GB2547475A

GB2547475A - Providing gesture-initiated operation feedback

Info

Publication number: GB2547475A
Application number: GB1602994.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cagnac Bastien; Loveday Duncan; Thomas Steven
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-22
Filing date: 2016-02-22
Publication date: 2017-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-22
Also published as: GB201602994D0; GB2547475B

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback to a user. The method and system determine a movement pattern 310 of a user relative to a vehicle and determine whether to initiate an operation 360 of a vehicle opening in dependence on the movement pattern and one or more predetermined conditions 320, 340. The method andsystem output a notification 330, 350 to the user when at least one or more of the one or more predetermined conditions 320, 340 are not satisfied. A first notification type, either audible or visual may be outputted when a first condition is not satisfied. A second notification, audible or visual may be outputted when a second condition is not satisfied. The output light may comprise a plurality of lights of different colours arranged within an external surface of the vehicle. Additionally, a predetermined condition may comprise an authentication means, comprising a remote transceiver.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING GESTURE-INITIATED OPERATION

FEEDBACK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and system of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback and particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and system for providing feedback in relation to gestures performed to initiate an operation relating to a vehicle opening. Aspects of the invention relate to a method, a system, and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a powered tailgate on a vehicle to facilitate access to the vehicle. The powered tailgate, for example, can be activated by performing a gesture in proximity to the tailgate or vehicle. The added convenience of being able to perform a gesture enables a user to open the tailgate when they are carrying objects, such as boxes, luggage, shopping etc., and cannot readily access a key fob or opening control of the tailgate. However, a potential problem arises when the user is unaware that the gesture fails to initiate operation of an opening of the vehicle.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a system, a method, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback comprising determining or detecting a movement pattern of a user relative to a vehicle and outputting a notification to the user.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback, comprising determining or detecting a movement pattern of a user relative to a vehicle; determining whether to initiate an operation of a vehicle opening in dependence on the movement pattern and one or more predetermined conditions; and outputting a notification to the user when one or more of the one or more predetermined conditions are not satisfied. Advantageously, the user is notified when the operation is not initiated.

Optionally the movement pattern of the user may be determined by tracking the user, or portion of the user, such as a limb.

Optionally, the one or more predetermined conditions comprise the movement pattern corresponding to a predefined movement pattern. Advantageously, the predefined movement pattern ensures the user has performed the correct gesture to initiate the operation. The one or more predetermined conditions may comprise an authentication status of the user. Advantageously the authentication status prevents an unauthorised person initiating the operation. A first type of notification may be output when a first predetermined condition is not satisfied. A second type of notification may be output when a second predetermined condition is not satisfied. The second type of notification may be output to the user when the authentication status indicates that the user is not authenticated. Advantageously the different notification types may be used to indicate different status, or unsatisfied conditions each correspond to a reason why the operation is not performed, such as whether the gesture was not performed correctly or the user is not authenticated.

Optionally the notification comprises one or both of a visual or audible notification. Advantageously the visual or audible notification provides a noticeable way of informing the user the operation will not be initiated.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gesture recognition system for a vehicle, comprising sensor means for determining or detecting a movement pattern of a user relative to the vehicle, control means, and notification means. The control means is arranged determine whether to initiate an operation of a vehicle opening in dependence on the movement pattern and one or more predetermined conditions, and the notification means is arranged to output a notification to the user when one or more of the predetermined conditions are not satisfied. Advantageously, the user is notified when the operation is not initiated.

The one or more predetermined conditions may comprise comparing the movement pattern with one or more predefined movement patterns. The one or more predetermined conditions may comprise the control means being arranged to receive a signal indicative of an authentication status from an authentication means. The authentication means may comprise a remote transceiver. Advantageously, the comparison with at least one predefined movement pattern ensures the correct gesture is performed. Advantageously the authentication status prevents an unauthorised person initiating the operation.

Optionally, the operation is initiated when the movement pattern at least substantially corresponds to one of the said one or more predefined movement patterns and the authentication status indicates that the user is authenticated. Advantageously, only a correct movement pattern performed by an authenticated user initiates the operation. A first type of notification may be output when a first predetermined condition is not satisfied. A second type of notification may be output when a second predetermined condition is not satisfied. The second type of notification may be output to the user when the authentication status indicates that the user is not authenticated. Advantageously the different notification types may be used to indicate different status, or unsatisfied conditions each correspond to a reason why the operation is not performed, such as whether the gesture was not performed correctly or the user is not authenticated.

Optionally, the notification means is arranged within or upon an external surface of the vehicle.

The notification means may comprise one or more light emitters. Each light emitter may be a different colour. A first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters may be illuminated to indicate a first notification type. A second light emitter of the plurality of light emitter may be illuminated to indicate a second notification type. The notification means may comprise an audio emitter arranged, in use, to emit at least one audible signal. The first notification type may be indicated by a first audible signal and the second notification type may be indicated by a second audible signal. Advantageously, the different notification types and methods of notifying the user indicate different statuses, such as whether the user is not authenticated or whether the gesture was not performed correctly.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a gesture recognition system according to an aspect of the invention.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a partial cross section through a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback. Advantageously, the feedback notifies the user when, for example, the gesture has not been performed correctly. It will be appreciated that other conditions may not be satisfied which result in a failure to initiate the operation.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 comprises control means 110 which comprises one or more processors for executing computer software which may be arranged to perform a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The software may be stored in a memory device (not shown) accessible to the control means 110. The control means 110 is communicably coupled to sensor means 120 for sensing a predetermined gesture.

The sensor means 120 may comprise one or more sensing devices arranged to sense or detect a presence of a user’s limb, such as the user’s leg or more particularly the user’s foot. Each sensing device may be a capacitive sensing device arranged to sense the presence of the user’s limb resulting in a change in the capacitance of the sensing device. The one or more sensing devices may be arranged to output a field of radiation, such as an electromagnetic, acoustic or an illumination field and to determine the presence of the user’s limb by detecting a perturbation in the field or receiving reflected radiation, such as reflected sound waves or illumination.

It will be realised that in other embodiments the gesture may be recognised using image recognition. The sensor means 120 may thus comprise one or more imaging devices or cameras. The control means 110 may be arranged to receive image data from the one or more cameras which are arranged to provide image data corresponding to at least an area where the gesture is performed. Based on the image data the control means 110 is arranged to determine performance of the gesture, such as by recognising one or more gestures.

Based on the respective output of the sensor means 120, a location of the user’s limb may be determined with respect to the sensor means 120. Based on the output of the sensor means 120, the control means 110 is arranged to determine when the user performs a predetermined movement pattern (‘gesture’) data indicative of which is stored in a memory accessible to the control means 110.

The control means 110 is arranged to output a control signal to initiate an operation, such as initiating movement of an opening of the vehicle, in dependence on the satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions. The opening may be a tailgate or door of the vehicle. One such condition may be the gesture being correctly performed. Another such condition may be the user being authenticated.

In certain embodiments, it is not desirable to initiate the operation when any person performs the gesture. For example, in embodiments where the control means 110 is arranged to initiate the opening of the tailgate or door of a vehicle. If the person does not have an authentication device, such as a wireless key fob to open or start the vehicle or a mobile device having an authentication capability, then it may be assumed that the person is not authorised. As such it would be undesirable to allow that person access to the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the control means 110 may be communicably coupled to a detector for detecting the presence of the authentication device. The detector may be a communication device for wirelessly communicating with the authentication device. A wireless ultra-high frequency (UHF) ultra-wide band (UWB) system may be used to establish a link between the vehicle and the authentication device. In other embodiments, the link may be established by the control means 110 receiving a signal on a communication bus of the vehicle indicative of a presence of the authentication device. The signal may be provided to the control means 110 by another system of the vehicle arranged to communicate with the authentication device. It will be appreciated other means of establishing a link between the vehicle and the authentication device may be used.

In such embodiments, the authentication device may be used to determine the presence of a user who is authenticated or authorised to perform the gesture to access the vehicle. It will be appreciated that other means of authenticating a user may be used.

The control means 110 is also communicably coupled to notification means 130. The notification means 130 is arranged for notifying a user i.e. outputting a notification to the user. The notification may be provided in at least one of an audible and/or visual manner. The notification means 130 may comprise one or more light emitting means, such as one or more light emitting devices such as diodes. However it will be appreciated that other means of notification may be used such as an audio outputting means for emitting an audible signal. The notification means 130 may be arranged in or upon an outer surface of the vehicle, such as a bumper or body panel of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the notification means 130 may be positioned elsewhere, such as behind a covering which may be the bumper of the vehicle, particularly where the notification means is an audio output device. In other embodiments, the notification means 130 may be arranged to project an output onto a surface or roadway proximal to the vehicle, such as between the user and the vehicle.

The notification means 130 may be used to provide feedback to the user when one or more predetermined conditions are not satisfied. The one or more predetermined conditions may comprise one or both of whether the gesture was successful or unsuccessful and whether the user is authenticated. In some embodiments the notification means 130 may also be used to indicate to the user where to perform the gesture. The notification means 130 may indicate to a user that the predetermined conditions are satisfied and the operation will be initiated. In some embodiments, the notification means 130 may be used to indicate to the user that the gesture was performed incorrectly. This may be indicated to the user by a first type of output, which may be a particular colour light, such as a red light, although it will be realised that other colours may be used. Similarly, the notification means 130 may be used to indicate that the gesture was performed correctly but authentication of the person has not been successful such that the operation will not be initiated. This may be indicated to the user by a second type of output, which may comprise a different colour of light, such as an orange light, although it will be realised that other colours may be used. The authentication of the person may not been successful because they do not possess the authentication device. It will be appreciated that other means of notifying the user, such as an audible signal emitted by an audio outputting means, may be used where different audible signals or messages represent a different output of the system 100 e.g. the first or second types of output. Successful initiation of the operation may be indicated by a third type of output, such as a green light, although it will be realised that other colours may be used. The type of output may be configured by a user, such as by configuring settings of the system via a user interface of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a partial longitudinal cut-through 200 of a vehicle 210 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 210 is a landgoing vehicle although it will be realised that embodiments of the invention may be used with water-borne or airborne vehicles such as boats or aircraft. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, a tailgate 250 of a vehicle is openable responsive to a gesture from a user. However, it will be realised that other openings of the vehicle, such as doors, a bonnet (hood), windows or a roof of the vehicle may be controlled in other embodiments of the invention. As will be explained, the vehicle 210 comprises a gesture recognition system according to an embodiment of the invention, such as that described above.

In the vehicle 210 there is located a control means 220 which may comprise one or more processors and a memory (not shown). The control means 220 may initiate the operation of a tailgate 250 of the vehicle 210, wherein the control means 220 is communicably coupled to first and second sensing means or devices 230, 231 as described above in relation to Figure 1. It will be appreciated there may be more or less than two sensing devices. The first sensing device 230 may be arranged so as to sense objects generally underneath the rear of the vehicle. The second sensing device 231 may be arranged to detect objects generally at the rear of the vehicle. It will be realised that other arrangements of the one or more sensing devices 230 may be envisaged. The sensing devices 230, 231 are arranged to determine a performance of a predetermined gesture.

Although not specifically shown in Figure 2 the control means 220 may be communicably coupled to a communication device or system for determining a presence of an authentication device, such as a key fob or mobile device e.g. a telephone, for authenticating the user as described above. The communication device and control means 220 may be coupled by a communication bus of the vehicle which may be a CAN bus or IP-based bus such as Ethernet, although it will be realised that other communication technologies may be used.

The control means 220 may be arranged to receive information indicative of an authentication status relating to the user performing the gesture. The authentication status may be determined by the presence of the authentication device which may be a remote transceiver, such as a wireless key fob. The presence of the authentication device is indicative of the user being authorised to open the vehicle opening by performing the predetermined gesture.

Furthermore, the control means 220 may be coupled to one or more devices for sensing or detecting an obstruction of the opening. The one or more devices may be arranged to determine whether the opening is able to move to a predetermined position, such as an open position. For example, where the vehicle is a SUV, 4x4 or estate-type vehicle having a tailgate 250 which extends upward or generally horizontally when open, a device may be arranged to detect whether an obstruction is present which may prevent the tailgate 250 successfully opening. The device may be referred to as an obstruction detection device. The one or more devices are arranged to output a signal indicative of the obstruction to the control means 220.

The control means 220 is arranged to determine whether one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied. One such predetermined condition may be the gesture being performed correctly when compared to data indicative of one or more predefined movement patterns stored in the memory of the control means 220. In some embodiments one predetermined condition may be whether a person is authenticated. A further predetermined condition may be that the opening of the vehicle, such as the tailgate 250, is not obstructed. If the one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control means 220 is arranged to initiate an operation of the vehicle 210, such as the opening of the tailgate 250. To indicate the status of the system and whether any of the one or more predetermined conditions are not satisfied, such that the operation is not initiated, the vehicle 210 incorporates a notification means 240 capable of indicating to the user when one or more of the one or more predetermined conditions are not satisfied.

In some embodiments of the invention, the notification means 240 comprises one or more light emitting means, such as one or a plurality of light emitting diodes, although other suitable notification means may be used. The notification means 240 is arranged to indicate when the control means 220 determines that at least some i.e. one or more of the one or more predetermined conditions have not been satisfied. In one embodiment if the gesture is not performed correctly, or not recognised by the control means 220, the control means 220 controls the notification means 240 to output a first output type. The first output type may be a particular colour light or combination of lights. In some embodiments the first output type may be a red light, although it will be realised that another colour light may be used. Similarly, where the gesture is correctly performed by an unauthenticated person (i.e. the authentication means is not detected) the control means 220 may signal the notification means 240 to output a second output type. The second output type may be a different colour light or combination of lights to the light of the first output type. In some embodiments the second output type may be an orange light, although it will be realised that another colour light may be used. It will be appreciated that other colours may be used when appropriate, and in some embodiments multiple colours may be used. Alternatively in another embodiment, a specific audible signal may be emitted by an audio outputting means to indicate the feedback. A further output type may indicate obstruction of the opening.

In other embodiments the notification means 240 may output further notification types to indicate other feedback. For example, the notification means 240 may indicate to a person where to perform the gesture. Similarly, the notification means 240 may indicate to a user when the one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied and that the operation will be initiated.

Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 300 is a method for providing gesture initiated operation feedback to a user. The feedback is provided by a notification means, as described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, which is used to indicate when an operation has not been initiated due to one or more predetermined conditions not being satisfied. The operation may be the opening of a vehicle opening such as a tailgate, although it will be appreciated any other vehicle opening such as doors, a bonnet, windows, or a roof may be appropriate.

In step 310 it is determined whether a gesture is performed. Step 310 may comprise determining that a gesture is sensed by a sensing means of the vehicle, as described above. The gesture may be performed by a user, at a predefined area about a vehicle.

In dependence on the determination that the gesture is performed, the method 300 progresses to step 320. In step 320 it is determined whether the gesture is recognised. That is, whether the gesture is an acceptable gesture. In some embodiments step 320 comprises determining whether the gesture at least substantially corresponds to data indicative of a predefined gesture. The data may be stored in a memory of a system which implements the method 300, such as the system described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2. If the gesture performed does not at least substantially correspond to the predefined gesture, the method 300 progresses to step 330.

At step 330, a first notification type is provided to the user to indicate that a first of the one or more predetermined conditions is not satisfied. In some embodiments this may indicate that the gesture is not correct or does not substantially correspond to the predefined gesture. In some embodiments, the first notification type may comprise a visible notification. The first notification type may be one or more lights of different colours. In some embodiments, the first notification type may be a red light. The first notification type may be used to indicate that the gesture performed is incorrect. In an alternative embodiment an audible signal may be emitted by an audio outputting means to indicate the gesture is incorrect. It will be appreciated that other means of notification may be appropriate.

At step 320, if it is determined that the gesture at least substantially corresponds to at a predefined gesture, the method 300 progresses to step 340. In step 340, it is determined whether the user performing the gesture is authenticated. The user may be authenticated in a number of ways. In some embodiments the system may detect the presence of an authentication means. The authentication means may be a remote transceiver such as the wireless key fob used to access or start the vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that other means of authenticating a user may be used when appropriate such as a user’s mobile device e.g. mobile telephone. If it is determined that the user is not authenticated; that is, as described in the above embodiment a person does not have the authentication means such that the system is able to detect the presence of the authentication means, the method 300 progresses to step 350.

At step 350, a second notification type is presented to the user to indicate that a subsequent one or more of the predetermined conditions are not satisfied. In some embodiments, such as the one described above, the second notification type may indicate that a person is not authenticated. In some embodiments, the second notification type may comprise a second type of light output. The second notification type may be one or more lights of different colours. In some embodiments the second notification type may be an orange light. The second notification type may indicate that the gesture is correct, but that the person is not authorised to access the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment an audible signal may be emitted by an audio outputting means to indicate the person is not authenticated. It will be appreciated that other means of notification may be appropriate.

At step 340, if it is determined that the user is authenticated, the method 300 progresses to step 360. At step 360 an operation is initiated. In some embodiments as described above this may be the opening of the vehicle, such as opening of the tailgate 250 of the vehicle 210. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments other operations may be initiated. In some embodiments, the user may be notified that the operation is being initiated. The user may be notified by a notification of a third type, such as a third type of light output. The light output means may comprise one or more of a plurality of lights indicating the operation is initiated or is being performed. In some embodiments this may be in the form of one or more different coloured lights, such as a green light. Alternatively the light emitting means may flash to indicate an operation is taking place.

In some embodiments, it will be appreciated that steps 320 and 340 may be reversed. That is once a gesture is sensed at step 310, the method 300 progresses to step 340 to determine whether the user is authenticated. Once it is determined that the user is authenticated the method 300 progresses to step 320 where it is determine whether the sensed gesture at least substantially corresponds to one or more predetermined movement maps.

The method 300 may further comprise, although not specifically shown, a decision step of determining whether the opening of the vehicle, such as the tailgate 250, is obstructed. If it is determined that the opening is obstructed, the method 300 may move to a step of outputting a fourth type of notification indicative of the opening being obstructed. The fourth type of output may be a light of a predetermined colour, combination of lights or audible signal. If it is determined that the opening is not obstructed the method may progress to step 360.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing a notification to a user when an operation of a vehicle opening is not initiated, such that the user is aware of a reason for the non-initiation.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as claimed in any preceding claim and a machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of providing gesture-initiated operation feedback, comprising: determining a movement pattern of a user relative to a vehicle; determining whether to initiate an operation of a vehicle opening in dependence on the movement pattern and one or more predetermined conditions; and outputting a notification to the user when one or more of the one or more predetermined conditions are not satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined conditions comprise the movement pattern corresponding to one or more predefined movement patterns.

3. The method any previous claim, wherein the predetermined conditions comprise an authentication status of the user.

4. The method of any previous claim comprising outputting a first type of notification when a first predetermined condition is not satisfied.

5. The method of any previous claim comprising outputting a second type of notification when a second predetermined condition is not satisfied.

6. The method of claim 5 when dependent upon claim 3, and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the second type of notification is output to the user when the authentication status indicates that the user is not authenticated.

7. The method of any previous claim, wherein the notification comprises a visual notification.

8. The method of any previous claim, wherein the notification comprises an audible notification.

9. A gesture recognition system for a vehicle, comprising: sensor means for determining a movement pattern of a user relative to the vehicle; control means for determining whether to initiate operation of a vehicle opening in dependence on the movement pattern and one or more predetermined conditions; and notification means for outputting a notification to the user when one or more of the predetermined conditions are not satisfied.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined conditions comprise comparing the movement pattern with one or more predefined movement patterns.

11. The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the control means is arranged to receive a signal indicative of an authentication status from an authentication means, and the authentication status is one of the predetermined conditions.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the authentication means comprises a remote transceiver.

13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the operation is initiated when the movement pattern at least substantially corresponds to one of said one or more predefined movement patterns and the user is authenticated.

14. The system of any of claims 9 to 13 wherein a first notification type indicates a first predetermined condition is not satisfied.

15. The system of any of claims 9 to 14 wherein a second notification type indicates a second predetermined condition is not satisfied.

16. The system of any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the notification means is arranged within an external surface of the vehicle.

17. The system of any of claims 9 to 16, wherein the notification means comprises one or more light emitters.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least some of the plurality of lights are different colours.

19. The system of any of claims 17 or 18, wherein a first set of one or more of the plurality of lights are illuminated to indicate a first notification type.

20. The system of any of claims 17 through 19, wherein a second set of one or more of the plurality of lights are illuminated to indicate a second notification type.

21. The system of any of claims 9 through 16, wherein the notification means comprises an audible signal.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first notification type is indicated by a first audible signal.

23. The system of any of claims 21 or 22, wherein the second notification type is indicated by a second audible signal.

24. A vehicle comprising a system according to any of claims 9 to 23.

25. A method, system or vehicle substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.