DE102012022629A1 - Method for guiding motor vehicle, when reaching to road toll collecting station on highways, involves automatically selecting clearance-related lane, and guiding motor vehicle to selected lane - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves automatically selecting a clearance-related lane (3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19), and guiding a motor vehicle (23) to the selected lane. The motor vehicle is communicated with a road toll collecting station (1) for automatic selection of the lane. The motor vehicle evaluates information for selection of the lane, where the information is transmitted from the road toll collecting station. The road toll collecting station transmits information about temporarily open and closed lanes. An independent claim is included for an electronic device for guiding a motor vehicle when reaching to a road toll collecting station.

Description

The invention relates to a method for guiding a motor vehicle when approaching a road toll station, in which several lanes are traversed in the same direction, an electronic device for a motor vehicle for the management of the motor vehicle when approaching a road toll and a motor vehicle.

In many countries the use of road toll stations on highways is necessary. At the entrance and exit to such road toll stations, the roads widen into several adjacent lanes, all of which are traversed in the same direction. The driver of a motor vehicle entering the road toll station will possibly try to find out at which lane he can pass the road toll station the fastest. In addition, he must focus on the display of the individual lanes, indicating, for example, which lane can be paid in cash or electronically. This may possibly lead to an excessive demand of the driver and thus to a reduction of traffic safety at the road toll.

From the WO 2012/089282 A1 For example, a navigation method and a navigation system are known in which a vehicle is navigated between different lanes of a road in order to reach the destination as quickly as possible. In this case, the respective traffic speed is determined on the respective lane and issued to a user of the navigation system, an instruction for selecting the lane and changing the lane.

From the DE 10 2005 025 293 A1 An arrangement for guiding vehicles on a multi-lane road is known, wherein a part of the lanes are used in a predetermined direction of travel. The other part of the lanes, which are traversed in an opposite direction, are structurally separated from each other by central racks. The Mittelleitplanken have release means which are designed to be pivotable and can be adjusted in the direction of a lane, so that a lane blocked and the traffic can be redirected to other lanes.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and an electronic device, in which the vehicle is passed as quickly as possible through the road toll station.

The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by a method for guiding a motor vehicle when approaching a road toll station in that a check-in relevant lane is selected automatically and then the motor vehicle is guided to the selected lane. Due to the automated selection and simultaneous route guidance of the motor vehicle to the traffic lane, where the fastest handling is to be expected, the driver of the motor vehicle is guided stress-free and without distraction from the traffic situation by the road toll station.

In particular, the motor vehicle communicates with the road toll station in the automated selection of the lane, wherein the motor vehicle evaluates information transmitted by the road toll station, in particular information for selecting a lane. By transmitted from the road toll station information about the state of the individual check-in lanes a very quick overview of the current situation at the road toll station is obtained without additional attention of the driver of the motor vehicle for the road toll station is necessary, which would distract him from the actual traffic ,

In one embodiment, the road toll station transmits information about temporarily opened and closed lanes. This is particularly advantageous whenever not all the lanes of the road toll station for the clearance of motor vehicles are available. Based on this information, the open lanes can be approached targeted.

In one variant, the road toll station transmits information about the type of payment system in the respective traffic lane for automated selection of the traffic lane. This information also helps to make a selection of the lane suitable for the driver of the motor vehicle, since the driver, in particular by means of an operator input, can announce to the motor vehicle whether he wishes to pay electronically or in cash. Depending on the information about the type of payment system in the respective traffic lane and the operator input, the lane can advantageously be selected, in particular advantageously automated.

In particular, a current traffic volume in the multiple lanes is determined for automated selection of the lane. This is particularly important for a safety-relevant classification of the motor vehicle in the automatically selected lane and for the necessary route guidance of particular importance in order to avoid accidents.

In particular, the current traffic volume in the respective traffic lane is determined by an exchange of information between the motor vehicle to be led into a traffic lane and the motor vehicles already located in the individual lanes of the road toll station. Thus, it can be determined with certainty how many motor vehicles are already located in a traffic lane, in order to be able to draw conclusions about the lane in which the road toll station is the fastest to pass.

A development of the invention relates to an electronic device for a motor vehicle for guiding the motor vehicle when approaching a road toll station, which comprises a plurality of lanes. In a motor vehicle, which can pass the tollgate very quickly, the electronic device has a unit for selecting a check-in relevant lane, which is communicatively connected to a unit for route guidance of the motor vehicle to the check-in lane of the road toll station. With the help of this equipment, the motor vehicle is passed quickly and safely automatically through the tollgate. An additional attention of the driver to monitor the individual lanes of the road toll station is thus only conditionally necessary, so that the driver can concentrate on the surrounding traffic. Due to the communication of the approaching motor vehicle with the road toll station, the check-in lane can already be selected if the driver is still at a predetermined distance from the road toll station, where he still has no visual contact with the toll station. In particular, the apparatus is filed, designed, constructed and / or equipped with software for performing a previously described method. In this respect, incidentally, the advantages described above arise.

In particular, the check-in selecting unit comprises a receiver for receiving information sent from the road toll station, which is connected to a check-in-lane determining unit of the information sent from the road toll station. Due to the powerful unit for determining the check-in-relevant lane, the information received from the road toll station is processed, which is why a check-in lane can be selected very quickly and thus made available. The information is in particular information about a type of payment system in the respective lane and / or information for selecting a lane and / or information about temporarily opened and closed lanes.

In one embodiment, the unit for route guidance of the motor vehicle to the check-in lane of the road toll station on a receiving unit for receiving the information on the terminal-relevant lane and a digital memory card contained storage unit, wherein the receiving unit and the memory unit with a unit for determining the route guidance of the relevant Lane, which leads to an output unit for outputting the guidance information to a driver. Due to the rapid determination of the driving lane to be approached can also very fast-working route guidance direct the driver targeted to the lane of the tollgate, the driver can fully concentrate on the traffic.

In a further embodiment, the unit for destination guidance of the motor vehicle to the check-in-relevant lane is connected to at least one, permanently mounted on the motor vehicle sensor for monitoring the automotive environment. By means of this sensor, the traffic volume in the motor vehicle environment can be accurately determined and thus the safest path of the motor vehicle to the check-in-relevant lane can be determined without causing collisions with other motor vehicles.

A further development of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with an electronic device, which is designed according to at least one of the features of this patent application for the direction of the motor vehicle when approaching a road toll.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject of the invention itself or in any meaningful combination, optionally also independent of the claims, and in particular may also be the subject of one or more separate application / s. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

1 schematic representation of a road toll station;

2 An embodiment of an inventive device for guiding a motor vehicle when starting a road toll station; and

3 schematic representation of a motor vehicle with sensors.

1 shows a plan view of a road toll station 1 with the electronic unit 35 as it is trained on many highways in different countries. The tollgate 1 extends over a variety of lanes 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 which is from a highway 21 be widened out, and all in a direction of travel, as indicated by an arrow P, are passed through. About the individual lanes 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 are ads 25 . 27 . 29 . 31 . 33 arranged to inform the driver. So is over the lane 15 an ad 25 , above the lane 17 an ad 27 and over the lane 19 an ad 29 installed, the three displays 25 . 27 . 29 to indicate that it is the three lanes 15 . 17 . 19 is about lanes where can be paid by electronic means. Over the lane 3 and 5 is each a traffic light 31 respectively. 33 illuminated, which informs the motor vehicle driver that these lanes are currently locked and not cleared. Furthermore, it is shown schematically that at the individual lanes 7 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 already more motor vehicles 71 to settle the motorway toll.

Such a road toll device 1 is now approaching on the highway 21 a motor vehicle 23 which has to choose in which lane 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 it should be classified. The arriving motor vehicle 23 has an electronic device 41 on how it is in 2 is shown. The electronic device 41 includes on the one hand a unit 43 to select a check-relevant lane, which with a unit 45 for route guidance of the motor vehicle 23 to the check-in lane of the road toll station 1 connected is. The unit 43 for selecting a lane relevant for handling includes a computing unit 49 which with a receiver 47 and a transmitter 51 connected is. By means of the receiver 47 Receive information wirelessly from an electronic device 35 the tollgate 1 to be sent out.

This includes the electronic unit 35 the tollgate 1 a calculator 37 containing the information about the lanes 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 contains. Thus, in this calculator 37 saved that lanes 15 . 17 . 19 only suitable for electronic payment while the lanes 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 are equipped for a cash payment. At the same time it is marked that the lanes 3 and 5 currently locked for clearance of motor vehicles. This information is from the calculator 37 to a transmitter 39 forwarded, which radiates this information and that of the incoming motor vehicle 23 by means of the electronic device 41 be received and evaluated.

The unit 43 to select the check-in relevant lane of the electronic device 31 evaluates this information in the arithmetic unit 49 and give it over the transmitter 51 to the recipient 53 the unit 45 for route guidance of the motor vehicle to the check-in-relevant lane. The unit 45 for the guidance of the motor vehicle has a powerful processor 55 on which one with a memory 57 is connected, in which digital cards are stored. In addition, the unit includes 45 for destination guidance, an output unit 59 , for example in the form of a display and / or a speaker and a keyboard 61 as input unit. The output unit 59 and the keyboard 61 are used by the driver of the motor vehicle or the passenger to the electronic device 41 To enter or retrieve information.

With the help of the map material, which is in the store 57 is stored, and the information about the selected lane is determined by the processor 55 a route guidance to the motor vehicle collision-free to the selected check-in lane 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 to lead. As the driver by means of the keyboard 61 has entered, that he wants to pay cash, eliminates the consideration of the lanes in the selection of the check-in relevant lane 15 . 17 . 19 ,

In the route guidance, the unit takes into account 45 for guidance also information about the automotive environment. For this purpose, the unit 45 for route guidance of the motor vehicle 23 via an interface 63 with sensors 65 and 67 connected (see 3 ) in the motor vehicle 23 are fixed and which give an overview of the automotive environment and the surrounding traffic, the motor vehicle. With these sensors 65 . 67 These can be radar sensors, cameras, lasers, ultrasonic sensors or the like. By means of these sensors 65 . 67 Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is enabled to obtain information about the current traffic in the lane of the road toll station. In addition to the surroundings detection, collision warnings can also be output to the driver at the same time, with a lane change assistant being present in the motor vehicle 69 is also used.

At the unit 45 the route guidance can preferably be a navigation device. However, the invention is not limited to navigation devices, but may include another computer unit, such as a Portable personal computer (PC), a mobile phone or a portable digital assistant (PDA), which include the route planning and navigation software.

Next to the sensors 65 . 67 . 69 Vehicle-to-vehicle communication and / or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication may also be used. In a vehicle-to-vehicle communication, information and data is exchanged between the motor vehicles with the background to promptly notify the driver of the motor vehicle of critical and dangerous situations. In the case of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, the information is not only exchanged between the motor vehicles but also routed to and evaluated by the traffic infrastructure installed on the roads. For this purpose beacons are placed on the roadside, which receive the information from other vehicle participants and send them to other road users who are out of sight of these vehicles. Information from traffic lights and information boards are taken into account as well as information from cars or traffic control centers. By means of the described sensors or communication means, other motor vehicles can be detected which are aware of the different lanes 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 the tollgate 1 approach. The traffic flow for the different lanes 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 is predetermined. As a result, the driver is given an indication of which lane 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 should be approached taking into account the safety aspects. The mentioned sensors 65 . 67 . 69 or the vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication enable a safe lane change.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplified embodiments are really only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example, to the function or arrangement of individual elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Protected area, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Road toll station

3

lane

5

lane

7

lane

9

lane

11

lane

13

lane

15

lane

17

lane

19

lane

21

Highway

23

motor vehicle

25

display

27

display

29

display

31

traffic light

33

traffic light

35

electronic unit

37

computer

39

transmitter

41

electronic device

43

Unit for selecting a check-in lane

45

Unit for route guidance of the motor vehicle

47

receiver

49

computer unit

51

transmitter

53

receiver

55

processor

57

storage unit

59

output unit

61

keyboard

63

interface

65

sensor

67

sensor

69

Lane Change Assistant

71

other motor vehicles

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

• WO 2012/089282 A1 [0003]
• DE 102005025293 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Method for guiding a motor vehicle ( 23 ) when approaching a road toll station, in which several lanes ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) are traversed in the same direction, characterized in that a check-relevant lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) is selected automatically and then the motor vehicle ( 23 ) to the selected lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) to be led. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 23 ) for the automated selection of the lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) with the road toll station ( 1 ) communicates with the motor vehicle ( 23 ) from the tollgate ( 1 ) transmitted information for selecting a lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) evaluates. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the road toll station ( 1 ) Information about temporarily opened and closed lanes ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) transmits. A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that for automated selection of the lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) the tollgate ( 1 ) Information about a type of payment system in each lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) transmitted. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for automated selection of the lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) a current traffic volume in the several lanes ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) is determined. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the current traffic volume in the respective lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) by an exchange of information between, in a lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) to conductive motor vehicle ( 23 ) and, already in the individual lanes ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) of the tollgate ( 1 ) ( 71 ) is determined. Electronic device for a motor vehicle for guiding the motor vehicle when approaching a road toll station, which has several lanes ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ), characterized in that the electronic device ( 41 ) one unity ( 43 ) for selecting a check-in-relevant lane, which with a unit ( 45 ) for the route guidance of the vehicle ( 23 ) to the check-in-relevant lane ( 3 . 5 . 7 . 9 . 11 . 13 . 15 . 17 . 19 ) of the tollgate ( 1 ) connected is. Electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the unit ( 43 ) to select a check-in lane a recipient ( 47 ) to receive, from the tollgate ( 1 ) has output information which is associated with a unit ( 49 ) for the determination of the check-in-relevant lane as a function of the road toll station ( 1 ) transmitted information is connected. Electronic device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the unit ( 45 ) for the route guidance of the vehicle ( 23 ) to the check-in lane of the road toll station ( 1 ) a receiving unit ( 53 ) for receiving information about the check-in-relevant lane and a memory unit containing digital cards ( 57 ), wherein the receiving unit ( 53 ) and the storage unit ( 57 ) with a unit ( 55 ) are connected to determine the route guidance to the check-in-relevant lane, which to an output unit ( 59 ) for outputting the route guidance information to a driver. Motor vehicle ( 23 ) with an electronic device ( 41 ), characterized in that the electronic device ( 41 ) for the management of the vehicle ( 23 ) when approaching a tollgate ( 1 ) is designed according to one of claims 7 to 9.

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