Opportunistic data transfer between vehicles

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to a system and method for optimizing wireless vehicle to vehicle communications and, more particularly, to a system and method configured to maximize the amount of data that can be transferred from one vehicle to another during a transient encounter by adaptively adjusting the message packet size and data communication rate during an inter-vehicle communication session.

#2. Discussion of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle including a wireless communications system; and

#FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary algorithm configured to optimize the communication between vehicles by varying message packet size, according to an embodiment;

#FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary algorithm configured to optimize the communication between vehicles by the varying data modulation rate of the packet transmission, according to an embodiment; and

#The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a system and method for optimizing the amount of data that can be transferred from one vehicle to another during a transient encounter is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses.

#FIG. 1 is a representation of a vehicle 10 having a driver advisory system that includes a global positioning system device 12 (GPS) for establishing a global position of the driven vehicle, which is hereinafter referred to as a host vehicle. The host vehicle is in communication with a plurality of remote vehicles that are within a broadcast range of the host vehicle for exchanging information and data relating to, for example, global position, speed, and course heading data.

#The system further includes a communications device 14 configured to employ a short-range vehicle communication system such as a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) system or a WiFi system. Alternatively, the device may include, but is not limited to, other types of wireless devices and networks such as cellular phones. The communications device 14 is further configured to exchange data between vehicles as part of a standard periodic beacon message that is broadcast in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system or a V2X communication system (i.e., vehicle to an infrastructure or other type of entity). The wireless message may include data relating to vehicle positions, vehicle kinematics/dynamic parameters, traffic or road events sensed by respective remote vehicles to forewarn drivers of nearby vehicles of some type of condition, traffic delays, accident, or current condition that could result in an accident. Data relating to a GPS determined position of the remote vehicle, the velocity at which the remote vehicle is traveling, and the course heading in which the remote vehicle traveling may be transmitted as part of the periodic beacon message from a remote vehicle. As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, data may also include other types of information such as, but not limited to, telematics information, entertainment information (such as music or video) or other types of information relevant to vehicle drivers and passengers.