EP2171701A1

EP2171701A1 - Server-based warning of hazards

Info

Publication number: EP2171701A1
Application number: EP08736506A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulrich STÄHLIN
Original assignee: Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Current assignee: Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Priority date: 2007-06-22
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: US8354942B2; US20100164752A1; WO2009000572A1; DE102008012660A1

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a hazard warning unit for a vehicle is disclosed, for detecting hazards and for warning about hazards, which hazard warning unit has a plurality of sensing units for sensing measured values and an analysis unit for analysing the measured values. If a hazard is detected, a hazard message is transmitted to a central server which can then pass on said hazard message to other vehicles. Hazard information can also be buffered by the server.

Description

Server-based warning of dangers

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the navigation and safety technology for vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a hazard alert unit for a vehicle, a hazard warning system for a plurality of vehicles, the use of a hazard alert unit in a vehicle, a method of alerting a plurality of vehicles to hazards, a computer program product, and a computer readable medium.

Technological background

The rapid increase in vehicular traffic on the roads and the associated congestion and travel time extensions lead to increased efforts worldwide to detect traffic conditions and to take these into account when choosing a route or when calculating the route in navigation systems.

Digital cards are usually out of date at delivery. Therefore, updating the card is essential if you want the digital card to match the current conditions. However, these updates involve a large amount of data because the entire map is always updated. CGS Hazard warnings based on DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) warn of hazards on the line in front of the vehicle that were previously detected by another vehicle or otherwise. Here, the hazard warnings are passed from vehicle to vehicle or transmitted to vehicles via infrastructure.

Furthermore, it is known that vehicles send so-called "Floating Car Data" (FCD) The system used for this consists of a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) or GPRS module. Both modules are already available in many vehicles without FCD functionality.The GPS receiver measures the position and the FCD method determines from many of these position data travel times of the vehicle.On the GSM network, these travel times as a pearl necklace, where individual points of the It can use these travel times to draw conclusions about the traffic situation, thus collecting traffic status data for traffic information services.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved hazard warning for a vehicle.

It is a danger warning unit for a vehicle for detecting dangers and warning of dangers, a hazard warning system, the use of a hazard warning unit in a vehicle, a method for warning a plurality of vehicles against dangers, a computer program product and a computer readable medium according to the features of the independent claims specified. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. The exemplary embodiments described equally relate to the hazard warning unit, the danger warning system, the use, the method, the computer program product and the computer-readable medium.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a hazard warning unit for a vehicle is provided, which is designed to detect dangers and warn of dangers, and which a detection unit in the vehicle for detecting a measured value, an analysis unit for determining whether the detected measured value corresponds to a hazard , and a communication unit for communicating information about the danger to a center when the detected measurement corresponds to the hazard.

In other words, the danger warning unit is able to detect and then analyze a multiplicity of different measured values. In this way, the hazard warning unit can determine whether a dangerous situation exists. For example, the hazard warning unit detects an intervention of the electronic stability program ESP, the corresponding driven speed, the location of the occurrence of this intervention and the current outside temperature. This multitude of measured data is then analyzed and if, for example, a certain speed is not exceeded, but, for example, at the same time a certain temperature is undershot, information data is generated which indicates, for example, black ice. This information data is then transmitted to the central office, which optionally carries out a further evaluation of the information data.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the communication unit is designed to transmit the measured value by means of GPRS, UMTS or WiMax.

By using GPRS, UMTS or WiMax, the range of dissemination of the information is significantly greater than with a hazard warning via DSRC. Because in addition one - A -

Central station is used with a server and no direct connection between the different vehicles is necessary, the information can also be cached.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the information data about the danger also contain additional information data about the location at which the measured value was acquired, about the time at which the measured value was detected, and about the communication unit which transmits the information to the control center sends to the central office.

In this way, the center is allowed to assign the received data to a corresponding vehicle and also to prevent misuse, for example, by paying attention only to the data of registered vehicles.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the communication unit is designed to receive warning data from the control center, the warning data being based on the information data of another communication unit received in the center.

In other words, information and warnings are received from a plurality of vehicles in the center. After a corresponding evaluation, the warning data are also sent to other vehicles. In this way it is possible to receive warnings from other road users, in which case in each case the center is interposed.

The center manages the warning data, filters the warning data, sorts the warning data and can send specific, selected warning data to selected vehicles.

In this way the traffic can be reduced. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the communication unit for retrieving the warning data is executed by the control center at fixed times.

For example, the driver of the hazard warning unit can specify at what times the retrieval should take place. Furthermore, the driver can trigger such data retrieval when he z. B. wants to update his digital map.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the danger warning unit furthermore has an encryption unit for encrypting the information data, so that an unambiguous assignment of the encrypted information data to the danger warning unit is possible.

In this way, the likelihood of abuse can be reduced.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the detection unit has a GPS sensor, an environment sensor, an ESP sensor, a camera, an ABS (anti-lock braking system) sensor, an ASR (drive slip control) sensor and / or or a speed sensor.

For example, a temperature sensor may also be provided.

Exact and very detailed warnings can be generated from the multitude of measurement data.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control center is a traffic data center as a service provider.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a danger warning system for warning against dangers for a multiplicity of vehicles is specified, which one above Having the danger warning unit described and a center for receiving information from the danger warning unit and for transmitting warning data to the danger warning unit, the control panel is also designed to generate the warning data based on the measured values.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the center is designed to transmit first warning data to a first hazard warning unit of a first vehicle and to transmit second warning data to a second hazard warning unit of a second vehicle, the first warning data being different from the second warning data.

In other words, the center is configured to individually transmit individualized warning data to the plurality of vehicles. The control center can transmit specific, selected vehicle-specific warning data to each vehicle. For example, the warning data may differ from vehicle to vehicle, depending on where the vehicle is located. For example, a first vehicle only needs warning data regarding a first part of its digital map, whereas a second vehicle needs warning data concerning a very different, second part of its digital map because the second vehicle is in a different location.

In this way the traffic can be further reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the center is designed to receive information data from a plurality of hazard warning units of different vehicles and to generate warning data based on all received measured values. Furthermore, the control center can receive additional information, for example measurement data from sensors outside the vehicles. These are, for example, induction loops in a road or detectors on the roadside or, for example, under a bridge.

The received data can then be statistically evaluated in the control center. In the statistical analysis, for example, methods of data mining can be used, ie statistical-mathematical methods for pattern recognition.

In this way, individual incorrect measurements can be averaged out or filtered out, whereby the validity of the warning data can be increased.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the use of a danger warning unit described above in a vehicle is specified.

The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a car, bus or truck, or else a rail vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, such as a helicopter or airplane, or, for example, a bicycle.

The alert data transmitted from the center to a vehicle may be used to update a digital map, such as a digital navigation map. The general term "digital map" also means maps for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS, Advanced Driver Assistance System), without this being a navigation takes place.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for warning a plurality of vehicles of dangers, in which a measured value is detected by a detection unit in a first vehicle. It is then determined whether the detected measured value corresponds to a hazard. If the acquired measured value coincides with the Danger corresponds to a transmission of information about the risk data to a central office.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, storage of the type of hazard, the location at which the measured value was detected, the time at which the measured value was detected, and an identification of the communication unit which transmitted the information to the center are also stored. in the central office. Furthermore, a generation of warning data is based on the stored data within the center.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, retrieval of warning data relevant to a specific second vehicle takes place from the center by the second vehicle.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is a

A computer program product is provided which, when executed on a processor, directs the processor to perform the method steps outlined above.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the method steps outlined above.

A fundamental consideration of the invention is to be seen in that an automatic identification of a hazard that has been detected with the aid of a vehicle sensor system, takes place within the vehicle and then a corresponding danger message is transmitted to a control center. The control center evaluates all received messages and informs each participating vehicle of the dangers that are relevant for this vehicle. In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning system according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a schematic illustration of a detail of a digital navigation map and an acoustic warning unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

4 shows a detail of a digital navigation map for another vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

In the following description of the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar elements.

1 shows a schematic representation of components of a hazard warning unit 100, which is installed, for example, in a vehicle and serves for the detection of dangers and the warning of dangers. The danger warning unit 100 has a detection unit 101, an analysis unit 102 and a communication unit 103. The detection unit 101 includes a plurality of different sensors, such as an ESP system 104, a temperature sensor 105, and a GPS unit 106 (hereinafter also referred to as a positioning unit).

The analysis unit 102 receives the measured values from the detection unit 101 and can perform an analysis of these measured values as to whether the measured values indicate an actual danger.

The communication unit 103 has an antenna 113, via which a wireless communication with a server (see reference number 203 in FIG. 2) can take place.

An input unit 111 is connected to the analysis unit 102, which also serves to control the systems connected thereto. Various settings of the hazard warning unit can be made via the input unit 111 and, for example, for a navigation unit, a destination and possibly also a location can be selected. The input of the destination is, for example, by entering the full name of the destination or by selecting from a list that is displayed on an optical output unit, such as a monitor 109, possible. On the monitor 109, the guidance information is also output. Furthermore, warnings can also be output from the control panel on the monitor.

These indications can also be output via the acoustic output unit 110. The output via the acoustic output unit 110 has the advantage that the driver is less distracted from the current traffic situation. In a memory element 112 which is connected to or integrated in the controller 102, the digital map data are stored in the form of data records. For example, additional information about traffic restrictions and the like are also stored in the memory element 112 and assigned to the data records. To determine the current vehicle position, the hazard warning unit 100 has a navigation unit and a GPS receiver 106, which is designed to receive navigation signals from GPS satellites. Of course, the positioning unit 106 may be implemented for other satellite navigation systems.

However, since the GPS signals are not always receivable, for example, in the inner-city area, the unit 100 for performing dead reckoning additionally has a direction sensor 107, a travel distance sensor 108 and possibly also a steering wheel angle sensor 114. Signals of the GPS receiver, the odometer sensor, the direction sensor and / or the steering wheel angle sensor are processed in the control unit or detection unit 102, for example. The vehicle positions determined from these signals are compared with the road maps via map matching. The route guidance information thus obtained is finally output via the monitor 109.

Furthermore, an encryption unit 115 is provided, which encrypts the data which are to be transmitted via the communication unit 103 to the center 200 (see FIG. 2).

If a hazard is detected (eg, smoothness, a broken-down vehicle, a previous accident, etc.), this information is transmitted by means of GPRS, UMTS, WiMax or another transmission technology into a database of the system 200. In addition to information about the nature of the hazard, the location (GPS position), detection time and who wrote the danger to the database are also stored. Other vehicles have access to the database via GPRS, UMTS, WiMax, etc. and always receive the relevant information for their area. Relevant are all hazards within a certain distance of the vehicle. There is also the possibility to request or retrieve all information, if necessary for a route calculation. The transmitted data is protected by cryptographic techniques (encrypted) and assigned to exactly one transmitter. This ensures that no misinformation by third parties in the database.

In order to keep the necessary bandwidth to the server and back as small as possible, information is sent only when a danger has actually been detected. Information from the server is only requested at specified time intervals. These time intervals can be relatively large, because the long range also leaves a lot of time until the vehicle comes close to the danger. In addition, it is advisable to set up a push service that sends threats from the server to the vehicle if they are of major importance or have large-scale effects.

Instead of a server, a service provider may also be provided, which offers the function in combination with other functions (eg floating car data).

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a hazard warning system with a hazard warning unit 100 and a control center 200.

The danger warning unit 100 is installed in a vehicle 201. The large number of sensors is not shown.

The center 200 also includes a communication unit 202 having a corresponding antenna 204 connected to the server 203.

The center 200 and the danger warning unit 100 communicate wirelessly via the radio transmission link 205 with each other.

3 shows a section 301 from a digital navigation map. There is a road 302 to which the vehicle 303 is traveling in an east-northeast direction. Furthermore are two danger warnings 304 and 305 are displayed, which correspond to the measurement locations 306, 307. These hazards were detected by other vehicles and transmitted to the control center, whereupon the control center transmitted the warnings to the hazard warning unit of the vehicle 303. This transmission took place because the vehicle 303 moves toward the two danger spots 306, 307. Since the driver is already relatively close to the danger spot 306, an acoustic warning 110 is additionally provided in order to alert him to the danger.

FIG. 4 shows a section 401 from another digital navigation map of a second vehicle. The map section 401 shows a road 402 on which the vehicle 403 is located. A danger location 405 can be seen with a corresponding warning 404. This data was transmitted to the second vehicle because the second vehicle 403 moves toward the danger location 405. The warning data of Figure 3 has not been transmitted to the second vehicle to minimize data traffic.

5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 501, the acquisition of measured values in a vehicle and an analysis of the measured values connected thereto are performed to determine whether the measured values correspond to a hazard. This is followed in step 502 by the transmission of the danger by means of GPRS, UMTS, etc. to a server, which then stores the type of danger, the position of the vehicle, the detection time and specific transmitter information. The data transmission takes place with the help of a cryptography technique.

Subsequently, in step 503, the center generates warning data based on the transmitted information. In step 504, the warning data is retrieved from another designated vehicle from the center.

The information or warning data can be downloaded from the server by the vehicle by means of GPRS, UMTS or WiMax if this information is relevant to the vehicle. One criterion for relevance is, for example, the distance of the vehicle from the location of the hazard.

Furthermore, all information from the server to the vehicle can be downloaded, if this data should be necessary for a route calculation.

Also, the data can be downloaded at fixed time intervals or a so-called push service can be used to warn against dangers with high impact.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprehensive" and "comprising" do not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

claims

A danger warning unit (100) for a vehicle for detecting dangers and warning against dangers, the danger warning unit comprising: a detection unit (101) in the vehicle for acquiring a measured value; an analysis unit (102) for determining whether the detected measurement corresponds to a hazard; and a communication unit (103) for transmitting information data about

Danger to a control center (200) if the acquired measured value corresponds to the danger.

The danger warning unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit (103) is designed to transmit the measured value by means of GPRS, UMTS or WiMax.

3. A hazard warning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information data on the danger additional information data to the control center (200) are transmitted to the place where the measured value was detected, the time at which the measured value was detected, and the Communication unit (103), which sends the information to the center (200) concern.

A hazard warning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (103) is adapted to receive warning data from the center (200); and wherein the warning data is based on information data of another communication unit received at the center.

5. A hazard warning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (103) is adapted to retrieve the warning data from the center (200) at predetermined times.

6. A hazard warning unit according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an encryption unit (115) for encrypting the information data, so that a unique assignment of the encrypted information data to the hazard warning unit (100) is possible.

7. hazard warning unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection unit (101) comprises at least one sensor (104) selected from the group consisting of GPS sensor, environment sensor, ESP sensor, camera, ABS sensor, ASR sensor, driving condition sensor, Wheel speed sensors, steering wheel angle sensor and speed sensor.

8. hazard warning unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is at the headquarters (200) to a traffic data center as a service provider.

A danger warning system for warning of hazards to a plurality of vehicles, the hazard warning system comprising: a hazard warning unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a center (200) for receiving information data from the

Hazard Warning Unit (100) and for transmitting warning data to the

Hazard warning unit (100); the central office (200) being further adapted to generate the warning data based on

Measured values is executed.

10. hazard warning system according to claim 9, wherein the control center (200) is designed for transmitting first warning data to a first hazard warning unit of a first vehicle and for transmitting second warning data to a second hazard warning unit of a second vehicle; and wherein the first warning data is different from the second warning data.

11. A hazard warning system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the center (200) is adapted to receive information data from a plurality of hazard warning units of different vehicles and to generate the warning data based on all received measured values.

12. Use of a hazard warning unit according to one of claims 1 to 8 in a vehicle.

13. A method of warning a plurality of vehicles of hazards, the method comprising the steps of:

Acquisition of a measured value by a detection unit (101) in a first

Vehicle;

Determining whether the detected measured value corresponds to a hazard; and

Transmission of information data about the danger to a control center (200), if the acquired measured value corresponds to the danger.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

Save the type of hazard, the location where the reading was taken, the time at which the reading was taken, and an identification of the

Communication unit (103), which has transmitted the information to the center (200), in the center (200); and generating warning data based on the stored data.

The method of claim 13 or 14, further comprising the step of: retrieving warning data relevant to a second particular vehicle from the center (200).

A computer program product that, when executed on a processor (102), directs the processor (102) to perform the following steps:

Acquisition of a measured value by a detection unit (101) in a first

Vehicle;

Determining whether the detected measured value corresponds to a hazard; and

A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product that, when executed on a processor (102), directs the processor (102) to perform the following steps:

Acquisition of a measured value by a detection unit (101) in a first

Vehicle;

Determining whether the detected measured value corresponds to a hazard; and