DE102018002265A1 - Method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for calculating an optimized route (3, 4, 5) for a vehicle, wherein the route (3, 4, 5) is calculated between a starting point (1) and a destination point (2), the vehicle having a navigation system for calculating and / or for executing a route, a locating unit for determining position data of the vehicle and a communication unit for exchanging position data with an employer, wherein detected by the employer time-dependent position data between the starting point (1) and the destination point (2), stored, evaluated and / or exchanged, wherein the position data of a plurality of vehicles, preferably of fleet vehicles, detected position data of several traveled routes between the starting point (1) and the destination point (2). The method is characterized in particular in that the position data are evaluated by means of a statistical analysis, whereby a distribution of the frequency of the position data between the starting point (1) and the target point (2) is determined by the statistical analysis, the employer deriving from the distribution of the Frequency of the position data determines those with the highest frequency and calculated therefrom an optimized route (3, 4, 5), and wherein the optimized route (3, 4, 5) is provided to the navigation system.

Description

The invention relates to a method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle, in particular by analyzing fleet data.

The development of navigation systems, routing and Internet services is one of the research directions of the automotive industry. Various solutions are described in the prior art, such as routing is implemented in navigation systems, and in addition various online services, in particular online routing methods are implemented.

Both a driver-steered vehicle and the development of automatic and autonomous-driving vehicles require the provision of routes between a starting point and a destination point. In the prior art, various solutions are described, such as assistance systems facilitate the driving task, to an autonomous ride without driver intervention. Nowadays, vehicles are known which have a built-in navigation system and provide routes to a driver and / or assistance system. For this purpose, the navigation systems compute routes from a starting point to a destination point, and the selection of the route is made on the basis of further information, such as toll charge, congestion or consumption of the vehicle. It is known that such route planning or navigation is possible internally in the vehicle or on an external employer, for example via a smartphone or an additional terminal.

From the German patent application DE 10 2008 037 286 A1 a method for controlling a navigation system is known, wherein a predicted route is determined in dependence on a stored statistics of start / finish relationships. To generate the start / finish relationship, trip data is acquired between a starting point and a destination point. Time-dependent information is derived from the collected statistics of the start / finish relationships.

From the US patent application US 5,272,638 A For example, a system and method for selecting and calculating a route in a map network are known. The route is selected from a variety of possible routes to a variety of destinations.

From the German utility model DE 20 2016 007 736 U1 is a method for the dynamic integration of offline and online data in geographic applications known.

From the European patent application EP 2 957 870 A1 a method is known in which first a route is calculated offline on a device, which is replaced at a later time by an employer, in particular an Internet backend, by online information at least partially.

Since road networks consist of complex graphs, the calculation of an optimized route is very time-consuming, and therefore further optimization is required to calculate the optimal route, which also provides the simplest possible route guidance and minimizes the operating effort for a driver.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle, wherein said disadvantages do not occur, and wherein preferably at least one optimized route, in particular a time-optimized route, between a starting point and a destination is calculated and provided so that a route for a vehicle is found as efficiently as possible, this route being as optimal as possible, in particular with regard to a travel time, a route length or the consumption. Furthermore, dynamic parameters, such as the traffic situation, should be taken into account.

The object is achieved by providing the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

The object is achieved in particular by providing a method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle, wherein the route between a starting point and a destination point is calculated. In this case, the vehicle has a navigation system for calculating and / or executing a route, a locating unit for determining position data of the vehicle and a communication unit for exchanging the position data of the vehicle with an employer, wherein by the employer time-dependent position data between the starting point and the destination point detected, stored, evaluated and / or exchanged, the time-dependent position data from a plurality of vehicles, preferably of fleet vehicles, detected position data of several traveled routes between the starting point and the destination point. The method is characterized in particular in that the position data are evaluated by means of a statistical analysis, whereby the statistical analysis determines a distribution of the frequency of the position data between the starting point and the destination point, in particular spatial distribution From the distribution of the frequency of the position data, the employer ascertains those with the greatest frequency and calculates therefrom an optimized route, and wherein the optimized route is provided to the navigation system.

According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to provide a method for calculating an optimized route, in particular a time-optimized route, from a starting point to a destination, wherein the calculation of the optimized route is based on learning frequently traveled routes and a statistical evaluation. The distribution of a plurality of routes from a multiplicity of starting point / destination point pairs of vehicles, in particular of a vehicle fleet, is recorded and evaluated by a vehicle-external unit over time, in particular similar routes and / or route areas are combined. For each request for a route, the at least one most frequently traveled route to the respective starting point / destination pair is determined according to the invention and offered to a driver and / or an assistance system for selection.

Preferably, the position data collected by the employer from the vehicles is completed and combined by the employer.

In particular, a route is understood as meaning the path from a starting point, in particular a current position of the vehicle, to a destination point. The route is defined by a large number of position data, from which the route is summarized.

The navigation system preferably receives the starting point for calculating the route by means of satellite navigation data. Preferably, the starting point and / or destination is transmitted via an external mobile device and / or an application to the employer and / or the navigation system or set in the navigation system. Preferably, the external mobile device is a computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet or a navigation system, preferably the application is a program on a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or an online program, which preferably calculate routes, determine positions , and / or process or provide current traffic information.

Preferably, at least one further waypoint is entered into the navigation system for calculating the route. Preferably, the destination point of the route is entered into the navigation system and / or a mobile device.

An optimized route is understood to mean, in particular, a route optimized from the point of departure to the destination point, preferably with regard to traffic information, with regard to the travel time, route and / or consumption. The optimized route is not necessarily the route with the shortest route, but it can be the route with the shortest route.

A navigation system is understood, in particular, as a closed system within a vehicle, which is designed to determine, calculate and validate routes, positions and inquiries. The navigation system contains or has access to a map material for calculating and displaying routes. The navigation system is preferably equipped with a system for determining the position and / or for receiving position data of the vehicle, for example a GPS system. The navigation system can be permanently installed in the vehicle or be an in-vehicle mobile device, such as a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet or a mobile navigation device. However, the mobile device can also be located outside the vehicle, in particular when entering the destination point for calculating the route.

An employer is in particular a server, a computer, a program or an Internet backend, for example an online service, understood, which is preferably designed such that it can exchange data with the navigation system. The employer is particularly trained to determine, calculate, validate routes, positions and requests. In particular, the employer can acquire, store, evaluate and / or exchange time-dependent position data between a starting point and a destination point, and calculate optimized routes depending on statistically analyzed position data, in particular a distribution of the frequency of position data for particular starting point / destination point pairs obtained thereby ,

A vehicle is understood in particular to mean a passenger car, a lorry, a bus, a mobile home, a construction vehicle, a commercial vehicle or also a rail vehicle, a boat, a ship or an aircraft.

The inventive method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle has advantages compared to the prior art. Advantageously, by the stored on an employer position data between a starting point and a destination or the position data collected by the employer an optimized route between a starting point and a destination point by a simple statistical Evaluation of the position data can be calculated quickly and reliably. Advantageously, when entering a starting point and a destination, the optimized route is quickly available to the user and / or the assistance system, preferably without a calculation which is necessary for this purpose. Advantageously, the optimized route is obtained on the basis of a stored statistics on routes between the starting point and the destination point, in particular, the optimized route is stored in a database.

The communication unit is preferably designed for the transmission of data between the navigation system and the service provider, in particular an external service provider, for example via a LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth or mobile radio connection.

The optimized route, in particular the route calculated by the employer, is preferably further optimized and / or adapted by the navigation system by means of current traffic information.

Preferably, the employer records time-dependent position data of several routes between at least one starting point and destination point. Preferably, the position data acquired by the employer are position data of several vehicles. The service provider is preferably designed to receive and / or read requests for routes from a navigation system. Preferably, the position data are transmitted by the vehicles, preferably by the vehicle fleet, at certain time intervals to the employer, preferably every 5 seconds, preferably every 10 seconds, or preferably every 20 seconds.

In addition to the position data, the employer preferably records further data, in particular speed and acceleration values, consumption values along the route, traffic information along the route, in particular traffic disruptions, for example a traffic jam, an accident and a heavy load, weather data and / or gas stations on the route ,

Preferably, several optimized routes are provided by the method according to the invention, so that the user or the assistance system can select one of the optimized routes. Preferably, for each of the at least one optimized route, an average travel time and its dispersion are indicated.

For each requested route of a starting point / destination pair, the employer preferably determines the at least one most frequently traveled route, preferably two most frequently driven routes, preferably three most frequently traveled routes, preferably four most frequently driven routes, or more frequently driven routes.

Preferably, a defined size of an area is specified, preferably a maximum size of an area in which the optimized route should be located.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the distribution of the frequency is obtained by clusters of similar routes, preferably by a sequence matching method, wherein at least one route is wholly or partially compared with at least one other route and similar routes, in particular according to predetermined similarity criteria be summarized.

The sequence matching method is understood to mean, in particular, an alignment of at least two routes, with the at least two routes being completely or partially compared with respect to their position data. The similarity of the routes is evaluated by their position data by means of a scoring matrix, and identical or possibly similar routes are assigned to a specific cluster.

Clusters of similar routes are understood in particular to mean the grouping of identical or possibly similar routes.

Preferably, at least one further parameter specifies which conditions must fulfill routes in order to be clustered as similar routes. Preferably, the parameter is a geographical location of a route.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the calculation of the route is performed time-dependent, preferably depending on a time of day, a week, a holiday season and / or a season. Preferably, the employer records the time-dependent data, in particular together with the position data, so that time-dependent data can be taken into account in the evaluation of the position data.

Preferably, starting point / destination point pairs, in particular frequently occurring starting point / destination point pairs, are stored on the employer in combination with frequently traveled routes between the respective starting point / destination point pair with the respective frequency, preferably supplemented by time-dependent data.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that statistical and / or current traffic disruptions and / or traffic volumes are taken into account in the calculation of the route. This can be done by the employer provided optimized route on the navigation system or to be calculated by the employer optimized route adapted by current traffic information and / or further optimized, preferably based on dynamic traffic information.

Preferably, the adaptation and / or the further optimization of the route take place continuously, in particular at specific time intervals.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, in the calculation of the route, information about an average time duration of vehicles on a route, consumption, vehicle weight, drive type of the vehicle and / or a toll charge are taken into account. In the calculation of the optimized route by the employer, further information, in particular requirements, settings, preferences, restrictions, parameters, user and / or vehicle-specific information, may preferably be taken into account. The settings preferably include a route preference, for example the fastest, shortest or most economical route. The restrictions preferably include the avoidance of ferries, the use of roads with tolls or vignette, the use or avoidance of environmental zones, and / or the exclusion of special routes, such as tunnels or mountains. The user- or vehicle-specific data preferably includes the type of drive, such as electric drive, internal combustion engine, gasoline engine or diesel engine, the engine power, the dimensions of the vehicle, or the presence of a trailer.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the vehicle is an automatic or an autonomously driving vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an assistance system is controlled as a function of the optimized route.

An assistance system is understood to mean in particular an electronic additional device in vehicles for assisting the driver in certain driving situations and / or for partially autonomous or autonomous control of the vehicle.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

The single figure shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for calculating an optimized route for a vehicle.

The single figure shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method for calculating an optimized route 3, 4, 5 for a vehicle, wherein the route 3, 4, 5 between a starting point 1 and a destination point 2 is calculated. The vehicle has a navigation system for calculating and / or executing a route, a locating unit for determining position data of the vehicle and a communication unit for exchanging the position data with an employer. The employer records, stores, evaluates and / or exchanges time-dependent position data between the starting point 1 and the destination point 2. The position data are transmitted from a plurality of vehicles, preferably fleet vehicles, transmitted and detected position data of several traveled routes between the starting point 1 and the destination point 2. The starting point 1 is determined for example by the locating unit as the current position of the vehicle or by the user of the vehicle entered the navigation system. The destination point 2 is entered, for example, by the user in the navigation system or in a mobile device and transmitted to the employer. The navigation system is connected to the employer via the communication unit, so that data can be exchanged between the navigation system and the employer. The employer records time-dependent position data of several routes between the at least one starting point 1 and destination point 2. The position data of vehicles detected and / or stored in the employer are evaluated by means of a statistical analysis, wherein the statistical analysis distributes the spatial frequency of the position data between the starting point 1 and the destination point 2 is determined. The employer determines from the distribution of the frequency of the position data those with the highest frequency and calculates at least one optimized route 3, 4, 5 from the most traveled routes to the corresponding starting point 1 / destination point 2 pair. The optimized route 3, 4, 5 is provided to the navigation system. The user or the assistance system can select the desired route from the at least one optimized route 3, 4, 5.

In one embodiment, the distribution of the frequency is obtained by clustering similar routes, preferably by a sequence matching method, where at least one route is wholly or partially compared with at least one other route and similar routes are combined. For example, at first - especially if the vehicle is still in the area of the starting point 1, the first route 3 and the second route 4 are clustered as similar routes, while the third route 5 forms its own, separate cluster or with others, to the third Route 5 similar routes is clustered. If that Vehicle along a route selected from the first route 3 and the second route 4 drives, then a distinction between these routes can be made at a later time, in particular before the vehicle arrives at a junction, at which the initially summarized as similar routes 3 4 separate. The clustering of the routes 3, 4, 5 can thus be done dynamically, in particular as a function of a current vehicle position of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the calculation of the optimized route 3, 4, 5 is carried out in a time-dependent manner, preferably depending on a time of day, a week time, a holiday time and / or a season.

In one embodiment, statistical and / or current traffic disruptions and / or traffic volumes are taken into account in the calculation of the optimized route 3, 4, 5. As a result, the optimized route 3, 4, 5 can be adapted to the current traffic situation, so that a further optimized route 3 is obtained. A dynamic adaptation of the optimized route 3, 4, 5 by the navigation system is also possible while driving.

In one embodiment, the calculation of the optimized route 3, 4, 5 takes into account information about an average duration of vehicles on a route, a consumption, a vehicle weight, a drive type of the vehicle and / or a toll charge. As a result, in the calculation of the at least one optimized route 3, 4, 5, particular routes can be excluded, in particular as a function of specific settings, preferences and / or restrictions, which also include frequent routes between the starting point 1 and the destination point 2 in view of the acquired position data are.

In one embodiment, the vehicle is an automatic or autonomous vehicle.

In one embodiment, an assistance system is controlled as a function of the optimized route 3, 4, 5.

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 102008037286 A1 [0004]
• US 5272638 A [0005]
• DE 202016007736 U1 [0006]
• EP 2957870 A1 [0007]

Claims (7)

Method for calculating an optimized route (3, 4, 5) for a vehicle, wherein the route (3, 4, 5) is calculated between a starting point (1) and a destination point (2), the vehicle having a navigation system for calculating and / or for executing a route, a locating unit for determining position data of the vehicle and a communication unit for exchanging position data with an employer, wherein detected by the employer time-dependent position data between the starting point (1) and the destination point (2), stored, evaluated and / or exchanged, wherein the position data of a plurality of vehicles, preferably of fleet vehicles, detected position data of several traveled routes between the starting point (1) and the destination point (2), characterized in that the position data are evaluated by means of a statistical analysis , wherein by the statistical analysis, a distribution of the frequency of the position data zwisc hen the starting point (1) and the destination point (2) is determined, the employer determines from the distribution of the frequency of the position data those with the highest frequency and calculates therefrom an optimized route (3, 4, 5), and wherein the optimized ( 3, 4, 5) route is provided to the navigation system. Method according to Claim 1 in which the distribution of the frequency is obtained by clusters of similar routes, preferably by a sequence matching method, wherein at least one route is wholly or partly compared with at least one other route and similar routes are combined. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the calculation of the route (3, 4, 5) is performed time-dependent, preferably depending on a time of day, a week, a holiday season and / or a season. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the calculation of the route (3, 4, 5) statistical and / or current traffic disruptions and / or traffic are taken into account. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the calculation of the route (3, 4, 5) information about an average time duration of vehicles on a route, a consumption, a vehicle weight, a drive type of the vehicle and / or a toll fee are taken into account , Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is an automatically or autonomously driving vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an assistance system is controlled as a function of the optimized route (3, 4, 5).

Images