EP1118068B1 - Method and array for selecting traffic information services that can be received with at least one mobile receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method and systems for selecting traffic information services that are receivable by at least one mobile receiver and are relevant for a route previously determined by a navigational device linked to at least one receiver, service information, which identifies the services having traffic messages relevant for the route, is read out from a stored list for the determined route. In the case of a plurality of services, a table is created that includes the read-out service information, which is sorted according to a valuation and is able to be modified as the route is followed. A receiver is set, in each case, to the highest-rated service.

Description

The invention relates to a method and arrangements for Selection of with at least one mobile receiver receivable traffic information services available for one of one associated with at least one receiver Navigation device previously determined route are relevant.

Modern navigation devices for motor vehicles are today also able to take into account the respective traffic situation. These are the Navigation devices Traffic information To feed, including as a source of information broadcast station with digitally coded traffic reports (TMC messages, TMC = Traffic Message Channel) and other sources and services are usable. However, it is necessary to do this Receiver connected to the navigation device, to hire a service for that of the route Geographical area crossed relevant traffic announcements sends.

If such a setting is made almost randomly, It may happen that a service is discontinued, which the not relevant or only for the relevant route relevant messages rarely sends.

DE 44 42 413 A1 discloses a method for adjustment a mobile radio receiver and a radio receiver become known, in which each of a Navigation device determined position for reading from Program identification codes is used from a list, so that a station is found, which determined for the Position sends relevant information. Hereby are indeed good results achievable if the user of a Radio receiver valid for its respective position Traffic news wants to receive and the right one Transmitter needed. The setting of several Radio stations along the respective calculated route, where Both the tuning and the route search dynamic behavior, however, is in the known method not possible.

The transmission of traffic information services is also via other transmission media than RDS broadcasting, for example via digital radio (DAB) or via Mobile networks according to the GSM standard possible.

Object of the present invention is in a Route search with the help of a navigation device among the available transmission media and / or transmitters to make a choice which is an optimal supply with Traffic information over the entire route allows.

This object is achieved in that for the determined route from a stored list Service information is read out which the services mark with relevant traffic information for the route, that creates a table in case of multiple services becomes, which the read out service information after contains a rating sorted and which at the Tracking the route is changeable, and that a receiver each set to the highest rated service becomes.

The evaluation can be made according to characteristics which the Characterize services and together with the services itself received or from a memory at the receiver can be read out.

With the method according to the invention, for example, in Areas served by the DAB prefer the DAB tuner be set in the remaining areas of the RDS tuner and on selected routes or on special request the user's commercial services transmitted via GSM become. It is also possible for one area as well traffic messages received from multiple services save and use.

A development of the present invention makes it possible in a route search using a navigation device the service receivable by a receiver such to select that over the entire route as possible Receipt of relevant traffic information is optimized.

This is done in current broadcasting, for example ensures that at least one receiver is a radio receiver to receive stations with traffic reports is that for the determined route from a stored list Program identification codes are read, which Sender with relevant for the determined route Traffic messages indicate that in the case of several read out program identification codes a table is created, which the read out Program identification codes sorted by rating contains and which in a pursuit of the route is changeable, and that the radio receiver on each the highest rated receivable station becomes.

In the other services, such as the DAB, is this procedure, after minor adjustment to the Technical specification of the service applicable.

Navigation devices which the route also under Calculate consideration of the current traffic situation, - provided they have sufficient traffic information Measurements are fed - both at the start of a ride as also with an initially calculated route during the Ride the route to correct traffic reports. Furthermore, during a journey, a recalculation of the route be required if the vehicle (whether wanted or unintentionally) deviates from the calculated route. The The inventive method allows independently of the Set the best stations available for this purpose.

Preferably, in the method according to the invention provided that the stored list for the Program Identification Codes Information about the Reception area covered by the message contents Area (reporting area), the known frequencies and over an other message selection performed by the sender contains.

Frequently are for one and the same geographical area several transmitters relevant. To get an optimization to perform is another training provided that the table of stations to be adjusted by Comparison of positions on the route with area information in the list is determined and updated. Preferably the entries in the table thus determined become such sorts that sender with the best matching Message contents are at the top of the list.

In particular, it can also be provided that the sorted table to a controller of the Radio receiver is handed over and there as a basis for a station search is used, with the one at the top standing transmitter is searched first.

Broadcasters often have different preferences when it comes to Selection of the traffic reports broadcast by them. So For example, there are stations that are only local Send traffic reports or those that Broadcast traffic reports for a larger area. These characteristics of the transmitter can be with another Continuing to be used by that in sorting the respective class of roads to be traveled in relation to the other message selection of the transmitter is, which identifies the street classes for which the respective Sender sends traffic reports.

A particularly favorable option for geographical Selection of the different transmitters or PI codes without the Relatively expensive storage of coordinates can according to an advantageous embodiment be effected in that in the list of geographical areas into which a digital road map for the navigation device is divided, the associated Program identification codes are listed and that at tracking the route by area Program identification codes are read out and sorted become.

In this advantageous embodiment, a fairly accurate Taking into account the road classes thereby possible that at the sorting the respective class of the to be driven Streets in relation to the other message selection of the Sender stands, which designates the size of the area, for which the respective sender sends traffic reports, and that at different road classes within an area the one used for sorting, which within of the area predominates.

A secure match of the update status of the List and the digital road map is at one advantageous arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention ensures that the List stored on the same disk as one digital road map, preferably on a visual scannable disc (CD-ROM).

To be able to adjust the route to possibly fast changing traffic can be a frequent access to TMC transmitter may be required. This does not interfere with it Interruptions of reception of other programs connected is is in another advantageous arrangement for Implementation of the method according to the invention, that the radio receiver two independently having adjustable receiving parts.

Fig. 1

einen Rundfunkempfänger und eine Navigationseinrichtung, die zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens eingerichtet sind,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Straßenkarte zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 3

eine bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren benutzte PI-Liste und Tabellen und

Fig. 4

als Flußdiagramm ein zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ausgelegtes Programm für einen in der Navigationseinrichtung befindlichen Mikroprozessor.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing with reference to several figures and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

Fig. 1

a radio receiver and a navigation device, which are set up to carry out the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a section of a road map for explaining the method according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a used in the inventive method PI list and tables and

Fig. 4

as a flowchart for the implementation of the method designed program for a located in the navigation device microprocessor.

The radio receiver shown in Fig. 1 has a Receiving part 2 with an antenna 1, whose output on the one hand via a low-frequency processor 4 and amplifiers 5, 6 with Speakers 7, 8 and on the other hand via an RDS decoder. 3 is connected to a microprocessor 13. This serves for Control of the entire radio receiver and is under designed to be different from the decoded at 3 RDS signal individual information, for example Program identification codes (PI codes) and digital ones Traffic messages to select and decode.

The microprocessor 13 is further provided with a keyboard 14 and a display 15, with which various inputs (Tuning, volume, muting of received stations) made and required Information (operating status of the receiver, set Transmitter, traffic messages displayed as text) can be. The microprocessor 13 also has an output connected to a control input of the receiving section 2 is connected so that the receiving part 2 on at 14 per Hand or stored in the microprocessor 13 transmitter can be adjusted.

The microprocessor 13 of the radio receiver is via a bidirectional data connection 10 with a Navigation device connected, also from a not shown microprocessor is controllable. The to Route search or to adapt the route search to the information required for each journey a mass memory 18, such as a CD-ROM, and a GPS locating device 17 taken. In addition to a digital Road map, of which in Fig. 2 shows a section is, is in the mass memory 18 is a list of those Sender, which digitally coded traffic reports (TMC messages). The list is by PI codes ordered and contains one PI code each Receiving area, a reporting area, frequencies on which Programs are sent with the respective PI code, and the sender's other message selection - for example, only local, regional and national Messages.

The list shown in detail in Fig. 3a) shows Entries of the five stations Sa to Se with the PI codes PI1 to PI5. The reception ranges of the transmitters Sa to Se are shown in FIG. 2 identically represented with the transmitters. In which Embodiment, the file is particularly simple constructed that areas of the digital map (Fig. 2) in Areas - also called PI areas in the following - are divided and that for each of these areas the the relevant channel in the list. That's how it works from the list of Fig. 3a), for example, that the Sender Sa for the area C2 traffic reports and the Sender Sb Traffic reports for the areas C1, C2 and B2 radiates. This eliminates an assignment of Message areas of the individual stations to the geographical Coordinates.

The navigation device 16 determines on the basis of own position, in which PI area the vehicle stops, and then can go directly to the appropriate Jump section of the PI code table, where then there is a or more PI codes, for example in Fig. 3a) for the range C2, the PI codes PI1 to PI4.

If there are several PI codes, the first one is Checking the route to determine which Road classes are used, whether it is for example Motorways or inner-city roads. This Operation will become more apparent in the following with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 explained. FIG. 2 shows a section of a total of sixteen PI areas A1 to D4 of the digital road map. For one Driving from a place X to a place Y has made a Route search show that first of X an intra-local Road 21 to a motorway junction 22, then one Drive on the highway 23 to junction 24 and finally again a local road 25 used becomes. Another street 26, also from X to Y is not suggested to the driver as this leads winding route is longer and also more time claimed. As circles or ellipses are the Reception areas of the transmitter Sa to Se indicated. Does that fall largest part of a PI area in the reception area, is this in the table of Fig. 3a) in the respective Station listed.

The stations Sa and Se are local stations, while the stations Sb, Sc and Sd are supraregional receivable. At the start the receiver is in area C2. After the list should the stations Sa to Sd be receivable there. Because the first route 21 is not a motorway, becomes the local station Sa first highest prioritized. The remaining stations after evaluation of the receivability in the subsequent PI areas B2 and A2. Since the Transmitter Sd is receivable in all three PI ranges the transmitters in the sequence Sa shown in FIG. 3b), Sd, Sb, Sc to the microprocessor 13 of the radio receiver to hand over.

Even before reaching the highway at 22, the ratio decreases between inner-city and local roads 21 to Highway 23 so strong that the prioritization of the station Sa eliminated. As a result, the sender Sd adjusted, although transmitter Sb and transmitter Sc may be higher Field strengths offer. The transmitter Sd remains in transition until set the PI range A2. There is the Navigation device notes that for the rest of the route again predominantly branch lines are used, and prioritizes therefore the most favorable for this PI area Sender Se (Fig. 3c)), which is then set to destination Y. remains.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a program that in a Microprocessor of the navigation device for implementation the method according to the invention is provided. After one Start at 31 and enter X and Y at 32 takes place at 33 the route calculation with the result X, 22, 24, Y. Then the program waits for an input, whether a dynamic Route guidance is desired. If this is not the case, will the program ended at 35. Will be a dynamic Destination guidance desired, at 36 the determination of PI areas, in the present case C2, B2 and A2.

At 37 are then based on the table of FIG. 3a associated PI codes determined. At 38 branches Program depending on whether the number NPI the determined PI codes is greater than zero. Is not previously matching PI code has been found, no list will be sent to the Radio receiver handed over. In this case, the Radio receiver on its own - that means with the usual procedure - for suitable transmitters with Search traffic reports.

However, if PI codes were found, follow the branch 38 the transfer of the PI list (Fig. 3b)) to the Radio receiver. At 40 it is checked if the goal is reached is, and if necessary, the program at 35 ended. However, as long as the target is not reached, takes place at 41 an update of the position and therefore the still route to be covered. Here are also received TMC messages taken into account so that, if necessary Traffic disruption other routes are chosen. Is the Receiver by driving on the originally calculated Route or on a recalculated route to a new one PI area comes after junction 42 at 36 re-detected, by which PI-areas the further journey goes on, where at 37 a new provision of the associated PI codes are done. As long as the receiver at 42 no reached new area and also the target has not yet been reached is at 41, the updating of the position and the Route, without the need to redetermine the PI codes.

Claims (11)

1. Method for selecting traffic information services which can be received with at least one mobile receiver and which are relevant to a route which has previously been determined by a navigation device which is connected to at least one receiver, characterized in that service information which characterizes the services with traffic messages which are relevant to the route are read out from a stored list for the route which has been determined, in that, in the case of a plurality of services, a table is produced which contains the read-out service information sorted according to a weighting and which can be changed when the route is followed, and in that a receiver is set in each case to the service with the highest weighting.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one receiver is a radio receiver for receiving transmitters with traffic messages, in that programme identification codes, which characterize transmitters with traffic messages which are relevant to the route which has been determined, are read out from a stored list for the route which has been determined, in that, in the case of a plurality of read-out programme identification codes, a table is produced which contains the read-out programme identification codes sorted according to a weighting and which can be changed when the route is followed, and in that the radio receiver is set in each case to the transmitter which can receive with the highest weighting.
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the stored list for the programme identification codes contains information about the reception region, the region (message region) which is covered by the message contents, the known frequencies and about some other message selection which is made by the transmitter.
4. Method according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the table of the transmitters which are to be set is determined and updated by comparing positions on the route with area data in the list.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the entries in the table which is determined in this way are sorted in such a way that transmitters with message contents which are most suitable are at the top position.
6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sorted table is transmitted to a control device of the radio receiver and is used there as a basis for a transmitter search, the transmitter which is at the top position being searched for first.
7. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that, during the sorting, the respective class of the roads to be travelled on is related to the other message selection of the transmitter which characterizes the road classes for which the respective transmitter transmits traffic messages.
8. Method according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the associated programme identification codes are specified in the list in relation to geographic areas into which a digital road map for the navigation device is divided, and in that when the route is followed the programme identification codes are read out and sorted according to areas.
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that during sorting the respective class of the roads to be travelled on is related to the other message selection of the transmitter which designates the size of the area for which the respective transmitter transmits traffic messages, and in that, when there are different road classes within an area, that road class which predominates within the area is used for the sorting.
10. Arrangement for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, having means for calculating a route, having means for receiving traffic information services and having means for selecting service information from a stored list, the selected service information characterizing services which characterize services with traffic information which is relevant to the route, and having a data carrier which contains the list and a digital road map.
11. Arrangement for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 2 to 9, having means for calculating a route, having means for receiving traffic information services and having means for selecting service information from a stored list, which selected service information characterizes services which characterize services with traffic information which is relevant to the route, and having a data carrier which contains the list and a digital road map, the radio receiver having two reception components which can be set independently of one another.

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