DE102011007267A1 - Method of operating navigation system of vehicle, involves updating new route on digital map, depending on detected user input, such that the new route is interactively changeable - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining (201) the vehicle track data, by referring (203) the digital data acquired from a digital card, and forming (205) a new route, based on the non-assignable roadway inventory data. The new route is updated on the digital map, depending on the detected (207) user input, such that the new route is interactively changeable. The new route is updated on the digital map with respect to the associated data path displayed by the navigation system.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system of a vehicle. The invention further relates to a navigation system.

State of the art

From the introduction to the description of DE 10 2009 046 885 A1 For example, a navigation device is known that learns a new road that is not registered in map data based on a travel path of a vehicle. This so-called road learning function enables generation of the new road data based on a movement path from a point at which the current position deviates from an existing road in the map data to a point at which the vehicle returns to an existing road in the map data. The new road will then be automatically integrated into the existing map data.

However, the disadvantage of this is in particular that due to system-related errors, it may happen that the navigation device appears on a new road, whereas, in reality, it is located on a known road. The reverse case can also occur, d. H. that the navigation device is on a known road, whereas in reality it is on a new road. In the first case, a non-existent road is integrated into the map. The updated map is faulty. In the second case, no new road is integrated into the map, although it would actually be necessary.

Disclosure of the invention

The object underlying the invention can therefore be seen to provide a method for operating a navigation system of a vehicle, which overcomes the known disadvantages and avoids system-related errors in an update of a digital map.

The object underlying the invention can also be seen in providing a corresponding navigation system.

In one aspect, a method of operating a navigation system of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may be, for example, a motor vehicle or a bicycle. In a first step, route data is acquired during a journey of the vehicle. This route data is then assigned to digital route data of a digital map. With this assignment it can happen that recorded route data can not be assigned to digital route data. Ie. in particular, that the navigation system is of the opinion that the vehicle is on a new route, which is not yet recorded in the digital map or included in the digital map. In particular, non-assignable route data acquired also includes route data that can not be unambiguously assigned. Ie. in particular, that the navigation system does not make a clear statement as to whether these route data are known or unknown route data. In this case, the navigation system preferably identifies these route data that can not be unambiguously assigned as such, so that a user or driver becomes aware of this ambiguity in order to preferably be able to make further decisions based thereon. Based on these non-assignable acquired route data, a new route is then formed. There then takes place an interactive update of the digital map, this interactive update being based on the new route and being performed depending on a detected user input. Ie. in particular, that the digital map is not updated automatically. Only when the user has given his consent, so after interaction with or by these users, the digital map is updated based on the new route.

According to another aspect, a navigation system is provided, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The fact that the new route is no longer automatically integrated into the digital map, but first evaluated by a user and only then released if necessary, can be ensured in an advantageous manner that system-related errors in updating a digital map are prevented.

Track data in the sense of the present invention are in particular position data of the vehicle, which are detected in particular by means of the navigation system. Such position data can be detected, for example, by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.

Interactive in the sense of the present invention means in particular that the user can make one or more inputs to the navigation system, wherein the navigation system in particular one or more proposals for routes to be updated based on the unassigned acquired route data provides the user, so that the user interactively select one of the suggestions to integrate or modify this selected proposal directly into the digital map. These proposals may be referred to in particular as integration proposals become. Such an integration proposal will therefore be made available in particular based on the new route for interactive selection, so that the user can interactively choose whether he wants to have integrated this integration proposal directly into the digital map or if he previously interactive changes to the proposed new route would like to make. Preferably, the interactive update is performed after the trip and not during the trip, so that advantageously the user is not distracted from the traffic due to the update.

Updating the digital map based on the new route means in particular that the new route is integrated after approval by the user or driver directly without further changes in the digital map. However, updating can also include in particular that the new route is still changed or adapted before the integration. In particular, updating based on the new route may also include that the new route is not integrated into the digital map because, for example, the user recognizes that he has traveled a known route and the allegedly new route is due to a systemic error. Nevertheless, it can be provided in the last case that the information that the new route has not been integrated into the digital map is integrated into the digital map. Thus, it is advantageously possible that when the vehicle is driving the same route again, the navigation system knows that the vehicle is on the known route and not on a new route. The user no longer has to be unnecessarily presented the new route.

For the purposes of the present invention, a new route may also be referred to as an off-road route. A route comprised by the digital map may also be referred to as a known route.

For the purposes of the present invention, an assignment of acquired route data to digital route data may also be referred to as a map matching.

In one embodiment, the new route is displayed on the digital map relative to the associated route data. Ie. in particular, that the driver advantageously receives the known route and the new route on the digital map displayed together. The driver can thus advantageously recognize more easily whether the assessment of the navigation system with respect to the non-assignable route data is correct. Preferably, it can be provided that the new route is displayed on a topographic map.

According to another embodiment, a route of the new route can be interactively changed. Thus, in an advantageous manner, the driver before an integration or a saving of the new route in the digital map this still adjust accordingly and move, for example, turn off points from the known route and / or return points to the known route. In particular, these points are shown displaceably on the digital map. In this regard, a turn-off point in the sense of the present invention refers to a point at which the current position of the vehicle deviates from an existing route or road in the map data. A return point in the sense of the present invention denotes a point at which the vehicle returns to an existing route or road in the map data.

According to another embodiment, it can be provided that, during the journey, a vehicle environment is at least partially optically detected and assigned to the acquired route data. Thus, the user is advantageously facilitated recognition of in particular the return points and / or the turn-off points and thus the evaluation of the new route. In particular, the optical detection may include taking a photo and / or a video, which are then displayed to the user together with the new route. For this purpose, the navigation system comprises in particular a camera, preferably a video camera. Within the meaning of the present invention, route data therefore include in particular those optically recorded data corresponding to the vehicle environment, which data may in particular also be referred to as image or video data.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. Hereby show:

1 a schematic view of known and unknown routes;

2 a flowchart of a method for operating a navigation system of a vehicle;

3 a navigation system; and

4 schematically an interactive displacement of a return point and a turn-off point.

1 shows three known routes 101 . 103 and 105 or roads which are already integrated in a digital map of a navigation system (not shown). The two routes 101 and 105 are arranged parallel to each other. The distance 103 is perpendicular to the two routes 101 and 105 arranged and cuts these at two points. The three known routes 101 . 103 and 105 are represented by a solid line.

A vehicle (not shown) drives on the track 101 and comes from direction a. In the turn in the direction d is an unknown, dashed line shown 107 recognized. Now get the vehicle on the unknown route 107 between c and d, the navigation system may be the new, unknown route 107 not from the known route on the map 103 distinguish between c and d. A faulty map matching thus leads in particular to the fact that the vehicle on the known route 103 is located. In this case, so the leg is on the new connection 107 not recognized between c and d.

2 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a navigation system of a vehicle. This will be done in one step 201 track data collected during a trip of the vehicle. In one step 203 The digital route data is then assigned to a digital map, which can also be referred to as a map matching. With this assignment, it may happen that some of the acquired route data can not be assigned to digital route data of the digital map. It is so far in one step 205 based on these non-assignable detected route data formed a new route, which is preferably displayed to the user or the driver. In one step 207 a user input is recorded. Depending on the captured user input will be in one step 209 Updated the digital map based on the new route. Ie. in particular, that the new route can be integrated into the digital map. However, it can also be provided that the user initially makes changes to the new route and only this changed new route is integrated into the digital map. For example, it may also be provided that the user discards the new route, so that it is not integrated into the digital map. Since an update of the digital map does not take place without prior consent of the user or driver, the user must at least make an input to the navigation system for integration, such updating may also be referred to as an interactive update.

3 shows a navigation system 301 , which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. In the in 3 embodiment shown includes the navigation system 301 an optional camera 303 which can at least partially optically capture a vehicle environment while driving. In particular, optical detection takes place at return points and / or turn-off points. The camera 303 may be formed, for example, as a video camera. In an embodiment not shown, such a camera can be dispensed with.

4 shows two mutually perpendicular stretches 401 and 403 , which are shown as solid lines. By means of the solid lines should be marked that the routes 401 and 403 the digital map a navigation system (not shown) are known. An unknown route to the navigation system is denoted by the reference numeral 405 marked and further shown as a dashed line. A crossing point of the unknown new route 405 with the well-known route 401 is with the reference numeral 407 characterized. A crossing point of the new route 405 with the well-known route 403 is with the reference numeral 409 characterized. The user can use these two crossing points 407 and 409 along the known route 401 respectively 403 move interactively, which schematically by means of a respective double arrow with the reference numeral 411 and 413 is marked. Depending on the direction of travel are the crossing points 407 and 409 either turning points or return points or vice versa. After the user if necessary, the two crossing points 407 and 409 moved to the correct position, he gives the new route 405 interactively free, so that it is integrated or stored in the digital map.

According to an embodiment, not shown, it may be provided that the unassigned acquired route data is processed before being displayed to the user. Preferably, first, potential distance and return points can be determined. In particular, respective route attributes such as road classes, driving direction regulations and / or speed limits are determined for the routes between them. In order to facilitate the user advantageously a selection of a possible alternative to routes, a graphical representation for visualization of the new route is generated.

This can preferably be done in the form of a topographic detailed view of the driven new route. In this view, for example, be provided that other possible integration alternatives, so the exact position of the Crossing points are marked. To make it easier for the user to recognize the situation at the crossing points and thus the evaluation, the corresponding driving situations or decision points, ie in particular a crossing point, images and / or videos can be assigned.

In particular, the alternatives to be assessed are presented in a topographical form for interaction with the user. In a first step, the user can reject integration, select a possible alternative or select an alternative to change. While changing an alternative, the user can, for example, move the crossing points on the known road network (cf. 4 ).

The invention thus advantageously makes possible an autonomous interactive integration of changed or new routes. Without the suggestions for integration and their evaluation by the user, due to ambiguities (cf. 1 and related description) introduce systemic errors into the digital map. In addition to the interactive integration of the new route, an integration of additional route attributes by the user can also be provided in an advantageous manner.

In particular, the invention thus encompasses the idea of detecting off-road routes, that is to say unknown routes, processing the collected data of the routes and carrying out an interaction with the user so that the unknown route can be integrated into existing map data. In particular, the integration should also enable a route search and route guidance on the new routes.

In particular, driving data and other data useful for the evaluation are recorded by the navigation system during the journey. The navigation system then uses the data to identify off-road routes. The identified routes reveal, for example, potentially changed route geometries or routes that are not yet recorded in the map data. To update the map data, the recorded and identified routes are interactively integrated into the digital map. For evaluation by the user, the crucial sections are prepared and presented to the user including possible integration suggestions. This can preferably be done abstractly in the form of pictograms, but also in particular supported with recorded images and / or video sequences. The driver is thus advantageously enabled to carry out an interactive evaluation of the situation, by means of which the map data can then be interactively supplemented.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009046885 A1 [0002]

Claims (7)

Method for operating a navigation system ( 301 ) of a vehicle, route data being acquired during a journey of the vehicle ( 201 ), which digital route data is assigned to a digital map ( 203 ), and based on non-assignable acquired route data, a new route ( 405 ) is formed ( 205 ), characterized in that the digital map depends on a detected user input ( 207 ) based on the new route ( 405 ) is updated interactively ( 209 ). Method according to claim 1, wherein the new route ( 405 ) is displayed on the digital map relative to the assigned route data. Method according to claim 2, wherein a route of the new route ( 405 ) is interactively changeable. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one integration proposal based on the new route for interactive selection is provided. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein while driving a vehicle environment at least partially optically detected and assigned to the detected route data. The method of claim 5, wherein the optically detecting comprises taking a photograph and / or a video. Navigation system ( 301 ) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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