DE19727388B4 - Remote query system for providing information about traffic conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The system is accessible via the telephone network or internet, and has a databank (3) holding information relating to traffic congestion etc.. A signalling channel provides the information to a user upon interrogation. The databank is accessed via an input element (10) which differentiates between the signalling channel and the interrogation channel. The databank has a speech or word recognition device (4) for recognising key words in a telephone or internet call, for accessing the information relating to the required motorway section, fed to the user via an output element (2).

Description

The invention relates to a remote query system for Providing information about traffic conditions on expressways with an input element which is able to recognize user information and the user information that is received via a query channel, information about takes the route of interest, whereupon the remote query system a database query for the route concerned, and the information obtained about the traffic conditions be communicated to the user by an output element which can be predetermined Compile text modules and the user as of this transmit perceptible signal is able, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Information about the current traffic situation of radio stations mostly only in a larger temporal Distance, e.g. every half hour, Posted. As a result, it happens again and again that drivers get stuck in a traffic jam come because they are late about that be informed. This is especially annoying when timely Knowledge of traffic conditions would have a different route chosen can be. On the other hand, it also occurs frequently the case on that on the radio be warned of a traffic jam that is actually happening again disbanded Has. Here, drivers set themselves up on detours that are known the current traffic situation can be avoided. Since many channels also one great Most traffic information is irrelevant to the listener.

A disadvantage of the known traffic jam systems is therefore that they cannot react flexibly to the current traffic situation because the time from the occurrence to the reporting of a traffic jam as well as until The broadcast of the traffic jam message is often very long.

Remote telephone inquiry systems are known which, for example, for querying account balances or making bookings for telephone banking or for ordering by telephone in the mail order business serve. The user is predeterminable with an announcement text Announcement text blocks are instructed for use or the desired Information transmitted, taking the user's commands via the keypad of their phone outputs coded in the multi-frequency method. There are also remote telephone inquiry systems known, which are operated and controlled via pure voice signals, which evaluate a voice recognition unit of the remote access system is able.

It remains as a remote query system Online services are known on the Internet which provide information to a user make available from a database on request.

Through the DE 94 07 473 U1 a traffic warning and reporting system with at least one transmitting device and cooperating receiving devices installed in motor vehicles is known. It is provided to install such transmission devices along the traffic routes, to send traffic direction-related information and thus to transmit the information relevant to the current route to the road user. The disadvantage is that long-term route planning is not possible with this traffic warning and reporting system, since only locally relevant information is accessible. Furthermore, it is not possible for the user to influence the selection of the information provided.

The EP 07 63 807 A1 describes a system for estimating traffic density by analyzing the number of activated mobile phones in a cell and outputting the information to mobile phone users. However, the statistical evaluation of the activity measured in a radio cell encounters limits with regard to its usability for obtaining current traffic situation information, since the number of switched on mobile phones and the actual traffic density are only partially correlated. The other road holding, in particular sources of danger such as ice, fog or, cannot be analyzed in this way. Furthermore, the spatial resolution that can be achieved is limited by the size of the respective radio cell, so that an assignment of the measured activity data and thus the calculated traffic density to a specific road section can be difficult or not possible.

Through the DE 44 29 121 C1 Furthermore, a navigation system for a vehicle has become known with, inter alia, a memory for traffic information, in which, for example, traffic jam reports, construction sites, ice, fog, etc. are stored, which information can be queried by telephone. The road users can also report traffic-related information which is entered into the memory for traffic information.

Another vehicle information system with a method for audio navigation for vehicles is through the EP 0560786 B1 become known in which map information is stored and acoustic names of road positions are recorded and related to the map information, and with an electrical generation of simulation voice information in the form of acoustic statements for driving along the optimally calculated road route by the driver.

Through the DE 4423328 A1 Furthermore, a device has become known in which location data of mobile bodies, for example a truck, is displayed on digitized maps To cause reactions in the mobile body so that it can save driving time.

The invention is based on the object Notification system of the type mentioned at the beginning ask which if possible current information about the traffic conditions able to provide on a given route of interest and makes it accessible to interested parties at any time, the reporting system is based on messages from road users of topicality should increase.

The task is accomplished through a remote query system according to the characteristics of claim 1 solved. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

The traffic information and Announcement system works on a telephone basis, with callers being highly advantageous Way about that Reporting channel supply the database with information and this via a Can retrieve query channel again.

The traffic information and Reporting system guides the user with a telephone access Announcement text from predeterminable announcement text modules for use. These announcement texts are transmitted to the caller acoustically by the output element. The information that the caller receives is also transmitted to him requested when querying the traffic conditions from the database Has. To operate the traffic information according to the invention and Reporting system via pure voice signals it is necessary that the traffic information and messaging system the information transmitted by a caller about the Location and type of traffic disruption (reporting channel) or recognizes the route that interests him (query channel). To has the input element of the traffic information and reporting system Speech recognition unit based on the natural language of the caller recognizes certain keywords and converts it into usable information, which then flow into the database or with the help of which a database query can be carried out. These keywords are preferred all Motorway and federal road names, Names of localities, as well as of junctions and motorway junctions. Furthermore, the speech recognition unit should different types of traffic disruptions, e.g. Traffic jam, heavy traffic, fog, slippery, ghost driver, can identify.

To make speech recognition easier, the traffic information and reporting system preferably requests the Users in turn enter only these keywords. The system has a keyword not recognized, it prompts the user to enter it again on.

The query of traffic conditions online via the Internet is preferably done using a suitable screen mask, which prompts the user to enter the route of interest his terminal. Offers ease of use the traffic information and reporting system preferably to the user the relevant keywords for Characterize the route in a list from which the user just select got to. It can still use a road map are shown on which the user the route section of interest select by clicking can or already marked on the current traffic disruption are.

Depending on which channel a call to Traffic information and Reporting system is received, is formed from the keywords information about the location of a traffic incident or a route of interest to the user in the database filed or queried from the database.

The database can consist of a List of all motorway and federal road segment segments, characterized by starting and ending point such as junction (s) and / or motorway junction or Locality, exist. These route segments are each with the Characteristic "traffic jam", "heavy traffic", "smoothness" etc. or "none Malfunction ". Preferably is additional for these characteristics the number of the route segment concerned received messages and their time are saved. This makes it easier an assessment of the relevance of the existing fault reports.

Information older than are a predetermined time interval, for example half or an hour, are preferably automatically from the database deleted. Abuse prevent and only relevant malfunction reports pass on, information from the database is preferred only released for querying if they are used multiple times, e.g. B. at least triple, have been received.

The deletion of a fault message can also be user controlled by notifying that one for a particular Route reported fault does not exist anymore. Such a deletion notification must also be preferred be verified multiple times to actually delete the relevant fault entry to effect.

The database is filled by callers who transmit information on the traffic situation to the traffic information and reporting system. At present, many drivers have a mobile phone with which they can easily report malfunctions to the traffic information and reporting system. Such a call is received via a reporting channel in the traffic information and reporting system. Accordingly, information about the traffic situation can be called up by telephone via a query channel. Message and query channels can be differentiated either by two different phone numbers or by an input query. Access to the query channel via the Internet is also planned.

When you receive a call using the The caller first becomes the reporting channel prompted street name, Specify direction of travel, location and type of traffic disruption, preferably by specifying the relevant junctions or motorway junctions. The speech recognition unit converts this information into computer usable data information about the disturbed Route converted. The computer uses the direction of travel and Autobahn designation or based on the respective junctions or crossing points determine in which route segment the fault is located. In the corresponding route segment is then included in the database the name "traffic jam" or the respective disorder marked. The time of the call is also saved. The Input of information by the user can also be done in part Keyboard commands occur, e.g. "Traffic jam" = number 1, "heavy traffic" = number 2, etc.

The traffic information and reporting system preferably plays those recognized by the speech recognition unit and converted information, composed of saved text modules, to the caller again using the output element and takes only after confirmation in the database. This confirmation, that the Voice signals have been correctly recognized, for example, by pressing a button multi-frequency coded or also by voice input. One about the Call channel incoming call is preferably free of charge.

With an incoming via the query channel Call or over The Internet allows the user to see the road conditions on certain routes ask. In the case of a telephone, the traffic information and reporting system by means of the output element for specifying street names and directions of travel and, if applicable, the planned route section. The speech recognition unit determines from the speech signal of the user again, as in the case of reporting, and converts the keywords into usable ones Information around. With this information, the assignment becomes a which section of the route is stored in the database can consist of one or more track segments. These route segments are each with the characteristic "fault" or "none Malfunction "is marked. If in the route section of interest with a route segment the "malfunction" mark is present and this is released for query, this will be given to the user communicated from the start and end point of the route segment. If more than one consecutive route segments marked with "traffic jam" only occur the communication of the start and end point of the entire chain. Analogous is used for the Internet query, whereby here the conversion the natural Speech in computer-usable information and back in announcement texts eliminated.

If there is a fault, the traffic information and notification system preferably to the user, an undisturbed alternative route to determine and inform him of this on request.

The message sent to the caller is off composed of several announcement text modules, e.g. from a basic module such as "On the ... between ... and ... is ... reported. ", the gaps in this basic module with the keywords also saved as announcement text modules z. B. "A 5, junction XY, a traffic jam "can be filled. There is no fault on the route requested, this will be communicated in a standard message. Couldn't get the planned route from the speech recognition unit are identified, the caller will preferably be called again Prompted for input.

Official police information the traffic situation is preferably included in the database. If necessary, they are always released for query and do not require any Confirmation through Additional Reports.

With the traffic information and reporting system is a means of providing information about traffic conditions to disposal, which is flexible to existing and rapidly changing traffic conditions is able to react. Furthermore, it offers the possibility these traffic conditions selective for at any time to query certain routes. This enables the user to quickly and individual route planning independent of the official traffic news on the radio.

An example of the invention is shown in the drawing and described below. The shows 1 the basic function of the traffic information and reporting system in the form of a block diagram.

The core of the traffic information and reporting system is the database 3 in which information about traffic conditions is stored on individual route segments. Each route segment is clearly defined by its start and end point, possibly also the street number, and is identified with the feature of whether there is a traffic disruption, the type of the disruption preferably also being indicated.

The traffic information and reporting system according to the invention obtains its information about traffic conditions, and thus that in the database 3 stored data, mainly from reports from private users who have this information via a reporting channel, left side of the 1 , send by phone. Additional information, such as official information from the traffic services or the police, can also be included directly in the database, which is not shown here.

As an interface between man and machine, the traffic information and reporting system has an input element 1 on which can be accessed by telephone by dialing a specific number to transfer information via the reporting channel or via the query channel, right side of the 1 To request information. The query channel can also be accessed online via the Internet, which is shown here in broken lines to distinguish it from telephone access. The traffic information and reporting system also has an output element 2 which guides the user to operate the system. With telephone access to the reporting or query channel, the user is guided acoustically through the playback of predeterminable announcement texts. When using the traffic information and reporting system via the Internet, the user is guided through a suitable screen mask, which is preferably self-explanatory.

The input unit has a speech recognition unit on which for the recognition and conversion of speech signals into computer-usable information serves. The input unit determines when a call is received via the Reporting channel from the natural Speech signal certain keywords which the clear assignment of traffic information to a specific one Allow route segment or a chain of route segments. As well is over when a call arrives the query channel determines the route of interest and into computer usable Information converted. These keywords are meaningfully the Names of localities, junctions, expressways as well as certain traffic disruptions. The speech recognition unit can specifically learn these keywords to have.

The information coming in via the reporting channel is stored in the database 3 included. Location information is used to identify the route segment (s), the specification of the fault to change the fault characteristic. Furthermore, the time of the message is stored in the database with the fault characteristic. A user can also use the message channel to inform them that a previously reported fault is no longer present. If such a message is received, the fault characteristic of the route in question is set to "no fault" again.

The incoming messages via the query channel are analyzed to identify the route of interest. The speech recognition unit filters 4 as in the case of malfunction reporting, certain keywords from the natural speech signal via the reporting channel and convert these into information with which a database query can be carried out. When an inquiry is received via the Internet, it is not necessary to convert it into computer-usable data, here the input element can be used 1 without using speech recognition 4 therefore directly to the database 3 access.

In the query channel, the fault characteristic becomes one or several route segments from the database. there becomes a malfunction only then released for playback if it is sufficiently relevant e.g. several times by independent Users have entered official police information represents and / or is not too old.

If there is no fault message for the route in question or if it is not released for querying, the user is informed by the output element 2 informed that the route of interest is not disturbed. In the event of a released fault message, this is transmitted to the user stating the location and type of the fault.

The transmission of information to the user in the query channel is done by the output element 2 how the user guidance is accomplished acoustically by predetermined announcement text modules, which are put together to form an adapted speech signal, or via the Internet, as a result of which the information is displayed to the user on the screen.

Claims (6)

Remote query system for providing information about traffic conditions on expressways with an input element ( 1 ), which user information is capable of recognizing and taking information about the route of interest from the user information received via a query channel, whereupon the remote query system makes a database query for the route in question, and the determined information about the traffic conditions for the user by means of an output element ( 2 ) to be communicated which predeterminable text modules are to be put together and which the user is able to transmit as a signal perceivable by the latter, characterized in that the remote inquiry system is accessible by telephone and additionally has a message channel, the input element ( 1 ), which extracts information about the location and type of traffic disruption from the user information received via the reporting channel, makes the distinction between the reporting and query channel and a speech recognition unit ( 4 ) contains which keywords can be recognized from an incoming telephone call and can be converted into computer-usable information about the location and type of traffic disruption or the route of interest, as well as the output element ( 2 ) is able to compile predeterminable announcement text modules and output them by telephone as a voice signal. Remote query system according to claim 1, characterized in that the query channel of the remote query system is accessible via the Internet, the input element ( 1 ) prompts the user to indicate the route of interest, preferably offers keywords for selection, and the output element shows the user the location and type of traffic disruption on the route in question. Remote query system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the keywords all Motorway, preferably also federal street names, names of localities as well as connection points and crossing points. Remote query system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that the Keywords as Text modules are saved. Remote query system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input element ( 1 ) carries out a query in the reporting channel as to whether a reported traffic incident is no longer present. Remote query system according to one of the preceding Expectations, characterized in that at telephone use of the remote access system the distinction between message and query channel via different phone numbers or about an input query is made.