EP3350793A1

EP3350793A1 - Device, method, and computer program for providing traffic jam information via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface

Info

Publication number: EP3350793A1
Application number: EP16725526.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Biehle; Holger Schultz
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2015-09-17
Filing date: 2016-05-26
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Also published as: KR20180053385A; US10380885B2; KR102129449B1; CN108028013A; WO2017045780A1; US20190043347A1; DE102015217793A1

Abstract

The embodiments relate to devices, methods, and computer programs for providing traffic jam information via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface. The device (10) for a vehicle (100) comprises a device (12) for obtaining traffic jam indicators. The traffic jam indicators comprise at least one element of the group consisting of the speed of the vehicle (100) or of vehicles in an area surrounding the vehicle (100) and a traffic jam warning. The device (10) further comprises a device (14) for determining traffic jam information on the basis of the traffic jam indicators. The traffic jam information indicates whether the vehicle (100) is located in a traffic jam. The device (10) further comprises a vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16) which is designed to provide the traffic jam information to one or more additional vehicles (200) via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication connection.

Description

description

Apparatus, method and computer program for providing congestion information via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface

Embodiments relate to apparatus, methods and computer programs for providing congestion information via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication (also known as Car2Car, C2C, or Vehicle2Vehicle, V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (also known as Car2lnfrastructure, C2I, or Vehicle2Roadside, V2R) are a focal point of automotive research in the 21st century. The communication between vehicles or between vehicles or traffic infrastructure allows a variety of new possibilities, such as a coordination of vehicles with each other or a communication of vehicles with the transport infrastructure, for example, to provide the vehicles congestion warnings. In this case, vehicles which are designed for C2C or C2I (also referred to as vehicle-to-X communication, English Car2X, C2X or Vehicle2X, V2X) have a transmitting and receiving unit in order to be able to communicate with other vehicles, for example via direct radio links or mobile networks. The communication can be limited, for example, between vehicles or between vehicles and transport infrastructure within a radius of a few hundred meters. The communication between vehicles via C2C or C2I can be encrypted and can be secured by certificates, for example long-term certificates (LTTC) or limited-term pseudonym certificates (also pseudonym certificates, PC).

Driving a vehicle on the road depends on many factors - such as the road, traffic lights, obstacles, but above all on other road users who travel the same, often multi-lane road. This often leads to dangerous driving situations, for example because a dangerous situation occurs at a location that is difficult to see.

There is therefore a need to provide an improved concept to prevent hazardous

To defuse driving situations and driving safety of the vehicles involved improve. This need is met by apparatus and methods according to the independent claims.

Embodiments may achieve this by determining and providing congestion information. An apparatus for a vehicle may be configured in accordance with embodiments to determine whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam based on traffic jam indicators. The traffic jam indicators may be based, for example, on a speed of the vehicle (is the vehicle standing? Is stagnant traffic?) At a speed of other vehicles in the vicinity (are there any vehicles in an environment?

Average speed of the other vehicles?) Or congestion warnings of other vehicles or central systems, such as traffic jam warning systems. These congestion indicators may be combined to increase the likelihood that the analysis will detect congestion, and the congestion information may then be provided to other vehicles via, for example, a vehicle-to-vehicle interface, such as periodically as part of a Cooperative Awareness Message (CAM). cooperative knowledge message, periodic message provided via vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and other vehicle transmits a status of the vehicle) or event based as so-called Decentralized Environmental Notification Message, for example, from the other vehicles as a warning.

Embodiments provide a device for a vehicle. The apparatus includes means for obtaining congestion indicators. The traffic jam indicators include at least one of the group of speed of the vehicle or vehicles in an environment of the vehicle and congestion warning. The apparatus further comprises means for determining congestion information based on congestion indicators. The congestion information indicates whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam. The apparatus further comprises a vehicle-to-vehicle interface configured to provide the congestion information to one or more other vehicles via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link. Other vehicles that have received the congestion information via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface, for example, can use the congestion information to increase driving safety, for example by displaying warnings. The use of congestion indicators to determine may increase a probability or accuracy of the determination, and may allow for cross-model and manufacturer-independent standards for determining whether a vehicle is in a traffic jam. For example, providing the congestion information via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface may further delay the transmission of the Reduce congestion information compared to a centralized solution. The provision of congestion information can also increase driving safety.

In some embodiments, the means for obtaining the congestion indicators may be configured to receive the congestion warning via a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication link, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, or via a mobile communication system. Obtaining the congestion warning via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link or vehicle-to-vehicle communication link may reduce a delay in the transmission of the congestion alert or may increase timeliness over a mobile communications system. Receiving the congestion warning via the mobile communication system may allow further use of centrally collected or processed data, which may be based on many different indicators, for example.

In some embodiments, the means for obtaining the congestion indicators may be the congestion warning via a Decentralized Environmental Notification

Message, DENM, about the vehicle-to-vehicle interface. Obtaining a congestion warning via an event-based DENM message may be timely

Increase traffic jam warning.

In at least some embodiments, the means for obtaining the

Stowage indicators are configured to obtain the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle via a video sensor or a travel time sensor. The use of a local sensor may allow for detecting the speed of vehicles that do not have a vehicle-to-vehicle interface. In some embodiments, the means for obtaining congestion indicators may be configured to maintain the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface. Receiving the speed via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface may allow for a higher accuracy of the obtained speed.

In at least some embodiments, the means for obtaining the

Traffic jam indicators are configured to receive the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle via Cooperative Awareness Messages, CAM, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface. Receiving the speed via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface may allow for a higher accuracy of the obtained speed. The Use of the CAM may allow speed to be received without additional expense to the transmitting vehicles.

In at least some embodiments, the means for determining the congestion information may be configured to determine that the vehicle is in a traffic jam if an average speed of the vehicle is above a lower threshold during a measurement period and is below an upper threshold.

As a result, for example, a stagnant traffic or stop-and-go driving can be detected.

In at least some embodiments, the means for determining the congestion information may be configured to determine that the vehicle is in a traffic jam if the vehicle is stationary during a measurement period and another congestion indicator indicates congestion. As a result, for example, a standstill in the traffic jam can be detected, wherein due to the further traffic jam indicator, a traffic light or crossing situation, which can also generate a standstill, is not recognized as a jam in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the means for determining the congestion information may be configured to determine that the vehicle is in a traffic jam if the vehicle is stationary during a measurement period, and wherein the device has received a congestion warning via the device for obtaining congestion indicators and / or wherein a

Average speed of vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) is below an upper threshold. As a result, for example, a stoppage in the traffic jam can be detected, wherein due to the receipt of the traffic jam warning or receiving the average speed of the vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle, a traffic light or crossing situation, which can also generate a standstill in some

Embodiments is not recognized as a jam.

In some embodiments, the measurement period may have a duration between 60s and 300s. The lower threshold can be between 3 and 10 km / h. The upper

Threshold can be between 20 and 40 km / h. The use of the threshold values may, for example, enable a reproducible, transferable or standardized determination of a congestion.

In some embodiments, the vehicle-to-vehicle interface may be further configured for vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. This allows the device For example, congestion warnings are received from a traffic infrastructure, or it is possible to pass on congestion information to the traffic infrastructure, for example, for a coordinated determination of an extension of a traffic jam.

In some embodiments, the jam information determination device may be configured to further provide the jam information to a traffic infrastructure via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface. Passing the traffic jam information to the

For example, transport infrastructure can be used to coordinate the extent of congestion.

In some embodiments, the jam information determination device may be configured to provide the jam information as a Cooperative Awareness Message, CAM, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface. The provision of the congestion information via CAM can, for example, make use of the existing messages and enable nationwide periodic provision of congestion information with a low latency.

In at least some embodiments, the means for obtaining the

Traffic jam indicators include a sensor module and / or an input interface. The use of a sensor module may, for example, enable detection of vehicles that are not equipped with a vehicle-to-vehicle interface. The ingress interface may allow for obtaining congestion indicators from other modules or entities. The device for determining the congestion information may comprise a calculation module and / or correspond to a calculation module. For example, the calculation module may compare the traffic jam indicators to thresholds or calculate a likelihood of congestion information.

Embodiments further provide a method for a vehicle. The method includes obtaining congestion indicators. The traffic jam indicators include at least one of the group of speed of the vehicle or vehicles in an environment of the vehicle and congestion warning. The method further comprises determining

Traffic jam information based on traffic jam indicators. The congestion information indicates whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam. The method further comprises providing the

Congestion information to one or more other vehicles via a vehicle-to-vehicle communications link. Embodiments further provide a program having program code for carrying out the method when the program code is executed on a computer, a processor, a control module or a programmable hardware component.

Further advantageous embodiments will be described below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, to which embodiments are generally not limited in total. Show it:

Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for a

Vehicle for providing congestion information;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary overview of possible combinations of congestion indicators for determining congestion information; FIG.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment; and

4 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a device for a vehicle for providing the congestion information.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers and / or regions may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

In the following description of the attached figures, only a few

Exemplary embodiments show the same reference numerals may designate the same or similar components. Further, summary reference numerals may be used for components and objects that occur multiple times in one embodiment or in a drawing but are described together in terms of one or more features. Components or objects which are described by the same or by the same reference numerals may be the same, but possibly also different, in terms of individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly stated in the description. Although embodiments may be modified and changed in various ways, exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures as examples and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended that

Rather, embodiments should be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but embodiments should cover all functional and / or structural modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that are within the scope of the invention. Like reference numerals designate like or similar elements throughout the description of the figures.

Note that an element referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements. Other terms used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly in between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain

Embodiments and is not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "a," "an," and "the" are also meant to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, it should be understood that the terms such as "including," "including," "having," "comprising," "comprising," and "having," as used herein, includes the presence of said features, integers, steps, Specify operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly assigned to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Further, it should be understood that terms, e.g. those in common use

Dictionaries are to be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and not in one idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly defined herein.

A local hazard detection can be done, for example, by using a transmitter and

Receiver principle can be improved. A transmitter (a preceding vehicle) may be configured to detect if it is in a traffic jam and to communicate that knowledge to a receiver (behind-the-road vehicle) that can process this detection and, for example, display a warning. The transmitter may be in the detection, for example, on a highway or highway surrounded by stationary or halting vehicles. For example, an ignition of the transmitter vehicle is activated (or clamp 15), and the vehicle could be configured to recognize that it is on a highway, such as via a speed profile, via a digital map, or via a camera). The triggering criteria for determining the jam can be periodically or permanently updated or checked.

1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a device 10 for a vehicle 100. The device 10 includes means 12 for obtaining

Congestion indicators. The traffic jam indicators comprise at least one element of the group of

Speed of the vehicle 100 or of vehicles in an environment of the vehicle 100 and congestion warning. For example, the traffic jam indicators may be used to determine if the vehicle is in a traffic jam. In this case, the device 12 may for example comprise a sensor module or an interface, for example to a sensor module, which determines, for example, a speed of the vehicle. The device 12 may be configured, for example, to obtain the speed of the vehicle 100 via a CAN bus of the vehicle, or a sensor module of the device 12 may be configured to determine the speed of the vehicle 100, for example relative to a traffic infrastructure, or based on a satellite navigation signal.

The speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle 100 may be the

Detect device 12, for example, via a sensor module, for example via an optical or acoustic runtime sensor, or via a video sensor. In this case, the device 12 can access, for example, one or more sensors of the vehicle, for example parking sensors or sensors for at least partially automating the vehicle (eg for adaptive cruise control, adaptive adaptation of the speed). The device 12 may be configured, for example, to process raw data from the sensors in order to determine the congestion indicators, for example via an image analysis or a transit time analysis. Alternatively or additionally, the device 12 may, for example, be designed to maintain the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16. For example, the vehicles may be trained in the environment, their speed via periodic status messages to others

Vehicles to provide. So-called. Cooperative awareness messages (CAM) of a vehicle-to-vehicle standard are an exemplary embodiment of such status messages that the device 12 may receive, for example via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16.

The congestion warning may be given to the device 12, for example, via a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication link, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, or via a mobile communications system, such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE). Mobile communication system or a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system. The congestion warning may correspond to a periodic or event-dependent message which the device 12 may receive, for example, from other vehicles, from traffic infrastructure or from a central system, for example a regional or global traffic jam detection system. For example, the device 12 may be configured to receive the congestion warning via a so-called Decentralized Environmental Notification Message via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16, such as from another vehicle or from a traffic infrastructure, such as one Traffic jam station of a motorway. For example, in some embodiments, the congestion warning may correspond to congestion information of another vehicle.

The device 10 further comprises means 14 for determining congestion information based on congestion indicators, the congestion information indicating whether the vehicle 100 is in a congestion. The congestion information may correspond, for example, to a data packet or a data signal. For example, the data packet or the data signal may comprise the congestion information, for example the congestion information may be part of the data packet. In an exemplary embodiment, the congestion information may be information of a series of status information of the vehicle 100 in a status message, for example, one or more bits in a bit vector, with a 0 in the bit vector

For example, it could mean that the vehicle 100 is not in a traffic jam and a 1 that the vehicle is in a traffic jam. Further, the data packet or the status information may include, for example, information about a confidence interval for the congestion information, for example to indicate how implied the device 14 is Congestion information rated. The device 14 may, for example, comprise a calculation module or correspond to a calculation module that calculates and codes the congestion information from the congestion indicators, and / or calculates, for example, a probability that the determined congestion information is true.

Stowage indicators received by the device 14 via the device 12 and the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 (or via a sensor module) may, for example, check the device for its relevance to the vehicle 100. For example, the device 14 may check whether the direction of travel of another vehicle to which the indicator relates coincides with the direction of travel of the vehicle 100 as to whether a position of the further vehicle is relevant (for example, on a digital map it is possible to track whether the further vehicle is on a turning lane is located), or whether a distance of the other vehicle is too large.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary overview of possible combinations of congestion indicators for the determination of congestion information. FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the indicators Stocker Verkehr 2002, Stangender Verkehr 2004, a congestion event 2006 (eg congestion warning) and number of other vehicles at a defined speed 2008. The congestion indicator stagnant traffic 2002 can be calculated, for example, via the speed of the vehicle 100. For example, the device 14 may be configured to determine that the vehicle 100 is in traffic 2202 if an average speed of the vehicle 100 is above a lower threshold during a measurement period and is below an upper threshold. For example, the measurement period may be between 60s and 300s, the lower threshold may be between 3 and 10 km / h, and / or the upper threshold may be between 20 and 40 km / h. In an exemplary

Embodiment, the device 14 may detect about a jam, if the

Average speed of the vehicle over 120s between 3.6km / h and 30km / h.

For example, the device 14 may be configured to jam the vehicle 100 2204 if the vehicle 100 is stationary during a measurement period and another jam indicator indicates a jam. The traffic jam event in 2006 and the number of vehicles outside the defined speed of 2008 are examples of the further traffic jam indicator. The device 16 may be configured, for example, to detect a traffic jam if the vehicle is stationary and 2102 the vehicle 100 has received a congestion event from another vehicle a congestion event, such as a congestion warning about the device 12, or an average speed of vehicles in an environment of the vehicle 100 is below an upper threshold in 2008. In this case, the environment of the vehicle may be, for example, 100 m, and the device 14 may be designed to take into account only vehicles that are traveling in the same direction , For example, the device 14 may be configured to obtain the average speed of the vehicles in the environment via a sensor module of the device 12, for example via a runtime sensor, or the device 14 may obtain the average speed via, for example, CAMs via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 , The congestion warning, the device 14, for example via a mobile phone connection or via a

Radio broadcast received, for example via a so-called. Traffic Message Channel (TMC, traffic message channel). The device 14 may alternatively or additionally be configured to receive the congestion warning via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16, for example via a DENM of another vehicle or a traffic infrastructure, such as one

Vekehrsflusssensors. The measurement period for the congestion indicator Stockender Verkehr 2002 and Stehender Verkehr 2004 may be different. For example, the measurement period for the average speed of the vehicle 100 for the stalled traffic indicator 2002 may be 120s, and the measurement period for the stopped traffic indicator (the vehicle 100 is standing) may be 30s.

The apparatus 10 further includes the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 configured to provide the traffic jam information to one or more other vehicles 200 via a vehicle

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication link. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication link may, for example, take place over a shared communication channel (also known as shared channel, broadcast channel), and the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 may be configured to send the traffic jam information to the further vehicles 200 as a message to a plurality of vehicles To provide a receiver (also English broadcast) via the vehicle-to-vehicle communication link. In some embodiments, the

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication connection of a direct communication link between two vehicles, for example, without the use of a base station to comply, such as in accordance with IEEE 802.1 1 p (a standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers, Institute of Electrical Engineers).

In some embodiments, the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 may be further configured for vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. The device 14 can

For example, be configured to provide the traffic jam information further a traffic infrastructure via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16, for example by means of a periodic status message, such as a CAM, or via an event-based message, such as a DENM.

The device 14 is configured in some embodiments to transmit the congestion information multiple times, for example, based on a (possibly standardized) repetition interval and based on a repetition period. It can

For example, a time blocker can be set in order not to flood the radio channel. For example, the periodic status message may include a bit vector representing a state of the vehicle, and the congestion information may be included in one or more bits of the bit vector, for example. The periodic status messages can

For example, be sent at a repetition frequency of 1 to 10 repetitions per second. The event-based message (such as DENM) may also be repeated, and may include the congestion information, and further include, for example, a cause (such as the indicator) of congestion information and a position of the vehicle or congestion.

For example, the congestion information may be represented using a scale, such as no congestion over stagnant traffic to standing.

3 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the vehicle 100 is in a traffic jam. The device 14 detects a traffic jam in that the vehicle 30s is stationary (traffic 2004) and several vehicles in an environment of the vehicle 100 at a defined speed go (indicator 2008). The device 14 is configured by way of example to detect the average speed of the vehicles in the environment via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 (vehicles 3002, recognizable by the radio signals shown schematically) or via a sensor module (vehicles without vehicle-to-vehicle interface). Interface 3004).

In embodiments, the device 12 and / or device 14 may correspond to any controller or processor or programmable hardware component. For example, the device 12 and / or the device 14 may also be realized as software which is programmed for a corresponding hardware component. In this respect, the device 12 and / or the device 14 can be implemented as programmable hardware with correspondingly adapted software. Any can

Processors, such as digital signal processors (DSPs) are used.

Embodiments are not limited to a particular type of processor. They can be any processors or even multiple processors for implementation the device 12 and / or the device 14. The device 14 is coupled to the device 12 and the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 corresponds to a direct vehicle-to-vehicle radio interface. The vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 may, for example, be designed for direct data communication with the one or more other vehicles, for example according to IEEE 802.1 1 p. The device 10 may, for example, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16

Exchange data messages with vehicles in its environment. For example, the data messages may be periodically transmitted, i. with a defined

Repeat frequency is transmitted data, such as data about a status of the vehicle, such as its speed, position, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the data messages can be transmitted event-based, i. based on an event such as the detection of a jam end or a detection of a smooth road. Event-based data messages can also be repeated, for example with a defined repetition period and repetition frequency, for example to reach more receivers or to increase a probability of receiving the data messages. Cooperative awareness messages, periodic data messages that a vehicle sends out to indicate its presence to other vehicles, are an example of periodic data messages, decentralized

Environmental Notification Message (DENM) is an example of event-based data messages. These data messages may, for example, receive up-to-date information about the vehicle 100, for example the position and the motion vector, but also, for example, sensor data such as an acceleration,

Speed, or calculated information such as congestion information. In some embodiments, the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 may facilitate transmitting data messages over a shared channel, and / or the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 may facilitate transmitting data messages without multiple-sided call setup, and / or the vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16. to-vehicle interface 16 may correspond to a broadcast radio interface for distributing data messages to a plurality of receivers. In some embodiments may

Vehicle-to-vehicle interface 16 over frequencies in a 5.9 GHz frequency range (e.g., between 5.85 GHz and 5.925 GHz).

In at least some embodiments, a vehicle, such as the vehicle 100 or the one or more other vehicles 200, such as a land vehicle, a Road vehicle, a car, an off-road vehicle, a motor vehicle, or a truck correspond.

4 shows a flowchart of a method for a vehicle 100. The method includes obtaining 22 congestion indicators. The congestion indicators include at least one of the group of vehicle speed 100 or vehicles in an environment of the vehicle 100 and congestion warning. The method further comprises determining 24 of

Traffic jam information based on traffic jam indicators. The congestion information indicates whether the vehicle 100 is in a traffic jam. The method further comprises providing 26 the congestion information to one or more other vehicles 200 via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link.

Embodiments further provide a vehicle (100) comprising the device (10).

Another embodiment is a computer program for performing the method, when the computer program on a computer, a processor or a

programmable hardware component expires. Another embodiment is also a digital storage medium that is machine or computer readable and that has electronically readable control signals that can cooperate with a programmable hardware component to perform one of the methods described above.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the appended claims and the appended figures may be taken to be and effect both individually and in any combination for the realization of an embodiment in its various forms.

Depending on particular implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or FLASH memory, a hard disk, or other magnetic disk or optical memory are stored on the electronically readable control signals, which can cooperate with a programmable hardware component or cooperate such that the respective method is performed. A programmable hardware component may be integrated by a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a computer, a computer system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) Circuit (IC = Integrated Circuit), a system on chip (SOC) system, a programmable logic element or a field programmable gate array with a microprocessor (FPGA = Field Programmable Gate Array) may be formed.

The digital storage medium may therefore be machine or computer readable. Thus, some embodiments include a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of interacting with a programmable computer system or programmable hardware component such that one of the methods described herein is performed. An embodiment is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the

Program for performing any of the methods described herein is recorded.

In general, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a program, firmware, computer program, or computer program product having program code or data, the program code or data operative to perform one of the methods when the program resides on a processor or a computer programmable hardware component expires. The program code or the data can or can for example also on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier

be saved. The program code or the data may be present, inter alia, as source code, machine code or bytecode as well as other intermediate code.

For example, a program according to one embodiment may implement one of the methods during its execution by, for example, reading or writing one or more data into memory locations, optionally switching operations or other operations in transistor structures, amplifier structures, or other electrical, optical, magnetic or caused by another operating principle working components. Accordingly, by reading a memory location, data, values, sensor values or other information can be detected, determined or measured by a program. A program can therefore acquire, determine or measure quantities, values, measured variables and other information by reading from one or more storage locations, as well as by writing to one or more storage locations Cause, cause or effect action as well as other equipment, machinery and

Control components.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and

Variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the

Scope of the following claims and not by the specific

Details limited to the description and explanation of the embodiments herein are limited.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 device

12 device

14 device

16 vehicle-to-vehicle interface

22 Received

24 Determine

26 Deploy

100 vehicle

2002 stagnant traffic

2004 Standing traffic

2006 traffic jam event

2008 Number of other vehicles under def. speed

2102 And

2104 Or

2202 detection congestion

2204 detection congestion

3002 vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle interface

3004 vehicles without vehicle-to-vehicle interface

Claims

claims

1 . A device (10) for a vehicle (100), the device (10) comprising means (12) for obtaining congestion indicators, wherein the congestion indicators include at least one of the group of vehicle speed (100) or vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) and congestion warning include; means (14) for determining congestion information based on the

Congestion indicators, the congestion information indicating whether the vehicle (100) is in a traffic jam; and a vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16) configured to provide the congestion information to one or more other vehicles (200) via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the device (12) is formed, the

Congestion warning via a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication link, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, or via a

To get mobile communication system.

3. Device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the device (12) is formed, the

Congestion warning via a Decentralized Environmental Notification Message, DENM, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (12) is designed to obtain the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) via a video sensor or a travel time sensor,

and / or wherein the device (12) is designed to obtain the speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16).

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the device (12) is formed, the

Speed of the vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) via Cooperative Awareness Messages, CAM, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to determine that the vehicle is in a traffic jam if an average speed of the vehicle is above a lower threshold during a measurement period and is below an upper threshold.

The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (14) is arranged to determine that the vehicle (100) is in a traffic jam if the vehicle (100) is stationary during a measurement period and another jam indicator is jammed displays.

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the device (14) is formed

determine that the vehicle (100) is in a traffic jam if the vehicle (100) is stationary during a measurement period, and wherein

the device (14) has received a congestion warning via the device (12), and / or wherein an average speed of vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) is below an upper threshold.

9. Device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the measuring period has a duration between 60 s and 300 s,

and / or where the lower threshold is between 3 and 10 km / h,

and / or wherein the upper threshold is between 20 and 40 km / h.

The apparatus (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16) is further adapted for vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.

The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the means (14) is arranged to further provide the congestion information to a traffic infrastructure via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16).

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (14) is designed to provide the congestion information as Cooperative Awareness Message, CAM, via the vehicle-to-vehicle interface (16).

13. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (12) comprises a sensor module and / or an input interface,

and / or wherein the device (14) comprises a calculation module and / or corresponds to a calculation module.

14. A method for a vehicle (100) comprising

Obtaining (22) congestion indicators, the congestion indicators including at least one of the group of vehicle speed (100) or vehicles in an environment of the vehicle (100) and congestion warning;

Determining (24) congestion information based on the congestion indicators, the congestion information indicating whether the vehicle (100) is in a congestion; and

Providing (26) the congestion information to one or more other vehicles (200) via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link.

15. Program with a program code for carrying out the method according to claim 14 when the program code on a computer, a processor, a

Control module or a programmable hardware component is executed.