EP2186077A1 - Method and device for controlling traffic flow - Google Patents

Method and device for controlling traffic flow

Info

Publication number
EP2186077A1
EP2186077A1 EP08786746A EP08786746A EP2186077A1 EP 2186077 A1 EP2186077 A1 EP 2186077A1 EP 08786746 A EP08786746 A EP 08786746A EP 08786746 A EP08786746 A EP 08786746A EP 2186077 A1 EP2186077 A1 EP 2186077A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
traffic light
vehicle
traffic
database
switching times
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08786746A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2186077B1 (en
Inventor
Ulrich STÄHLIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Original Assignee
Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Teves AG and Co OHG filed Critical Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Publication of EP2186077A1 publication Critical patent/EP2186077A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2186077B1 publication Critical patent/EP2186077B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
    • G08G1/096805—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route
    • G08G1/096827—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route where the route is computed onboard
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/095—Traffic lights
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
    • G08G1/096733—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the traffic flow. It is provided that the information about the time until switching a traffic light to another traffic light phase, i. in particular red, yellow or green, is used to give the driver of a vehicle a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light.
  • a traffic light in the sense of the invention is any traffic light system that gives instructions to vehicles in traffic.
  • the information about the duration until the change of the traffic light to the next traffic light phase is used to indicate to the driver at which speed he has a green wave, ie whether he is still at green, the traffic light can happen or this will switch to red before and forces him to stop.
  • the vehicle In order to realize this function of the traffic light phase assistant, it is necessary for the vehicle to know the switching times between the individual phases of the traffic light.
  • a direct communication between the traffic light and the vehicle is used, via which the switching times is communicated.
  • DSRC Dicated Short Range Communication
  • Object of the present invention is therefore to achieve an improvement in the determination of the speed recommendation, with a total of more vehicles to be achieved.
  • the position and the switching times of a traffic light for a plurality of traffic lights are stored in a database with the function of a server. Via a mobile radio communication connection, this data (position and switching times) can be called up by a motor vehicle, so that the driver of the vehicle is given the speed recommendation using this information, ie in particular switching times and / or position of the traffic light.
  • this data position and switching times
  • a motor vehicle Via a mobile radio communication connection, this data (position and switching times) can be called up by a motor vehicle, so that the driver of the vehicle is given the speed recommendation using this information, ie in particular switching times and / or position of the traffic light.
  • the central management of the switching times of the traffic lights offers an advantage in traffic planning, since these data can also be used in the development of traffic concepts and they can enter into simulations.
  • the position of the vehicle and the position of the traffic light can be taken into account in a digital road map in which, for example, the maximum permissible speeds are also noted. In this case, this speed in the data transmission can not be transmitted.
  • this method variant allows a prediction of whether a traffic light is located in the traffic route of the vehicle, and the retrieval of the switching times to this traffic light in advance by the vehicle.
  • the database for this is preferably sorted in such a way that the retrieval of the data takes place on the basis of the position data of the traffic light and / or the vehicle, i. the traffic lights in the database are sorted according to preferably global coordinates of a position or navigation system, in order, for example, to transmit the switching times of the coming traffic light and, if appropriate, the subsequent traffic lights on the basis of transmitted vehicle positions.
  • a further improvement of the prediction accuracy can be achieved if navigation data of the vehicle is taken into account in the speed recommendation.
  • this can be done, in particular, by taking into account additional traffic lights on the route for determining the speed recommendation, and by reaching a green wave for several consecutive traffic lights even when departing from a main traffic route.
  • the traffic light phases are often preconfigured to set a green wave.
  • the navigation data of the vehicle can also be interpreted to determine a more likely route along a route and to issue a speed recommendation for this purpose.
  • the current or a currently averaged speed of the vehicle is taken into account in the speed recommendation, for example by a speed corridor lying around this current or currently averaged speed.
  • a feel-good speed of the driver or a traffic situation in determining the speed recommendation can already be taken into account.
  • a positioning or navigation system may in particular be the GPS system or the future European satellite positioning system Galileo or comparable systems based on satellite signals. using accurate time base locations.
  • the mobile radio communication connection is realized by means of 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G and / or 4 G mobile radio networks, which provide sufficient data transmission capacities for the data to be transmitted.
  • the invention is not limited to the known mobile communication solutions, but can in principle be implemented with other wireless communication solutions that allow secure data transmission from a central server with database to mobile vehicles and / or traffic lights.
  • the invention also relates to an apparatus for controlling the traffic flow for use with a traffic light phase assistant according to the features of claim 10.
  • the traffic light phase assistant used with the apparatus is adapted to the driver based on information about the time until the traffic light turns to another traffic light phase Give a vehicle a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light.
  • the device according to the invention can be designed both for connection to a traffic light phase assistant and also contain an integrated traffic light phase assistant.
  • the device is provided in particular in a data server of a database in which the position and the switching times of a traffic light for a plurality of traffic lights are stored.
  • Switching times represent the switching times between the traffic light phases (for example red, yellow, green), it also being sufficient for carrying out the method according to the invention to take into account only the switching times for the phases red and green, since the yellow phases are very short and at one Speed recommendation does not necessarily have to be considered.
  • a mobile communication device is connected to a query of the Position and the switching times of one or more traffic lights over a cellular connection allows.
  • the database or the data server on which the database is installed can be set up in a function as a control device, in particular for carrying out the method described above or parts thereof.
  • the data server is connected to a receiver of a particular global positioning or navigation system and is adapted to determine the time base of the positioning or navigation system.
  • This time base can be used as a reference time to avoid having each traffic light know the reference time itself and must maintain it exactly.
  • a traffic light for carrying out the method according to the invention in predetermined intervals, the time switching points of the individual phases transmitted to the data server, the time between time switching point and transmission is recorded and transmitted. With this information, the data server can then transform the switching time to the reference time and store it based on this time base. Due to the short time between a switching time of a phase change of the traffic light and the transmission to the server no appreciable inaccuracy occurs here. However, this procedure can be dispensed with if the traffic light knows the reference time base itself, for example because it also communicates with a receiver of the positioning or navigation system. or the reference time is synchronized at regular intervals over a communication link.
  • a program is also installed in traffic light controls that specifies the switching times. Then it is also possible, for example, to transfer the program and its start time to the database. Based on this, the database can calculate the switching times for this traffic light and store it explicitly or as a calculation rule in the database. Therefore, it is basically sufficient if the program and the start time are sent only once, especially when starting the operation. For synchronization, however, it is advisable to retransmit the start time and possibly also the program at fixed time intervals. A suitable period is about 24 hours, ie a once-daily synchronization.
  • the device can also have a mobile transmitting and receiving device with an interface to a traffic light phase assistant.
  • This communication device is preferably mounted in a vehicle and may represent a unit with the traffic light phase assistant, which controls the communication device.
  • a control device that is separate from the traffic light phase assistant can also be provided, so that the device can be operated independently of the traffic light phase assistant and only provides it with the required information.
  • the device proposed according to the invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting existing traffic light phase assistants.
  • the transmitting and receiving device and / or the traffic light phase assistant are integrated into a driver assistance system, which also has other functions and is designed in particular as a computer, for example with a programmable microprocessor or comparable arithmetic unit.
  • the mobile part of the device according to the invention which is attributable to the vehicle can also be designed as a computer program product which sets up the processor of the driver assistance system for carrying out the method described above and the components present in the vehicle, in particular the transmitting and receiving device and the traffic light phase assistant uses inventive way.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the device according to the invention in carrying out the proposed method.
  • a device 1 for controlling the traffic flow is shown having a data server 2 with a database in which the position P and the switching times Si a traffic light 3 for a plurality of traffic lights 3 are deposited, in Fig. 1 only a record (P, Si) of a traffic light 3 is shown.
  • a mobile radio communication device 4 Connected to the database 2 of the data server is a mobile radio communication device 4, which makes it possible to query the position P and the switching times Si of traffic lights 3 via a mobile radio connection 5.
  • the mobile radio connection 5 can be, for example, one of the typically commercially available mobile radio networks of the generations 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G or 4 G, which enable transmission of data at different transmission speeds.
  • the traffic light phase assistant 8 is set up to give the driver of the vehicle 6 a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light 3 on the basis of information about the time until switching of the traffic light 3 (switching times Si) to another traffic light phase, so that it is possible during the traffic light Green phase reached and at the traffic light 3 does not have to stop. For this purpose, it is controlled by the traffic light phase assistant 8 queried in the data server or the database 2, which switching times Si are to be expected.
  • the traffic light 3 is indicated by its position identification data P, which knows the car from a also associated with the mobile transceiver positioning or navigation system 9.
  • the positioning or navigation system 9 also allows from the current position of the vehicle 6 and the position P of the traffic light 3 by the traffic light phase assistant 8 to give a very accurate speed recommendation for the approach to the traffic light 3, in which possibly even the current maximum speed or Road condition is taken into account.
  • the time base of a global positioning or navigation system is used, which also uses the positioning or navigation system 9 in the vehicle 6.
  • This may, for example, be the currently widespread GPS system, although other, for example, future systems such as the Galileo system come into question.
  • the device 1 In order to set the switching times Si of the traffic light 3 to the common reference time, the device 1 has a receiver 10, which is in communication with the mobile radio communication device 4 and the data server or the database 2, of the positioning or navigation system, which is set up for the time base of the positioning or navigation system.
  • the switching times Si transmitted by the traffic light 3, for example also by means of a mobile radio connection 5, in the database 2 can be compared with the reference in the entire system. be filed. In this way, synchronization problems of different clocks in different components of the entire system are avoided by using the common time base.
  • the traffic lights 3 communicate via the mobile radio connection 5 at regular intervals and / or a change in the switching times Si these switching times the data server with the database 2, so this can be kept dynamically updated by a continuous update of the switching times Si.
  • dynamically changing switching times can be detected in the database 2 and provided with a flag which allows faster access to these switching times for a continuous update. This can be done for example by a special indexing of these switching times in the database 2.
  • the switching times Si are stored in connection with the position P of a traffic light 3 for their identification in a preferably central database 2 and can there without a direct ad-hoc radio connection between the traffic light 3 and the vehicle 6 via a mobile phone connection 5 are retrieved.
  • Mobile communication devices with a mobile transmitting and receiving device 7 are often installed in vehicles 6, for example, for a Ecall, so that can be used on existing communication technology. This is technically easier than building ad-hoc network Links. In this way, the required information is available to a traffic light phase assistant 8 in a technically simple manner, without having to set up a direct radio communication connection between the traffic light 3 and the vehicle 6.

Abstract

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling traffic flow. For this purpose, information about the time duration until a traffic light (3) is switched to another traffic light phase is utilized in order to provide a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light (3) to the driver of a vehicle (6). In order to improve the determination of the speed recommendation, the invention provides that the position (P) and the switching times (Si) of a traffic light (3) are deposited in a database (2) and can be retrieved by a vehicle (6) via a mobile radio communication connection (5), and that the driver of the vehicle (6) is provided with the speed recommendation by utilizing this information. (Fig. 1)

Description

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Steuern des VerkehrsflussesMethod and device for controlling the traffic flow
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses. Dabei ist vorgesehen, dass die Information über die Zeitdauer bis zum Schalten einer Ampel auf eine andere Ampelphase, d.h. insbesondere rot, gelb oder grün, verwendet wird, um dem Fahrer eines Fahrzeugs eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zum Heranfahren an die Ampel zu geben. Eine Ampel im Sinne der Erfindung ist eine beliebige Lichtzeichenanlage, welche Anweisungen an Fahrzeuge im Straßenverkehr gibt.The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the traffic flow. It is provided that the information about the time until switching a traffic light to another traffic light phase, i. in particular red, yellow or green, is used to give the driver of a vehicle a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light. A traffic light in the sense of the invention is any traffic light system that gives instructions to vehicles in traffic.
Bei derartigen Ampelphasenassistenten wird also die Information über die Dauer bis zum Wechsel der Ampel zu der nächsten Ampelphase, zum Beispiel von grün auf gelb auf rot, dazu genutzt, dem Fahrer anzuzeigen, bei welcher Geschwindigkeit er eine grüne Welle hat, d.h. ob er noch bei grün die Ampel passieren kann oder diese vorher auf rot schalten wird und ihn zum Halten zwingt. Um diese Funktion des Ampelphasenassistenten zu realisieren, ist es notwendig, dass das Fahrzeug die Schaltzeitpunkte zwischen den einzelnen Phase der Ampel kennt. Typischerweise wird hierfür eine direkte Kommunikation zwischen der Ampel und dem Fahrzeug verwendet, über welche die Schaltzeitpunkte kommuniziert wird. Hierbei kommt insbesondere die sogenannte De- dicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) zur Anwendung, d.h. eine Fahrzeug-zu-Infrastruktur-Kommunikation auf Basis von Ad-hoc-Netzwerken .In such traffic light phase assistants, therefore, the information about the duration until the change of the traffic light to the next traffic light phase, for example from green to yellow to red, is used to indicate to the driver at which speed he has a green wave, ie whether he is still at green, the traffic light can happen or this will switch to red before and forces him to stop. In order to realize this function of the traffic light phase assistant, it is necessary for the vehicle to know the switching times between the individual phases of the traffic light. Typically, for this purpose, a direct communication between the traffic light and the vehicle is used, via which the switching times is communicated. Here, in particular, the so-called Dicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) for the application, ie a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication based on ad-hoc networks.
Hierbei besteht jedoch das Problem, dass diese Ad-hoc- Netzwerke häufig nicht schnell genug aufgebaut werden oder abhängig von der Hardware der einzelnen Fahrzeuge nicht für alle Fahrzeuge zur Verfügung stehen. Außerdem reicht die Reichweite der Kommunikation nicht aus, um vorausschauend für eine Vielzahl von in der Folge passierter Ampeln eine auf diese Ampeln insgesamt abgestellte Geschwindigkeitsempfehlungen zu geben.However, there is the problem that these ad-hoc networks are often not built up fast enough or are not available for all vehicles depending on the hardware of each vehicle. In addition, the range of the communication is not sufficient to anticipate for a variety of subsequently passed traffic lights to give a total of these traffic lights speed recommendations.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, eine Verbesserung bei der Ermittlung der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zu erreichen, wobei insgesamt auch mehr Fahrzeuge erreicht werden sollen.Object of the present invention is therefore to achieve an improvement in the determination of the speed recommendation, with a total of more vehicles to be achieved.
Diese Aufgabe wird mit den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 1 und 10 gelöst. Bei dem erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagenen Verfahren werden in einer Datenbank mit der Funktion eines Servers die Position und die Schaltzeiten einer Ampel für eine Vielzahl von Ampeln hinterlegt. Über eine Mobilfunk- Kommunikationsverbindung sind diese Daten (Position und Schaltzeiten) durch ein Kraftfahrzeug abrufbar, so dass dem Fahrer des Fahrzeugs unter Verwendung dieser Informationen, d.h. insbesondere Schaltzeiten und/oder Position der Ampel, die Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung gegeben wird. Durch die Verwendung einer vorzugsweise zentralen Datenbank zur Speicherung der Schaltzeitpunkte der Ampelphasen ist es also möglich, die Schaltzeitpunkte dieser Ampel auch ohne eine di- rekte Funkverbindung zu dieser speziellen Ampel für die Berechnung von Geschwindigkeitsempfehlungen eines Ampelphasenassistenten zu verwenden. Da die Fahrzeuge bereits vielfach eine Mobilfunk-Kommunikation aufweisen oder zukünftig aufweisen werden, beispielweise um einen Ecall (automatischen Notruf) zu realisieren, wobei die Mobilfunk- Kommunikationseinrichtungen beispielsweise mit einem Fahrerassistenzsystem verbunden sind, kann auf diese Weise ohne die Notwendigkeit eines neuen Hardware-Einsatzes eine Vielzahl von Fahrzeugen erreicht werden. Außerdem bietet die zentrale Verwaltung der Schaltzeiten der Ampeln einen Vorteil bei der Verkehrsplanung, da auf diese Daten auch bei der Entwicklung von Verkehrskonzepten zurückgegriffen werden kann und diese in Simulationen eingehen können.This object is achieved with the features of claims 1 and 10. In the method proposed according to the invention, the position and the switching times of a traffic light for a plurality of traffic lights are stored in a database with the function of a server. Via a mobile radio communication connection, this data (position and switching times) can be called up by a motor vehicle, so that the driver of the vehicle is given the speed recommendation using this information, ie in particular switching times and / or position of the traffic light. By using a preferably central database for storing the switching times of the traffic light phases, it is thus possible that switching times of this traffic light without a di- Use direct radio link to this special traffic light for the calculation of speed recommendations of a traffic light phase assistant. Since the vehicles already often have or will have mobile radio communication in the future, for example to realize an ecall (automatic emergency call), wherein the mobile radio communication devices are connected, for example, to a driver assistance system, this can be done without the need for a new hardware deployment a variety of vehicles can be achieved. In addition, the central management of the switching times of the traffic lights offers an advantage in traffic planning, since these data can also be used in the development of traffic concepts and they can enter into simulations.
Erfindungsgemäß wird dabei insbesondere vorgesehen, dass für die Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung an den Fahrer die Position des Fahrzeugs relativ zu der Ampel mit berücksichtigt wird, insbesondere um festzustellen, ob innerhalb der erlaubten Höchstgeschwindigkeit, die beispielsweise als weiterer Parameter mit der Position und den Schaltzeiten der Ampel übertragen werden kann, eine sogenannte grüne Welle für den Fahrer realisiert werden kann, d.h. dass der Fahrer bei dem Erreichen der Ampel nicht zum Anhalten gezwungen wird.According to the invention, provision is made in particular for the position of the vehicle relative to the traffic light to be taken into account for the speed recommendation to the driver, in particular to determine whether within the permitted maximum speed, which is transmitted as an additional parameter with the position and the switching times of the traffic light can, a so-called green wave for the driver can be realized, ie that the driver is not forced to stop when the traffic light is reached.
Gemäß einer Weiterentwicklung dieser Verfahrensvariante können die Position des Fahrzeugs und die Position der Ampel in einer digitalen Straßenkarte berücksichtigt werden, in der beispielsweise auch die zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeiten vermerkt sind. In diesem Fall müsste diese Ge- schwindigkeit in der Datenübertragung nicht mit übertragen werden. Außerdem erlaubt diese Verfahrensvariante eine Vorhersage, ob eine Ampel im Verkehrsweg des Fahrzeugs liegt, und den Abruf der Schaltzeitpunkte zu dieser Ampel im Vorfeld durch das Fahrzeug.According to a further development of this method variant, the position of the vehicle and the position of the traffic light can be taken into account in a digital road map in which, for example, the maximum permissible speeds are also noted. In this case, this speed in the data transmission can not be transmitted. In addition, this method variant allows a prediction of whether a traffic light is located in the traffic route of the vehicle, and the retrieval of the switching times to this traffic light in advance by the vehicle.
Erfindungsgemäß ist die Datenbank dafür vorzugsweise derart sortiert, dass das Abrufen der Daten anhand der Positionsdaten der Ampel und/oder des Fahrzeugs erfolgt, d.h. dass die Ampeln in der Datenbank nach vorzugsweise globalen Koordinaten eines Positions- oder Navigationssystems sortiert sind, um beispielsweise ausgehend von übertragenen Fahr- zeugpositionrn die Schaltzeitpunkte der kommenden Ampel sowie gegebenenfalls der darauf folgenden Ampeln zu übertragen .According to the invention, the database for this is preferably sorted in such a way that the retrieval of the data takes place on the basis of the position data of the traffic light and / or the vehicle, i. the traffic lights in the database are sorted according to preferably global coordinates of a position or navigation system, in order, for example, to transmit the switching times of the coming traffic light and, if appropriate, the subsequent traffic lights on the basis of transmitted vehicle positions.
Eine weitere Verbesserung der Vorhersagegenauigkeit lässt sich erreichen, wenn Navigationsdaten des Fahrzeugs bei der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt werden. Dies kann bei einer in ein Navigationssystem eingegebenen Fahrtroute insbesondere dadurch erfolgen, dass weitere Ampeln auf dem Fahrweg für die Ermittlung der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt werden und eine grüne Welle für mehrere aufeinanderfolgende Ampeln auch bei Abweichen von einer Hauptverkehrsroute erreicht wird. Für Hauptverkehrsrouten sind die Ampelphasen häufig so vorkonfiguriert, dass eine grüne Welle eingestellt ist. Ohne eingegebene Fahrtroute können die Navigationsdaten des Fahrzeugs auch interpretiert werden, um einen wahrscheinlicheren Weg entlang einer Fahrtroute festzulegen und hierfür eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung auszugeben. Wenn bei der Ermittlung der Geschwindig- keitsempfehlung nicht nur die nächste, sondern auch die folgenden Ampeln auf einem längeren Fahrtweg berücksichtigt werden, kann es erfindungsgemäß sinnvoll sein, die kommende und gegebenenfalls die nächste Ampel mit einer höheren Gewichtung zu berücksichtigen. So wird erreicht, dass für die unmittelbar folgenden Ampeln eine optimierte Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung gegeben wird, da insbesondere in Städten nicht vorhersagbar ist, ob Hindernisse auf dem weiteren Fahrweg eintreten, die ohnehin zu einem Abweichen von der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zwingen .A further improvement of the prediction accuracy can be achieved if navigation data of the vehicle is taken into account in the speed recommendation. In the case of a travel route entered in a navigation system, this can be done, in particular, by taking into account additional traffic lights on the route for determining the speed recommendation, and by reaching a green wave for several consecutive traffic lights even when departing from a main traffic route. For major traffic routes, the traffic light phases are often preconfigured to set a green wave. Without an entered route, the navigation data of the vehicle can also be interpreted to determine a more likely route along a route and to issue a speed recommendation for this purpose. When determining the speed can be considered according to the invention not only the next, but also the following traffic lights on a longer route, it may be useful to consider the upcoming and possibly the next traffic light with a higher weighting. It is thus achieved that an optimized speed recommendation is given for the traffic lights immediately following, since it is not predictable, especially in cities, whether obstacles will occur on the further travel path, which in any case force them to deviate from the speed recommendation.
In Weiterentwicklung des erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens kann ferner vorgesehen sein, dass die aktuelle oder eine aktuell gemittelte Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs bei der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt wird, beispielsweise durch einen um diese aktuelle oder aktuell gemittelte Geschwindigkeit liegenden Geschwindigkeitskorridor. Hierdurch kann eine Wohlfühlgeschwindigkeit des Fahrers oder eine Verkehrssituation bei der Ermittlung der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung bereits berücksichtigt werden.In a further development of the method proposed according to the invention, it can further be provided that the current or a currently averaged speed of the vehicle is taken into account in the speed recommendation, for example by a speed corridor lying around this current or currently averaged speed. As a result, a feel-good speed of the driver or a traffic situation in determining the speed recommendation can already be taken into account.
Um Ungenauigkeiten durch Zeittoleranzen von Echtzeituhren (Real Time Clock) zu vermeiden, wird gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung vorgeschlagen, als Referenzzeit die Zeitbasis eines vorzugsweise globalen Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems zu verwenden. Ein derartiges Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystem kann insbesondere das GPS-System oder das zukünftige europäische Satellitenortungssystem Galileo beziehungsweise vergleichbare Systeme sein, die auf Basis von Satellitensignalen un- ter Verwendung einer genauen Zeitbasis Ortungen durchführen .In order to avoid inaccuracies due to time tolerances of real-time clocks, it is proposed according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention to use as reference time the time base of a preferably global positioning or navigation system. Such a positioning or navigation system may in particular be the GPS system or the future European satellite positioning system Galileo or comparable systems based on satellite signals. using accurate time base locations.
Um die erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagene Datenbank aktuell zu halten, kann insbesondere bei dynamischer Anpassung der Ampelphasen, d.h. der Zeitdauer bis zu einem Wechsel der Ampelphase, auch eine dynamische Aktualisierung der Datenbank erfolgen. Dies kann vorzugsweise mittels einer Mobilfunkverbindung oder gerade auch in Städten kabelgebundene Kommunikationsnetze wie Bus-Systeme umgesetzt werden. Diese Kommunikationsmöglichkeiten zwischen der Ampel und der Datenbank kann erfindungsgemäß parallel auch für Wartungsaufgaben oder die Übertragung von Störungsmeldungen genutzt werden .In order to keep the database proposed according to the invention up-to-date, it is possible in particular for dynamic adaptation of the traffic light phases, i. the time until a change of the traffic light phase, also a dynamic update of the database. This can preferably be implemented by means of a mobile radio connection or especially in cities wired communication networks such as bus systems. This communication options between the traffic light and the database can be used according to the invention in parallel for maintenance tasks or the transmission of fault messages.
Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Umsetzung wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Mobilfunk-Kommunikationsverbindung mittels 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G und/oder 4 G Mobilfunknetzen realisiert wird, die ausreichende Datenübertragungskapazitäten für die zu übertragenden Daten bereitstellen. Die Erfindung ist jedoch nicht auf die bekannten Mobilfunk-Kommunikationslösungen beschränkt, sondern kann grundsätzlich auch mit anderen Funk-Kommunikationslösungen umgesetzt werden, die eine sichere Datenübertragung von einem zentralen Server mit Datenbank zu mobilen Fahrzeugen und/oder Ampeln erlauben .According to an advantageous implementation, it is proposed that the mobile radio communication connection is realized by means of 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G and / or 4 G mobile radio networks, which provide sufficient data transmission capacities for the data to be transmitted. However, the invention is not limited to the known mobile communication solutions, but can in principle be implemented with other wireless communication solutions that allow secure data transmission from a central server with database to mobile vehicles and / or traffic lights.
Um die Anzahl der Funkübertragungen zu reduzieren, kann gemäß einer besonders vorteilhaften Variante des Verfahrens vorgesehen sein, dass bei der Übertragung der Schaltzeiten für die kommende Ampel auch die Schaltzeiten für eine oder mehrere folgende Ampeln gleich mit übertragen werden, insbesondere jeweils zusammen mit den Positionsdaten. So liegen in dem Fahrzeug alle Informationen bereit und können durch den Ampelphasenassistenten ohne weitere Funkkommunikation bei der Ermittlung der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt werden.In order to reduce the number of radio transmissions, it can be provided according to a particularly advantageous variant of the method that during the transmission of the switching times for the upcoming traffic light and the switching times for one or several following traffic lights are transmitted with the same, in particular in each case together with the position data. Thus, all information is available in the vehicle and can be taken into account by the traffic light phase assistant without further radio communication in determining the speed recommendation.
Die Erfindung betrifft auch eine Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses zur Verwendung mit einem Ampelphasenassistenten entsprechend den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 10. Der mit der Vorrichtung verwendete Ampelphasenassistent ist dazu eingerichtet, auf Basis von Informationen über die Zeitdauer bis zum Schalten einer Ampel auf eine andere Ampelphase dem Fahrer eines Fahrzeugs eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zum Heranfahren an die Ampel zu geben. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung kann dabei sowohl zur Verbindung mit einem Ampelphasenassistenten ausgebildet sein als auch einen integrierten Ampelphasenassistenten enthalten.The invention also relates to an apparatus for controlling the traffic flow for use with a traffic light phase assistant according to the features of claim 10. The traffic light phase assistant used with the apparatus is adapted to the driver based on information about the time until the traffic light turns to another traffic light phase Give a vehicle a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light. The device according to the invention can be designed both for connection to a traffic light phase assistant and also contain an integrated traffic light phase assistant.
Erfindungsgemäß ist in der Vorrichtung insbesondere in einem Datenserver einer Datenbank vorgesehen, in welcher die Position und die Schaltzeiten einer Ampel für eine Vielzahl von Ampeln hinterlegt sind. Schaltzeiten stellen die Umschaltzeitpunkte zwischen den Ampelphasen (bspw. rot, gelb, grün) dar, wobei es zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens auch ausreichend ist, lediglich die Schaltzeitpunkte für die Phasen rot und grün zu berücksichtigen, da die Gelbphasen sehr kurz sind und bei einer Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung nicht unbedingt berücksichtigt werden müssen. Mit der Datenbank ist erfindungsgemäß eine Mobilfunk- Kommunikationseinrichtung verbunden, die ein Abfragen der Position und der Schaltzeiten einer oder mehrerer Ampeln über eine Mobilfunkverbindung ermöglicht. Die Datenbank beziehungsweise der Datenserver, auf welchem die Datenbank installiert ist, kann in einer Funktion als Steuereinrichtung insbesondere zur Durchführung des zuvor beschriebenen Verfahrens oder Teilen hiervon eingerichtet sein.According to the invention, the device is provided in particular in a data server of a database in which the position and the switching times of a traffic light for a plurality of traffic lights are stored. Switching times represent the switching times between the traffic light phases (for example red, yellow, green), it also being sufficient for carrying out the method according to the invention to take into account only the switching times for the phases red and green, since the yellow phases are very short and at one Speed recommendation does not necessarily have to be considered. With the database according to the invention a mobile communication device is connected to a query of the Position and the switching times of one or more traffic lights over a cellular connection allows. The database or the data server on which the database is installed can be set up in a function as a control device, in particular for carrying out the method described above or parts thereof.
Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung steht der Datenserver mit einem Empfänger eines insbesondere globalen Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems in Verbindung und ist dazu eingerichtet, die Zeitbasis des Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems zu ermitteln. Diese Zeitbasis kann als Referenzzeit verwendet werden, um zu vermeiden, dass jede Ampel die Referenzzeit selbst kennen und genau aufrecht erhalten muss.According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the data server is connected to a receiver of a particular global positioning or navigation system and is adapted to determine the time base of the positioning or navigation system. This time base can be used as a reference time to avoid having each traffic light know the reference time itself and must maintain it exactly.
Zum Einstellen und/oder dynamischen Aktualisieren beispielsweise bei Änderungen der Schaltzeiten kann eine Ampel zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in vorgebbaren Abständen die Zeitschaltpunkte der einzelnen Phasen an den Datenserver übertragen, wobei die Zeit zwischen Zeitschaltpunkt und Übertragung erfasst und mit übertragen wird. Mit diesen Informationen kann der Datenserver die Schaltzeit dann auf die Referenzzeit transformieren und aufbauend auf dieser Zeitbasis abspeichern. Aufgrund der kurzen Zeit zwischen einem Schaltzeitpunkt einer Phasenum- schaltung der Ampel und der Übertragung zum Server tritt hierbei keine nennenswerte Ungenauigkeit auf. Auf dieses Vorgehen kann jedoch verzichtet werden, wenn die Ampel die Referenzzeitbasis selbst kennt, beispielsweise weil auch sie mit einem Empfänger des Positionierungs- oder Navigati- onssystems ausgestattet ist oder die Referenzzeit in regelmäßigen Zeitabständen über eine Kommunikationsverbindung synchronisiert. Teilweise ist in Ampelsteuerungen auch ein Programm installiert, das die Schaltzeiten fest vorgibt. Dann ist es beispielsweise auch möglich, das Programm und dessen Startzeitpunkt an die Datenbank zu übertragen. Die Datenbank kann hierauf aufbauend die Schaltzeitpunkte für diese Ampel errechnen und in der Datenbank explizit oder als Rechenvorschrift ablegen. Daher ist es grundsätzlich ausreichend, wenn das Programm und der Startzeitpunkt nur einmal, insbesondere bei Aufnahme des Betriebs, gesendet werden. Zur Synchronisation bietet es sich jedoch an, den Startzeitpunkt und ggf. auch das Programm in festen Zeitabständen erneut zu übertragen. Ein geeigneter Zeitraum sind etwa 24 Stunden, d.h. eine einmal täglich stattfindende Synchronisation .To set and / or dynamic update, for example, changes in switching times, a traffic light for carrying out the method according to the invention in predetermined intervals, the time switching points of the individual phases transmitted to the data server, the time between time switching point and transmission is recorded and transmitted. With this information, the data server can then transform the switching time to the reference time and store it based on this time base. Due to the short time between a switching time of a phase change of the traffic light and the transmission to the server no appreciable inaccuracy occurs here. However, this procedure can be dispensed with if the traffic light knows the reference time base itself, for example because it also communicates with a receiver of the positioning or navigation system. or the reference time is synchronized at regular intervals over a communication link. Partly, a program is also installed in traffic light controls that specifies the switching times. Then it is also possible, for example, to transfer the program and its start time to the database. Based on this, the database can calculate the switching times for this traffic light and store it explicitly or as a calculation rule in the database. Therefore, it is basically sufficient if the program and the start time are sent only once, especially when starting the operation. For synchronization, however, it is advisable to retransmit the start time and possibly also the program at fixed time intervals. A suitable period is about 24 hours, ie a once-daily synchronization.
In Weiterentwicklung der Erfindung kann die Vorrichtung auch eine mobile Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung mit einer Schnittstelle zu einem Ampelphasenassistenten aufweisen. Diese Kommunikationseinrichtung ist vorzugsweise in einem Fahrzeug montiert und kann eine Einheit mit dem Ampelphasenassistenten darstellen, der die Kommunikationseinrichtung ansteuert. Natürlich kann auch eine von dem Ampelphasenassistenten separate Steuereinrichtung vorgesehen sein, damit die Vorrichtung unabhängig von dem Ampelphasenassistenten betrieben werden kann und diesem lediglich die benötigten Informationen zur Verfügung stellt. In dieser letzten Variante eignet sich die erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagene Vorrichtung insbesondere zur Nachrüstung bestehender Ampelphasenassistenten . In einer umfassenden Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung sind die Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung und/oder der Ampelphasenassistent in ein Fahrerassistenzsystem integriert, welches auch andere Funktionen aufweist und insbesondere als Rechner, beispielsweise mit programmierbaren Mikroprozessor oder vergleichbarem Rechenwerk, ausgebildet ist. In diesem Fall kann der mobile auf das Fahrzeug entfallende Teil der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung auch als Computerprogrammprodukt ausgebildet sein, welches den Prozessor des Fahrerassistenzsystems zur Durchführung des vorbeschriebenen Verfahrens einrichtet und die in dem Fahrzeug vorhandenen Komponenten, insbesondere die Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung und den Ampelphasenassistenten, in erfindungsgemäßer Weise nutzt.In a further development of the invention, the device can also have a mobile transmitting and receiving device with an interface to a traffic light phase assistant. This communication device is preferably mounted in a vehicle and may represent a unit with the traffic light phase assistant, which controls the communication device. Of course, a control device that is separate from the traffic light phase assistant can also be provided, so that the device can be operated independently of the traffic light phase assistant and only provides it with the required information. In this last variant, the device proposed according to the invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting existing traffic light phase assistants. In a comprehensive embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transmitting and receiving device and / or the traffic light phase assistant are integrated into a driver assistance system, which also has other functions and is designed in particular as a computer, for example with a programmable microprocessor or comparable arithmetic unit. In this case, the mobile part of the device according to the invention which is attributable to the vehicle can also be designed as a computer program product which sets up the processor of the driver assistance system for carrying out the method described above and the components present in the vehicle, in particular the transmitting and receiving device and the traffic light phase assistant uses inventive way.
Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich auch aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels und der Zeichnung. Dabei bilden alle beschriebenen und/oder bildlich dargestellten Merkmale für sich oder in beliebiger Kombination den Gegenstand der vorliegenden Erfindung, auch unabhängig von ihrer Zusammenfassung in den Ansprüchen oder deren Rückbezügen.Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment and the drawing. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their back references.
Es zeigt:It shows:
Fig. 1 schematisch eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung bei Durchführung des vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens. In Fig. 1 ist eine Vorrichtung 1 zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses dargestellt, die einen Datenserver 2 mit einer Datenbank aufweist, in welcher die Position P und die Schaltzeiten Si einer Ampel 3 für eine Vielzahl von Ampeln 3 hinterlegt sind, wobei in Fig. 1 nur ein Datensatz (P, Si) einer Ampel 3 dargestellt ist. Mit der Datenbank 2 des Datenservers verbunden ist eine Mobilfunk-Kommunikationseinrichtung 4, die ein Abfragen der Position P und der Schaltzeiten Si von Ampeln 3 über eine Mobilfunkverbindung 5 ermöglicht. Die Mobilfunkverbindung 5 kann beispielsweise eines der typischerweise kommerziell angebotenen Mobilfunknetze der Generationen 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G oder 4 G sein, die mit unterschiedlicher Übertragungsgeschwindigkeit die Übertragung von Daten ermöglichen.Fig. 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the device according to the invention in carrying out the proposed method. In Fig. 1, a device 1 for controlling the traffic flow is shown having a data server 2 with a database in which the position P and the switching times Si a traffic light 3 for a plurality of traffic lights 3 are deposited, in Fig. 1 only a record (P, Si) of a traffic light 3 is shown. Connected to the database 2 of the data server is a mobile radio communication device 4, which makes it possible to query the position P and the switching times Si of traffic lights 3 via a mobile radio connection 5. The mobile radio connection 5 can be, for example, one of the typically commercially available mobile radio networks of the generations 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G or 4 G, which enable transmission of data at different transmission speeds.
Häufig sind Fahrzeuge 6 bereits mit entsprechenden mobilen Sende- und Empfangseinrichtungen 7 ausgestattet. Diese Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung 7, welche eine Vielzahl von Datenübertragungen aus dem Fahrzeug 6 auch für andere Funktionseinheiten durchführt, weist eine Schnittstelle zu einem Ampelphasenassistenten 8 auf, der in dem Fahrzeug 6 realisiert ist. Der Ampelphasenassistent 8 ist dazu eingerichtet, auf Basis von Informationen über die Zeitdauer bis zum Schalten der Ampel 3 (Schaltzeiten Si) auf eine andere Ampelphase dem Fahrer des Fahrzeugs 6 eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zum Heranfahren an die Ampel 3 zu geben, damit er diese möglichst während der Grünphase erreicht und an der Ampel 3 nicht anhalten muss. Dazu wird gesteuert durch den Ampelphasenassistenten 8 bei dem Datenserver beziehungsweise der Datenbank 2 abgefragt, welche Schaltzeiten Si zu erwarten sind. Die Ampel 3 wird dabei über ihre Posi- tionsdaten P identifiziert, die das Auto aus einem ebenfalls mit der mobilen Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung in Verbindung stehenden Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystem 9 kennt .Frequently, vehicles 6 are already equipped with corresponding mobile transmitting and receiving devices 7. This transmitting and receiving device 7, which also performs a plurality of data transmissions from the vehicle 6 for other functional units, has an interface to a traffic light phase assistant 8, which is implemented in the vehicle 6. The traffic light phase assistant 8 is set up to give the driver of the vehicle 6 a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light 3 on the basis of information about the time until switching of the traffic light 3 (switching times Si) to another traffic light phase, so that it is possible during the traffic light Green phase reached and at the traffic light 3 does not have to stop. For this purpose, it is controlled by the traffic light phase assistant 8 queried in the data server or the database 2, which switching times Si are to be expected. The traffic light 3 is indicated by its position identification data P, which knows the car from a also associated with the mobile transceiver positioning or navigation system 9.
Das Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystem 9 ermöglicht auch aus der aktuellen Position des Fahrzeugs 6 und der Position P der Ampel 3 durch den Ampelphasenassistenten 8 eine sehr genaue Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung für das Heranfahren an die Ampel 3 zu geben, bei der ggf. sogar die aktuelle Höchstgeschwindigkeit oder die Straßenbeschaffenheit berücksichtigt wird.The positioning or navigation system 9 also allows from the current position of the vehicle 6 and the position P of the traffic light 3 by the traffic light phase assistant 8 to give a very accurate speed recommendation for the approach to the traffic light 3, in which possibly even the current maximum speed or Road condition is taken into account.
Als gemeinsame Referenzzeit wird die Zeitbasis eines globalen Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems verwendet, welche auch das Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystem 9 in dem Fahrzeug 6 nutzt. Dies kann beispielsweise das derzeit weit verbreitete GPS-System sein, wobei auch andere, beispielsweise zukünftige Systeme wie das Galileo-System in Frage kommen.As a common reference time, the time base of a global positioning or navigation system is used, which also uses the positioning or navigation system 9 in the vehicle 6. This may, for example, be the currently widespread GPS system, although other, for example, future systems such as the Galileo system come into question.
Um die Schaltzeiten Si der Ampel 3 auf die gemeinsame Referenzzeit einzustellen, weist die Vorrichtung 1 eine mit der Mobilfunk-Kommunikationseinrichtung 4 und dem Datenserver beziehungsweise der Datenbank 2 in Verbindung stehenden Empfänger 10 des Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems auf, der dazu eingerichtet ist, die Zeitbasis des Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems zu ermitteln. Damit könnend die von der Ampel 3 beispielsweise auch mittels einer Mobilfunkverbindung 5 übertragenen Schaltzeiten Si in der Datenbank 2 mit der in dem gesamten System gültigen Refe- renzzeit abgelegt werden. Auf diese Weise werden Synchronisationsprobleme verschiedener Uhren in unterschiedlichen Komponenten des gesamten Systems durch Verwendung der gemeinsamen Zeitbasis vermieden.In order to set the switching times Si of the traffic light 3 to the common reference time, the device 1 has a receiver 10, which is in communication with the mobile radio communication device 4 and the data server or the database 2, of the positioning or navigation system, which is set up for the time base of the positioning or navigation system. In this way, the switching times Si transmitted by the traffic light 3, for example also by means of a mobile radio connection 5, in the database 2 can be compared with the reference in the entire system. be filed. In this way, synchronization problems of different clocks in different components of the entire system are avoided by using the common time base.
Da Ampeln 3 ihre Schaltzeiten häufig auch dynamisch in Reaktion auf einen Verkehrsfluss anpassen, wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Ampeln 3 über die Mobilfunkverbindung 5 in regelmäßigen Zeitabständen und/oder bei einer Veränderung der Schaltzeiten Si diese Schaltzeiten dem Datenserver mit der Datenbank 2 mitteilen, damit diese durch ein kontinuierliches Update der Schaltzeiten Si dynamisch aktualisiert gehalten werden können. Um die Indizierung in dem System zu vereinfachen, können sich dynamisch ändernde Schaltzeiten in der Datenbank 2 erkannt und mit einer Kennung (Flag) versehen werden, die einen schnelleren Zugriff auf diese Schaltzeiten für eine fortlaufende Aktualisierung ermöglicht. Dies kann beispielsweise durch eine spezielle Indizierung dieser Schaltzeiten in der Datenbank 2 erfolgen.Since traffic lights 3 often adjust their switching times also dynamically in response to a traffic flow, it is proposed that the traffic lights 3 communicate via the mobile radio connection 5 at regular intervals and / or a change in the switching times Si these switching times the data server with the database 2, so this can be kept dynamically updated by a continuous update of the switching times Si. In order to facilitate indexing in the system, dynamically changing switching times can be detected in the database 2 and provided with a flag which allows faster access to these switching times for a continuous update. This can be done for example by a special indexing of these switching times in the database 2.
Mit dem vorliegenden System werden die Schaltzeitpunkte Si im Zusammenhang mit der Position P einer Ampel 3 zu deren Identifizierung in einer vorzugsweise zentralen Datenbank 2 gespeichert und können dort auch ohne eine direkte Ad-hoc- Funkverbindung zwischen der Ampel 3 und dem Fahrzeug 6 über eine Mobilfunkverbindung 5 abgerufen werden. Mobilfunk- Kommunikationseinrichtungen mit einer mobilen Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung 7 sind in Fahrzeugen 6 beispielsweise für einen Ecall häufig installiert, so dass auf bestehende Kommunikationstechnik zurückgegriffen werden kann. Dies ist technisch einfacher als der Aufbau von Ad-hoc-Netwerk- Verbindungen. Damit stehen einem Ampelphasenassistenten 8 die benötigten Informationen auf technisch einfache Weise zur Verfügung, ohne dass eine direkte Funk-Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen Ampel 3 und Fahrzeug 6 aufgebaut werden muss . With the present system, the switching times Si are stored in connection with the position P of a traffic light 3 for their identification in a preferably central database 2 and can there without a direct ad-hoc radio connection between the traffic light 3 and the vehicle 6 via a mobile phone connection 5 are retrieved. Mobile communication devices with a mobile transmitting and receiving device 7 are often installed in vehicles 6, for example, for a Ecall, so that can be used on existing communication technology. This is technically easier than building ad-hoc network Links. In this way, the required information is available to a traffic light phase assistant 8 in a technically simple manner, without having to set up a direct radio communication connection between the traffic light 3 and the vehicle 6.
Bezugszeichenliste :List of reference numbers:
1 Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses1 Device for controlling the traffic flow
2 Datenserver, Datenbank2 data servers, database
3 Ampel3 traffic lights
4 Mobilfunk-Kommunikationseinrichtung4 mobile communication device
5 Mobilfunkverbindung5 mobile connection
6 Fahrzeug6 vehicle
7 Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung7 transmitting and receiving device
8 Ampelphasenassistent8 Traffic light phase assistant
9 Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystem9 positioning or navigation system
10 Empfänger10 recipients
P Position einer AmpelP position of a traffic light
Si Schaltzeiten einer Ampelphase (i) Si switching times of a traffic light phase (i)

Claims

Patentansprüche : Claims:
1. Verfahren zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses, bei dem die Information über die Zeitdauer bis zum Schalten einer Ampel (3) auf eine andere Ampelphase verwendet wird, um dem Fahrer eines Fahrzeugs (6) eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zum Heranfahren an die Ampel (3) zu geben, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass in einer Datenbank (2) die Position (P) und die Schaltzeiten (Si) einer Ampel (3) hinterlegt werden und über eine Mobilfunk-Kommunikationsverbindung (5) von einem Fahrzeug (6) abrufbar sind und dass dem Fahrer des Fahrzeugs (6) unter Verwendung dieser Informationen die Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung gegeben wird.A method for controlling the traffic flow, wherein the information about the time until switching a traffic light (3) is used to another traffic light phase to give the driver of a vehicle (6) a speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light (3) , characterized in that in a database (2) the position (P) and the switching times (Si) of a traffic light (3) are stored and via a mobile communication link (5) from a vehicle (6) are retrievable and that the driver the vehicle (6) is given the speed recommendation using this information.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass für die Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung die Position des Fahrzeugs (6) relativ zu der Ampel (3) mit berücksichtigt wird.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for the speed recommendation, the position of the vehicle (6) relative to the traffic light (3) is taken into account.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass die Position des Fahrzeugs (6) und die Position (P) der Ampel (3) in einer digitalen Straßenkarte berücksichtigt werden. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized indicates that the position of the vehicle (6) and the position (P) of the traffic light (3) are taken into account in a digital road map.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass Navigationsdaten des Fahrzeugs (6) bei der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt werden.4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized indicates that navigation data of the vehicle (6) are taken into account in the speed recommendation.
5. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass die Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs (6) bei der Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung berücksichtigt wird.5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized indicates that the speed of the vehicle (6) is taken into account in the speed recommendation.
6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass als Referenzzeit die Zeitbasis eines globalen Po- sitionierungs- oder Navigationssystems verwendet wird.6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized indicates that the time base of a global positioning or navigation system is used as the reference time.
7. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass bei dynamischer Anpassung der Ampelphasen eine dynamische Aktualisierung der Datenbank (2) erfolgt.7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when dynamically adjusting the traffic signal phases, a dynamic update of the database (2).
8. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass die Mobilfunk-Kommunikationsverbindung (5) mittels 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G und/oder 4 G Mobilfunknetzen erfolgt.8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized indicates that the mobile communication connection (5) by means of 2 G, 2.5 G, 2.75 G, 3 G and / or 4 G mobile networks.
9. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass bei der Übertragung der Schaltzeiten (Si) für die kommende Ampel (3) auch die Schaltzeiten für eine oder mehrere folgende Ampel (n) gleich mit übertragen werden .9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the transmission of the switching times (Si) for the upcoming traffic light (3) and the switching times for one or several following traffic lights (n) are transferred with the same.
10. Vorrichtung zum Steuern des Verkehrsflusses zur Verwendung mit einem Ampelphasenassistenten (8), welcher dazu eingerichtet ist, auf Basis von Informationen ü- ber die Zeitdauer bis zum Schalten einer Ampel (3) auf eine andere Ampelphase dem Fahrer eines Fahrzeugs (6) eine Geschwindigkeitsempfehlung zum Heranfahren an die Ampel (3) zu geben, dadurch kennzeichnet, dass eine Datenbank (2) vorgesehen ist, in welcher die Position (P) und die Schaltzeiten (Si) einer Ampel (3) hinterlegt sind, und das eine Mobilfunk-Kommunikationseinrichtung (4) mit der Datenbank (2) verbunden ist, die ein Abfragen der Position (P) und der Schaltzeiten (Si) einer Ampel (3) über eine Mobilfunkverbindung (5) ermöglicht .10. A device for controlling traffic flow for use with a traffic light phase assistant (8), which is adapted to the driver of a vehicle (6) on the basis of information about the time until the switching of a traffic light (3) to another traffic light phase Speed recommendation for approaching the traffic light (3), characterized in that a database (2) is provided, in which the position (P) and the switching times (Si) of a traffic light (3) are deposited, and which a mobile radio Communication device (4) with the database (2) is connected, which allows querying the position (P) and the switching times (Si) of a traffic light (3) via a mobile radio connection (5).
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Datenbank (2) mit einem Empfänger (10) eines Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems in Verbindung steht und dazu eingerichtet ist, die Zeitbasis des Positionierungs- oder Navigationssystems zu ermitteln.11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the database (2) with a receiver (10) of a positioning or navigation system is in communication and is adapted to determine the time base of the positioning or navigation system.
12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung (1) eine mobile Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung (7) mit einer Schnittstelle zu einem Ampelphasenassistenten (8) aufweist. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the device (1) has a mobile transmitting and receiving device (7) with an interface to a traffic light phase assistant (8).
13. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung (7) und/oder der Ampelphasenassistent (8) in ein Fahrerassistenzsystem integriert ist. 13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving device (7) and / or the traffic light phase assistant (8) is integrated in a driver assistance system.
EP08786746.1A 2007-08-29 2008-08-01 Method and device for controlling traffic flow Active EP2186077B1 (en)

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PCT/EP2008/060126 WO2009027173A1 (en) 2007-08-29 2008-08-01 Method and device for controlling traffic flow

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KR20100057669A (en) 2010-05-31
WO2009027173A1 (en) 2009-03-05

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