Method and navigation device for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a navigation device (100) for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle (302). In this method, the country of origin of the driver is estimated and the current country in which the vehicle (302) is located is determined. When the current country is different from the country of origin, traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin in the current country are determined, and when the vehicle (302) is in a traffic situation (300) related to the determined traffic rules, a hint based on the determined traffic rules is output to the driver.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a navigation device for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle. The vehicle may refer to a land vehicle, a ship, an aircraft or a robot capable of moving along a path. Background Art

[0002] A navigation device is capable of calculating a route from a starting position to a target position. The target position is usually derived according to a destination input by a user of the navigation device into the navigation device via an operation unit. Alternatively, the target position can also be estimated, for example, according to a past traveled route. The starting position can likewise be derived according to the user's input. Alternatively, the starting position can be the current position of the navigation device. Such a position is mostly determined in the case of using a satellite navigation system, for example, in the case of using GPS, GLONASS, COMPASS or GALILEO. The positions mentioned (starting position, target position, current position) are geographical positions respectively.

[0003] The route can also be displayed in a map representation on a display unit of the navigation device. Thereby, the user of the navigation device can develop a spatial imagination of the route direction and plan maneuvering actions in advance. A maneuvering action is understood as an action performed by a movable object (such as a vehicle, an animal or a person) in order to follow the route.

[0004] The navigation device can also output route guidance based on the route to the user. The process in which the user is guided along the route is called "route guidance". Route guidance prompts are output to the user in the case of route guidance. Such route guidance prompts can, for example, require the user to prepare or perform a maneuvering action or a series of maneuvering actions. The route guidance prompts can be output visually or aurally.

[0005] The navigation device can also assist the driver of the vehicle in complying with traffic rules. For this purpose, the navigation device can output traffic prompts based on traffic rules to the driver according to the situation. Such traffic prompts can also be combined with route guidance prompts so that the two prompts are output together.

[0006] Traffic rules apply to specific countries respectively, and different traffic rules apply in different countries. This particularly relates to right-of-way rules, speed limits and overtaking bans. Driving on the right side is applicable in most countries, while driving on the left side is applicable in some countries. Therefore, there is a risk that a foreign driver of a vehicle violates the traffic rules because he does not know the traffic rules due to his origin country. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to assist a foreign driver of a vehicle in complying with traffic rules without unnecessarily distracting the driver.

[0008] This task is solved by a method for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle according to the present invention, which uses a navigation device to execute. The method has the following method steps:

[0009] - Estimate the country of origin of the driver;

[0010] - Determine the current country where the vehicle is located, and when the current country is different from the country of origin,

[0011] - Determine the traffic rules in the current country that are not applicable in the country of origin, and when the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to the determined traffic rules,

[0012] - Output a prompt based on the determined traffic rules to the driver.

[0013] Therefore, determine the traffic rules of the country where the driver is located together with the vehicle. The feature of this traffic rule is that this traffic rule is not applicable in the presumed country of origin of the driver. Thus, it is assumed that the driver does not know this traffic rule, so that there is a risk that the driver violates this traffic rule. Therefore, when needed, that is, in the relevant traffic state, output a prompt based on this traffic rule to the driver. Thereby, it is ensured that the driver complies with this traffic rule. Therefore, this method assists the driver in complying with traffic rules.

[0014] It also omits the output of a prompt based on the traffic rules in the current country that are also applicable in the country of origin. Thus, it is avoided that the driver is unnecessarily disturbed or distracted from traffic. Because the driver should know such traffic rules.

[0015] In addition, as long as there is no traffic situation related to the traffic rules in the current country, the output of the prompt for this traffic rule is omitted. Thus, it is also avoided that the driver is unnecessarily disturbed or distracted from traffic.

[0016] It should be noted that the prompt may mainly have the text of the traffic rule according to the road traffic regulations, the interpretation of this traffic rule, and / or the instructions for complying with this traffic rule in this traffic situation.

[0017] In an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the country of origin is estimated in consideration of the country of approval in which the vehicle is approved to participate in road traffic. In this case, it can be assumed that the country of approval corresponds to the country of origin of the driver. The country of approval can be called from the storage unit of the vehicle, the central server, the data cloud, or the electronic file of the driver.

[0018] In another embodiment according to the invention, the country of origin of the driver is estimated based on the language setting of the navigation device. In this case, it can be assumed that the language set for the navigation device corresponds to the language spoken in the driver's country of origin, such that the country of origin can be inferred from this language.

[0019] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the country of origin is estimated taking into account the number, duration and / or length of the journeys performed with the vehicle in a country. In this case, it can be assumed that the country in which the vehicle has performed a particularly large number of journeys, particularly long journeys or particularly long journey lengths corresponds to the country of origin. To determine the country, the number, duration or length of the journeys of the vehicle in several countries can be compared with each other. This information can mainly be retrieved from the storage unit of the navigation device, from an external server or from a data cloud.

[0020] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the country of origin is estimated taking into account the number, duration and / or length of the journeys performed with the vehicle in a country with the route guidance inactive. In this case, it can be assumed that the country in which the vehicle has performed a particularly large number of journeys, particularly long journeys or particularly long journey lengths with the route guidance inactive corresponds to the country of origin. To determine the country, the number, duration or length of the journeys of the vehicle in several countries with the route guidance inactive can be compared with each other. This information can mainly be retrieved from the storage unit of the navigation device, from an external server or from a data cloud.

[0021] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the country of origin is estimated taking into account the ratio of the number, duration and / or length of the journeys performed with the vehicle in a country with the route guidance inactive to the number, duration and / or length of the journeys performed with the vehicle in the same country with the route guidance active. In this case, it can be assumed that the country with a particularly large such ratio corresponds to the country of origin. To determine the country, such ratios of several countries in which the vehicle has travelled can be compared with each other. The information on which these ratios are based can mainly be retrieved from the storage unit of the navigation device, from an external server or from a data cloud.

[0022] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the country of origin is estimated taking into account the ratio of the number, duration and / or length of the journeys carried out with the vehicle in one country to the number, duration and / or length of the journeys carried out with the vehicle in other countries. In this case, it can be assumed that the country with a particularly large such ratio corresponds to the country of origin of the driver. In order to determine the country, such ratios of the various countries in which the vehicle has travelled can be compared with one another. The information on which these ratios are based can mainly be retrieved from the storage unit of the navigation device, from an external server or from a data cloud.

[0023] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, a plurality of traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin in the current country are determined, and the traffic rule on which the hint is based is selected from the plurality of traffic rules according to the traffic situation. In particular, the plurality of traffic rules may include all traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin in the current country.

[0024] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the determined traffic rules are stored in the storage unit of the navigation device, on a central server or in a data cloud. Thereby, once a relevant traffic situation occurs, quick access to one of these traffic rules can be achieved. If the determined traffic rules are stored on a central server or in a data cloud, these traffic rules can also be retrieved from other vehicles.

[0025] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the traffic situation is determined according to the driving trajectory travelled by the vehicle. Thereby, it is taken into account that driving on a multi-lane carriageway poses a particular accident risk.

[0026] The above-mentioned task is also solved by means of a navigation device according to the invention for assisting the driver during the driving of a vehicle. The navigation device has the following components:

[0027] - a computing unit which is set up to: estimate the country of origin of the driver, determine the current country in which the vehicle is located and determine the traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin in the current country when the current country is different from the country of origin; and

[0028] - an output unit which is set up to: output a hint based on the determined traffic rule to the driver when the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to the determined traffic rule.

[0029] The navigation device is able to carry out the method according to the invention with the above-mentioned advantages. Description of the Drawings

[0030] In the following, embodiments of the invention are further elaborated on the basis of the drawings. Here:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a traffic situation for illustrating an embodiment of a method according to the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0034] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention. The navigation device 100 has the following functional units: a position determination unit 102, a calculation unit 104, a storage unit 106, an operation unit 108, and an output unit 110. Additionally, the navigation device 100 has a sending and receiving unit (not shown), which is arranged for data exchange with a central server or a data cloud and is coupled to the calculation unit 104 via a bidirectional data connection. Furthermore, the navigation device 100 may also have other functional units.

[0035] The navigation device 100 is fixedly installed in a vehicle. Alternatively, the navigation device 100 can be carried in the vehicle as a portable device or as a component of a portable device.

[0036] The position determination unit 102 is configured to determine the current position of the vehicle. For this purpose, the position determination unit 102 has a GPS receiver, which is equipped with a GPS antenna (not shown). Alternatively, instead of a GPS receiver, a GALILEO receiver, a GLONASS receiver, or other satellite receivers equipped with the respective antennas can be used. The position determination unit 102 can receive satellite signals and obtain position coordinates representing the current position therefrom and transmit these position coordinates to the calculation unit 104 via a unidirectional data connection.

[0037] The calculation unit 104 is configured to estimate the country of origin of the driver. For this purpose, the calculation unit 104 can call different data on which the estimate is based from the storage unit 106. Mainly belonging to these data can be: the country of approval for the vehicle to participate in road traffic; the language setting of the navigation device; the number of trips, the duration, and the route length made with the vehicle in multiple countries; and the activation state of the route guidance during the trip. Alternatively to the storage unit 106, the calculation unit 104 can call these data from a central server or a data cloud.

[0038] The computing unit is also set up to determine the current country in which the vehicle is located. For this purpose, the computing unit 104 can call the current position of the vehicle from the position determination unit 102 and assign this current position to the current country using the map data stored in the storage unit 106. The computing unit 104 can also check whether the current country corresponds to the country of origin or is different from the country of origin.

[0039] The computing unit 104 is also set up to determine traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin for the current country when the current country is different from the country of origin. For this purpose, the computing unit 104 calls the traffic rules from a central server or a data cloud in such a way that the computing unit 104 sends the country of origin and the current country to the central server or the data cloud using the sending and receiving unit. A database is prepared at the central server or the data cloud, in which traffic rules that are applicable in the current country but not in the country of origin are stored for various combinations of the country of origin and the current country. Instead of the central server or the data cloud, the computing unit 104 can call the traffic rules from the storage unit 106. Optionally, the computing unit 104 stores the determined traffic rules in the traffic rule database of the storage unit 106.

[0040] Alternatively, the computing unit 104 obtains the traffic rules itself by calling the traffic rules of the country of origin and the current country from the central server or the data cloud and comparing these traffic rules with each other. Instead of the central server or the data cloud, the computing unit 104 can call the traffic rules of the country of origin and the current country from the storage unit 106. In addition, the computing unit 104 stores the determined traffic rules in the storage unit 106. Additionally, the computing unit 104 can send the determined traffic rules to the central server or the data cloud, where these traffic rules are stored in a traffic rule database that can also be accessed by other vehicles.

[0041] The computing unit is also set up to check whether the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to one of the determined traffic rules. For this purpose, in addition to the position coordinates of the position determination unit 102 and the map data of the storage unit 106, the computing unit can also receive different vehicle data from the vehicle sensors of the vehicle and process these vehicle data. Such vehicle sensors are, for example, cameras, radar sensors, and lidar sensors.

[0042] If it is determined by the computing unit 104 that the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to one of the determined traffic rules, the computing unit can send a reminder of the traffic rule to the output unit 110 via a one-way data connection so that the reminder is output using the output unit 110.

[0043] To perform the activities mentioned, in addition to a processor (CPU, Central Processing Unit), the computing unit has a working memory (RAM, Random Access Memory) for the volatile storage of variables and intermediate results. The processor is used to execute a computer program.

[0044] The storage unit 106 has a non-volatile memory, which is configured, for example, as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). Alternatively, the storage unit 106 can also be other types of memories, such as flash EEPROM or a hard disk. The storage unit 106 can in particular have multiple memories of the types mentioned. The storage unit 106 is connected to the computing unit 104 via a bidirectional data connection.

[0045] The storage unit 106 is provided for storing a map database, which contains a large amount of map data. These map data represent objects in a specific geographical area. Examples of these objects are: streets, roads, squares, railway lines, rivers, buildings, bridges, terrain, national borders, rest stops, gas stations, traffic control, and residential areas. The map database can in particular have information about multiple countries, for example about the languages spoken there. Alternatively to the storage unit 106, the map database can be stored on a central server or in a data cloud.

[0046] In the storage unit 106, a driving database can also be stored, which contains data on past drives of the vehicle. These data mainly can be: the country of approval in which the vehicle is approved to participate in road traffic; the language setting of the navigation device 100; the number, duration, and / or length of the drives performed with the vehicle in multiple countries; and the activation status of the route guidance during the drive. Alternatively to the storage unit 106, the driving database can be stored on a central server or in a data cloud.

[0047] Optionally, in the storage unit 106, a traffic rules database can be stored, which contains traffic rules for multiple countries and / or traffic rules determined for multiple combinations of the country of origin and the current country. Alternatively to the storage unit 106, the traffic rules database can be stored on a central server or in a data cloud.

[0048] In the storage unit 106, the country of approval in which the vehicle is approved to participate in road traffic and / or the language set for the navigation device 100 can also be stored.

[0049] In addition to mechanical operating elements, the operating unit 108 can have a voice input unit, a touchscreen, and / or a touch pad. The operating unit 108 is particularly used for a user of the navigation device 100 to input operating instructions and a destination into the navigation device 100, and is connected to the computing unit 104 via a unidirectional data connection.

[0050] The output unit 110 is configured to: receive a prompt for a traffic rule determined by the computing unit 104; and output the prompt when the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to the traffic rule. To this end, the output unit 110 can have a display unit, which is configured, for example, as a screen or a head-up display. With the display unit, the prompt can be visually output to the user of the navigation device 100. The output unit 110 can also have a voice output unit, which has an audio amplifier and a speaker. With the voice output unit, the prompt can be audibly output to the user.

[0051] Figure 2 The flowchart 200 shows an embodiment of a method for assisting a driver during vehicle driving with method steps 201 to 206 according to the present invention. The method is performed using the navigation device 100 that has been described with reference to Figure 1 and is executed.

[0052] In a first method step 201, the computing unit 104 of the navigation device 100 is used to estimate the driver's country of origin. To this end, the computing unit 104 calls different data on which the estimate is based from the storage unit 106. The main data belonging to these can be: the country in which the vehicle is approved to participate in road traffic; the language setting of the navigation device 100; the number, duration, and / or length of the trips performed with the vehicle in multiple countries; and the activation status of the route guidance during the trip. Instead of the storage unit 106, the computing unit 104 can call this data from a central server or a data cloud.

[0053] In addition, using a pre-given algorithm, the country of origin is determined based on the called data. The algorithm can mainly be based on artificial intelligence methods.

[0054] During this estimate, it is for example assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the approval country. Alternatively or additionally, it is assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the country where the set language is spoken.

[0055] In another alternative, it is assumed that: the country of origin corresponds to the country in which most of the trips, the longest trips, and / or the trips with the most mileage have been performed with the vehicle.

[0056] In another alternative, it is assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the country in which most of the drives, the longest drives, and / or the drives with the greatest route length have been carried out with the vehicle when the route guidance is inactive.

[0057] In another alternative, it is assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the country in which the ratio of the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle when the route guidance is inactive to the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle when the route guidance is active is the greatest.

[0058] In another alternative, it is assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the country in which the ratio of the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle to the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle outside of this country is the greatest.

[0059] In another alternative, it is assumed that the country of origin corresponds to the country in which the ratio of the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle without route guidance to the number, duration, and / or route length of the drives carried out with the vehicle outside of this country without route guidance is the greatest.

[0060] In the second method step 202, the computing unit 104 is used to determine the current country in which the vehicle is located. For this purpose, the computing unit 104 calls the current position of the vehicle from the position determination unit 102 and assigns the current country to this position using the map data stored in the map database.

[0061] In the third method step 203, the computing unit 104 checks whether the current country is different from the country of origin. If so, the fourth method step 204 is carried out. Otherwise, the second method step 202 can be carried out again, for example after a pre-given duration or after a restart of the vehicle.

[0062] In the fourth method step 204, the computing unit 104 is used to determine one or more traffic rules that are not applicable in the country of origin for the current country. For this purpose, the computing unit 104 calls the traffic rules from the central server or the data cloud by sending the country of origin and the current country to the central server or the data cloud. As an alternative to the central server or the data cloud, the computing unit 104 can call the traffic rules from the storage unit 106.

[0063] In the fifth method step 205, the computing unit 104 checks whether the vehicle is in a traffic situation related to one of the determined traffic rules. If so, the sixth method step 206 is executed. Otherwise, the fifth method step 205 is executed again, for example, after a pre-given time period. To check whether the vehicle is in this traffic situation, in addition to the position coordinates of the position determination unit 102 and the map data of the storage unit 106, the computing unit can also receive different vehicle data from the vehicle sensors of the vehicle and process these vehicle data.

[0064] Figure 3 Exemplarily, a traffic situation 300 in which the vehicle 302 is located and which is related to one of the determined traffic rules is shown. The traffic rule is that overtaking on the right is prohibited on the highway, and this traffic rule does not apply in the driver's country of origin. The vehicle 302 is traveling at a first speed 303 in the right lane 304 of a two-lane highway 306. In the left lane 308, there is another vehicle 310 traveling in front at a lower second speed 311. This traffic situation is detected by the computing unit 104 in such a way that the computing unit receives different vehicle data from the vehicle sensors of the vehicle 302 in addition to the position coordinates and the map data and processes these vehicle data. The computing unit 104 also generates a reminder of the traffic rule and sends this reminder to the output unit 110.

[0065] In the sixth method step 206, the reminder is output visually and audibly to the driver of the vehicle 302 by means of the output unit 110.

[0066] After the execution of the sixth method step 206, the method can be ended. Alternatively, the method can continue with the second method step 202 or the fifth method step 205.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle (302) by means of a navigation device (100), the method having the following method steps: - Estimate the country of origin of the driver; - Determine the current country in which the vehicle (302) is located, and when the current country is different from the country of origin, - Determine traffic rules of the current country that are not applicable in the country of origin, and when the vehicle (302) is in a traffic situation (300) related to the determined traffic rules, - Output a prompt based on the determined traffic rules to the driver, Among them, Estimate the country of origin based on the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in a country, The method can avoid: a foreign driver of the vehicle violating traffic rules because he does not know the traffic rules due to coming from his country of origin.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Estimate the country of origin based on the country in which the vehicle (302) is approved to participate in road traffic and / or the language setting of the navigation device (100).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Estimate the country of origin based on the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in a country when route guidance is inactive.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Estimate the country of origin based on the ratio of the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in a country when route guidance is inactive to the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in the country when route guidance is active.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Estimate the country of origin based on the ratio of the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in a country to the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) outside the country.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Determine a plurality of traffic rules of the current country that are not applicable in the country of origin, and select, based on the traffic situation (300), the traffic rule on which the prompt is based from the plurality of traffic rules.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Store the determined traffic rules in the storage unit (106) of the navigation device (100), on a central server, or in a data cloud.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Determine the traffic situation based on the multi-lane carriageways traversed by the vehicle (302).

9. A navigation device (100) for assisting a driver during driving a vehicle (302), the navigation device having: - A calculation unit (104) configured to: estimate the country of origin of the driver, determine the current country in which the vehicle (302) is located, and determine traffic rules of the current country that are not applicable in the country of origin when the current country is different from the country of origin; and - An output unit (110) configured to: output a prompt based on the determined traffic rules to the driver when the vehicle (302) is in a traffic situation (300) related to the determined traffic rules, Among them, Estimate the country of origin based on the number, duration, and / or distance of trips performed with the vehicle (302) in a country, The navigation device (100) can avoid: a foreign driver of a vehicle violating a traffic rule because he does not know the traffic rule due to his origin from his country of origin.

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