WO2015135118A1

WO2015135118A1 - Trafic information management

Info

Publication number: WO2015135118A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/073164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carsten Isert; Benno Schweiger
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2014-03-11
Filing date: 2014-03-11
Publication date: 2015-09-17
Also published as: CN106063257A; DE112014006452T5; CN106063257B

Abstract

The present invention provides technology of traffic information management. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for managing traffic information is provided, comprising receiving one or more images of an intersection; processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection.

Description

TRAFIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to the field of traffic information management, and in more particular, to a system and a method for managing traffic information, and machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions for performing the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In an attempt to make intersections safe and less congested, traffic information management technology, such as "Car 2 Car" technology, has been researched and developed recently. In the "Car 2 Car" technology, cars communicate with each other to manage and share traffic information based on sensor information acquired by sensors like radar or laser scanners and environment information, such as information about layout of the intersection.

[0003] As one problem in the conventional technology, special sensors and high precision positioning systems have to be used to generate accurate sensor information. In fact, cars without sensors might not be able to participate in the conventional technology. However, the sensors used are usually very expensive and have to be installed additionally.

[0004] In addition, another problem is to keep the information about the layout of the intersection up to date. Sometimes there are road closures, construction for a limited time or even a remodeling of the intersection. This can lead to inconsistencies if the information about the layout of the intersection does not reflect the actual layout of the intersection, and the function of conventional technology depending on this information might even not be able to work anymore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects of the present invention are to provide a system and a method for managing traffic information, and a machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions for performing the method that can address one or more of the above and other prior art problems.

[0006] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing traffic information is provided, comprising: receiving one or more images of an intersection; processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection.

[0007] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the step of receiving one or more images of an intersection includes: receiving one or more images from cameras already installed around the intersection.

[0008] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the step of processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection includes: comparing the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection.

[0009] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the step of processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection includes: processing the images to achieve positions or movements of the participants associated with the intersection.

[0010] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein receiving one or more images of an intersection includes: receiving images from a plurality of cameras at different positions around the intersection.

[0011] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the step of transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection includes: broadcasting the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection.

[0012] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing traffic information is provided, comprising: receiving traffic information at a participant associated with a intersection; aligning the traffic information with sensor information from sensors; and transmitting the aligned traffic and sensor information to the participant, wherein the traffic information is achieved by processing one or more images of the intersection. [0013] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the traffic information includes change of layout of the intersection.

[0014] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the traffic information includes positions or movements of participants associated with the intersection.

[0015] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system for managing traffic information is provided, comprising: one or more camera units configured to capture one or more images of a intersection; a processing unit configured to process the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and a communication unit configured to transmit the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection.

[0016] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the camera units include camera units already installed around the intersection.

[0017] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the processing unit compares the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection.

[0018] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the traffic information includes positions or movements of the participants.

[0019] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the camera units include a plurality of camera units at different positions around the intersection.

[0020] In accordance with an example of the present embodiment, wherein the communication unit broadcasts the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection.

[0021] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions is provided, when executed by a machine, causing the machine to perform the method for managing traffic information of the above embodiments.

[0022] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for managing traffic information according to the first embodiment of this technology;

[0025] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for managing traffic information according to the second embodiment of this technology;

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system for managing traffic information according to the third embodiment of this technology;

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an intersection to which the present technology is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well known structures or process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present invention.

[0029] Referring first to Fig. 1 , there is shown a flow chart of a method for managing traffic information according to the first embodiment of this technology. The method comprising step 101 of receiving one or more images of an intersection, wherein the intersection can be, for example, a whole intersection, or a intersection with the connection roads; step 102 of processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection, wherein the traffic information may include information about change of layout of the intersection and about the position, number or movement of the participant associated with the intersection; and step 103 of transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection, wherein the participants may include vehicles or passengers in the intersection or tending to enter or pass the intersection.

[0030] By achieving traffic information from the images of the intersection, the embodiment can keep the traffic information up to date, and can also reduce the cost for sensors.

[0031] In an example, in step 101 of receiving one or more images of an intersection, the images of the intersection can be received from cameras already installed around the intersection, which can further reduce the cost for cameras. The cameras can be already installed for different reasons around the intersection (e.g. the monitoring cameras or security cameras). They can be installed directly above the intersection or on high rise buildings near the intersection so that they can acquire the images of the intersection in real time or at any predetermined frequency as needed. Accuracy of the images and thus of the traffic information can be improved, for example, by using cameras have fixed location and with high resolution.

[0032] In another example, in step 101 of receiving one or more images of an intersection, the images of an intersection can be received from a plurality of cameras at different positions around the intersection, which can avoid obstructing the intersection from vision. Information based on the images from different cameras can be combined, e.g. on an image processing level to first generate one single image of the intersection using the images from different cameras and then analyzing the single image for traffic information, or on a model level where image from each camera is analyzed first and then the obtained information is aligned between the different cameras.

[0033] In an example, step 102 of processing the images can include comparing the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection. The reference image can be obtained and stored in advanced. It can reflect the fundamental or previous layout of the intersection. If there are differences between the received images and the reference image, the specific area with difference can be marked in the transmitted traffic information as unreliable so that participants receiving this information might degrade their functionality (i.e. functions that need this information to work correctly now know that they don't have this information and adapt, for example, the function can only be used to 50% instead of 100%). One example is that maybe the speed of the car has to be reduced or a warning is given to the driver etc. On the other hand, a message can be sent out to a traffic management center so that a manual correction for layout can be done. In addition, the cause of change can be detected by image processing and integrated into the transmitted information. This could include some information on ongoing construction, accidents, etc.

[0034] In another example, step 102 of processing the images can include processing the images to achieve positions or movements of the participants associated with the intersection, which can substitute at least partly for the function of sensors on the participants and further reduce the cost. Positions or movement information can be achieved by image processing for identifying the participants and analyzing the positions or movements thereof. Commonly known method for such image processing can be employed. Positioning can be improved by providing special markers in the real world that can be used by the cameras as reference points.

[0035] In an example, step 103 of transmitting the traffic information to participants may include broadcasting the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection, so that the participants can achieve traffic information up to date, even without any sensor. Broadcasting of the traffic information can either be done by adding new broadcasting/communication intersection e.g. using 802.11p/DSRC with the participants or by distributing intersection over cellular networks, preferably low latency networks like LTE.

[0036] Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a flow chart of a method for managing traffic information according to the second embodiment of this technology. The method comprising step 201 of receiving traffic information at a participant associated with a intersection, wherein the traffic information can include information about change of layout of the intersection, or positions or movements of participants associated with the intersection; step 202 of aligning the traffic information with sensor information from sensors, wherein the sensors can be sensors at this participant, or can be sensors at other participants; and step 203 of transmitting the aligned traffic and sensor information to the participant, wherein the traffic information is achieved by processing one or more images of the intersection.

[0037] When implemented on participants, this embodiment can keep the traffic information up to date, and can also reduce the cost for sensors.

[0038] In one example, the aligned traffic and sensor information can also be share with other participants associated with the intersection.

[0039] It is comprehend that although information from sensors is employed in the second embodiment, the present technology can work even for the participants without any sensors. For example, a participant without sensors can receive the traffic information for utilizing by itself or sharing with other participants.

[0040] Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a block diagram of a system for managing traffic information according to the third embodiment of this technology, which can comprise: one or more camera units 301 configured to capture one or more images of a intersection,; a processing unit 302 configured to process the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and a communication unit 303 configured to transmit the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection, for example, by broadcasting the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection..

[0041] By achieving traffic information from the images of the intersection, the embodiment can keep the traffic information up to date, and can also reduce the cost for sensors.

[0042] In an example, the camera units 301 can include camera units already installed around the intersection, and can be a plurality of camera units at different positions around the intersection.

[0043] In an example, the processing unit 302 can compares the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection. And the processing unit 302 can process the images to achieve traffic information about positions or movements of the participants.

[0044] The present technology also provide a machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the method for managing traffic information according to the first and second embodiments.

[0045] Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a schematic diagram of an intersection to which the present technology is applied. The monitor cameras which have already been set around the intersection can acquire images of the intersection in real time and send them to a server. The server processes the images to achieve the traffic information of the intersection and transmitting the information to the vehicles around the intersection. The traffic information can be transmitted directly to the vehicles by the server, or can be transmitted firstly to a center (for example, a traffic management center not shown), and then transmitted to the vehicles after combined with the information from the center.

[0046] When receiving the traffic information from the server, a vehicle can use it directly, or after aligning it with all the sensors that available at this or other vehicles. The traffic information can be inform to the driver and shared between the vehicles.

[0047] Those skilled in the art may clearly know from the above embodiments that the present invention may be implemented by software with necessary hardware, or by hardware, firmware and the like. Based on such understanding, the embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in part in a software form. The computer software may be stored in a readable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk or a flash memory of the computer. The computer software comprises a series of instructions to make the computer (e.g., a personal computer, a service station or a network terminal) execute the method or a part thereof according to respective embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for managing traffic information, comprising:

receiving one or more images of an intersection;

processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving one or more images of an intersection includes:

receiving one or more images from cameras already installed around the intersection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection includes:

comparing the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection includes:

processing the images to achieve positions or movements of the participants associated with the intersection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving one or more images of an intersection includes:

receiving images from a plurality of cameras at different positions around the intersection.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the step of transmitting the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection includes:

broadcasting the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection.

7. A method for managing traffic information, comprising:

receiving traffic information at a participant associated with a intersection;

aligning the traffic information with sensor information from sensors; and transmitting the aligned traffic and sensor information to the participant,

wherein the traffic information is achieved by processing one or more images of the intersection.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the traffic information includes change of layout of the intersection.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the traffic information includes positions or movements of participants associated with the intersection.

10. A system for managing traffic information, comprising:

one or more camera units configured to capture one or more images of a intersection;

a processing unit configured to process the images to achieve traffic information of the intersection; and

a communication unit configured to transmit the traffic information to participants associated with the intersection.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the camera units include camera units already installed around the intersection.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing unit compares the received images with a reference image of the intersection to achieve change of layout of the intersection.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the traffic information includes positions or movements of the participants.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the camera units include a plurality of camera units at different positions around the intersection.

15. The system of any one of claims 10-14, wherein the communication unit broadcasts the traffic information to all participants associated with the intersection.

16. A machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the method for managing traffic information of any one of claims 1-6.

17. A machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the method for managing traffic information of any one of claims 7-9.