Method of transmitting traffic information in a vehicle

The invention relates to a device for outputting traffic information in a motor vehicle.

It has long been known to traffic reports on radio stations output, so that the drivers of motor vehicles in a vehicle located radio receiver this traffic reports can listen. The individual broadcasters provide this essentially only traffic messages, relating to the respective broadcasting area. In addition, Traffic announcements usually sorted so that it according to importance each affected roads are issued. So are usually Traffic information for highways faced by highways and cities Posted.

Lying as in metropolitan areas before a lot of messages, so the driver must a vehicle when receiving the traffic reports them carefully Track to determine whether there are for him relevant traffic information. This can be extremely annoying and the driver of current traffic conditions distracted. On the other hand, it is often the case that the driver While pursuing the individual traffic reports carefully, the decisive Moment, however, by the current traffic situation, which for security reasons the driver's attention priority claimed, is deflected so that it is precisely the message traffic that interest him ignored.

Along with public and private broadcasters-use traffic information system Already more traffic information systems known the a user, that is z. B. enable a driver of a motor vehicle, Traffic information individually to request.

In such a known traffic information system, the driver can one installed in the motor vehicle a motor vehicle before beginning a trip notified terminal, for which geographical area he traffic information wishes. To this end, appropriate information must be entered in the terminal are, about the effect that the driver in the future only within a city to move wishes or intends to, for example, on a to drive overland route or highway a more distant target. in the the former case is then shown him only traffic information or reported that for a circular area with a predetermined radius to the motor vehicle around is relevant. The driver can also Size set itself the radius. In contrast, in the latter Case the driver is only transmitted traffic information for a predetermined Area around the vehicle around and for that region applies, in which the motor vehicle moves toward the target. in the the second case is the area obtained for the relevant traffic information is formed quasi keyhole shaped. Again, radii and selected distances from the driver before driving freely or by the system be specified.

Although this traffic information system by the individual geographical Output restrictions of the territory for the traffic reports be, the number of events is reduced, should the on traffic information interested users listen to all traffic messages, to determine whether relevant for him traffic messages are.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide an apparatus provide for outputting traffic information in a motor vehicle, which allows the traffic reports individually outputting so that the interested user as quickly as possible on the important for him traffic situation is informed.

This object is solved by the device according to Claim first advantageous Embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

So according to the invention are traffic information together with the respective Position of the section or -punkts stored on it relate. Before the issue of traffic information then the positions the traffic information with the respective position of the motor vehicle compared, in which the traffic information is to be issued to the distances between the respective positions of the traffic messages from the postition this motor vehicle to determine. Then, the traffic reports by intervals and starting with the smallest distance output. The first traffic message that the driver with the aid of the invention, is spoken or displayed, so the traffic report, the current Vehicle position is closest. The driver can thus ever decide on the type of traffic message immediately to what extent the hip Traffic conditions or the hip link state his routing directly affected so that it possibly in time a bypass route can choose instead of the planned route.

According to a first embodiment of the invention it is provided that the sorted traffic messages are transmitted to a motor vehicle. So here are the traffic messages already at the service provider, ie by the operator of the traffic information system, so that the terminal extremely simple in the motor vehicle for outputting the traffic information can be designed.

In another advantageous development of the invention, however, is provided that the traffic information is transmitted to a motor vehicle, are sorted and stored there, wherein the data transmitted to a motor vehicle Traffic reports at predetermined intervals constantly updated will.

In this way, it is possible that the driver of a motor vehicle any time traffic updates declare or can be displayed, said traffic information depending on the current location be issued.

In an advantageous development of the invention provides that in Motor vehicle only stored traffic information and then output are affecting a selected area. This can be the significantly reduce to store traffic information, so that on the one hand memory requirements in the terminal relatively small and on the other hand the Sorting time can be reduced prior to output.

Although it is possible, that the selection of traffic information to be transmitted in accordance with the relevant for the vehicle in the area Service provider is made, this selection can be immediately after Receiving the traffic information by means of an appropriate filter routine perform well in the motor vehicle.

If a driver with his vehicle, for example as a taxi driver or supplier go primarily only in a certain area, so it is expedient if the selected region, the position of the motor vehicle substantially encircles. However, if a driving route to a remote planned target, eg. as on an overland route, it is advisable, if the selected region in response to a planned route this corridor-like surrounding with respect to the current position of the is motor vehicle fixable.

To prevent that the driver is not relevant to him traffic reports announced or displayed, is to an advantageous development the invention provides that each traffic message along with a Timeliness of information is transmitted, the expected duration the general relevance of the traffic report discloses that the found average vehicle speed, the traffic information linked assigned intervals and with the timeliness of information is compared to the individual relevance of each traffic message determine and that only those traffic messages are shown which were evaluated relevant time as for the respective vehicle.

In this way, can be prevented, for example, that the driver of a Vehicle such as a jam message is announced that a stretch its planned route is concerned, but foresight light when this reached stretch, has long been outdated. Can say for example so be expected that a 200 km distant storage planned on the Route will have dissolved in about an hour, so the driver needs a vehicle traveling an average of 100 km / h this jam are not popular because the vehicle this leg only in two will reach hours, so only when the traffic report is not longer applies.

It is particularly useful if the news information of the respective Traffic message the transmission timing, the expected includes time and the detection time of the reported event.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that first the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, it is determined that the direction of detected by the motor vehicle for each postion of the traffic report and is compared with the direction of travel, and in that the traffic messages are sorted by directions. In this way it can be achieved, that two or more traffic messages of the current vehicle position equally far away lies traffic events relate again after its instantaneous, directional relevance to the ranked driver can be issued. An addition to Inferred Route lying traffic event is in this case only after the announcement, or Display of lying in front of the vehicle traffic event output.

Here, with reference to the direction in which the position of the traffic report, So the place to be reported traffic event on the current Vehicle position is seen, also be determined whether the traffic report the particular road in the direction of travel or the track (s) of the opposite direction relates to the announcement or indication in question from the opposite direction To avoid traffic reports.

An advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that from the direction of the motor vehicle for each postion of the traffic report and the direction of travel, a direction factor of each traffic message is formed, which with the respective traffic message associated distance is combined in a local relevance factor in the Issue of traffic reports into account, in which case a Traffic message is only issued when her local relevance factor is greater than a predeterminable threshold value.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized, that the postition of the motor vehicle by means of a satellite-based Postitionsfeststell system, especially with the GPS system (Global Positioning System) is detected as a geocode, and that the positions of traffic reports also present as geocodes, so that the finding the distances can be carried out without further conversions. By using geocodes both the distances between blank Vehicle and affected by the traffic information sections of track the traveling direction and the directions from the vehicle to the particularly easily determine distance intervals.

The invention is described below in greater detail, for example, based on the drawing explained. This shows:<sl><li>Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a user unit Use as a terminal in a traffic information system,</li><li>Figure 2 is a flowchart of a used with the inventive device Filter routine</li><li>Figure 3 is a flowchart of a first device according to the invention with the used method, and</li><li>4 shows a flowchart of another with the inventive apparatus used method.</li></sl>

In the various figures of the drawing are corresponding to one another Components and process steps with the same reference numerals.

As Figure 1 shows, a as terminal in a traffic information service system usable user unit an example of a microprocessor uP trained central processing and control unit 10, to which the telecommunications unit a mobile telephone 11 for communication with a Center of a road or traffic information service system, and for example, a GPS module 12 as a tracking device of a satellite-based position detection system are connected. To service the user unit an input unit 13 is provided, for example, a voice input unit, a full alphanumeric keyboard, a keypad, such as it is also used in telephones, especially in mobile phones, or In the simplest case may be a rotary-push button. It is also possible, instead of a separate input unit 13, the phone keypad 11 or to use a mobile telephone 11 provided in the voice input unit.

To display system feedback during the operation of the user unit and in particular during the preparation of communication with the headquarters of the information service system and to display the information service system laying user unit and stored there Information is expediently a display unit 14 and / or a VRU 15 connected to the central processing and control unit 10th The display unit 14 can, for example as a liquid crystal display be trained screen.

A memory unit 16 is used for temporary or permanent storing Traffic information and other data.

The inventive method is described below with reference to the Drawing flow charts shown illustrated example closer. At the Operation of the user unit to the user, ie, in particular the driver of a motor vehicle in addition to a variety of non-illustrated other operating functions via a menu item "Traffic info" added option of requesting current traffic information and display depending on the capabilities of the terminal and / or announce to leave.

Depending on the configuration of the traffic information service system, it is possible the user using the user unit in a suitable dialogue a traffic information request along with the instantaneous Kraftfahrzeugpostition, which was determined by the GPS module 12, for Service provider, so sends to the head office of the information service system. provider side can now use the traffic messages along with the respective Postition of the section or -punkts, so together with the stored place at which a to reporting the Verkehrsereig-nis is are sorted distance-dependent, in the first positions of the Traffic reports with the respective vehicle position are compared, in order to determine the distances. Complete When the sorting process is, then the service provider with the traffic information transferred the sorted according to distances traffic reports for user unit and be issued there in a suitable manner.

Preferably, however, is that one of a traffic information request User out of the headquarters of the information service system, only the traffic reports together with the respective position of the route section, are to which they relate, transmit.

In order to save the number of and later be issued traffic alerts to minimize, be by means of a figure in 2 shown filter routine upon receiving traffic information in Step S 10 and the latches of the traffic information in step S11 read first the traffic reports in step S12 individually to the Step S13 to determine whether the position of the traffic report, so the position the section of line that is referenced in the traffic information, in a previously defined by the user area or not. If the affected Stretch not in the predetermined area, thus reversing Proceeds to step S12 to read the next traffic message, was reviewed by the step S 15, whether already all cached Traffic messages have been read.

However, if the read in step S12 traffic announcements on the field, so is the traffic message in step S14 is stored. In step S15 then verifies that all traffic messages have been read. If this is the case, the filter routine is terminated. Otherwise, the routine continues as long as the Read continued traffic information in step S12 until all the traffic reports are read.

The area to choose from the interesting to the user traffic reports is selected, is either substantially a circular Area whose radius is given by the system sense, if the Bentuzer not enter an appropriate value for it. For targeted Trips, especially for cross-country trips, it is expedient if a keyhole-like area is determined that a circular substantially Portion having a relatively small radius around the current vehicle position around and toward the destination on both sides includes the probable route lying conical region.

If the user in his user unit, a navigation system Available and there is a route planning for your destination, so , the region of interest also selected corridor-like along the route , whereby the width of the corridor either from the driver's chosen freely or can be determined by the system in an appropriate manner.

Once in question using the filter routine all the selected region Traffic messages are stored, the output of each traffic messages occurs according to the output routine shown in FIG. 3

Before the announcement or display of Verkehrsmeldugen is to the step S20 first determines the current vehicle position. Once then a traffic announcement was read in step S21 will be explained in step S22 the distance between the vehicle position from the position of the traffic message betrofffenen route section is calculated. Subsequently, in the simplest calculated case in step S23, the traffic message along with the Distance stored. Then S24 is checked in step whether all gespr eicherten Traffic messages have been read, and the routine at step S21 so continues until the distance to the route for each traffic message was calculated. After sorting the traffic reports be a function of their associated intervals in step S25 then in step S26, the traffic reports starting with the smallest distance output.

To help the driver, the individual traffic events, such as Jams and obstacles, and track information, such as road blocks, Detours and weather-related road conditions, not only in the to say or indicate where the user konfroniert with them order is, but the user only the actually relevant to them to present traffic information, can in the illustrated in Figure 3 Routine after the distance calculation in step S22, in step S221, the individual Relevance of the traffic message are determined.

For this purpose, for example, from the determined in step S22 distance and an average vehicle speed calculated when the user with his vehicle affected by the traffic message stretch is reached. This time is compared with a timeliness of information, the each traffic message is attached, and from which the expected Late to be reported traffic impairment can be determined.

This expected end of road deterioration, for example, relative with road blocks or -behinderung a result of construction work be specified. When can disabilities caused by road accidents the end often also taking into account the accident time and the assess severity of the accident.

By comparing the time at which the user with his vehicle the respective stretch estimated to have achieved the End time of the disability can be the individual relevance of the traffic report determine for each user. In step S222 then regularly checked based on the determined relevance individual whether the respective Traffic message is relevant and in step S23 together with the distance should be saved or not. In the latter case, the routine returns to the Step S21 to read the next traffic message after in Step S24 was examined to see whether any cached traffic reports have been read.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention for outputting traffic information first, as shown in Figure 4, In step S20 ', not only the vehicle position but also the direction of travel determined, in the example, of two or more consecutive Vehicle positions a heading vector, hereinafter called Direction designates, is calculated. Subsequently, in step S21 each read a traffic message to the step S22 'not only the distance of the section of the current vehicle position but to determine the direction of this section. In step S33, Then, a direction factor of the direction of travel and the direction of Line segment determined to get out of the distance and the direction factor Every message to calculate a local relevance in the step S34. It is expediently also consider whether the traffic message underlying traffic event for the current direction of travel or is for the opposite direction of travel of importance.

For example, if a traffic event on a section in front of, the is in the direction of travel, so the angle between the direction of travel and direction of the section 0 ° and the traffic message receives the local relevance 1, unless it relates to the opposite direction. If there is a traffic event on a side of the direction of travel section of the route, as is the Angle between the direction of travel and direction of the section of 0 different and the local relevance of direction and distance factor calculated. If the angle is relatively small, for example, 5 ° or 10 °, so is the traffic message a relatively high relevance, however, is smaller than 1 assigned. Here z. B. obtained with the same direction of the factor further away lying traffic event the more relevant since with increasing Distance between the position of the traffic message and the current Vehicle position, the probability of a deviation of the instantaneous Direction increases. If the stretch almost in degrees to the side or even behind the current vehicle position, so in targeted drive is the traffic message called irrelevant.

The local relevance, for example as a value between 0 and 1 or in binary representation ganzahliger a value from 0 to 3 or 0 and 7 may be, depending on the number of bits used, then the traffic report will assigned, so that can be checked in step S35 whether the traffic report is relevant, therefore, whether the local relevance a predetermined exceeds threshold value or not. If the traffic report deemed relevant, so they will be described in step S23 ', together with the distance and the local relevance saved. The threshold value for the local relevance either by the user or by expediently System be established. If the user, for example, in a city on the move, where he often changes its direction, so the threshold value be set for local relevance, for example to 0 to all traffic reports regardless of the direction, but on the distance and preferably sorted them by local relevance issue. Is the Users with his vehicle on a purposeful journey, so he can make a Enter relatively high threshold, so that in addition to its intended suppressed route traffic events lying blinkers will.

If in step S35, a traffic message is not deemed relevant, the routine returns directly to the step S21 to the next traffic report to read, was reviewed after in step S24, whether already all cached traffic messages have been read.

In step S24, it is then checked whether all read traffic reports were to then subsequently in step S25 'by distance sort. In step S26 'then the traffic reports starting with the smallest distance, taking account of local relevance factor output.

In this example, all traffic messages a distance range hip or displayed according to their relevance. However, it is also possible that initially only the traffic messages with each highest Relevance by intervals sorted are issued, then the traffic reports less relevance also sorted by distance display or to say.

Moreover, it is finally possible that in addition to the determination of local relevance in steps S33, S34 and S35 also the temporal Relevance, as determined in steps S221 and S222 and checks has to take into account before or after Feststelleung of local relevance, to the user of the traffic information service system really just to present the important for him Traffic Information in order thereby support him in his route choice optimally without it unnecessarily distract from the traffic, as for example through the Traffic announcements from radio stations is done.