DE102009018741A1 - Danger warning device for use in e.g. bus, for warning driver before occurrence of threatening e.g. traffic jam, has communication unit receiving addressed warning message from server, and warning unit releasing warning message - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a detection unit (119) for detecting measured values corresponding to a danger. A communication unit (115) sends data corresponding to the detected measured values to an external server, and receives an addressed warning message from the server, where the data includes information related to danger and position of the danger. A warning unit (102) releases the warning message based on evaluation of the data by the server. The communication unit sends the data by a standardized radio link. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a control center for a danger warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle before a threatening danger (2) a method for warning a driver of a vehicle before a threatening danger (3) a computer program product having a set of instructions for warning a driver of a vehicle before a threatening danger (4) a computer-readable medium having a set of instructions for warning a driver of a vehicle before a threatening danger.

Description

Field of the invention

The The invention relates to safety and navigation technology for vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a hazard warning device for a Vehicle, a control center, a hazard warning system, the use a hazard warning unit in a vehicle, a procedure, a Computer program product and a computer readable medium.

Technological background

at A geobroadcast will provide information to all participants in a localized environment sent around the station. For DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), this is an important technique to provide local hazard alerts, etc. to represent. To enable a geobroadcast, it must be implemented in the network protocol be. In the so-called vehicle-to-vehicle communication (C2X, Car-to-X Communication) Geobroadcast represents an essential function are usually changes in the transmission protocol necessary to enable the geobroadcast.

Summary of the invention

It It is an object of the invention to provide an improved hazard warning for a Vehicle to provide.

It are a hazard warning device for a vehicle, a control center, a hazard warning system, a use, a process, a computer program product and a computer readable medium according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The relate to described embodiments equally the hazard warning device, the control center, the hazard warning system, the use, the procedure, the computer program product and the computer readable medium.

According to one embodiment The invention is a hazard warning device for a vehicle for warning a Driver indicated against impending danger, with the hazard warning device a detection unit for acquiring measured values, which with a Danger correspond, a communication unit for sending data, which correspond to the acquired measured values, to an external one Server and for receiving an addressed warning from the Server, as well as a warning unit for issuing the warning for Warning the driver of the danger.

at such a risk may be, for example, a traffic jam, an accident vehicle blocking the road, black ice, an oil trail or act a ghost driver.

In In other words, there is a radio link between the central Server and the communication unit in the corresponding vehicle. While When driving, the detection unit of the vehicle picks up measured values. For example, if these readings indicate an acute hazard, corresponding information data is sent to the server. Out The server can receive a corresponding warning message from the received information which he then sends to certain, selected addressees (vehicles). sent. In other words, the server decides who the warning should get.

in the Unlike DSRC, where the application does not take over a filter function must, according to the invention decides the headquarters or the server and possibly together with the server the addressee (the application), to whom the warning should be sent or whether the sent Warning from the appropriate hazard warning device to the driver should be issued.

The Issue of the warning, for example, in conjunction with a digital map for a Vehicle navigation system or a driver assistance system. For example can put together on a corresponding map section of the warning notice with a position indication and other information. At the same time or alternatively, an acoustic and / or Haptic warning of the driver done.

Under the term "digital Cards "are also cards for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS, Advanced Driver Assistance System) without navigation takes place.

at the vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, such as car, bus or truck, or even a rail vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, such as a helicopter or airplane, or for example, a bicycle.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention, the warning is based on a rating of the data, which have been transmitted from the communication unit to the server. These Rating is done by the server.

In this way, it is possible to perform computationally intensive analyzes outside the vehicle in a central server unit. In this way, the Computing load of a vehicle control unit (in which the warning unit can be implemented) or even an integrated in the vehicle analysis unit for pre-analysis of the measured data can be reduced. The analysis unit can also be integrated in the control unit.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention, the data at least information about the Type of risk and a position of risk.

The Position of the danger can be, for example, via a GPS module in the vehicle, possibly in connection with dead reckoning. The nature of the hazard is determined on the basis of the analysis of the measured values.

At It should be noted that in the context of the present Invention GPS representative of all Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GMSS), such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (Russia), Compass (China), IRNSS (India), ...

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is the communication unit for transmitting the data by means of executed a standardized radio connection.

The wireless transmission or the wireless reception of data or warnings, for example via GSM, UMTS, WLAN (eg 802.11p) or via WiMax. It is also the use of other standardized transmission protocols possible.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention, the hazard warning device further comprises an analysis unit to carry out an in-vehicle first analysis (preliminary analysis) of the measured values and to determine if the recorded readings are at risk related to. The communication unit is here to send the data, if the analysis unit has detected a hazard.

It So finds an in-vehicle preliminary analysis of the measured values instead of. If this analysis indicates an imminent danger, the Transfer of relevant information to the head office.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is the communication unit in constant contact with the server and reports the position of the vehicle to the server at regular intervals.

On he knows that way Server always where every single vehicle is located, so that the server can decide to which vehicles a particular Warning message should be sent.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention, the hazard warning device is executed to decide whether the addressed warning for this vehicle is intended or not.

If So the hazard warning device a warning of the center receives can it be based on sent or integrated in the warning Addressing information assess whether the warning is the vehicle concerned or not. In this way it can be avoided that the driver with for him uninteresting warnings is faced.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is a center for a hazard warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle indicated an imminent threat, the control center a server having. The server is running an assessment of received data associated with one of a vehicle detected danger correspond to perform. Furthermore created the Server a warning based on this review, one hits Selection of eligible recipients for the warning based on received position data and then sends an addressed Warning to the selected recipient (s).

In In other words, the server decides to which vehicles the warning is transmitted should.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is the headquarters for the deposit of information in the warning or in the data packet or packets containing the warning contain, executed, where they have information about it included in which local Area of the warning received or displayed to the appropriate drivers shall be.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is the use of a hazard warning device described above indicated in a vehicle.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for warning a driver of a vehicle of an impending danger is specified, in which measured values which correspond to a danger are detected, and data, which correspond to the detected measured values, are sent to an external server , Furthermore, an evaluation of the transmitted data as well as a preparation of the warning on the basis of the This review took place. Also, a selection is made of a receiver for the alert based on received position data from various receivers, and an addressed alert is sent from the server to the corresponding receiver and received there. Subsequently, the warning for warning the driver is issued before the danger, for example visually and / or acoustically.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is a computer program product which, if it running on a processor will instruct the processor to perform the following steps: rating of received data detected with one of a vehicle Danger correspond, preparation of the warning based on the Evaluation, selection of a recipient for the Warning based on received position data, and send an addressed alert to the selected recipient.

This Computer program product is in particular for execution a processor running in the server.

According to one another embodiment of the Invention is given a computer readable medium on which a Computer program product that is stored on a computer Processor executed is to instruct the processor to perform the steps described above.

A basic consideration The invention can be seen in that the server and / or the application decides to whom the warnings should be sent or whether the warnings are taken into account should be. In other words, the server and / or the application (hazard warning unit in the vehicle) is a filter function.

in the The following will be preferred embodiments with reference to the figures of the invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning device according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning system according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a schematic representation of a procedure of a hazard warning according to an embodiment of the invention.

4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

The Representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

In The following figure description will be for the same or similar Elements use the same reference numbers.

1 shows a schematic representation of components of a hazard warning device 100 which is a detection unit 119 , a communication unit 115 with an antenna 116 and a warning unit 102 , for example in the form of a CPU.

The warning unit 102 may be part of a central control unit, which also includes the analysis unit 120 belongs.

The data to be sent, that of the warning unit 102 or control unit 102 to the communication unit 115 can be transmitted via an encryption device 114 be encrypted. Similarly, the received data sent by the communication unit 115 to the control unit 102 transmitted by the encryption unit 114 be decrypted.

On this way, the risk of abuse can be reduced.

With the danger warning unit 102 is an input unit 112 connected. With the help of the input unit 112 Various settings of the hazard warning device and a related navigation unit can be made. However, the navigation unit is not mandatory for the hazard warning unit according to the invention.

Furthermore, an optical output unit is in the form of a monitor 110 provided, on the example, guidance information and warnings can be issued. In addition, the route guidance information and the warnings can also be transmitted via an acoustic output unit 111 and / or a haptic output unit 121 be issued. The output via the acoustic output unit 111 or haptic output unit 121 has the advantage that the driver is less distracted from the current traffic.

In a memory element 113 that with the warning unit 102 connected or in the warning unit 102 is integrated, the digital map data (eg as navigation map data) are stored in the form of data records and, for example, are in the storage element 113 often added additional information about traffic restrictions and the like and associated with the records.

Furthermore, a driver assistance system 117 provided, which is supplied with the digital map data.

To determine the current vehicle position, the warning unit 102 a navigation unit with a satellite navigation receiver 106 on, which is designed to receive navigation signals from, for example, Galileo or GPS satellites. Of course, the navigation unit with the satellite navigation receiver 106 also be implemented for other satellite navigation systems.

Since the navigation signals are not always receivable, for example, in the inner city area, the danger warning device also has a direction sensor for performing dead reckoning 107 , a distance sensor 108 , a steering wheel angle sensor 109 and possibly also a spring travel sensor 118 as well as an ESP sensor 104 and optionally an optical detector 105 on. In the optical detector 105 For example, it could be a camera. Also, a radar sensor may be provided.

The signals of the GPS receiver and the other sensors are in the warning unit 102 processed. The vehicle position determined from the signals is matched to the road maps via map matching. The route guidance information obtained in this way is transmitted via the monitor 110 finally spent.

The detection unit 119 Furthermore, it is used to acquire measured values, which are subsequently sent by the analysis unit 120 be evaluated and analyzed. If the analysis result points to an imminent danger, corresponding information describing the danger in more detail, together with the position data of the vehicle and / or the position data of the detected hazard by means of the communication unit 115 sent to the head office or neighboring vehicles.

2 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning system according to an embodiment of the invention, which is a hazard warning device 100 in a vehicle 201 , another danger warning device 100 in a second vehicle 206 , as well as a central office 200 having.

The central office 200 includes a server 203 and a communication unit 204 with an antenna 205 for receiving the information of the vehicles 201 . 206 and for sending the warnings by means of the radio transmission link 202 . 207 ,

In addition, the hazard warning devices can 100 of the two vehicles 201 . 206 with each other via the radio transmission link 208 communicate, for example, it is a short-range radio link, so that only adjacent vehicles can be achieved.

At the headquarters 200 For example, it is a control center, which carries out the administration, analysis and allocation of the received data or the generated warnings fully automatically.

If a vehicle or other device detects a hazard, it will be sent to the server via a standard radio connection (eg GPRS or UMTS) 203 sent. Content of the message is at least the type of danger and position. The server now assesses this danger and decides in which area around the danger this danger should be made known. Subsequently, the danger warning is sent to all vehicles in this area.

This can also be done by GPRS, UMTS, .... Everybody has to do this The vehicle participating in this service is in constant contact with the server and report his position on a regular basis. This is it for the server possible, to select the vehicles who are in the danger zone and therefore should receive the warning.

A different possibility consists of the warning via DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast), TMC (Traffic Message Channel), ... to send. Here is deposited in the message, in which area the message should be displayed and the vehicle itself has to determine if it is in this area. It may alternatively transmit only the position of the hazard and the vehicle must then decide for itself whether it is in a relevant area of danger or Not.

By the use of a server that actively decides to whom Hazard warning is sent, is no change to the communication technology required. additionally result in such simple change options for the Evaluation of the danger and the spread, since all intelligence in the server lies.

3 shows a schematic representation of a procedure of a hazard warning according to an embodiment of the invention. First, readings are taken from the hazard warning device 100 in the vehicle 201 recorded and analyzed in advance in the vehicle Siert. If these measured values point to a danger, the type of danger and the position of the danger is transmitted via the communication connection 301 to the central office 200 , The central office then analyzes the received data and evaluates it. Furthermore, the control center decides to which vehicles a corresponding warning is to be sent. Then the warning message about the radio transmission link 302 for example, shipped to all vehicles located in the area 303 are located. If the center finds in its analysis that the warning is of interest to a larger area, the warning will be sent to all vehicles in the area 304 sent. The head office does not have to be in the area 303 or in the area 304 are located.

Also, different warnings may be sent to the first group of vehicles in the area 303 and to the second group of vehicles in the area 304 fare.

4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 401 a measured value acquisition takes place. In step 402 Information regarding a detected hazard is sent to a server via a standardized wireless connection. In step 403 the danger is evaluated in the server and a determination of the circumference around the danger in which the message about the danger is to be distributed. In step 404 Then a hazard warning according to analyzed radio link is sent directly to the affected vehicles. Alternatively, the hazard warning is sent by DAB, TMC, ... to all vehicles, including information regarding the area in which the message is relevant.

In step 405 the received warnings for warning the driver of the danger are issued.

In addition to that noted that "comprising" and "having" none excludes other elements or steps and excludes "one" or "one" no multiplicity. Further It should be noted that features or steps with reference to one of the above embodiments have been described, also in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above can. Reference signs in the claims are not limitations to watch.

Claims (15)

Hazard warning device for a vehicle for warning a driver of an imminent danger, the hazard warning device comprising: a detection unit ( 119 ) for acquiring measured values corresponding to a hazard; a communication unit ( 115 . 116 ) to send data corresponding to the collected measurements to an external server ( 203 ) and for receiving an addressed warning from the server ( 203 ); a warning unit ( 102 ) for issuing the warning to warn the driver of the danger. A hazard warning device according to claim 1, wherein the Warning notice based on a rating of the data by the server. A hazard warning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data at least information about the nature of the danger and have a position of danger. Hazard warning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit ( 115 . 116 ) for transmitting the data by means of a standardized radio connection. Hazard warning device according to one of the preceding claims, an analysis unit ( 120 ) to an in-vehicle first analysis of the measurements and to determine whether the recorded measurements are related to a hazard; wherein the communication unit ( 115 . 116 ) is executed to send the data when the analysis unit ( 120 ) has recognized a hazard. Hazard warning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit ( 115 . 116 ) in constant contact with the server ( 203 ) and the position of the vehicle at regular intervals reports to the server. Hazard warning device according to one of the preceding Claims, where the hazard warning device is designed to decide whether the addressed warning for this vehicle is intended or not. Central for a hazard warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent danger, the control center ( 200 ) comprising: a server ( 203 ) executed to: evaluate received data corresponding to a danger detected by a vehicle; Preparation of the warning based on the rating; Selecting a receiver for the warning based on received position data; Sending an addressed alert to the selected recipient. Hazard warning system for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent danger, the danger warning system comprising: a hazard warning device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, a control center ( 200 ) with a server ( 203 ) to evaluate the data submitted and to prepare the warning based on the evaluation. Hazard warning system according to claim 9, wherein the control center ( 200 ) for selecting a receiver for the warning based on received position data and sending an addressed alert to the selected receiver. Hazard warning system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control center ( 200 ) for addressing the warning in the warning information information about the local area in which the warning is to be displayed. Use of a hazard warning device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7 in a vehicle. A method for warning a driver of a vehicle of an imminent danger, the method comprising the steps of: detecting measured values that correspond to a hazard; Sending data that corresponds to the acquired measured values to an external server ( 203 ); Evaluation of the data transmitted; Preparation of the warning based on the rating; Selecting a receiver for the warning based on received position data; Receive an addressed alert from the server ( 203 ); Issuing the warning to warn the driver of the danger. Computer program product that, if it is on one Processor executed will guide the processor to perform the following steps: rating of received data detected with one of a vehicle Hazard correspond; Creation of the warning based on the rating; Selection of a receiver for the warning based on received position data; Sending an addressed warning at the selected Receiver. Computer-readable medium on which a computer program product which, when executed on a processor, is stored instruct the processor to perform the following steps: rating of received data detected with one of a vehicle Hazard correspond; Creation of the warning based on the rating; Selection of a receiver for the warning based on received position data; Sending an addressed warning at the selected Receiver.