Method for updating traffic information for a vehicle, computer readable medium, system and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for updating traffic information of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by a server external to the vehicle, a request message for updating traffic information of the vehicle from the vehicle; deriving, by the server external to the vehicle, changes in traffic information for each link of a navigation map from the request message of the vehicle; determining a criticality value of the derived changes in traffic information for each link of the navigation map; determining a relevance value of the derived changes in traffic information for each link of the navigation map; calculating an amount of changes in traffic information of the navigation map from the derived changes in traffic information, the determined criticality values and the determined relevance values for all links of the navigation map; transmitting, by the server external to the vehicle, a response message comprising traffic information of the navigation map for the vehicle to the vehicle in case that the calculated amount of changes exceeds a predetermined threshold; and updating, by the vehicle, traffic information of the vehicle from the transmitted response message.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for updating traffic information of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer-readable medium for updating traffic information of a vehicle, a system for updating traffic information of a vehicle, and a vehicle including the system for updating traffic information of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Traffic information, often referred to as Real-time Traffic Information (RTTI), is known from existing technologies and can be transmitted from servers to vehicles. Vehicles can send requests to the server to update their traffic information. The server responds to these requests by providing the vehicle with the traffic information. Typically, traffic information is displayed as text messages and / or color visualizations integrated into the vehicle's navigation map. The transmission of traffic information involves large amounts of data from servers to vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to update vehicle traffic information more efficiently. In particular, the objective of this invention is to provide traffic information to vehicles more efficiently.

[0004] This task is solved by following the features of the present invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention is characterized by a method for updating traffic information of a vehicle. The vehicle's traffic information is preferably traffic information from a vehicle's navigation map. The method may be a computer-implemented method and / or a control device-implemented method. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle. The traffic information may be real-time traffic information and / or predicted, future traffic information. The method includes receiving a request message from the vehicle via a server external to the vehicle for updating the vehicle's navigation map. The server external to the vehicle may be a server of a cloud computing system. The server external to the vehicle may receive request messages from multiple vehicles. The vehicle may transmit the request message for updating the navigation map to the server external to the vehicle at predetermined, regular time intervals and / or on an event-based basis.

[0006] The method further includes obtaining changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map from an external server based on a request message from the vehicle. The method also includes determining a criticality value for the obtained changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map; determining a relevance value for the obtained changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map; and calculating the amount of change in traffic information of the navigation map based on the obtained changes in traffic information for all road segments of the navigation map, the determined criticality value, and the determined relevance value. If the calculated amount of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the method transmits a response message, including traffic information for the vehicle's navigation map, from the external server to the vehicle. Finally, the method includes updating the vehicle's traffic information based on the transmitted response message.

[0007] Advantageously, the method can retrieve vehicle-specific traffic information and transmit that information to the vehicle. Traffic information is transmitted only when a predetermined threshold of change in the traffic information is exceeded. Therefore, only traffic information that is of particular importance to the requesting vehicle is transmitted. Furthermore, only traffic information whose sum of changes is significant to the vehicle user is transmitted. The method can thus efficiently reduce the amount of traffic information to be transmitted without negatively impacting the use of updated navigation maps by the vehicle user.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, after the vehicle or its control device is activated, a server outside the vehicle receives a message from the vehicle for updating the vehicle's traffic information; and / or the request message may include at least one identifier representing the updability of the vehicle's navigation map; and / or the navigation map may be specified by the received at least one identifier.

[0009] According to another advantageous design of the invention, the process by which an external server retrieves changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map based on a request message from the vehicle may include: determining, based on the vehicle's request message, the relative change in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map between the time of the vehicle's previous request message and the current time. Thus, changes in traffic information can be efficiently implemented specifically for the vehicle.

[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, determining the criticality value of the change in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map may include: determining the level of the change in traffic information for each road segment; determining the visual change of the change in traffic information for each road segment; and determining the criticality value based on the determined visual change and level of the change in traffic information for each road segment. This allows for the efficient determination of the importance of traffic information.

[0011] According to another advantageous design of the invention, the desired change in the traffic information can be the change in vehicle speed on the road segment.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, determining the relevance value of the requested changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map may include: obtaining the current location of the vehicle from a server outside the vehicle; determining the area surrounding the vehicle's current location and / or the area surrounding the vehicle's current navigation route; and obtaining the relevance value of the requested changes in traffic information for the road segment based on the vehicle's current location, the area surrounding the vehicle's current location, and / or the area surrounding the vehicle's current navigation route. This allows for the efficient determination of the importance of traffic information to the requesting vehicle.

[0013] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method may further include transmitting a response message to the vehicle via a server external to the vehicle. The response message may include an indication that if the calculated change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, then the predetermined threshold has not been exceeded.

[0014] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the response message, including traffic information for the navigation map of the vehicle, can be transmitted from a server outside the vehicle to the vehicle using the Transmission Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) protocol; and / or the traffic information for the navigation map can be transmitted segment by segment in the response message; and / or the traffic information of multiple segments can be integrated in the response message. Thus, traffic information can be transmitted to the vehicle efficiently.

[0015] According to another aspect, the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable medium for updating traffic information of a vehicle, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed on a computer and / or control device, perform the method described above.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present invention is characterized by a system for updating traffic information of vehicles, wherein the system is configured to perform the method described above.

[0017] According to another aspect, the invention is characterized in relation to a vehicle, including the aforementioned system for updating traffic information about the vehicle.

[0018] Other features of the invention arise from the accompanying drawings and description. All features and combinations thereof previously mentioned in the specification, as well as those mentioned in the following description of the drawings and / or shown separately in the drawings, may be used not only in the corresponding given combinations, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further details, preferred designs, and extensions of the invention will then emerge. Detailed schematic illustration:

[0020] Figure 1 An exemplary method for updating traffic information for vehicles is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 An exemplary method 100 for updating traffic information of a vehicle is shown in detail. In particular, method 100 can update traffic information on a vehicle's navigation map. The navigation map may include one or more predetermined portions. A portion of the navigation map may include locations, regions, countries, continents, and / or other geographical areas. One or more portions of the navigation map may be stored on the vehicle's navigation system.

[0022] Method 100 can receive a request message 102 from the vehicle via a server external to the vehicle for updating traffic information of a navigation map. The request message may include a vehicle identifier, preferably unique. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may include one or more identifiers of the navigation map and / or portions of the navigation map stored on the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the request message may include an update indicator for the vehicle's traffic information. Alternatively, the server external to the vehicle may store update indicators for the vehicles, particularly update indicators for each vehicle. Using the update indicators, the server external to the vehicle can check which traffic information was transmitted to the vehicle in previous updates to the traffic information.

[0023] Furthermore, method 100 can be performed by a server external to the vehicle to determine 104 changes in traffic information for each segment of the navigation map based on the vehicle's request message. The server external to the vehicle may, for example, use the navigation map identifier and / or identifiers of various parts of the navigation map from the vehicle's request message to determine the navigation map and / or its various parts for which it determines one or more changes in traffic information. For the following parts of the navigation map—for which no identifier exists in the vehicle's request message—the server external to the vehicle preferably does not determine traffic information. The server external to the vehicle can determine changes in traffic information segment by segment, wherein each segment is determined by the navigation map and / or its various parts. Specifically, the server external to the vehicle can determine the relative change in traffic information for each segment of the navigation map between the time of the vehicle's previous request message and the current time, based on the vehicle's request message. In other words, the server external to the vehicle can determine changes in traffic information for vehicles that have sent request messages to the server. For example, an external server can retrieve information such as: the vehicle was traveling at 40 km / h on the road segment at the time of the previous request message, and the vehicle's current speed on that road segment is 45 km / h.

[0024] Furthermore, method 100 can determine 106 the criticality values ​​of the changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map. The criticality values ​​indicate how important the changes in traffic information are. The criticality values ​​can be determined based on speed and / or speed difference using one or more predetermined rules and / or predetermined functions.

[0025] High speed differences, such as +10 km / h or -10 km / h, can be critical. Small speed differences, such as +2 km / h or -2 km / h, can be critical if they result in changes to how traffic information is provided to the vehicle's users, for example, changes in the visualization of traffic information in the vehicle's navigation system, leading to events related to changes in navigation routes and / or navigation-related instruction or warning messages for the vehicle's users. If no change occurs for the vehicle's users, then smaller speed changes, such as +2 km / h or -2 km / h, or moderate speed changes, such as +5 km / h or -5 km / h, can be designated as less critical.

[0026] Method 100 may include determining a relevance value for the requested changes in traffic information for each segment of the navigation map. The relevance value may be determined for the requesting vehicle. The relevance value for the vehicle may be determined based on the vehicle's current location, current navigation route, and / or historical travel history. Preferably, the closer the requested changes in traffic information are to the vehicle's current location, current navigation route, and / or historical travel history, the higher the relevance value. For example, a vicinity surrounding the vehicle's current location may be defined. If the changes in traffic information are within the defined vicinity, a high relevance value may be determined. If the changes in traffic information are outside the defined vicinity, a low relevance value may be determined.

[0027] Furthermore, method 100 can calculate the amount of change in traffic information of navigation map 110 based on the obtained changes in traffic information for all road segments of the navigation map, the determined criticality value, and the determined relevance value. Generally, the amount of change can be defined by the following function: amount of change = f(change, relevance, criticality). For example, the amount of change can be calculated as the sum of the products of the relevance value and the criticality value for all changes from k=0 to k=n:

[0028]

[0029] Alternatively, the change can be calculated using the following example function:

[0030]

[0031]

[0032] Here, α and β are weighting coefficients for the relevance or criticality values.

[0033] If the calculated change exceeds a predetermined threshold, method 100 can transmit a response message, including traffic information for the vehicle's navigation map, from a server outside the vehicle to the vehicle at step 112. If the calculated change does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the method can transmit a response message, including an indication that the predetermined threshold has not yet been exceeded, from a server outside the vehicle to the vehicle. Finally, method 100 can allow the vehicle to update the vehicle's traffic information at step 114 based on the transmitted response message.

[0034] Advantageously, the method can provide vehicle-specific updates to traffic information. Traffic information updates are only provided to the vehicle when the amount of change in an indicator of the importance of the traffic information change for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. This effectively reduces the amount of traffic information data to be transmitted, without requiring the vehicle user to discard traffic information that is critical and relevant to them.

[0035] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0036] 100 methods

[0037] 102 Receive Request Message

[0038] 104 Seeking Changes

[0039] 106. Determine the critical values.

[0040] 108 Determine the correlation value

[0041] 110 Calculate the change

[0042] 112 transmits response message

[0043] 114 updates traffic information

Claims

1. A method for updating traffic information of vehicles, the method comprising: The system receives a request message from an external server to update the vehicle's navigation map for traffic information. Based on the vehicle's request message, the server outside the vehicle retrieves the changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map. Determine the critical values ​​of change in traffic information for each road segment on the navigation map; Determine the correlation value of the changes in traffic information for each road segment on the navigation map; The change in traffic information on the navigation map is calculated based on the changes in traffic information obtained for all road segments, the determined criticality values, and the determined correlation values. If the calculated change exceeds a predetermined threshold, a response message including traffic information for the vehicle's navigation map is transmitted from a server outside the vehicle. as well as The vehicle updates its traffic information based on the transmitted response message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, After the vehicle or its control device is started, a server outside the vehicle receives a message from the vehicle to update the vehicle's traffic information. and / or The request message includes at least one identifier that represents the updability of the vehicle's navigation map; and / or The navigation map is specified by the received at least one identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The server outside the vehicle retrieves changes in traffic information for each road segment of the navigation map based on the vehicle's request messages, including: Based on the vehicle's request message, determine the relative change of traffic information for each road segment on the navigation map between the time of the vehicle's previous request message and the current time.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The key values ​​for determining the changes in traffic information for each road segment on the navigation map include: Determine the level of change in traffic information for each road segment; Determine the visual changes in the traffic information obtained for each road segment; and The critical values ​​are determined based on the visual changes and levels of the changes obtained from the traffic information for each road segment.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The change in the traffic information to be obtained is the change in vehicle speed on the road segment.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The determination of the correlation values ​​for the changes in traffic information for each road segment on the navigation map includes: The current location of the vehicle is obtained by a server located outside the vehicle. Determine the area surrounding the vehicle's current location and / or the area surrounding the vehicle's current navigation route; and The correlation value of the changes in traffic information for the road segment is obtained based on the vehicle's current location, the area surrounding the vehicle's current location, and / or the area surrounding the vehicle's current navigation route.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The response message sent from the server outside the vehicle to the vehicle includes the following indication: if the calculated change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, then the predetermined threshold has not been exceeded.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The response message, including traffic information for the vehicle's navigation map, is transmitted from a server outside the vehicle to the vehicle using the Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) protocol; and / or The response message transmits traffic information for the navigation map segment by segment; and / or The response message integrates traffic information from multiple road segments.

9. A computer-readable medium for updating traffic information about vehicles, wherein, The computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed on a computer and / or control device, perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A system for updating traffic information for vehicles, wherein, The system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising the system for updating traffic information of the vehicle as claimed in claim 10.

Images