DE102016000720B3 - Method and motor vehicle control device for verifying at least one traffic message - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for verifying at least one traffic message (6), wherein by a control device (11) of a motor vehicle (3) to a plurality of road users (2) as a broadcast message sent at least one traffic message (6) is received and to the at least one traffic report (6) is determined in each case at least one predetermined verification criterion (18), each verification criterion (18) in each case comprising indicator data (19). It is recognized whether the indicator data (19) are contained in sensor data (24, 26) and / or device status data of the motor vehicle (3). Results data (12) are respectively determined for the at least one verification criterion (18), the result data (12) indicating whether the indicator data (19) has been recognized. The result data (12) are sent to an off-vehicle, stationary server device (14).

Description

The invention relates to a method for verifying at least one traffic message that has been sent out as a broadcast message to a plurality of road users. The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle with the control device.

From the DE 10 2012 008 237 A1 For this purpose, it is known that, in addition to a traffic report from a motor vehicle, further global traffic state variables are received via a cooperative network from other motor vehicles. Before the traffic announcement is issued to the driver, it is verified based on the received global traffic state variables. In the motor vehicle also local traffic state variables can be determined, for example the driving speed of the motor vehicle itself, and these local traffic state variables are made available to the other motor vehicles via the cooperative network. A disadvantage of this method is that in case the traffic message and the global traffic state variables contradict, only the driver of the motor vehicle himself learns about it.

From the DE 10 2008 002 271 A1 a method for generating traffic information is known, which uses the sensors of individual motor vehicles, the sensor data is collected in a central evaluation to detect congestion. A disadvantage of this method is that in the central evaluation device results in a high volume of data and thus the central evaluation must have corresponding computing capacity to determine from the received sensor data traffic.

From the DE 10 2009 053 080 A1 a method is known for verifying a traffic message by transmitting image data of the on-board cameras to a central evaluation device for a transmitted traffic report from motor vehicles. On the basis of image evaluation algorithms, it is then checked whether a traffic situation suitable for the traffic message can be detected in the camera images. This results in a visual verification of the traffic reports in the central computing device. However, the method likewise requires a large computing capacity in order to be able to carry out an image analysis for all received camera image data.

The DE 699 16 482 T2 describes a navigation system that provides information about routes in a road network. In this case, a navigation application accesses a traffic database which provides traffic information.

The DE 10 2008 011 228 A1 describes a method for assisting a user of a vehicle, wherein the sensors of the vehicle detects or determines driving state variables, and a camera of the vehicle detects a detection area of a road scene at least in front of the vehicle. From image signals of the camera it is determined whether there is another vehicle in the detection area, which outputs flashing signals.

From the WO 2009/040217 A1 A method is known for controlling a traffic flow traveling through a safety-critical traffic area of a road network.

The GB 2 485 581 A relates to a method for informing a driver about an accident risk, in which data of the motor vehicle are detected and the accident risk is determined on the basis of the data.

From the US 2005/0187714 A1 For example, a system is known that displays parametric information that describes a local weather. A data server combines the information and develops a prediction from it.

The object of the invention is to enable its verification in the case of a traffic message transmitted as a broadcast message.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims, the following description and the figure.

The invention provides a method for verifying at least one traffic message, wherein the method can be performed by a control device of a motor vehicle, that is, for example, a motor vehicle control device. The control device receives the at least one traffic message transmitted to a plurality of road users as a broadcast message. The traffic message is therefore a broadcast message. It can be received via a radio, for example as a TMC message (TMC - Traffic Massage Channel). As a digital broadcast message, the traffic message can also be received, for example via DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) or via an Internet connection as a media data stream.

At least one predetermined verification criterion is determined by the control device for the at least one traffic message, each verification criterion being determined in each case Indicator data includes. The indicator data indicates what to check by the controller to verify or validate the traffic message. The at least one verification criterion can, for. B. be received along with the respective traffic message. In other words, the indicator data of at least one verification criterion are then contained in traffic message data. However, it can also be provided that the traffic report is categorized and the at least one verification criterion is already already stored for the category determined in the motor vehicle.

The control device detects whether the indicator data indicated by the at least one verification criterion are contained in sensor data and / or device status data of the motor vehicle. In each case, result data are determined for the at least one verification criterion, the result data indicating whether the indicator data was found or detected in the sensor data and / or device status data. Thus, the result data indicates whether the traffic obstruction described by the traffic message could actually be detected by the control device.

By the control device, the determined result data are then transmitted to a vehicle-external, stationary server device. In particular, the result data are transmitted to the server device without the checked sensor data and / or device status data of the motor vehicle. The result data thus indicate whether the traffic report is valid or up-to-date according to the at least one verification criterion. The server device can then recognize without additional verification effort based on the result data, if the at least one traffic message is still current or valid. The said server device may, for. B. be provided on the basis of an Internet server.

The invention provides the advantage that result data can be collected or procured in the stationary server device with low calculation or processing effort, which indicate to the at least one traffic message, whether this is still valid or whether it is already outdated. The actual verification can be distributed to a large number of motor vehicles, each of which carries out the described method in the manner described by its own control device and thus generates result data.

The at least one traffic report comprises a) such via a heavy transporter and by the indicator data, an identification of the heavy transporter is specified. For example, the indicator data may indicate as an identifier that the heavy transporter is characterized by orange flashing lights and / or a mark of a particular color, for example a red flag or a red marker tape. The respective marking may depend on a legal traffic regulation of the respective country in which the traffic report has been sent out. The verification criterion specifies that the marking must be recognized in camera images. The camera images can be generated by an onboard camera of the motor vehicle. As result data, a recognition position is signaled on detected indicator data and otherwise a lack of the indicator data. The result data thus indicate its position when the heavy goods vehicle is detected by sending out the recognition position at which the indicator data in the camera images were recognized by the motor vehicle. Otherwise, the result data indicates that the indicator data is missing so that the result data can be used to determine where the heavy transporter is not located. Said detection position may be detected by a motor vehicle based on a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal receiver, such as the GPS (Global Positioning System) GPS.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one traffic message b) includes an information about an accident and by the indicator data, an identification of at least one emergency vehicle or emergency vehicle is indicated. The marking can here again be, for example, the color of a warning light, for example a blue light, or also a vehicle color of an emergency vehicle. These identifications may also result according to the legal traffic regulations of the respective country in which the traffic report has been sent or broadcast. The verification criterion specifies that the marking must be recognized in said camera images. As result data, a recognition position is also sent out when the indicator data are detected, and otherwise a lack of the indicator data is signaled. Thus, the position of the accident can be accurately determined by the server device.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one traffic message c) includes a message about a storm, and by the indicator data a respective specification for sensor data of a rain detection device and / or a crosswind detection device of the motor vehicle is determined. Rain detection devices and crosswind detection devices are known in the motor vehicle art. The verification criterion specifies that rain or rain based on the sensor data of the rain detection device Rainy weather and / or based on the sensor data of the crosswind detection device crosswind is detected. If a storm is detected, ie if rain and / or crosswind is detected, a recognition position and otherwise a lack of the indicator data are signaled as result data. Thus, the server device may demarcate and / or map a storm area based on result data from multiple vehicles.

The sensor data used in the method may be, for example, camera image data, radar data, speed measurement data and / or other measurement data acquired by a respective sensor device of the motor vehicle. Device state data describe a respective operating state of at least one vehicle device. The device state data may indicate, for example, a switching state of headlights, an electronic stability control (ESC) activity state, or an ABS (ABS anti-lock braking system).

The invention also includes optional developments, by the characteristics of which additional benefits.

Some further developments relate to the different categories of traffic reports, each category describing a particular traffic obstruction, in particular a traffic jam and / or a heavy goods vehicle and / or an accident and / or a storm.

Thus, a further development provides that the at least one traffic report includes a traffic jam and that a speed range is indicated by the indicator data of the at least one verification criterion for a driving speed of the motor vehicle and the verification criterion dictates that the driving speed must be within the speed range. Accordingly, the result data indicates that the vehicle is in the traffic jam if the vehicle speed is within the speed range. This makes it possible to check whether position data or position data of the traffic congestion, as indicated by the traffic report, actually apply. With position data here is meant an indication of the beginning and the end of the traffic jam.

A further development provides that the said result data for the at least one traffic message is received by the server device and it is recognized on the basis of the received result data whether the respective traffic message is invalid. This verification is particularly cost-effective, since only the information contained in the traffic report, such as a beginning and end of a traffic jam, must be compared with the result data without this sensor data and / or device status data of individual vehicles would need to be evaluated.

It is particularly preferred that the generation of a corrected traffic message is triggered by the server device for a traffic message recognized as invalid, for example by informing a traffic information service. This can then send the corrected traffic message as a broadcast message. This informs the road users with low latency about the current traffic situation corrected by the result data.

The server device can be a single computing device which, for example, can be provided in the manner described as a server of the Internet. However, the server device can also be a distributed device, wherein, for example, the evaluation of the result data in a computing device and the generation of the corrected traffic message can be carried out in another computing device.

The invention also relates to the described control device for a motor vehicle, wherein the control device is adapted to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention, which comprises the steps executable by the control device.

Finally, the invention also includes a motor vehicle having the control device according to the invention. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

The server device for evaluating the result data also forms part of the invention.

In the following an embodiment of the invention is described. For this purpose, the single figure shows a schematic representation of a system with a server device and an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein an embodiment of the method according to the invention is performed by the system.

The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention, which are to be considered independently of one another, which in each case further develop the invention independently of one another and thus also individually or in another than that shown Combination are considered as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

The figure symbolically shows a road traffic network 1 with several road users 2 of which in the figure for clarity, only two vehicles 3 . 4 are shown. The road users 2 received by a traffic information service 5 Traffic information, of which in the figure by way of example a traffic report 6 is represented. The traffic message 6 is via a transmitting unit 7 of the traffic information service 5 as a broadcast message z. B. unidirectional to all road users 2 sent out. The transmitting unit 7 For example, a radio station may be the traffic news 6 as a TMC message or via an Internet data stream. The transmitting unit 7 can as a traffic message 6 Also, for example, digital configuration data for the automated configuration of navigation systems of road users 2 to trigger a route change during a navigation.

Every traffic message 6 For example, in computer readable form can be a category 8th specify. By the category 8th is the information given on which traffic obstruction by the traffic report 6 to be made aware. The category 8th may for example be: traffic jam or heavy truck or accident or severe weather. In addition, position data or position data 9 which define a region or area in which the traffic obstruction exists, ie for which the traffic message 6 true. For example, a start and an end of a road section may be defined in which the traffic obstruction according to the traffic message 6 located.

The road users 2 receive the traffic message 6 via corresponding receiving devices 10 So, for example, radio receiver or a receiver for a digital data stream from the Internet.

The following is only on the motor vehicle 3 based on which a verification of the traffic report 6 is described. The described method can also be used by other road users 2 also be carried out.

By the motor vehicle 3 is checked locally or verified if the traffic report 6 is true and is still up to date. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 3 a control device 11 which performs local verification in a first stage. As a result of the verification, result data become 12 generated, which indicate whether the traffic message 6 from the perspective of the motor vehicle 3 applies or not. The result data 12 be via a communication connection 13 to a stationary server device 14 which may be, for example, a server of the Internet. The server device 14 can also provide corresponding result data 12 ' to the traffic announcement 6 of other road users 2 For example, the motor vehicle 4 , received.

From the result data of all road users 2 So the result data 12 . 12 ' many motor vehicles, can through the server device 4 In a second stage, check whether the result data 12 . 12 ' with the content of the traffic message 6 match, that is the result data 12 . 12 ' the traffic message 6 verify or confirm altogether. For this purpose, for example, a threshold value comparison can be carried out in order to check how many of the result data 12 . 12 ' the road user 2 the traffic message 6 confirm and how many refute them. Can a majority of road users 2 no result data 12 . 12 ' to confirm the traffic announcement 6 determine, the traffic report applies 6 as outdated. Such information 15 can then return to the traffic information service 5 be transmitted. This will create a new, updated traffic message 6 ' triggered. It can then receive the new, updated traffic announcement 6 ' in which the result of checking the result data 12 . 12 ' that is the information 15 , is taken into account.

Although the traffic message 6 through a variety of road users 2 is checked, this does not lead to a high data volume and / or a high computational load in the server device 14 ,

Instead, every road user checks 2 , so for example, the motor vehicle 3 , locally in the vehicle, whether for traffic report 6 appropriate sensor data and / or device status data can be observed. The server device 14 then receives from the road users 2 only the result of this review in the form of the results data 12 . 12 ' ,

The following is the generation of the result data 12 by the motor vehicle 3 explained in more detail.

The control device 11 can for example be based on the position data 9 check if the traffic message 6 for the motor vehicle 3 true. For this purpose, the control device 11 an own geoposition 16 of the motor vehicle 3 from a receiver 17 for a signal of a GNSS, For example, the GPS, received. If the geoposition 16 within the by the position data 9 described region or road section or within a predetermined maximum distance to this area, the control device checks 11 the traffic message 6 ,

For this purpose, the control device determines 11 to the traffic announcement 6 at least one predetermined verification criterion 18 , The verification criterion 18 indicates which conditions must be fulfilled or which condition must be fulfilled for the traffic announcement to be fulfilled 6 is accepted or recognized as up-to-date or valid and accordingly results data 12 with a confirmation of the traffic message 6 be generated. The conditions or the condition are indicated by indicator data 19 specified in the verification criterion 18 are included. The indicator data 19 represent at least one indicator by the control device 11 must be observed, thus the traffic message 6 is recognized as current or valid.

The verification criterion 18 can through the control device 11 for example, by category 8th the traffic message 6 be determined. For example, for at least one of the possible categories, at least one verification criterion may already exist in the motor vehicle 6 be saved. An alternative may provide that the verification criterion 18 in the traffic report 6 is included, so the motor vehicle 3 the traffic message 6 together with the verification criterion to be verified 18 receives.

If the category 8th For example, indicating the traffic obstruction "traffic jam", the control device compares 11 its actual speed or driving speed 20 with a threshold. The indicator data 19 So enter a speed range, within which the driving speed 20 must lie so that a jam is still detected or the other way around the jam is recognized as dissolved. Is the driving speed 20 greater than the threshold, the traffic jam has already dissolved. This is indicated by the result data 12 from the control device 11 to the server device 14 signaled. The driving speed 20 can through the control device 11 for example, in a control unit 22 be queried with which the control device 11 for example via a communication bus 23 of the motor vehicle 3 , For example, a CAN bus (CAN - Controller Area Network) can be coupled. The indicator data 19 (in the example so the speed range) are so with sensor data 24 to the driving speed 20 from the control unit 22 compared.

If the category 8th z. B. indicates the traffic obstruction "heavy truck", the indicator data 19 for this category 8th Indicate that orange warning lights through a front camera 25 of the motor vehicle 3 are to be detected. For this purpose, the control device receives 11 image data 26 the camera 25 and compare that with the indicator data 19 specified color values with the image data 26 , The color values thus represent a characteristic for the heavy transporter. Become them in the image data 26 recognized, the geoposition becomes 16 of the motor vehicle 3 as the position of the heavy transporter by means of the result data 12 to the server device 14 reported. If no warning light is in the affected area according to the position data 9 found, this is also due to the result data 12 to the server device 14 signaled.

If the category 8th z. B. indicates the traffic obstruction "accident", so can by the verification criterion 8th the fact that rescue workers are deployed in most accidents. These vehicles are equipped with special signaling systems, z. B. a blue light. This signal color thus represents a characteristic for emergency vehicles. The indicator data 19 may indicate accordingly that blue flashes of light and / or other marking for emergency vehicles in the image data 26 the front camera 25 must be detected, thus the traffic message 6 is accepted as valid or current or valid. The position of recognized traffic vehicles in the form of geoposition 16 of the motor vehicle 3 itself is determined by means of the result data 12 to the server device 14 transmitted. If the image data 26 the indicator data 19 not included, is determined by the result data 12 signals that no accident was detected or detected.

If the category 8th indicates a "severe weather warning" can by the verification criterion 18 the fact that severe weather is usually associated with rainfall and / or high wind speeds. The indicator data 19 can indicate accordingly that by a rain sensor 27 Rain must be sensed or signaled. Additionally or alternatively, the indicator data may indicate that crosswind detection 28 Crosswind must be detected with a predetermined minimum or a predetermined minimum thickness. The rain sensor 27 represents a rain detection device. Crosswind detection 28 represents a crosswind detection device. Crosswind detection 28 For example, by a control unit 29 be provided, which may be, for example, an ESP (Electronic Stability Program). A detected crosswind can be over the communication bus 23 to the control device 11 be signaled. Also the rain sensor 27 can (unlike the figure shown) via the communication bus 23 with the control device 11 be coupled. If the verification criterion 18 is met, so the indicator data 19 present or through the rain sensor 27 or crosswind detection 28 can be confirmed to the geoposition 16 of the motor vehicle 3 the storm can be confirmed by giving corresponding result data 12 to the server device 14 to be sent out. If the indicator data 19 are not recognized, so no rain sensed and / or no crosswind is detected, so give the result data 12 according to that at the geoposition 16 no bad weather.

A category 8th may be, for example, "construction site" or "locked exit". Such areas are marked with signal marks, such as red-white signs or ribbons. The indicator data 19 the corresponding verification criterion 8th can indicate these signal marks, so by the control device 11 these in the image data 26 be determined or searched. If the search is successful, the location of the construction site is determined by geoposition 16 in the form of the result data 12 to the server device 14 reported. If unsuccessful search is used as result data 12 signals that at the geoposition 16 No construction site and / or locked exit has been detected.

The indicator data 19 thus represent parameters that the verification in the motor vehicle 3 set or configure. Thus, traffic information can 6 generally to several motor vehicles 3 . 4 be transmitted. For each of the categories 8th is there a deposited (for example by a standard or as additional information in each traffic report 6 ) List how to detect or validate them. Only the result of this validation is sent to the central server device 14 transmitted. This special type of validation (decentralized instead of central) as well as the type of transmitted data (reduced, processed information instead of sensor raw data) makes the verification of the traffic report 6 especially efficient.

In the manner described, by the server device 14 then the result data 12 and the result data 12 ' other of the road users 2 to an overall result concerning the verification of the traffic report 6 be summarized. So can traffic announcements by several motor vehicles 3 . 4 be verified with their on-board sensors and the result of the verification to the server device 14 be transmitted. This then checks to see if the traffic message 6 is outdated and reports this as information 15 to the traffic information service 5 ,

Geographical coordinates for traffic reports are z. B. Part of TMC messages. The search for features to be verified begins only when the motor vehicle is in the area concerned, ie it is not constantly z. B. a camera image to the mark of a heavy transporter sought, but only in the driving section in which the heavy truck according to the traffic report 6 is suspected.

Overall, the example thus shows how a method for the verification of TMC messages can be provided by the invention.

Claims (7)

Method for verifying at least one traffic message ( 6 ), wherein by a control device ( 11 ) of a motor vehicle ( 3 ): - to a large number of road users ( 2 ) broadcast as a broadcast message at least one traffic message ( 6 ), - to the at least one traffic message ( 6 ) at least one predetermined verification criterion ( 18 ), each verification criterion ( 18 ) indicator data ( 19 ), - it is recognized whether the indicator data ( 19 ) in sensor data ( 24 . 26 ) and / or device status data of the motor vehicle ( 3 ) and at least one verification criterion ( 18 ) each result data ( 12 ), the result data ( 12 ) indicate whether the indicator data ( 19 ), and - the result data ( 12 ) to an off-vehicle, stationary server device ( 14 ), the at least one traffic message ( 6 ): - (a) it includes a heavy transporter and the indicator data ( 19 ) an identification of the heavy transporter is indicated and the verification criterion ( 18 ) specifies that the marking in camera images ( 26 ) and as result data ( 12 ) with recognized indicator data ( 19 ) a recognition position ( 16 ) and otherwise a lack of indicator data ( 19 ) is signaled; and / or - (b) includes an accident report and the indicator data ( 19 ) an identification of at least one emergency vehicle is given and the verification criterion ( 18 ) specifies that the marking in camera images ( 26 ) and as result data ( 12 ) with recognized indicator data ( 19 ) a recognition position ( 16 ) and otherwise a lack of indicator data ( 19 ) is signaled; and / or - c) includes a storm, and the indicator data ( 19 ) a respective specification for sensor data of a rain detection device ( 27 ) and / or crosswind detection device ( 28 ) of the motor vehicle ( 3 ) and the verification criterion ( 18 ) specifies that on the basis of the sensor data of the rain detection device ( 27 ) Rain and / or based on the sensor data of the crosswind detection device ( 28 ) Crosswind is detected, and in the event of a bad weather as result data ( 12 ) a recognition position ( 16 ) and otherwise a lack of indicator data ( 19 ) is signaled. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one verification criterion ( 18 ) together with the respective traffic message ( 6 ) Will be received. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one traffic message ( 6 ) includes a traffic jam and the indicator data ( 19 ) to a driving speed ( 20 ) of the motor vehicle ( 3 ) a speed range is specified and the verification criterion ( 18 ) dictates that the driving speed must be within the speed range. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the server device ( 14 ) the result data ( 12 ) to the at least one traffic message ( 6 ) and based on the received result data ( 12 ) is detected, whether the respective traffic message ( 12 ) is invalid. A method according to claim 4, wherein said server means ( 14 ) for a traffic message recognized as invalid, the generation of a corrected traffic message ( 6 ' ) is triggered. Control device ( 11 ) for a motor vehicle ( 3 ), wherein the control device ( 11 ) is adapted to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Motor vehicle ( 3 ) with a control device ( 11 ) according to claim 6.

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