Device for supporting the navigation of a vehicle

0001The invention relates to a system to help you navigate a vehicle, it being assumed that the vehicle with a radio is fitted, the associated a mobile data carrier with key function is such that the radio only after a check of the data carrier by is the radio associated microprocessor activated.

0002In practice, the use of so-called. Key cards being stolen known for car radios. In a key-card is one with an individual identifier for a particular radio card provided. The identifier may eg. By a special arrangement of holes in the card, therefore be implemented in mechanical form, or in electronic form, by an identifier stored in a specially designated microchip is. The key card is assigned to a car radio, specially this introduced intended receiving device, where the stored Identifier is checked. Only when stored on the key card corresponding identifier of the radio device identifier associated with, the enabled radio unit with the aid of a microprocessor, so that it is operated can be. The individual radio equipment of a type are therefore about their ID individualized and may only be valid with each of them associated key card to operate. is without appropriate keycard So a thus protected radio worthless.

0003With the present invention different ways are proposed a car radio with the above-described functions in to use the framework of a system to help you navigate a vehicle.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

0004A precondition for such inventive use the equipment the mobile data carrier - the key card - with an additional writable and readable memory. According to the invention it is now proposed, Means for receiving and evaluating of locating signals to determine providing the current vehicle position and means for storing the respectively determined current vehicle position and hence the actually traveled by the vehicle path in the additional Memory of the mobile data carrier. In this case, the disk meets So in addition to its key role in the function of a logbook. Given in addition to the specific means of locating signals Vehicle position data and time data are stored, resulting is information of travel time, speed and possibly breaks can be determined.

0005In the subordinate claims are advantageous embodiments and refinements of the features indicated in claim 1 plant for navigation support a vehicle listed.

0006Although the operation of the inventive system by Description explained a key card as the preferred mobile data carrier is should be noted at this point that within the scope of the invention Conditioning course, other types of mobile media use can be found, when compared with a writable and readable memory feature.

0007It is particularly advantageous when the current vehicle position based on Global Positioning System (GPS) signals is determined as the present invention Conditioning in this case to an existing and proven can access infrastructure. The installation of the invention must then with corresponding means for receiving and evaluating of GPS signals be equipped.

0008As already mentioned, the invention proposes, mobile upgrade disk of a conventional anti-theft device for car radios, namely, to provide an additional memory, by a total of the to increase functionality of the antitheft device and its components to use the framework of a system to help you navigate. In addition to the Functionality of the mobile data carrier may include the functionality of the Micro processor are increased, for under the anti-theft device Review of data stored on the portable storage device identifier and is used to control the radio. This microprocessor can now advantageously used in the analysis of the positioning signals will.

0009The embodiments of the invention described above System used so far as navigational aids, than with them each can determine current position of the vehicle. Below are variants the inventive system described, with which a Car navigation in the conventional sense, namely a road can be carried out.

0010These are means for storing targets on the disk, ie in the additional storage of the data carrier, provided means for Calculating a travel route from the current vehicle position and the stored targets and means for reproducing Path information as a function of the current vehicle position and the stored targets. The targets will be first Line act to controlling destinations. Targets can but appointments or be a cost factor. The saving of the targets may arranged by means of an inside or outside of the vehicle Programming device for data carriers. If the programming of the data carrier by the driver himself or inside the vehicle be possible, as could the programming, even with the help of radio eg. the already mentioned microprocessor, via the function keys radio done, which would then be assigned accordingly. The means for calculating a driving route are usually electronically program stored include maps and at least one on this zugreifendes Route search program. In addition, a storage medium has called for. Path information, namely standard directional terms, such as "at the first right "to be present.

0011Just like the radio assigned Microproezessor to determine is the current vehicle position based on the positioning signals can be used, the microprocessor with appropriate programming can also used to calculate the travel route can be used. Furthermore, it is advantageous when this microprocessor also playback path information controls.

0012In the automotive sector, it is of particular advantage when playing the Path information in the form of language is, as this at least the driver deflects, so the driver to concentrate fully on the traffic can. As part of the inventive system is playing the path information in the form of speech also particularly advantageous as the playback here from the existing loudspeaker device the radio can be done.

0013As explained above, based plant according to the invention from the conducted road on a comparison of the current measured Vehicle position with the stored on the disk drive route. In practice, it is often necessary to change the targets in the short term, eg. because the drive has no need to a destination or to short-term more destinations have shown. In an advantageous variant of the invention Plant for navigation support are now also also means for modifying the stored targets on phone signals provided. Particularly advantageous in this context it is, the when telephone signals are supplied to the microprocessor and the modification the stored targets then also using the Micro processor occurs. This provides an additional extension of the functional scope the original only in conjunction with an anti-theft device used microprocessor represents.

0014In addition to a telephone line, the only one signal transmission in a Direction enables, in which the microprocessor namely exclusively as Receiver functions, is also the realization of a bidirectional telephone link conceivable to the microprocessor. In this case, could the on to retrieve the disk stored data via telephone and so say for example. The current position of the vehicle can be queried.

0015Alternatively, or in addition to the possibility of the data stored on the data carrier to modify targets on phone signals, is to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive system, the Possibility telephone messages directly through the speaker system of Radios play. The driver can thus route information here also be transmitted directly by phone.

0016In practice, it often proves to be advantageous if the on disk stored targets are also reproduced optically, eg. on to the driver of short-term modifications of the targets keep up to date on. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention had Facility is provided for this purpose a display device.

drawing

0017In the single figure is the structure of a system according to the invention Navigation support of a vehicle is shown schematically. Both are the construction and the operation of the system shown below with reference to two examples of use described.

Description of examples

0018The installation shown in the single figure for navigation support a vehicle includes as a major component a mobile data carrier 1 and with this communicating microprocessor 2. The mobile Disk 1 is used in its original function as antitheft for a car radio, which is 2 associated with the microprocessor. The mobile data carrier 1 is provided with an identifier for a very specific radio. This radio device can be activated only by means of the mobile data carrier 1 be, and indeed only after examination of the data carrier identification 1 by the microprocessor 2nd

0019According to the invention, the data carrier 1 a writable and readable Memory. In addition, the inventive system comprises means for receiving and evaluating of locating signals to determine the current vehicle position and means for storing the respectively determined current vehicle position and so the fact of the vehicle distance traveled in the memory of the data carrier first

0020In the embodiment shown here is in the mobile Disk 1 to a so-called. Keycard that for a microchip the Identifier is provided.

0021The determination of the current vehicle position is carried out via GPS signals, with the aid of an antenna device 3 and a separate Receiving means 4 are received for locating signals and the Microprocessor 2 are supplied for evaluation. The current thus determined Vehicle positions are then in the memory of the data carrier 1 stored. In this way, the actual distance traveled by the vehicle Way logged. Additionally time information can be stored will.

0022The functions described above for the inventive system are explained in detail using a first utilization example.

0023The inventive system can advantageously within the organization and coordination courier services are used, provided that the vehicles used with appropriate car radios are. Given each driver an unauthorized device is assigned. About the received by the inventive system GPS signals first determined the starting position of the vehicle. This is on the Media stored. By storing the then at regular Intervals again determined current vehicle position, the entire Route of the vehicle and logs on the mobile data carrier stored. Also can be on together with the position information saved times the travel time, speed identify and duration of breaks and save to disk. The driver of a distance driven, together with any Additional information can then later using a suitable reader are displayed as a list or as a range, eg. on a PC, illustrated will.

0024Besides functioning as a tachograph, the shown in the figure Conditioning also be used for navigation of the vehicle. These include the inventive system means for storing targets in the memory of the data carrier 1, means for calculating a driving route starting from the current vehicle position and the stored Targets and means for reproducing path information depending of the current vehicle position and the calculated travel route.

0025In the single figure, with 5 input means designated for the targets. These input means 5 to communicate with the microprocessor 2, with which allows for a the targets in the memory of the data carrier 1 saved and the other a driving route is calculated.

0026For this purpose, communicates the microprocessor 2 to the receiving means 4 for the GPS signals. In addition, the microprocessor 2 controls the playback the path information in the form of voice over the loudspeaker device 6 of the radio.

0027In the embodiment shown here can be the on the disk 1 stored targets on phone signals also via the antenna device 3 and a receiving device 7 for phone signals received, modify. For this purpose, the microprocessor 2, the telephone signals supplied. Modifying the on disk 1 stored targets is then carried out also with the aid of the microprocessor . 2

0028In the illustrated embodiment, can be a two-way telephone connection build to the microprocessor 2, so that eg. in the memory of the data carrier 1 stored data, such as the current , Phone can retrieve position of the vehicle. In addition to Telephone signals fed directly to the speaker means 6 of the radio are such that telephone messages addressed directly to the driver can be.

0029Finally, in the embodiment shown here is also a display device 8 for the data stored in the memory of the data carrier 1 Data provided.

0030With 9 a receiving device for radio signals is indicated; and with 10 is an input device with the function keys known from practice a radio called.

0031The navigation function of the system shown in the single figure is again explained using the example of a courier trip.

0032multiple targets are in the form of prior destinations before riding and Appointments stored on the disk. 1 After inserting the media 1 is in the appropriate receptacle of the car radio again first determines the starting position of the vehicle. The stored Destinations and possibly their sequence is then a driving route calculated which may be optimized under different points of view, eg. in terms of cost or the necessary travel time. During the Drive is the currently determined vehicle position repeatedly calculated with the Driving route are compared, and the driver is then reacted with the corresponding Path information supplied. In addition, in the display device 8, the targets displayed if necessary with additional information for the driver. Due to the possibility of the current vehicle position by phone query, a panel can always tell if a vehicle according to plan before arriving or flight delays occur and accordingly the To inform customers. With appropriate programming of the microprocessor 2 could also be automatically notified the control center if found is that certain targets, for example. Abliefertermine, not respected can be. Moreover, the targets can also subsequently be altered by the control panel, in order for example. Other priorities to set. The new targets can be via a telephone link are passed to the microprocessor. 2 It would be conceivable also, that a customer itself eg. the current vehicle position of a courier car queries to check, where addressed to him delivery is.

0033With the inventive system, it is also easily possible deliveries by a courier cars to pass to another. This can be of the organized central unit by transmission of corresponding targets will. This allows both vehicles to a specific transfer location are passed. All operations described above may are recorded and stored by the respective disk, so that the delivery costs can be calculated very accurately.