EP1276087A1 - Method and apparatus for wireless data communication of traffic information, in particular between stationary or virtually stationary units and moving vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The traffic information system sends low power RDS radio or optical signals from transmitters in traffic signs (2,3) to moving vehicles (1) which refresh or overwrite previously stored and displayed information such as speed limits.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wireless traffic information data transmission, in particular between stationary or quasi-stationary units and driving motor vehicles, each with a transmitter and a receiver located in the motor vehicle, in particular Radio or telemetry data device, according to the preamble of Claim 1.

DE 29 08 553 A1 describes a method and an arrangement to increase traffic safety and to guide the Road vehicles previously known. The vehicles each have a signal receiver with a display device and / or a signal processing device for traffic information. In the area of the carriageway are by a remote control device controlled signaling devices available. The controlled ones Information originating from signaling devices becomes the receiver which then converts them into stored, standardized Implement messages. There is also the possibility of Establishing a correlation of transmitted information with stored information in order to provide concrete reports on a Forward display device or such messages suppress. This procedure is based on one at the time proposed driver guidance and information system resorted to, which is from a two-way communication between the vehicle and a central computer. However, this system requires full coverage of the Traffic data including the destination of the vehicles and required a high number of automatic measuring points, which with the Central computer must be connected. The effort in terms the laying of telecontrol devices in the carriageway is significant. Capturing and Transfer of data to a central control computer.

In the procedure for route route-specific selection of Traffic information according to DE 196 37 127 A1 becomes traffic information of transmitters to receiving devices in particular Motor vehicle transmitted, the traffic information Have location codes for geographic areas. Therefore can use geographic areas according to the solution there certain criteria are selected so that only the Share traffic information for the selected areas are. It is necessary that the route-specific Selection of traffic information according to DE 196 37 127 A1 Start and destination locations using global positioning coordinates System (GPS) must be described.

In the system for the visual representation of traffic information according to DE 197 14 323 A1 it is the goal, if possible changes in given traffic situations quickly capture to a terminal then via a broadcast medium of a user. This terminal is supposed to be off a conventional computer system with a screen device exist and with a digital road map of the traffic area be equipped. The computer system is on again Additional device connected, which consists of a receiver unit, an antenna, a processor unit, a chip reading unit and other modules. With the help of the chip reader After user identification, the additional device should be ready to receive be transferred.

DE 43 39 432 A1 describes a radio system for motor vehicles for transmitting warning signals of an emergency vehicle known to other road users. The warning signals will come on radiated a frequency that is free of other transmitter signals is. With the system there, the road user must be equipped with a receiver that all possible transmission frequencies of the potential emergency vehicle searches for warning signals and then when it receives them Signals this turns on.

The automotive warning signal generator takes a similar approach with plain text announcement according to DE 40 05 445 A1. in this connection the warning signal generator should be via an antenna of a motor vehicle Send out signals to subsequent road users to warn of a danger. The warning signal includes the pilot tone for traffic information and an announcement, which in plain text the describes the respective danger. The warning announcement becomes cyclical, preferably repeated on several strong frequencies.

The so-called Teleaid system (Telematic Alarm Identification on Demand) is known due to developments at Daimler-Chrysler AG. This system consists of the components vehicle equipment, mobile network and service center of DEBIS Telematic Service with links to control centers, eg the police.
The well-known car emergency call system works in the vehicle with the satellite-based navigation system GPS, which is also part of the route guidance of the Auto Pilot System (APS). In contrast to other known location and navigation systems, Teleaid does not have to compare the geographic location data for position determination with a digital map, for example on a CD-ROM installed in the vehicle, with the advantage that the motor vehicle emergency call system can work nationwide.

If a standard crash sensor, for example for the Airbag deployment ensures that an accident is recognized and activated the Teleaid controller. This controller serves as a coordinate collection point and as a control processor for the whole Emergency call system. The controller sends a so-called emergency telegram via the on-board mobile radio system, whereby the Telegram the detection of the calling vehicle, the time and includes the exact location.

The Teleaid system can provide the necessary emergency information also by radio after pressing a call button. Too too in the event of severe damage to the accident vehicle, the emergency call signal To be able to transmit securely is the emergency transmitter including an additional one Antenna protected in the vehicle, including one own power supply is provided for the emergency transmitter.

In the emergency system for highways, especially highways according to DE 197 13 401 A1 there is a transmission network which provides at least one message channel. An intended one Emergency sending device is able to use a card reader to take emergency data from a memory card and this in an emergency telegram on the message channel send out. An emergency call receiving device takes the emergency telegram on and evaluates this, then an alarm function trigger or the emergency data to an alarm center forward. The well-known emergency call system is an emergency column trained which with a usable for general purposes Memory card, e.g. with a membership card of an automobile club can be operated.

The above-mentioned teachings according to the prior art offer different approaches with regard to the sending of emergency telegrams in critical situations, including the location of the respective vehicle or the person making the emergency call.
However, the known systems are still not suitable for permanently providing the driver of a motor vehicle with information about bidding or prohibition situations, ie during their scope, in order to avoid at least accidental violations, for example of speed limits. Especially on longer freeway routes with frequently changing speed limits, the driver of a motor vehicle is often confused as to which of the remaining limits are actually still in effect, so that there is a risk that the driver may orientate himself on the flowing traffic with the consequence of a not inconsiderable result speeding.

From the above, it is therefore an object of the invention novel method and a device for wireless Traffic information data transmission, in particular between stationary or quasi-stationary units and moving Specify motor vehicles on a transmitter and accesses a receiver located in the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the leader should be in a particularly simple manner the current bidding or prohibition situation of a vehicle be made clear so that this is his individual Driving behavior can adjust to this and for longer journeys is reminded of the applicable laws or prohibitions.

The method and the associated device should be without Central computer or complex coordination activities can be used be, so that retrofitting successively or with low Cost becomes possible.

The object of the invention is achieved with a method as defined in claim 1 and one Device for performing the method, the Subclaims at least useful configurations and Training includes.

The basic idea of the invention is accordingly to wirelessly transmit the mandatory or prohibitive contents of traffic signs to the motor vehicle, so that their contents can be displayed or recalled to the driver optically and / or acoustically. If a navigation system is available, it is possible to display the traffic signs and their contents on the map or route shown.
Furthermore, legally defined speed limits can be entered when driving in different states and can be called up by the driver if necessary. Acoustic and / or visual signals remind the driver of a given speed limit that was still recognized as valid. It is also possible to intervene on an existing cruise control device in the sense of a cruise control on the control side, so that a correction of preset speed values can be carried out with a view to current prohibitions.

On the procedural side, the traffic sign or traffic management system is used one programmable transmitter each assigned, the transmitters with low power continuously or discontinuously encoded information deduct which the respective bid, prohibition or reference correspond. A receiver located in the motor vehicle takes the respective coded information transmitted on and decodes them in a suitable way so that an optical and / or acoustic representation of the bid, prohibition or Note is possible. If repeated identical received Information is refreshed. At the reception changed information will in turn overwrite the Data with subsequent updated data output made.

The information is preferably sent in RDS format and can therefore from a radio receiver in the motor vehicle be decoded. There is also the option of a Provide speech module so that in addition to an acoustic Presentation of the currently relevant information, e.g. one Speed limit the maximum speed too is linguistically representable.

The transmitter (s) preferably work in the VHF broadcasting area, and that in one free from other radio stations Frequency section, with an additional identification signal for regional identification is transferred. In this way there is the possibility that an RDS receiver with entering of the motor vehicle in the regional area on this Switches the area to display existing information e.g. Record speed limits along the highway and to report this to the driver.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter operates in the ISM band RDS-coded, with the receiver a converter for the VHF area, so that the respective information with a conventional automotive radio receiver decoded and displayed can be.

It is in the spirit of the invention to use low-power power amplifiers for the high-frequency transmitters, the ISM bands being those frequency ranges which can be used to transmit coded information without postal regulations. For example, the range 433.05 to 435.79 MHz is preferred as the ISM band in Europe and the range around 350 MHz in the USA.
The spread-band transmission method can also be used, with narrow-band interference which usually occurs in the ISM band being able to be suppressed particularly advantageously here. If spread-band transmission is selected, the possibility is again given to use frequencies in the range from 868 to 870 MHz with a bandwidth of up to 500 kHz.

As already indicated above, in a motor vehicle existing computer-based satellite navigation system current received bid, prohibition or notice information recorded and transferred to a route map and be displayed there. In this sense, the received bid, prohibition or notice information Track additional information, regardless of the degree of update the CD-ROM as a data carrier of such a navigation system correspond to the actual circumstances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular Prohibition information, such as Speed limits, compared with a measured driven speed, in order to approach or exceed each to send a warning signal at the maximum permissible speed or, as explained, to control a speed control system.

Another embodiment of the invention can also be used with receipt of the coded information an image memory or Narrator to be called based on the there each stored content an identity check perform so that the respective traffic sign in a Driver display continuous or limited fade-in and / or acoustically with the respective bid or prohibition content can be spent. In this way, the one to be blasted can be Amount of information per bid, prohibition or Minimize the sign so that the necessary information is there Hardware expenditure reduced.

If there is no refresh signal within a certain period of time or calculated or covered vehicle distance becomes an information data storage available in the receiver deleted and, if necessary, activated an ad, which on indicates missing current information. Such deletion is also carried out if e.g. the traffic sign "end the speed limit "was recognized.

On the device side, for wireless traffic information data transmission especially between stationary or quasi-stationary Units and moving motor vehicles each Transmitting device arranged on a traffic sign or information sign or can only be removed with this as a destructive unit connected. In a preferred embodiment, the or the antenna emitter preferably having a directional characteristic as surface elements, e.g. Area dipoles formed and integrated into the sign area.

The transmitter is still preferred in the sign attachment, e.g. integrated into a mast or pipe and it can a solar panel for power supply on the sign attachment and buffering an accumulator integrated in the device be fixed.

Another embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized by a transmitter unit, which comprises a substantially cylindrical body which again receives a rod antenna radiator at the top. A solar panel is provided at the base of the heater and in the cylindrical one Body are all necessary electronic Components. The assembly with a cylindrical body can then in a particularly simple manner in a traffic sign fastening means, especially mast or pipe, used and there be locked.

There is also the possibility of the transmitter as a component an electronic scoreboard for changing traffic announcements to be carried out, taking into account the power supplies available there can be used.

The transmitter can also have a detector for detection of environmental or environmental conditions in order Dependency on establishing these conditions, e.g. Frost danger to emit additional information. For this there is the possibility of using the detector as a temperature and / or air pressure sensor perform.

In particular time-limited speed limits, e.g. a reduction in speed at night can be connected to a transmitter be timed e.g. via a DCF radio clock module issues relevant prohibition information.

In the embodiment of the device as a transmitter unit with rod antenna radiator and cylindrical base body the unit can be made standardized and by choice a switch combination on the respective bid or Prohibited content to be coordinated. Likewise, the transmitter unit for every type of traffic regulation Command or prohibition positions manufactured and e.g. by color coding or the like on the application be coordinated so that the assembly, but also the Repairs or maintenance are simplified because this is the responsibility Personnel to perform any special adjustment operations Has. Specifically, e.g. the cylindrical body in blue color for bid information and in red for prohibition information be carried out.

In practical application, they send on or in the respective Devices located for traffic signs typical for the sign Information with low radio frequency power from that an approaching motor vehicle and the one provided there Receivers are recorded, decoded and displayed. the In this way, motor vehicle drivers become an ongoing ban made visually and / or acoustically clear, so that the danger is reduced, unintentionally following the flowing traffic To commit speeding violations.

Such quasi-stationary transmission units can adequately on e.g. Mobile construction sites are attached to the flowing traffic information about the construction site there existing speed specifications or the length of the To convey construction site.

In order to irritate drivers, especially in the case of very bad ones Weather conditions, e.g. To avoid fog or black ice, there is the possibility of decommissioning the Transmitters or switching from a specific prohibition in the Meaning of a maximum speed towards one preferred behavior according to the current Traffic or environmental situation.

The invention is intended to be explained below using an exemplary embodiment and explained with the help of figures become.

Fig. 1

eine prinzipielle Darstellung der Situation zur Verkehrsinformations-Datenübertragung zwischen Verkehrszeichen und einem Kraftfahrzeug und

Fig. 2

die prinzipielle Darstellung einer Sendegeräte-Baueinheit als zylindrischen Körper mit Stabantennenstrahler.

Here show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the situation for traffic information data transmission between traffic signs and a motor vehicle and

Fig. 2

the basic representation of a transmitter unit as a cylindrical body with rod antenna radiator.

As shown in FIG. 1, a motor vehicle 1 is moving on a highway from A to B.

There is a speed limit at a certain point of 120 km / h in force with an appropriate traffic sign 2 is signaled.

In or on the traffic sign 2 is an inventive one Transmitter installed, the content of the prohibition in coded form to the motor vehicle 1, which transmits this information on a suitable display or additionally acoustically. The radio receiver present in the motor vehicle can be used if the transmitter is in the RDS format broadcasts the relevant information.

The relevant speed limit in the example shown 120 km / h remains until the further traffic sign is reached 3 (end of the speed limit) in the motor vehicle preserved significantly and will continue accordingly or cyclically presented to the driver.

When the traffic sign 3 is reached, the memory content "Speed limit 120 km / h" deleted or overwritten. The changed prohibition situation becomes the driver also presented optically and / or acoustically.

In the event that traffic signs 2 and 3 there are further bans, e.g. with a further reduction the speed to 80 km / h, the memory content again updated and the situation changed again Brought ad.

The distance traveled by motor vehicle 1 is determined or calculated and it is checked whether after a maximum distance covered a new traffic information regarding Prohibitions, commandments or notices were received. If not the case is, the driver can be informed accordingly become. But there is also the possibility of repeated Information of the same content for refreshing each to use previous information, with each Refresh checking a minimum distance traveled is started again.

In order to avoid that with different direction-dependent Speed limits irrelevant to the system Information can be supplied by a So-called headers are encoded so that the direction of travel can be clearly established. As well there is the possibility of a radiation characteristic of the antennas used in the transmitters malfunction or Reduce misinformation.

Fig. 2 shows a basic, non-limiting embodiment of a transmitter unit. This assembly comprises a cylindrical body 4 with a rod antenna radiator 5 located on the upper side. A solar panel 6 is arranged on the radiator base in order to recharge or buffer an accumulator which is located in the interior of the cylindrical body 4, so that a largely self-sufficient power supply is guaranteed.
The transmitter unit can be inserted and locked with the cylindrical body 4 in a mounting tube 7, the mounting tube 7 in turn serving to receive a traffic sign (not shown). The advantage of an integral structural unit according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 is that this unit can be standardized to a high degree and can easily be used for simple retrofitting of existing traffic signs and fastening means provided there.

At this point it should be noted that with the described device not about the driver of his Attention to the observation of traffic including information signs should be relieved, it is the aim of the invention, unintentional violations to help avoid bans since not everyone Speeding deliberately occurs, which is in some places is postulated. Another advantage in implementing the Invention results from the possibility of sending local Information regarding given environmental conditions, e.g. Risk of black ice, but also the placing of bids or Prohibition information that only applies to certain times of the day Sections should be effective.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2, 3

Information signs or traffic signs

4

cylindrical body

5

Rod antenna radiators

6

solar panel

7

fixing tube

Claims (9)

Method for wireless traffic information data transmission, in particular between stationary or quasi-stationary units and moving motor vehicles, each with a transmitter and a receiver located in the motor vehicle, whereby traffic signs and / or traffic control devices are each assigned programmable transmitters that transmit transmitters with low power continuously or discontinuously coded information which correspond to the respective bid, prohibition or reference, and
the receiver records and decodes the information and displays it in a suitable manner optically and / or acoustically, an information data refresh being carried out in the case of repeated identical information being received and the data being overwritten with subsequent updated data output, followed by updated data output,
characterized in that
the information is sent in RDS format and decoded by a radio receiver in the motor vehicle and output via a voice output module and / or a display, or the transmitter in the VHF radio range works in a frequency section free of other transmitters, with an additional identification signal being transmitted for regional identification is or the transmitter works in the ISM area RDS-coded, the receiver having a converter for the VHF area, so that the respective information can be decoded and displayed with a conventional motor vehicle radio receiver. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
in the case of a computer-assisted satellite navigation system present in the motor vehicle, the respectively received current bid, prohibition and information items are taken over by the navigation system and displayed optically and / or acoustically as additional route information. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
upon receipt of the coded information, an image memory or speech output module is called up in order to carry out an identity check on the basis of the memory contents stored there, so that the respective traffic sign can be shown continuously or to a limited extent on a driver's display or can be output acoustically with the respective bid or prohibition content. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
If there is no refresh signal within a certain period of time or a calculated or covered vehicle distance, an existing information data memory is deleted. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the transmitter is arranged on a traffic sign or information sign or is connected to it in a destructively removable manner as a structural unit, the antenna emitter (s), which preferably have a directional characteristic, being designed as surface elements and integrated in the sign surface. Device according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the transmitter is integrated in the sign fastener and a solar panel is fixed to the sign fastener for power supply and buffering an accumulator. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
marked by
a transmitter unit, comprising an essentially cylindrical body with a rod antenna radiator located on the top, a solar panel arranged on the radiator foot and electronic components located in the cylindrical body, the unit with the cylindrical body being inserted into a traffic sign fastening means, in particular mast or pipe - And can be locked. Device according to claim 5, 6 or 7,
characterized in that
the transmitter has a detector for determining environmental or environmental conditions in order to emit additional information as a function of the determination of these conditions. Device according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the detector comprises a temperature and / or air pressure sensor.

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