EP0939945A1

EP0939945A1 - Traffic data selection and filtering method

Info

Publication number: EP0939945A1
Application number: EP97935443A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf Beyer
Original assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG; DeTeMobil Deutsche Telekom Mobilnet GmbH
Current assignee: Telekom Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 1996-07-22
Filing date: 1997-07-21
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-21
Also published as: WO1998003951A1; EP0939945B1; ATE205322T1; DE59704555D1; DE19629233A1; AU3846197A; ES2163794T3; DK0939945T3; DE19629233C2

Abstract

The invention concerns a method of selecting and filtering traffic data in a mobile radiotelephone-assisted traffic data service. According to the invention, the traffic data are collected and prepared in a traffic-editing section of a central office and, depending on the extent of information desired, the user can select different retrieval modes as desired via a suitable mobile radiotelephone terminal and thus retrieve different traffic data from the central office. The information content of the traffic data retrieved is prepared by the central office specifically for the particular user, taking account of the location of the user at any given moment and/or the indication of a destination, and by specific filtering.

Description

Procedure for the selection and filtering of traffic information

The invention relates to a method for the selection and filtering of traffic information, preferably for use in a mobile radio-based traffic information service.

The basis is a mobile radio-based one

Traffic information service such as in the GSM mobile radio network Dl within the framework of computer-aided traffic telematics services. In addition to the known mobile radio services, such as voice and data transmission, traffic information should also be able to be called up via the mobile radio network, which can be received and displayed by a corresponding terminal, which is equipped, for example, according to the "IntraGSM" industry standard.

The object of the invention is to propose a method for the selection and filtering of traffic information, by means of which information which is individually prepared and only relevant for the user is transmitted.

This problem is solved by the technical teaching of claim 1.

An essential feature of the invention is that the user is given a choice between a plurality of traffic information modes, so that he can call up the traffic information that is most interesting or directly relevant to him. In addition, depending on the selected information mode, the traffic data can be filtered in such a way that out of a multitude of traffic information only those reach the user that are important to them.

The traffic information service provides the user with three modes, which he can select as required: 1. Local traffic information (Lok)

2. regional traffic information (reg)

3. Targeted traffic information (vek)

Selecting modes 1 and 2 requests information from the immediate vicinity of the user's location. Via the selection “local” or “regional”, the user defines the relative size of the area over which he wants to receive traffic information, as well as priorities / focal points when selecting information. The 3rd mode allows the user to query targeted traffic information, i.e. matched to his direction of travel or his destination. For this purpose, the user selects a destination by means of a module “TARGET INQUIRY” under communication with the service center. The coordinates of the destination are to be transmitted to the terminal as part of the destination request. The user can select the destination in his digital “ Store address book "in the terminal. Telephone prefixes or postcode regions (numbers 1 + 2 of the postcode) can also be entered as the destination. Based on the current location and the destination, an individual reference range for the traffic information is determined in the headquarters. The relevant traffic information is transmitted from the head office to the vehicle via a GSM mobile network.

The information is displayed as text on the display of the prepared terminal. With a scroll function, the user can see the individual

Select traffic information (data records). Furthermore, the user has an "automatic mode" available, in which the message about the (roughly) nearest fault (s) appears on the display.

The user can activate a voice output in the query menu for traffic information or in the basic configuration menu. If this function is active, the relevant traffic information is also recorded in voice form on a voice mailbox and can thus be called up by the user. The voice mailbox automatically informs the user of the presence of new messages. The user then initiates the query of the mailbox.

The traffic information is collected and processed in the traffic department of the service center. The available information (data records) are sorted and made available according to a geographical grid (partial areas) in order to enable a quick and easy query.

The data records contain information on the type, priority and direction vector of the fault, as well as geographical information on the fault.

The reference area of the traffic information is determined by the current position (coordinates) START-POSITION and the mode selected by the user - local info (VImod = lok), regional info (VImod = reg) or targeted information (Vlmod = vek). For the "Targeted Info" mode, a target address TARGET POSITION is also required, which is either determined by the service center by determining in which radio cell of the mobile radio system the user is, or is determined by a GPS location system that is integrated in the terminal or vehicle and transmits the exact position data to the service center.

The size of the reference area to be assigned, i.e. the number of sub-areas (grid squares) about which traffic information is to be provided depends on the density of the (long-distance) road segments that exist in the area of the START-POSITION.

The selected information is transmitted in data form to the vehicle-side terminal.

Option: If voice output is activated, the traffic information is converted into voice form and transferred to a voice mailbox. An implementation example follows.

A grid (e.g. 10 km x 10 km) is shown on the digital map. Every single grid square is a

Traffic density parameters (PVD = 0-4) assigned. PVD = 0 means highest traffic density, PVD = 4 lowest

Traffic density. The size of the reference area is calculated with PVD, whereby the reference areas are larger in rural areas than in urban areas.

The traffic density parameter PVD can be assigned as follows:

PVD application area

0 (reserve)

1 metropolitan areas

2 cities and peripheral areas of metropolitan areas

3 other regions

4 (reserve)

In addition, conversion parameters for direction vectors can be specified for the grid squares, in order to be able to take geographical features into account when filtering the information later (see below).

The traffic information is stored as data records in the database of the traffic department. This record contains:

• Reference number

• Message content (code or text)

• Position of the message, as a point or as a geometric figure

• Direction vector of the message, if applicable

• Priority of the message

- Warning messages (accident, wrong-way driver warning, etc.)

- all-clear

- Traffic incident reports (actual)

- Messages about forecasts of the next few hours

• Relevance for traffic

- local meaning (e.g. side street) - regional importance (eg arterial road)

- National significance (e.g. motorway) as a parameter for filtering the information of a reference area. • Type of source

- official (state registration office etc.)

- own survey

- forecast

The data records are each assigned to one or more (if large-scale disturbances) grid squares.

The basis for the selection of information consists of all available actual information and forecast data for the next few hours. This information is assigned to the affected grid squares in a database. Basically, information of all detail zones (highways to urban area) can be processed, since filtering functions are defined and therefore there is no danger of "flooding with information".

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of drawings which illustrate only one embodiment. In this case, further features and advantages essential to the invention emerge from the drawings and their description.

Show it:

Figure 1: Example of the menu structure of the terminal-side application of the traffic service;

Figure 2: Example of a possible hardware implementation of the method according to the invention;

Figure 3A

FIG. 3B: flowchart of a vehicle traffic service query; Figure 4: Example of determining the reference range of information in the "local" and "regional"mode;

Figure 5: Example of filtering the information in the "local" and "regional" mode

Figure 6: Example of determining the reference range of information in the "vek" mode;

Figure 7: Example of filtering the information in the "vek" mode.

Figure 1 shows an example of the menu structure of the terminal-side application u. A. to query the traffic information service. The main menu offers the option "V-Info" to select the traffic service. The "V-Info" submenu opens and you can choose between three area modes, according to local, regional or targeted traffic information. If the targeted information is selected, the desired destination must be entered in the "Destination" selection menu. This can be done by specifying the destination coordinates, a corresponding telephone number or the postcode of the destination. The traffic information is output as text or, if desired, as voice information.

Figure 2 shows the application environment of the

Traffic information service. In a service center, in which the user-specific database is located and which is responsible for the billing of the services used (billing), a traffic editorial office is provided according to the invention, in which the traffic information from various sources accumulates, is processed and processed. The traffic data are linked to a digital map and assigned to individual geographical "grid squares" on this map. Via a user module "V-Info" the traffic data can be queried by the road user via the GS mobile radio network become. The query and the exchange of information is controlled by a communication server, which establishes the connection between the telecommunications system at the headquarters and the GSM system or the vehicle. If the user desires a voice output, the traffic information is spoken onto the voice mailbox using a voice generator, and can then be called up / listened to by the user via his terminal.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a flowchart of a vehicle service traffic query. The user is guided through the traffic information query via his end device with the aid of a menu guide. The flow chart is self-explanatory and gives detailed insights into the menu structure and its links as a supplement to the rough overview in Figure 1.

As already stated, after calling the

Traffic info menus choose between three modes (see figures

1, 3A and 3B). He can get information from around his

Retrieve whereabouts: with "local" (lok) he receives information from the immediate vicinity (small radius) with "regional" (reg) he receives information from the rest

Environment (large radius) with "target-oriented" (vek) he has the possibility to specify a target. The target location is selected with the module "DESTINATION REQUEST" and the coordinates of the target location are available in the terminal.

He now receives information from a "wider environment" with a focus shifted in the direction of the target.

The exact size of the environment or reference area should not be fixed. Instead, the relative terms "local" and "regional" are used. The exact size of the reference area to be queried is calculated in the control center. With this method, the determination of the reference range is made more comfortable and effective than a fixed km specification. It is thus possible to adapt the size of the reference area to the traffic density of the area of residence: in rural areas, for example, the area queried with “local” is larger than in conurbations.

The traffic information request received at the headquarters includes:

START POSITION (coordinates of the current location of the user)

TARGET POSITION, only with VImod = vek (coordinates were determined with MODUL

"TARGET REQUEST" determined

Selected VI mode (VImod = ?; lok, reg, vek)

Selected audio mode (info_audio =?; On, off)

The determination of the reference range for the query mode “local” and “regional” is explained with reference to FIG. 4.

The starting square (grid map) and the associated traffic density parameter PVD are determined from the START POSITION. With the query mode (Vlmod) it is determined on the vehicle side (by the user) whether information from the immediate environment (= local) or from the wider environment (= regional) should be queried. To calculate the reference area, the parameter Vl od is converted into numbers: lok = 1 and reg = 2. The parameter PVD of the grid square also influences the size of the reference area in order to take the traffic density into account when determining the size of the reference area.

The size of the reference area is calculated as follows: Vol_VI reference = PVD + Vlmod

For example:

Traffic information with the regional selection is requested (VImod = reg = 2). The STARTING POSITION is in one

Metropolitan area (PVD = 1).

The size of the reference range is therefore Vol_VI reference = PVD + Vlmod = 3. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the reference area is 5 × 5 grid squares. With a grid dimension of, for example, 10 km, this would mean a radius of approx. 25 km around the starting point (location of the user).

Traffic information with the selection is requested locally (VIτnod = lok = l). The STARTING POSITION is in a rural area (PVD = 3).

The size of the reference area is therefore Vol_VlBezug = PVD + Vlmod = 4. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the reference area is 7 x 7 grid squares. With a grid of e.g. 10 km, this would mean a radius of approx. 35 km around the starting point (location of the user). It can be seen that the reference areas not only merge locally and regionally, but can also overlap.

The determination of the reference range for the query mode “vek” is explained using FIG. 6.

The start square (grid map) and the associated PVD are determined from the START POSITION. With the additional transferring TARGET POSITION, a direction vector is generated. To calculate the reference area, the parameter Vlmod is converted into a number: vek = 2. With the PVD parameter of the grid, the size of the reference area is also influenced in order to take the traffic density into account when determining the size of the reference area.

The reference area is not placed symmetrically around the starting grid square, but offset towards the TARGET POSITION.

For example: Traffic information with the selection "targeted" is requested (VImod = vek = 2). The STARTING POSITION is in an urban area (PVD = 2). The TARGETING POSITION is southeast of the starting position.

The size of the reference area is accordingly Vol_VIBezug = PVD + Vlmod = 4. It can be seen from FIG. 6 that the reference area is 7 x 7 grid squares. With a grid of e.g. 10 km, this would mean an area with a radius of approx. 35 km. The center of the reference area is offset from the start grid square by two grid units in a south-easterly direction.

The information in the reference area is checked for redundancy. The system can rule out multiple answers based on the reference numbers assigned to each individual traffic information record.

Above it was shown how the relevant reference areas are determined. The determined reference ranges consist of individual grid squares. Current traffic information from the traffic department is assigned to these grid squares.

In the following, FIGS. 5 and 7 describe how the traffic information is further filtered, taking into account the direction vectors. This is to ensure that the user receives only the information that is relevant to him and, for example, no information that is intended for the opposite direction. When filtering data, a distinction is made between the local / regional modes and the targeted mode vek.

In the "local" and "regional" modes, no basic direction vector is specified and therefore it is only possible to filter according to the "centrifugal direction", ie primarily traffic information is taken into account, the direction vector of which is seen from the position of the vehicle point outwards. In the starting grid square, information with all direction vectors must therefore be taken into account. In the surrounding grid squares of the reference area, the centrifugal directions, based on the starting grid square, can be used to filter the information (see Fig. 5). This filtering is limited to a range of approx. 90 ° to the left and right of the centrifugal direction vectors, ie to a total of 180 °, so that tolerances due to geographic road patterns can be included.

In addition, it should be possible to filter information according to its relevance for local / regional traffic. This filter function is only important if a large amount of information about secondary routes is available due to a high penetration of the mobile traffic data acquisition (option for a later implementation stage).

In the targeted mode "vek", the known travel destination, which corresponds to a specific target grid square, specifies a basic direction vector according to which it is possible to filter. In the start grid square, information with all direction vectors must be taken into account. In the surrounding grid squares of the reference area the superordinate direction vector, based on the target grid square, is used to filter the information (see Fig. 7) This filtering is limited to a range of approximately 90 ° to the left and right of the direction vector, that is to say a total of approximately 180 °, so that tolerances due to geographically determined road courses that deviate from the theoretical direction of travel can be included.

Due to geographical peculiarities, such as bridges or central feeder roads, it can happen that individual road courses can be relevant to the information selection contrary to the higher direction of travel. If these geographical peculiarities are known, then the corresponding conversion parameters are assigned to the affected grid squares. These conversion parameters can, for example, have the effect that information with the direction vector “north” is always output for the grid square xy and therefore cannot be filtered out.

The filtered information of the reference area is output as data records. In addition to the content of the message (form of output: text or code), each data record also contains the position of the respective fault in order to enable the position-dependent and direction-dependent display of the information in the vehicle's end device (automatic mode). The position can be a point or a geometric figure. The output message (TINFO_response) is generated from the data records and transferred to the communication server together with the subscriber identity (T-ID).

If, after generation of the output message (TINFO_response), new important messages for the reference area arrive within a defined period, these should be passed on to the user.

If the parameter info_audio = on is set in the traffic information request received and there are messages (after filtering) for the reference range, these are converted into a voice message. As a rule, used a speech generator with a standard vocabulary. In special cases, the text of information can also be spoken by an operator.

Claims

claims

1. A method for the selection and filtering of traffic information in a mobile radio-based traffic information service, characterized in that the traffic information is collected and processed in a traffic department of a service center, that the user, depending on the amount of information he wants, select different query modes via a suitable mobile terminal and can thereby call up different traffic information from the service center in such a way that the information content of the called-up traffic information is prepared by the service center taking into account the current location of the user and / or specification of a destination and user-specific filtering.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the service center has a digital road map which is divided into geographic areas, e.g. Grid areas, is divided, the traffic information prepared by the traffic department being assigned to the corresponding partial areas.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the service center makes a rough location determination of the user by determining the radio cell in which the user is currently staying.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the location is determined by the user by means of a GPS location system, which is integrated in the terminal or a vehicle, and whose data are transmitted to the service center.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the determined location of the user is assigned to a corresponding partial area of the digital map.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a local query mode is provided in which the user receives local traffic information related to his location.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a regional query mode is provided in which the user receives regional traffic information related to his location.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the entry of the destination by the user by means of coordinates, specifying a telephone number or specifying the postcode of the destination is done, then transfer this data to the service center and a corresponding partial area of the digital map be assigned.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a targeted query mode is provided, in which the user receives the relevant traffic information for the expected route taking into account his location and his destination.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filtering of the traffic information based on the direction vectors determined from the expected or known direction of travel.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the local and regional query mode for filtering the traffic information, all radially starting from the vehicle location direction vectors are taken into account.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the directional vector pointing from the current location to the destination is taken into account in the targeted query mode for filtering.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the traffic information is filtered in such a way that, depending on the query mode selected, only traffic information about individual or more road categories (e.g. country roads, federal highways, highways ...) is taken into account

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a traffic density parameter (PVD) is assigned to each partial area of the digital map.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a traffic information reference area

(Vol_VIBezug) is defined, which is determined from the selected query mode (Vlmod) and a traffic density parameter (PVD) assigned to the respective partial area of the vehicle location as follows: Vol_VIBezug = PVD + Vlmod.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the traffic information reference area defines the radius around the user location over which the traffic information is to take place.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a text output of the traffic information takes place in the user terminal.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that there is a voice output of the traffic information in the user terminal.