DE10242127A1 - Motor vehicle routing method for a navigation system, uses traffic route information to determine a motor vehicle's route from start to finish with a digitalized road map - Google Patents

Abstract

Designed as a computer module, a processor unit (70) calculates a journey's route. A position-determining unit (20) determines the position of a motor vehicle and positioning data. A systems management unit (50) manages the positioning data, the movement data and information that is entered. A sensor unit (30) recognizes the vehicle's movements and determines the vehicle's movement data. An Independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle navigation system for determining a motor vehicle's route from start to destination by using traffic route information.

Description

technical area

The present invention relates to one for use in a navigation system, by means of which at least one of at least one stand and / or Starting point of a route of a means of transport leading to at least one destination, in particular a motor vehicle, based on traffic routes descriptive traffic route information is determined, provided Method.

The present invention relates to furthermore at least one means of transportation, in particular at least one motor vehicle, assigned navigation system, by means of which at least one of at least one location and / or starting point leading to at least one destination Route of transportation based on traffic routes descriptive traffic route information is determined.

State of the art

In means of transportation, such as in Motor vehicles, installed navigation systems guide a guide of the Means of transportation by output preferably acoustic and / or simple, quick and safe visual driving instructions to one desired Destination without the Leader of the Means of transportation to plan a route beforehand and the corresponding Must acquire or study maps.

Corresponding, for example, are available Maps, navigation data based on maps or road maps in a mass storage of the navigation system - for example on C [ompact] D [isc] -R [ead] O [nly] M [emory] saved - before; alternative or in addition the navigation can also be done via at least one online connection. The navigation system For example, G [global] P [ositioning] S [ystem] uses the current Determine the location of the means of transportation and to find the appropriate one Calculate navigation instructions to a predetermined Lead goal.

In this context include the navigation data preferably data on roads and paths for motor vehicles; the route is usually calculated using the database stored in the mass storage, describing the traffic routes Contains traffic route information.

Come in the navigation systems in this context, corresponding algorithms for route calculation to use, which from the specification of a starting point and a Destination together with the saved navigation data calculate the optimal route to travel from the starting point to the destination.

Such algorithms for route calculation support refer, for example, to what are known as best path algorithms the graph theory are known and the special requirements for the Use in self-sufficient, for example, locomotive-bound Adapted navigation systems become.

In connection with such conventional Navigation systems should also be considered that navigation systems today are able to determine the position or location of a To determine means of transportation and as text and / or as graphics, about in the form of a map, on a display. This information can on the one hand for the purpose of route calculation and route guidance, but also for others Applications are provided, such as for a logbook.

However, usage is not known this ability to document route-related services. such Services such as waste disposal, street cleaning or winter service, are increasingly being awarded to private companies and then remuneration based on performance. The problem now arises that the client in the Practice is not possible determine which routes the service provider has actually traveled with its deployment equipment and the effort involved.

Presentation of the invention: Task, solution, benefits

Based on the disadvantages set out above and shortcomings as well as with appreciation of the state of the art outlined lies in the present invention the task is based on a method of the type mentioned above and to further develop a navigation system of the type mentioned at the beginning, that a Documentation of route-related services is possible.

In this context, the present invention further aims to provide a method of type mentioned and a navigation system of the beginning mentioned type available to pose despite the implementation of the aforementioned criteria remain affordable and their functionality works well with the functionality already existing navigation systems added.

This task is done according to the teaching the present invention by a method with the in claim 1 mentioned features and a navigation system with the solved in claim 6 features. Advantageous configurations and appropriate further training of the present invention are characterized in the respective subclaims.

The procedural essence of the present invention is therefore to be seen in a log of the route covered by the means of transportation. Through this protocol Documentation of route-related services is guaranteed for the route, so that it is practically possible for a client to determine which routes the service provider has actually traveled with his equipment and what the effort involved.

According to the invention, simple changes result or additions of a conventional navigation device is a system that supports both Service providers in the implementation supports its tasks as well as documentation of the work performed created for the purpose of settlement with the client.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes route logging as a minimum, a detailed description of the departed Route; Detailed in this context means that it is based of the created protocol possible is to clearly reconstruct or reproduce the route traveled.

• – Kilometerstand;
• – Position;
• – Uhrzeit;
• – Straßenname und/oder Straßennummer.

This can expediently be carried out using a (protocol) list which contains the following data in each line:

• - Mileage;
• - position;
• - time;
• - Street name and / or street number.

Such data and information are available in a navigation system. This (protocol) list can advantageously either automatically after a certain time, for example every sixty seconds, and / or at a change of street added become.

Alternatively or in addition to this is also a log of the route using G [global] P [ositioning] S [ystem], preferably based on at least a location module, possible; in this case, however, only the coordinates are, not the street names and / or the street numbers available; In this context it should also be borne in mind that in certain situations the location precision is too low or GPS cannot be received.

For this case is therefore a navigation system with at least one Coupling location, based on at least one additional distance sensor, reliable or more precisely and therefore preferred.

In addition to the data given above the log can usefully also contain further information included, such as the current speed of the vehicle and / or the current status or status of external devices; so For example, the status of a street sweeper of the sweeping broom are included in the (protocol) list, to differentiate on which sections of the route Broom is in action and on which sections of the route Not.

Similar as with a logbook, according to a particularly advantageous one Development of the present invention for logging the Additional route to the navigation system at least one interface at least a removable disk. The logging of a route by transmission is already known today the position - as Coordinate - to one Headquarters about Radio, such as G [global] S [ystem for] M [obile Communication]), and a recording of the route taking place at the headquarters. This has the disadvantage, however, that the radio connection additional Costs are incurred.

Instead, it is part of the present self-sufficient system provided. This self-sufficient system does not require any external components, because the interface can, for example, by at least one printer be realized, and the route protocol will in this case realized directly by printing on paper.

When using rewritable Media, such as floppy disks, memory cards or the like, is expediently one External evaluation unit is provided, which is preferably in the form of a Personal computer is realized, on which a corresponding one Read / evaluation program is running.

By using a navigation system arises opposite known systems a significantly higher precision and reliability. There the system works autonomously, there are no running costs due to transfer of data by radio; through the anyway with a navigation system Usually existing networking is the consideration or integration of external components of the means of transportation, for example via the C [ontroller] A [rea) N [approximately] bus system, unproblematic; ultimately, the user stands next to the protocol function Naturally all the advantages of a modern navigation system are also available.

Since the protocol, as described here, is very detailed, this complexity makes a plausibility check possible forgeries or manipulation of the data are very difficult. Another Protection of the data, for example by encoding or encryption therefore usually not necessary, but technically configurable.

The present invention relates to finally the Use of a navigation system for logging and / or Document the course of at least one route, in particular for the defined recording of data determining the route, such as approximately

• - the respective speed of the means of transportation,
• - of respective mileage of the means of transportation,
• - of the respective position or of the respective Location of the means of transportation, in particular the respective name and / or number of the street in which the means of transportation is currently located,
• - of respective status of at least one assigned to the means of transportation Establishment and / or
• - the current time.

Brief description of the drawings

As already discussed above, there are various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, on the one hand, reference is made to the claims subordinate to claims 1 and 6, on the other hand, further refinements, features and advantages of the present invention are described below with the aid of the 1 and 2 illustrated exemplary embodiment explained in more detail.

It shows:

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a flowchart of a method according to the present invention; and

2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a navigation system according to the present invention, which according to the method 1 assigned.

The same or similar configurations, elements or features are in the 1 and 2 provided with identical reference numerals.

Best way to run the invention

In 1 the principle of operation is based on one 2 illustrated navigation system 100 outlined according to the present invention.

Basically, the navigation procedure based on the location and / or starting point of the means of transportation after entering a destination in the vehicle navigation, the route is calculated and route guidance activated. The navigation can be done via C [ompact] D [isc] -R [ead-] O [nly] M [emory] or about conducted an online connection become.

The route is calculated under Use of a database stored in a mass storage device, contains traffic route information describing traffic routes. This Traffic route information describes a traffic route network that through junctions or intersections connecting sections are formed; Furthermore will provide information about the length the route sections and over restrictions relating to the route sections, such as maximum speed values and directional restrictions in the case of one-way streets, based on.

• – die jeweilige Geschwindigkeit des Fortbewegungsmittels (im Falle des vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiels handelt es sich beim Fortbewegungsmittel um eine Straßenkehrmaschine, die mit einer externen Einrichtung in Form eines Kehrbesens ausgerüstet ist),
• – der jeweilige Kilometerstand des Fortbewegungsmittels,
• – die jeweilige Position bzw. der jeweilige Standort des Fortbewegungsmittels, insbesondere der jeweilige Name und/oder die jeweilige Nummer der Straße, in der sich das Fortbewegungsmittel gerade befindet,
• – der jeweilige Status der dem Fortbewegungsmittel zugeordneten Einrichtung, nämlich des Kehrbesens ("Kehrbesen in Betrieb" oder "Kehrbesen nicht in Betrieb") und
• – die jeweilige Uhrzeit

definiert, nämlich kontinuierlich und in regelmäßigen Abständen aufgezeichnet werden.In order to be able to log and document the course of a route or route, the navigation system indicates 100 a recording unit 10 by means of which the data determining the route, such as

• The respective speed of the means of transportation (in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the means of transportation is a street sweeper which is equipped with an external device in the form of a sweeping broom),
• - the respective mileage of the means of transportation,
• The respective position or location of the means of transportation, in particular the respective name and / or number of the street in which the means of transportation is currently located,
• - the respective status of the device assigned to the means of transport, namely the sweeping broom ("sweeping broom in operation" or "sweeping broom not in operation") and
• - the current time

defined, namely be recorded continuously and at regular intervals.

In this context, the above-mentioned data determining the route are recorded in a log file in the form of a list (→ recording unit 10 ), processed or evaluated (→ processor unit 70 ) and saved (→ storage unit 72 that of the processor unit 70 assigned).

• – eine digitalisierte Straßenkarte,
• – die als Rechenmodul ausgebildete Prozessoreinheit 70 zur Fahrtroutenberechnung,
• – eine Positionsbestimmungseinheit 20 zum Bestimmen der Position des Fortbewegungsmittels sowie zum Ermitteln von Positionsdaten,
• – eine (System-)Verwaltungseinheit 50 zum Verwalten der Positionsdaten und der Bewegungsdaten sowie von eingegebenen Informationen,
• – eine Sensoreinheit 30 zum Erkennen der Bewegungen des Fortbewegungsmittels sowie zum Ermitteln der Bewegungsdaten des Fortbewegungsmittels,
• – eine Eingabeeinheit 40 zum manuellen und akustischen Eingeben von Informationen durch den Führer des Fortbewegungsmittels sowie
• – eine Schnittstelleneinheit 80 zu einem externen Datenträger 90, auf dem die die Route bestimmenden Daten aufzeichenbar, protokollierbar und dokumentierbar sind,

auf.In order to be able to properly and completely accomplish the navigation method described above, the navigation system 100 according to 2 as so-called subsystems essentially

• - a digitized road map,
• - The processor unit designed as a computing module 70 for route calculation,
• - a position determining unit 20 to determine the position of the means of transportation and to determine position data,
• - a (system) administrative unit 50 to manage the position data and the movement data as well as entered information,
• - a sensor unit 30 for recognizing the movements of the means of transportation and for determining the movement data of the means of transportation,
• - an input unit 40 for manual and acoustic input of information by the driver of the means of transportation as well as
• - an interface unit 80 to an external data carrier 90 , on which the data determining the route can be recorded, logged and documented,

on.

In addition, some traffic data and information processed, for example to avoid traffic disruptions; The driver of the means of transport is informed via acoustic and visual driving instructions in which direction to drive in order to get to the destination optimally, ie as quickly as possible and with maximum safety, according to the preset route options.

Furthermore, there is based on that 2 illustrated embodiment of the navigation system 100 the ability to read a guide's data and information from a data carrier, such as a compact disc (CD). In order not to burden the user, that is to say the driver of the means of transportation, with all of the data and information, one of the processor units 70 upstream filter unit 60 arranged, which presents the driver of the means of transport with the available data and information depending on the location, the target area and / or the topic in a suitable selective form. The guide of the means of transportation can then move away from the navigation system 100 after selecting an object, let it lead to it.

That based on 2 illustrated embodiment of the navigation system 100 distinguishes itself from conventional navigation systems by the possibility of documenting route-related services in the form of a route logger.

For this purpose, the function "route log" is first of all via a menu of the navigation system 100 activated or started (= process step [a] according to 1 ). Alternatively, the function can also be activated using an operating element, such as a switch or a button, or automatically at the start of the journey and deactivated at the end of the journey.

After the call, an initialization stage (= process step [b] according to 1 ) the position or location of the street sweeper is queried and the status or state of the sweeping broom of the street sweeper is determined. This data is stored in a part of the storage unit intended for this purpose 72 temporarily filed.

Next (= process step [c] according to 1 ) is on the external disk 90 a log file is created and opened, and the data just determined are written as the first data record in the first line of the log and stored there; Furthermore, a timer is optionally started, which defines the maximum time interval between two entries in the route protocol.

Alternatively, instead of time also the distance traveled as a criterion for the (maximum) distance between two entries of the route protocol can be used. Both options enlarge however As a rule, the scope of the stored data is clear and clear therefore only to be realized if the resolution achieved is really needed.

In the next step (= process step [d] according to 1 ) the current street is determined (name and / or number). If a change of road is recognized by comparing it with the temporarily stored data (= "+" in method step [d] in 1 ), this leads to a new entry in the log (= process step [g] according to 1 ). For this entry, an update is first made in the storage unit 72 existing temporary data is made, and with this current data a new record is then created in the next line of the log of the log file; optionally the timer is also restarted.

Otherwise (= "-" in process step [d] in 1 ) is the next step (= process step [e] according to 1 ) the status or the condition of the sweeper of the street sweeper checked ("sweeper in operation" or "sweeper not in operation") and compared with the temporary data. Here too, a change (= "+" in method step [e] in 1 ) to a new data record in the log file (= process step [g] according to 1 ).

If no change can be determined (= "-" in process step [e] in 1 ), the timer can optionally be checked (= method step [f] according to 1 ) to ensure a minimum resolution; the timer has not yet expired either (= "-" at process step [f] in 1 ), it is checked last (= process step [h] according to 1 ) whether the function itself is still active (= "+" in process step [h] in 1 ) or whether, for example, the user has switched off the function (= "-" in process step [h] in 1 ). If the function is still active, at the beginning (that is, before process step [d] according to 1 ) the main loop jumped back; otherwise the process is ended (= process step [i] according to 1 ).

Claims (10)

For use in a navigation system ( 100 ), by means of which at least one route of a means of transport, in particular a motor vehicle, leading from at least one location and / or starting point to at least one destination is determined on the basis of traffic route information describing traffic routes, characterized in that the course of the route is characterized by Defined, in particular continuous or, in particular, regular recording of data determining the route, such as - the respective speed of the means of transportation, - the respective mileage of the means of transportation, - the respective position or status location of the means of transportation, in particular the respective name and / or number of the street in which the means of transportation is currently located - the respective status of at least one device associated with the means of transportation and / or - the respective time is logged and / or documented , Method according to claim 1, characterized, - That the data in at least one especially list-like trained log file are recorded and - that the log file - after expiration a defined period of time or - when changing the street in which the means of transport is currently being added. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the following steps: [A] Enable data recording; [b] Initialize the Recording the data, for example by [b.1] Query the current Position or current location of the means of transportation, especially the current name and / or the current number the street, in which the means of transportation is currently located, and / or [B.2] Querying the current status of the at least one facility; [C] Create and / or open at least one log file and storing the data according to method step [b] recorded data when initializing as first record in the log file; [d] Determine the current position or the current location of the means of transportation, in particular the current name and / or number of the street in which the means of transportation is currently Compare the current position or location of the means of transportation with the corresponding temporary stored data as well Check if Change of the current street he follows: [d.1] if yes (+): jump to process step [G]; [d.2] if no (-): jump to process step [e]; [E] Determining the current status of the at least one facility, Compare the current status with the corresponding temporarily stored one Data as well as check for change the current status is: [e.1] if yes (+): jumping to process step [g]; [e.2] if no (-): jump to process step [H]; [g] Update the corresponding temporarily stored Data as well Filing the according to procedural step [d] or according to the method step [e] certain data as an additional record in the log file; [h] Check if Data recording still activated; [h.1] if yes (+): jumping before process step [d]; [h.2] if no (-): jump to Process step [i]; [i] Stop recording the data. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that before the while of or after method step [c] started at least one timer by means of which the maximum time interval between the Storage of two successive data records is defined in the log file. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that between process step [e] and process step [g] or [H] on [f] checking is carried out, whether the timer has expired: [f.1] if yes (+): jump to Step [g] and restart the timer; [f.2] if no: jump to step [h]. Navigation system assigned to at least one means of transportation, in particular at least one motor vehicle ( 100 ), by means of which at least one route of the means of transport leading from at least one location and / or starting point to at least one destination is determined on the basis of traffic route information describing traffic routes, characterized by - at least one recording unit ( 10 ) for logging and / or documenting the course of the route, in particular for the defined recording of data determining the route, such as - the respective speed of the means of transportation, - the respective mileage of the means of transportation, - the respective position or location of the means of transportation, in particular the respective name and / or the respective number of the street on which the means of transportation is currently located - the respective status of at least one device assigned to the means of transportation and / or - the respective time, and - at least one processor unit ( 70 ) for processing or evaluating the data determining the route. Navigation system according to claim 6, characterized by - at least one position determination unit ( 20 ) - to determine the respective position or location of the means of transportation and - to determine position data; - at least one sensor unit ( 30 ) - for the detection of movements of progress means and - for determining movement data; - at least one input unit ( 40 ) for manual and / or acoustic input of information, in particular by the driver of the means of transportation; - at least one administrative unit ( 50 ) to manage - the data determining the route and / or - the position data and / or - the movement data and / or - the information entered. Navigation system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the processor unit ( 70 ) at least one storage unit ( 72 ) having. Navigation system according to at least one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized by at least one interface unit ( 80 ) to at least one external data carrier ( 90 ), on which the data determining the route can be recorded, logged and / or documented. Use of a navigation system ( 100 ) in particular according to at least one of claims 6 to 9 for logging and / or documenting the course of at least one route, in particular for the defined recording of data determining the route, such as - the respective speed of the means of transportation, - the respective mileage of the means of transportation, - the respective position or location of the means of transportation, in particular the respective name and / or number of the street in which the means of transportation is currently located - the respective status of at least one device associated with the means of transportation and / or - the respective time.