permit communication with the second vehicle to the first vehicle. After receiving the permission instruction, the first vehicle acquires the information content required to be sent from the vehicle user. The information content may be text information or voice information, and may also be image information. Then, the first vehicle sends the acquired information content to the server. The server establishes a communication connection with the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle, and sends the information content to the second vehicle.

According to the present invention, in the case where (the vehicle owner or driver of) the first vehicle does not have the contact information of (the vehicle owner or driver of) the second vehicle, the communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is established by the server and the license plate information of the vehicle, which achieves that the vehicle owner or driver of the first vehicle is enabled to more rapidly send voice and text information to the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle, and communicate with the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle by substantive content. Further, the server calculates the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle. Communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle will be permitted, only when the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D. Therefore, it is ensured that only vehicles situated in the same road section can communicate by the license plate number information, thereby avoiding the condition of abusive message sending.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, characterized in that, the apparatus comprises:

a memory, in which computer-executable instructions are stored;

a processor that is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions;

an acquirer, configured to obtain a communication identificator of a first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle; a transmitter, configured to send the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server;

an instruction receiving device for receiving a communication instruction from the server; an information acquiring device for acquiring information content to be communicated ; an information sending device for sending the acquired information content to be communicated to the server.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a sensor for photographing a license plate image of the second vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, characterized in that the server comprises:

a storage device in which computer-executable instructions are stored;

a processor that is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions;

a first receiving device for receiving a communication identificator of a first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;

a determining device for determining a communication identificator of the second vehicle according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle;

an acquiring device for acquiring positioning information of the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle;

a calculating device for calculating a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle;

a determining device for determining whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D, and for sending a communication instruction from the server to the first vehicle when the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D;

a second receiving device for receiving information content to be communicated from the first vehicle; a sending device for sending the information content to be communicated to the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

Optionally, the license plate information is a license plate image of the second vehicle photographed by the first vehicle.

Optionally, the license plate information of the second vehicle corresponds to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

Optionally, the pre-set value D ranges from 10 to 500 meters, and is preferably 50 meters.

Optionally, the first receiving device and the second receiving device are the same receiving device or different receiving devices.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, characterized in that, the system comprises an apparatus for vehicle-to-vehicle communication and a server for vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium having executable instructions which, when executed, prompt a computer to perform the method according to the present invention.

As described above, in the case where (the vehicle owner or driver of) the first vehicle does not have the contact information of (the vehicle owner or driver of) the second vehicle, the communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is established by the server and the license plate information of the vehicle, which achieves that the vehicle owner or driver of the first vehicle is enabled to more rapidly send voice and/or text and/or image information to the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle, and communicate with the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle by substantive content. Further, the server calculates a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle. Communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle will be permitted, only when the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D. Therefore, it is ensured that only vehicles situated in the same road section can communicate by the license plate number information, thereby avoiding the condition of abusive message sending. Accordingly, the vehicle owners or drivers of different vehicles may communicate rapidly, conveniently and in a timely manner, which can reduce the risk of accidents, and at the same time can reduce driver’s driving fatigue, and improve the driving safety and the driving pleasure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exemplary view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an apparatus for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a server for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an exemplary embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS

In order to make the aforementioned object, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, detailed explanations are made to the specific embodiments of the present invention in combination with the drawings as follows.

In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to facilitate an adequate understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in multiple manners other than those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar promotion without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

The meaning of the expression“and/or” used in the present application is to include at least one of the assemblies listed before and after the expression. Moreover, the meaning of the expression“connection/coupling” used is to include direct connection with another assembly or indirect connection through other assemblies. The singular forms in the present application also include the plural forms, unless particularly mentioned in the wording. Also, the meaning of the assemblies, steps, operations, and elements used in the present application which involve “comprising” or“containing”, is to be present with or add at least one other assembly, step, operation, and element.

It should be understood that the terms“vehicle” or“of vehicle” or other similar terms as used in the present application generally comprise motor vehicles, for example passenger vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), large buses, large trucks, various commercial vehicles, comprise various boats, ships, vessels, aircrafts and the like, and comprise hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (for example, fuels from sources other than petroleum). As mentioned in the present application, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of power, such as a vehicle incorporating both gasoline power and electric power.

As used in the present application, the phrase “vehicle (in-vehicle) system” means an integrated information system with wireless communication capabilities. These systems are sometimes referred to as in-vehicle information systems and are typically integrated with telematics services, entertainment systems, and/or navigation systems.

Further, it should be understood that the following method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication may be performed by at least one controller and communication member. The term“controller” refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the program instructions to perform one or more of the processes described further below.

In the present invention, the memory or storage device may include, but is not limited to, a disk drive, an optical storage device, a solid state memory, a floppy disk, a soft floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape or any other magnetic medium, an optical disk or any other optical medium, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM ( Random Access Memory), a cache memory and/or any other memory chip or cartridge and/or any other medium from which the computer may read data, instructions and/or codes. The processor (device) may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit (IC), a system on chip (SOC), a programmable logic element or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) with a microprocessor.

In the present invention, each of the modules, devices or apparatuses may be or may include any type of computing means, a calculation circuit or any type of processor or a processing circuit capable of executing a series of instructions stored in the memory. Various devices or apparatuses may comprise a plurality of processors and/or a multi-core central processing unit (CPU) and may comprise any type of processor, such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and the like. Each of the devices or apparatuses may further include a memory to store data and/or program codes to execute a series of instructions.

The computer readable storage medium may be machine readable or computer readable. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the computer readable storage medium includes a data carrier having executable instructions that are capable of such cooperative function with a programmable computer system or a programmable hardware assembly, such as to implement one of the methods described here. Thus, one embodiment is a data carrier, a digital storage medium or a computer readable storage medium, on which there is recorded a program for implementing one of the methods described herein.

The embodiments of the present invention may generally be implemented as a program, a firmware, a computer program, or computer program product with program codes, or as data, wherein the program codes or data effectively implements the aforementioned method when the program runs on a processor or a programmable hardware assembly. The program codes or data may, for example, also be stored on a machine readable carrier or a data carrier. Program codes or data may additionally be present as source codes, machine codes or bytecodes, and as other intermediate codes.

Moreover, another embodiment is a data stream, a signal order, or a signal sequence, which is a program for implementing one of the methods described herein. The data stream, signal order or signal sequence may, for example, be configured for transmission via a data communication connection, such as via Internet or other networks. Thus, the embodiment may also be a signal sequence representing data, which is adapted to be sent via a network or data communication connection, wherein the data is a program.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram for an embodiment. Wherein, the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 12 are respectively connected to the server 20 via a wireless communication link. For ease of discussion, the distance between the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 12 is exemplarily presented as d. The wireless communication link may be a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network (including multiple base stations, and controllers), a core network (generally including multiple switching entities and gateways), and one or more other networks, such as but not limited to Internet, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Packet Switched Network, Frame Relay Network, Optical Network, and/or other types of networks.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical axis 11 ' represents the steps performed by the first vehicle 11 , the vertical axis 20' represents the steps performed by the server 20, and similarly, the vertical axis 12' represents the steps performed by the second vehicle 12.

According to the present invention, both the first and second vehicles are networked vehicles that are accessed to the network. Each networked vehicle has a communication identificator for communication, wherein the communication identificator may form a one-to-one correspondence with the license plate information of the vehicle.

First, at step 101 , the first vehicle 11 may acquire own positioning information from a positioning module of the in-vehicle system and acquire own communication identificator from a communication module to communicate with the system server and other vehicles accessed to the network. The first vehicle 11 photographs the license plate information of the second vehicle 12 (preceding vehicle or other vehicle of the same road section) using a sensor (for example a camera).

Then, at step 102, the first vehicle 11 sends the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle 12 and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server 20.

As described above, since the license plate information of the second vehicle 12 corresponds to the communication identificator of the second vehicle, according to the step 103, the server 20 can determine the communication identificator of the second vehicle 12 according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle 12.

Then, the server 20 may communicate with the second vehicle 12 according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle 12. Therefore, according to the step 104, the server 20 can acquire the positioning information of the second vehicle 12.

At step 105, the server 20 can calculate the distance between the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 12 according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle.

Then, according to the step 106, the server 20 determines whether the distance d between the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle 12 is less than a pre-set value D, and if the distance d between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D, the server 20 sends a communication instruction to permit communication with the second vehicle 12 to the first vehicle 11 . The pre-set value D, which may be a value less than 1000 meters, may reasonably range from 10 to 500 meters, and is preferably 50 meters.

At step 107, after receiving the permission instruction, the first vehicle 11 acquires the information content required to be sent from the vehicle user. The information content may be text information or voice information, and may also be image information.

Then, according to the step 108, the first vehicle 11 sends the acquired information content to the server.

At step 109, the server 20 establishes a communication connection with the second vehicle 12 according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle 12, and sends the information content to the second vehicle 12.

According to the present invention, in the case where (the vehicle owner or driver of) the first vehicle does not have the contact information of (the vehicle owner or driver of) the second vehicle, the communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is establ ished by the server and the license plate information of the vehicle, which achieves that the vehicle owner or driver of the first vehicle is enabled to more rapidly send voice and/or text and/or image information to the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle, and communicate with the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle by substantive content. Further, the server calculates the distance d between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle. Communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle will be permitted, only when the distance d between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D. Therefore, it is ensured that only vehicles situated in the same road section can communicate by the license plate number information, thereby avoiding the condition of abusive message sending.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an apparatus for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the present invention, the apparatus for vehicle-to-vehicle communication comprises:

a memory, in which computer-executable instructions are stored;

a processor that is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions;

an acquirer 201 , configured to obtain a communication identificator of a first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle;

a transmitter 202, configured to send the communication identificator of the first vehicle, the license plate information of the second vehicle and the positioning information of the first vehicle to a server;

an instruction receiving device 206 for receiving an instruction from the server;

an information acquiring device 207 for acquiring information content to be communicated, an information sending device 208 for sending the acquired information content to be communicated to the server.

The apparatus also comprises a sensor, which may be used for photographing a license plate image of the vehicle.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a server for vehicle-to-vehicle communication according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the present invention, the server for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is characterized in that, the server comprises: a storage device in which computer-executable instructions are stored;

a processor that is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions;

a first receiving device 302 for receiving a communication identificator of a first vehicle, license plate information of a second vehicle to be communicated with, and positioning information of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;

a determining device 303 for determining a communication identificator of the second vehicle according to the received license plate information of the second vehicle; an acquiring device 304 for acquiring a positioning information of the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle;

a calculating device 305 for calculating a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle according to the positioning information of the first vehicle and the positioning information of the second vehicle;

a determining device 306 for determining whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D; and for sending a communication instruction from the server to the first vehicle when the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D;

a second receiving device 308 for receiving information content from the first vehicle; a second sending device 309 for sending the information content to the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

The license plate information is a license plate image of the second vehicle photographed by the first vehicle. The license plate information of the second vehicle corresponds to the communication identificator of the second vehicle.

The pre-set value D, which may be a value less than 1000 meters, may reasonably range from 10 to 500 meters, and is preferably 50 meters.

The first receiving device 302 and the second receiving device 308 may be the same receiving device or different receiving devices.

The present invention also provides a system comprising the above-described vehicle and server 20.

To sum up, the technical solution of the present invention has at least the following advantageous effects:

The server determines whether the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D, and if the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than the pre-set value D, the server sends a communication instruction to permit communication with the second vehicle to the first vehicle. After receiving the permission instruction, the first vehicle acquires the information content required to be sent from the vehicle user. The information content may be text information or voice information, and may also be image information. Then, the first vehicle sends the acquired information content to the server. The server establishes a communication connection with the second vehicle according to the communication identificator of the second vehicle, and sends the information content to the second vehicle. According to the present invention, in the case where (the vehicle owner or driver of) the first vehicle does not have the contact information of (the vehicle owner or driver of) the second vehicle, the communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is established by the server and the license plate information of the vehicle, which achieves that the vehicle owner or driver of the first vehicle is enabled to more rapidly send voice and/or text and/or image information to the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle, and perform communication containing substantive content with the vehicle owner or driver of the second vehicle. Further, the server will permit communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, only when the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a pre-set value D. Therefore, it is ensured that only vehicles within a certain distance can communicate by the license plate number information, thereby avoiding that messages are abusively sent between vehicles by way of the license plate numbers of the opponents, and it is also possible to ensure the information safety of communication between vehicles.