EP1346334B1 - Method and device for detecting at least one vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting at least one vehicle or road user in public traffic areas (1), especially for detecting an automobile (2) on toll express ways and/or high-speed roads, and to a device for carrying out this method. Parameters such as the data for identifying the vehicle (2) or the driver or vehicle owner are input into and stored in a data processing and communications unit (3) which is provided in the vehicle (2), and the road network data, especially the co-ordinates, are stored in the same. While the vehicle (2) is moving, the co-ordinates for the vehicle position, obtained by means of a navigation system (5), are acquired by the data processing and communications unit (3) and compared with the parameters that are stored in the data processing and communications unit (3), such as the data relating to the road network. Defined parameters, such as especially, data for identifying the vehicle (2), and data for the vehicle position are transmitted to a data processing system in a central control system (4) via a wireless radio link (6). The data acquired in the data processing and communications unit (3), relating to the vehicle position, optionally with times, combined with the vehicle data form the basis for a bill, for example for sections of roads where tolls are payable, such as express ways.

Description

The invention relates to a method for detecting at least one vehicle or traffic participant on public traffic areas, in particular from a motor vehicle on toll motorways and / or expressways, wherein provided in a vehicle data processing and communication parameters for the identification of the vehicle or is entered or stored by the driver or vehicle owner and the data, in particular the coordinates, of the road network are stored and during the driving movement of the vehicle the coordinates of the vehicle position obtained via a navigation system are recorded or stored by the data processing and communication unit and these Coordinates with the data stored in the data processing and communication unit data of the road network and both the parameters for the identification of the vehicle, as well as the data of the vehicle position via a wireless Funkve be sent to a data processing system in a central control center and recorded in the data processing system, the vehicle by vehicle, stored and based on a settlement.

From WO 99/33027 A1 a method for the automatic charging of tolls for vehicles and a device for carrying out this method is known. This procedure distinguishes between virtual and physical toll stations. A tolling operation is performed in the virtual toll station indicated by the use of a satellite navigation system by means of a communication device installed in the vehicle. This communication device communicates with the toll collection system central system via a digital mobile transmission system and exchanges information with the central system. In the physical station, which is a roadside structural unit, the information is checked as to whether a correct load of the toll for the vehicle was carried out. A disadvantage of this method is the fact that buildings and structural extensions must be built to carry out.

From DE 197 55 875 A1 a method for transmitting location data and measurement data from a terminal to a traffic control center is known. In order to reduce the telecommunications costs, a telematics terminal is used which reduces the data sets to be transmitted via mathematical formulas.

US 5 289 183 A describes a traffic monitoring and management system which optimizes the traffic flow.

Furthermore, from WO 97/13208 an electronic vehicle unit is known, which optimizes the data transfer between the driver, owner or vehicle center and the authorities by security measures.

Furthermore, from US 5 532 690 A a further traffic monitoring system is known which operates on GPS basis.

From WO 92/09059 a data transmission between a motor vehicle and a fixed transmitting / receiving system using electromagnetic waves, ie by radio, including the microwave transmission, known. This system can be used on motorways for toll charging and consists of a vehicle unit, which is vehicle-related and a stationary transceiver, which is provided in each billable subsection. This is connected by a data line to the control center.

Furthermore, from WO 89/02142 a system for better utilization of the existing traffic areas is known. In this case, by means of mounted in and on the road sensors, the state of the traffic data, such as the Number of vehicles per minute, speed od. Like. And the environmental data such as brightness, visibility, temperature od. Like. Detected. This information is evaluated in a traffic computer and serve as a basis for controlling a traffic flow control by means of variable signal systems.

The serious disadvantage of these known systems is above all that structural conditions have to be created for their operation on the route.

The present invention has for its object to provide a method of the type mentioned above, on the one hand avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages and on the other hand also ensures a high organizational adaptability.

This object is achieved by the invention.

The inventive method is characterized in that the data acquired in the data processing system identification of the vehicle and preferably a certain section, selected and transmitted to control in flowing traffic to a control vehicle and the transmission of the data from the data processing system to a display device in the control vehicle over a wireless radio connection, in particular the mobile telephone network, takes place.

With the invention it is now possible to carry out a completely new control of the vehicles. Such a control vehicle is located on the track section to be checked and is supplied with the data, in particular with the license plates, which are also located on this section of vehicles. In a relative movement of the control vehicle, due to the different legal maximum speeds, to the vehicles to be controlled A check can be made of the control vehicle without stopping. The passenger of the control vehicle can read on the screen of the display device and which is arranged in the control vehicle, read the characteristics of the located on this section vehicles and compare with the actual vehicles. If a non-registered vehicle is on the route, that is to say a license plate number of a road user does not appear on the screen, then, for example, the alleged culprit can be directed to the next parking space or the like for detailed inspection.

Such a mobile control team keeps the effort minimal. Further advantages of the mobile control according to the invention can be seen in the fact that such mobile controls can be used indefinitely, that is to say in a location-independent manner and at any desired time. There are no stationary buildings necessary as fixed control points. This takes into account the environmental awareness of the authoritarian supervisory bodies. Likewise, the environmental impact is reduced by avoiding congestion at fixed control points. Furthermore, this also leads to a deliberate avoidance of the fixed control points ad absurdum.

Of course, this inventive control is adaptable to the traffic frequency by a corresponding number of control vehicles and also easily extendable on expressways. Likewise, however, so-called grid squares can also be carried out for inspection.

Even in the high economy, an advantage must be seen. Considering the financial expense of a motorway section with 4 exits and stationary control units including the necessary staff to one or two mobile control vehicles, the comparison certainly falls in favor of the method of the invention.

Another advantage of the present invention is that sensitive data can be filtered by the data transfer of the center, so that the data protection law can be taken into account.

Finally, the advantage is given that a costly post-processing of, for example, markers on photos of malefactors or law offenders is avoided, as they can be brought to account immediately or at the next suitable location.

About the data provided in the vehicle data processing and communication unit, the vehicle-related data, such as international license plate number, vehicle registration number, maximum permissible total weight, performance data of the vehicle, od. Like., Detected. This detection can be done by a storage in stationary built-in devices or in mobile, temporarily provided in the vehicle facilities by an input. In addition, personal data, such as that of the driver, can or must be entered. Furthermore, in this data processing and communication unit, traffic surface or road-related data, such as the coordinates of the road network are stored. Further, the data processing and communication unit is equipped with a navigation system for acquiring and storing position coordinates and a wireless radio link for data communication.

For central acquisition of all this data, a central control center is provided, which communicates via the wireless radio link with the data processing and communication unit. All master data and transaction data are stored and managed in this central control center.

The vehicle and personal data, if necessary with the current position data of the vehicle, at border points or other critical points and at detection points, to the data processing system of the central control center. These data transfer points are defined in the road network data stored in the data processing and communication unit. At defined detection points, the navigated coordinates are automatically linked with the coordinates of the road network stored in the data processing and communication unit and transmitted to the data processing system by radio with the vehicle data. The data thus acquired in the data processing system can be evaluated, for example, as an electronic logbook.

The coordinates of the vehicle position can be acquired via satellite navigation, in particular via GPS (Global Positioning System), in the data processing and communication unit. As a result, the construction costs for the system are kept as low as possible, since already existing structures are accessed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the parameters or the data of the vehicle are transmitted before departure of the data processing and communication unit to the data processing system. In order to obtain a complete collection of the data, this procedural step is certainly of great importance. Of course, the data processing system has the ability to retrieve the data at any time.

According to one embodiment of the invention, monitoring of the traffic, in particular with regard to hazardous goods transport or the discipline of the road user, is carried out via the data recorded in the data processing system. Especially with regard to the safety in tunnels or sensitive areas, such as water protection areas, this embodiment brings advantageous aspects.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the data collected in the data processing system vehicle data with the current road condition reports or traffic condition, such as traffic or traffic density, linked and passed as Verkehrsleitdaten over the radio link to the data processing and communication unit and inside the vehicle, possibly visually , displayed or passed on to other information services. This can be used to set up an electronic traffic control system.

According to a further feature of the invention, the current engine power range of the vehicle is detected and linked to the actual vehicle data via the data processing and communication unit. An adapted to the stretch section, economical driving style can be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the invention via the data processing and communication unit is a, in particular economical, control of the engine power range of the vehicle, for example by switching on or off of cylinders. This can directly affect engine performance. This can lead to the extent that power, ie kW or horsepower, can be changed over the data processing and communication unit, for example at short notice, changed or "bought". In the case of motor-related billing, this circumstance may, in the case of a short-term increase in capacity, come to the fore for the benefit of the toll person. The input can thus be done via radio or manually from the handlebar.

According to a development of the invention, via the data processing and communication unit via radio link from the and / or to the data processing system changed parameters of the vehicle, such as engine power, total weight od. Like., Transmitted. With this method step according to the invention, in the case of deficiencies in air quality, for example in the event of a smog alarm, the engine power can be reduced in such a way that the vehicle produces the lowest possible pollutant emissions. The prerequisite for this step, however, is certainly an authorization of the central control center for this intervention, which would require legal changes.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the coordinates of the vehicle position are detected via a plurality of wireless radio connections, in particular via the mobile telephone network, preferably via GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications) in the data processing and communication unit Satellite navigation also allows navigation via the GSM.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the data acquired in the data processing and communication unit linked to the coordinates of the vehicle positions, possibly with the times, with the vehicle data, the basis for a clearing, for example in toll road sections, such as highways. This can create an electronic toll collection system. The toll road network is divided into sections, each section, for example, depending on their length and the type of vehicle or the time of use a toll amount is assigned. Above all, personnel savings are made by the executive or even by emergency services of the motorway maintenance companies and thus by large economic savings.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung der Erfassung von Verkehrsteilnehmern und
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung der Kontrolle der erfaßten Fahrzeuge.

Show it:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the detection of road users and
• Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the control of the detected vehicles.

According to FIG. 1, vehicles 2, in particular trucks, are on the move on a public traffic area 1, for example on a toll motorway. Each of these vehicles 2 has in its handlebar a data processing and communication unit 3, which is provided with a computer system, which consists of at least one computer and at least one memory. This computer system is powered by an external electrical energy source, for example via the vehicle electrical system, wherein a backup battery is integrated in this computer system.

In this data processing and communication unit 3, the parameters of the vehicle 2, such as the international number plate, the vehicle number, the engine power, the total weight or the like and possibly also the data of the vehicle owner and / or driver are stored. Likewise, the data of the road network, in particular in the form of the coordinates, are stored, the detection points being defined in these data.

Furthermore, the data processing and communication unit 3 is equipped with a navigation system 5, in particular with a satellite navigation system, such as GPS (Global Positioning System). About this GPS continuously the position coordinates of the vehicle 2 are detected.

The data processing and communication unit 3 also has a transmitting and / or receiving system for a wireless radio link with a data processing system in a central control center 4. This wireless radio link - indicated by the arrows 6 - preferably takes place via the mobile telephone network, such as via GSM or UMTS.

In order to be able to pass on the data recorded and calculated in the data processing and communication unit 3 to other authorized data processing stations or to be supplied with data by them, the data processing and communication unit 3 is equipped with at least one interface. This interface can therefore be used for further data input and / or external data transfer.

The data transfer from the data processing and communication unit 3 to the data processing system of the central control center 4 takes place automatically at the detection points. In addition, however, the central control station 4 has the ability to retrieve the data from the data processing and communication unit 3 at any time.

In order to create an electronic toll collection system with these facilities, the toll-liable road network is divided into sections and an amount is allocated to each section. About the provided in the vehicle 2 data processing and communication unit 3, the vehicle-related data and the navigation system, the coordinates of the vehicle position are detected. Due to the continuous transfer of these linked data from the data processing and communication unit 3 to the data processing system, the route and thus the toll amount can be calculated in the central control station 4 via this data processing system 4.

In order to ensure a smooth flow of this toll system, some conditions have to be met. Thus, it must be ensured that each vehicle 2 has a data processing and communication unit 3. This can be done on the one hand by the fixed installation of such a device or on the other hand by mobile data processing and communication units 3, which are provided at the border or other critical points available. In mobile data processing and communication units 3 billing could be done via prepaid cards.

In the case of stationary installations, billing can be carried out via the central control center. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the data processing and communication unit 3 is supplied with the corresponding data at least before the start of a journey on a traffic-requiring traffic area 1.

To design this toll system redundant, the data is not only transmitted to the central control center 4, but also stored in the data processing and communication unit 3. The planned backup battery, this can be done independently of the electrical system.

Of course, the data processing and communication unit 3 can also be used for other services. For example, the collected data can be used as an electronic logbook. But also in the data processing system in the central control center 4 detected data, possibly linked with peripheral data, can be processed for further information, such as for monitoring the traffic or to a traffic control system.

About the data processing and communication unit 3 but also an economic control of the engine power is possible. With the data acquired in the data processing and communication unit 3 linked to the stored data of the road network, for example, the engine power can be adapted to the topography accordingly.

2, a control of the flowing traffic in a toll motorway section is shown schematically. The in one direction - indicated by the arrow 8 - located in a section of the traffic area 1, so for example a highway vehicles 2 perform via the mobile network data transport from the data processing and communication unit 3 with the data processing system of the central control center 4. In the central control center 4, the vehicle-related

Stringed data according to the position data and passed to a control vehicle 7, which is also located on this section. In the control vehicle 7, a visual display device is preferably provided, on which the vehicle identification, for example the license plate, is displayed.

If, for example, the control vehicle 7 now moves past the vehicles 2 at a higher speed, a control person can compare the license plates displayed on the screen with the license plates of the vehicles. A check is thus carried out without stopping the traffic.

If a vehicle 2 is located that does not appear on the control list of the control vehicle 7, then at the next opportunity, that is probably at the next rest or parking area, a halt can be made and a check can be carried out.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the construction, the parts or their components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

Claims (9)

1. Method to register at least one vehicle (2) or road user on public roads (1), in particular a vehicle on toll motorways and/or expressways, whereby parameters for the identification of the vehicle (2) and/or driver or vehicle owner can be entered and/or stored in a data processing and communication unit (3) provided in the vehicle (2), and data, in particular the coordinates, the road network, can be saved and the coordinates for the vehicle's position, obtained via a navigation system, can registered and/or saved by the data processing and communication unit (3) during the motion of the vehicle (2), and these coordinates are compared with the road network data saved in the data processing and communication unit (3), and both the parameters for identification of the vehicle (2) and the vehicle position data are transmitted via a wireless radio connection (6) to a data processing system in a central control centre (4), and in this data processing system the data is registered and saved per vehicle and used for accounting purposes, characterised by the fact the data registered in the data processing system for identification of the vehicle and preferably for a specific stretch of road is selected and transmitted to a control vehicle (7) for controlling in moving traffic, and the data is transmitted from the data processing system to a display unit in the control vehicle (7) via a wireless radio connection, in particular via the mobile phone network.
2. Method in accordance with Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the parameters and/or data of the vehicle (2) are transmitted by the data processing and communication unit (3) to the data processing system before the vehicle starts moving.
3. Method in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that traffic is monitored via the data registered in the data processing system, in particular with regard to hazardous goods transports or the discipline of road users.
4. Method in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the data per vehicle registered in the data processing system is linked with the latest road condition reports or traffic conditions, such as e.g. volume of traffic, and is transmitted as traffic control data via the radio connection (6) to the data processing and communication unit (3) and displayed, visually if possible, in the vehicle and/or transmitted to other information services.
5. Method in accordance with at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that via the data processing and communication unit (3) the current engine output range of the vehicle (2) can be registered and linked with the actual vehicle data.
6. Method in accordance with Claim 5, characterised by the fact that via the data processing and communication unit (3) a - particularly economical - control of the motor output range of the vehicle (2) is possible, for example by switching on or off cylinders.
7. Method in accordance with Claim 5 or 6, characterised by the fact that via the data processing and communication unit (3) modified vehicle (2) parameters such as e.g. motor output, gross weight, etc., can be transmitted from and/or to the data processing system by radio connection.
8. Method in accordance with Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the vehicle position coordinates are registered in the data processing and communication unit (3) via different wireless radio connections, in particular via the mobile phone network, preferably GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System).
9. Method in accordance with at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the vehicle position coordinates registered in the data processing and communication unit (3), with the times if applicable, linked with the vehicle data form the basis for accounting, for example on toll roads such as motorways.

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