System for exchanging data between road traffic stakeholders

Abstract

System (1) for exchanging data between actors (2, 3) in road traffic, in particular vehicles and / or traffic control centers, comprising: a first actor (2) which has an identification, at least one type of sensor (4, 5), in particular a camera (4) and / or a sensor of a driver assistance system (5), and a transmitter (6), which has at least one authorization which is linked to the identification, to send the data for use; a central database (7) set up to store at least one release; at least a second actor (3) which has a transmitter-receiver (8) configured to send a request for the use of data, in particular in real time, which has at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for a predetermined location and / or for a predetermined time to the central database (7) and for accessing the data provided by the first actor (3) of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5); and a first facility (9), in particular a module of the central database (6), set up to check whether the at least one first actor (2) has released data from the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for the predetermined location and / or for the predetermined time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for exchanging data between road traffic actors, in particular vehicles and / or traffic control centers.

[0002] The exchange of information between road traffic actors, particularly between vehicles and between vehicles and traffic monitoring systems, is playing an increasingly important role in road traffic. This information is used in particular to inform drivers or driver assistance systems, traffic control centers, and road police, etc., about dangerous situations in road traffic and to mitigate potential accident risk situations. Examples of this include vehicle-to-vehicle communication (car-to-car or vehicle-to-vehicle), in which traffic-relevant information is exchanged directly between vehicles based on standardized communication protocols, as well as systems that collect key information from road users, evaluate this information, and forward it to other road users.Examples of this include the RTTI system (Real Time Traffic Information), which transmits traffic-relevant data via mobile networks.

[0003] Another exemplary system is the so-called Extended Floating Car Data (XFCD), which uses existing vehicle operating data, such as the switching states of lights, ABS, ASC, outside thermometer, air conditioning, navigation system, brakes, rain sensor, windshield wipers, and hazard warning lights, along with current speed values, to generate event and status data and support corresponding services. Examples of XFCD message content include traffic conditions, location, congestion entry / exit, passing speeds, precipitation, aquaplaning, slippery conditions, ice, impaired visibility, and fog.

[0004] This information can be processed by a traffic data center to provide anonymized services such as traffic information services, dynamic route guidance, local hazard warnings, and road weather information.

[0005] These existing systems require a certain number of so-called floating cars, i.e. road users who float along in traffic and collect data, in order to achieve a satisfactory quality of traffic situation detection, since statistical evaluations of the information provided by the floating cars by the traffic data center are necessary.

[0006] Furthermore, systems are known in which information from sensors in neighboring vehicles is accessed directly via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. One example of this is the use of a camera installed on the windshield of a vehicle by the following vehicle. The following vehicle can make the vehicle "invisible" using the camera in real time and employing augmented reality. See "Making vehicles transparent through V-to-V video streaming," E. Gomes, C. Ollaverri, M. Ferrera, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Volume 12, No. 2, June 2012.

[0007] One possible way to utilize a service provided by another vehicle is through platooning systems. In this system, information from a leading vehicle, such as speed and other sensor data, is distributed to following vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, allowing them to join a platoon. See C. Bergenhem, H. Petersson, E. Coelingh, C. Englund, S. Shadover, S. Tsugawa, "Overview of Platooning Systems," 19th ITS World Congress, Vienna, Austria, October 22-26, 2012.

[0008] DE 10 2012 022 207 B3 discloses a method for providing current route information by at least one motor vehicle. A communication device of the motor vehicle establishes a communication connection to a peer-to-peer network, and the motor vehicle is registered there as a participant in the peer-to-peer network, so that a communication address of the motor vehicle can be determined by at least one other participant in the peer-to-peer network. Furthermore, the communication device receives a request regarding the route information from the at least one other participant. The route information itself is determined by a detection device of the motor vehicle and then sent by the communication device to the requesting participant.

[0009] Based on this prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a system and a corresponding method for exchanging data between road traffic actors, which simplifies the use of data generated by a first actor by a second actor and makes the processing of such an exchange simple and cost-effective.

[0010] This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 6. Advantageous embodiments are claimed in subclaims.

[0011] The system according to the invention for exchanging data between road traffic actors, in particular vehicle and / or traffic control centers, comprises a first actor which has an identification of at least one type of sensor, in particular a camera and / or a sensor of a driver assistance system, and a transmitter configured to send at least one authorization, linked to the identification, for the use of the data. Furthermore, the system comprises a central database configured to store the at least one authorization, and at least one second actor which has a transceiver configured to send a request for the use of data from the at least one type of sensor for a predetermined location and / or a predetermined time to the central database, and to access the data from the at least one type of sensor provided by the first actor.In addition, the system comprises a first device, in particular a module of the central database, configured to check whether the at least one actor has released data of the at least one type of sensor for the predetermined location.

[0012] The method according to the invention for exchanging data between road traffic actors, in particular vehicles and / or traffic control centers, comprises the following work steps: providing data from at least one type of sensor, in particular a camera and / or a sensor of a driver assistance system, by a first actor, which data has a first identification; sending an authorization for the use of the data to a central database, wherein the authorization is linked to the first identification; storing the authorization in a central database; sending a request for the use of data from the at least one type of sensor for a predetermined location and / or a predetermined time to the central database for at least a second actor;Checking whether the first actor has released data of the at least one type of sensor for the predetermined location and accessing the data of the at least one type of sensor provided by the first actor by at least one second actor;

[0013] A vehicle within the meaning of the invention is any type of land, air or water vehicle, but in particular a motor vehicle, e.g. a passenger car, a truck or a motorcycle.

[0014] An actor in road traffic within the meaning of the invention is a device that participates in traffic, in particular a road user, for example a vehicle or a mobile phone or other technical equipment of a pedestrian, and / or a device that monitors or regulates traffic, in particular control bridges (also "toll bridges"), traffic signs and / or traffic control computers of traffic control centers, in particular the police, the rescue services, the fire brigade, transport service providers and / or traffic clubs.

[0015] A central database within the meaning of the invention is any type of central facility suitable for handling data exchange between traffic actors. The central database, in particular, also has a transceiver and / or a backend.

[0016] A sensor is any measurement device. This is a technical component that can measure certain physical or chemical properties and / or, depending on the material properties of its environment, either qualitatively or quantitatively as a measurand. These measurands are recorded using physical or chemical effects and converted into a further processed electrical signal. In particular, a sensor is a GPS receiver, a speed sensor, a camera (e.g., a driver assistance camera), and / or a radar / lidar sensor.

[0017] A driver assistance system, as defined by the invention, is an additional electronic device in a vehicle for supporting the driver in certain driving situations (ADAS). These driver assistance systems can, in particular, enable partially automated, highly automated, or even fully automated driving and generally have a multitude of sensors, such as ultrasound, radar and / or lidar, and / or at least one optical camera.

[0018] The invention is based on the approach of being able to use facilities of a first actor, in particular a vehicle, without having to establish a direct connection to the first actor. For this purpose, the system according to the invention and the method according to the invention provide a central database that manages the approvals of the first actor or a plurality of first actors. If a second actor requests certain data, the central database checks whether first actors who have granted approval for this data are suitable based on their position and / or the requested time and, if so, enables the second actor to access the data provided by the first actor.

[0019] In contrast to direct vehicle communication, for example vehicle-to-vehicle communication based on the IEEE 802.11p / ETSI ITS-G5 standards, which is limited to relatively short ranges, the system and method according to the invention can be used to set up an exchange of data between traffic actors that are located at any distance from each other. Furthermore, anonymity between the actors is ensured by the central database acting as a clearing house and any identification for communication with the respective actors must be available here alone. A second actor therefore does not need to know which first actor provided the data used here. Advantageously, the central database can also check whether the data provided by a first actor meets a minimum quality standard.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the sender of the first actor is further configured to send a request to the central database for the use of data from at least one type of sensor for a predetermined location, and wherein the first actor further comprises a receiver in order to access data of the at least one type of sensor provided by at least one second actor if approval has been given by the at least one second actor. The system according to the invention is based in particular on the crowdsourcing approach, i.e. users provide their data in order to receive the same type of data in turn from the other users. This advantageous embodiment therefore provides that first actors and second actors can mutually access the data they each provide.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the transmitter / receiver of the first actor and the transceiver of the at least one second actor are configured to establish a data connection, in particular a vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the first actor and the at least one second actor, wherein the first actor and the at least one second actor communicate directly by means of direct communication or via a back end, in particular the central database.

[0022] In addition to communication via a backend of the central database, the method according to the invention can also be used to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Here, too, the advantage is that without the central database, the second actor cannot draw any conclusions about the first actor or their identity, thus ensuring anonymity.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first actor and / or the central database further comprises a memory configured to store data from the at least one type of sensor, in particular a video recording, over a predetermined time and / or route section. This function allows, for example, a vehicle intending to travel a specific route section to visualize it in advance. Furthermore, conclusions about the road condition or traffic density can preferably be drawn from the video recordings.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first actor has a detectable feature, in particular a license plate number, that is linked to the identity of the first actor in the central database. Using the detectable feature, a first actor can specifically contact a second actor via the central database to gain access to data from the second actor.

[0025] The aspects of the invention described above and the associated features disclosed for further development of the system according to the invention also apply to the aspects of the invention described below and the associated development of the method according to the invention accordingly and vice versa.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises the following steps: sending a request for the use of data of the at least one type of sensor for a predetermined location to the central database by the first actor; and, if there is approval by the at least one second actor, accessing data of the at least one type of sensor provided by the at least one second actor by the first actor.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the accessing step further comprises the following sub-step: prior to accessing, establishing a data connection between the first actor and the at least one second actor, wherein the first actor and the at least one second actor communicate directly by means of direct communication or via a backend, in particular the central database. Establishing a data connection may be necessary, for example, if data from the first actor to the at least one second actor is not to be sent in closed data volumes, e.g. via SMS, but rather, for example, real-time data is to be forwarded with the shortest possible delay.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the accessing step further includes the following sub-step: Before accessing, establishing a data connection between the first actor and the at least one second actor, wherein the first actor and the at least one second actor communicate directly by means of direct communication or via a back end, in particular the central database.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the request for the use of data includes a request for data storage over a predetermined time and / or distance section, in particular a video recording, and the method further comprises the step of storing the data over the predetermined time and / or distance section by the first actor and / or via the central database.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of accessing the data of the at least one type of sensor provided by the first actor through the central database, determining a traffic-relevant event on the basis of the provided data and storing the data through the central database.

[0031] In this embodiment, if the central database determines that a traffic-relevant event has occurred based on data from the first actor, it can automatically decide to record the data in a memory of the central database. This data can then be forwarded to the at least one second actor when queries regarding the traffic-relevant event are received from the at least one second actor.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises the steps of determining a feature detectable by the at least one second actor, in particular an official license plate number, of the first actor, in particular by means of a camera, by the at least one second actor and identifying the first actor based on the detectable feature, wherein the first identification of the first actor is linked to the detectable feature of the first actor in the central database and wherein the request of the second actor includes the detectable feature of the at least one first actor.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data relate to a service, in particular a video recording and / or the provision of a driver assistance system function by the first actor. Advantageously, the first actor therefore not only provides data, but also customized services for the at least one second actor, such as look-through video streaming or convoy driving.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a position of the first actor is stored in the central database with the release, which position is preferably updated periodically, and the method further comprises the step of checking whether the position of the at least one first actor is in the area of ​​the predetermined location.

[0035] If a current position of the first actor is always stored in the database together with the releases, the central database can refer directly to the data of the relevant first actor(s) for access by at least one second actor without further queries to the first actor or several first actors.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the step of determining the position of the first actor by the central database if a release of the first actor for the requested data is stored in the central database, and of checking whether the position of the at least one first actor is in the area of ​​the predetermined location.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises work steps of evaluating a plurality of data by the at least one second actor and storing data on the basis of the evaluation of the plurality of requests.

[0038] If there is an increased interest of several of at least one of the second actors in certain data for a certain location, the central database can also decide to retain relevant data, which is preferably determined using an algorithm.

[0039] Further features, advantages, and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions in conjunction with the figures. They show: Fig. 1 A partially schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention; Fig. 2 A partially schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the first actor is a vehicle. This has a camera 4, in particular for the lane assistant, and a gyrometer 5 of another driver assistance system. The vehicle 2 preferably collects data continuously or as needed and / or upon request, which it can make available for transmission by the one transmitter 6. Further preferably, and optionally as an alternative to the transmitter 6, the vehicle 2 has a receiver 10 or a transceiver 6 / 10, with which it can receive a request, for example. Preferably, the vehicle 2 also has a license plate 12, which is further preferably linked to an identification of the vehicle 2 in a central database 7.

[0041] The central database 7 preferably also has a transmitter / receiver, with which authorizations can preferably be received upon receipt of requests and forwarded or transmitted, in particular streamed. Furthermore, the central database 7 is particularly designed as a backend and preferably has a memory 11. Particularly preferably, the central database 7 is designed as a cloud application, with data transmission preferably taking place via the Internet Protocol (IP) and / or http.

[0042] Furthermore, Fig. 2 depicts second actors 3, in the present embodiment, two people who wish to take a trip and plan the route, for example, on their home PC. To do so, the people 3 each use a device that has a transceiver 8 configured to send queries to the central database 7 and receive data.

[0043] Based on Fig. 2, three purely exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention or the situations in which the method is used are presented below. Optional work steps of the method according to the invention are shown in Fig. 2 shown with a broken frame.

[0044] In a first embodiment, a vehicle 2 provides a driver assistance camera to the second traffic actors. These second actors can be, in particular, vehicles or a traffic control center.

[0045] Before starting the journey, vehicle 2 forwarded a release of the data generated by the driver assistance camera to a central database 7, preferably via a manifest file. The release of vehicle 2 is stored in the central database 7 and, preferably, the position of vehicle 2 is tracked.

[0046] Another vehicle 3, e.g. a motorcycle, wants to drive the same route as vehicle 2 with the driver assistance camera, whereby the route was preferably determined by the navigation device there based on a destination specified by the driver of motorcycle 3.

[0047] The driver of motorcycle 3 would like to get an idea of ​​the traffic jam situation on the section of the route before starting his journey and requests the corresponding information from the central database 7. The central database 7 then initiates a recording request to the vehicle 2 with the driver assistance camera in order to be able to make image data of the requested section available to the requesting motorcycle 3. Since the central database records the requests from second actors 3, e.g. the motorcycle and other vehicles, it knows that at this time several second actors 3 in road traffic are interested in a traffic jam information service for this section. To this end, the central database 7 evaluates the requests from a large number of second actors and saves recordings made by the vehicle with the driver assistance camera.

[0048] Preferably, the central database 7 distributes the information about the partial route at least to the motorcycle 3 whose driver has entered a destination and, in the present case, preferably adapts the video data stream by dynamic-adaptive video streaming to the network performance between the central database or the central server 7 and the vehicle whose driver has entered the destination or the second actor.

[0049] In a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, a following vehicle 3 wishes to use visual sensor data from a preceding vehicle 2 to survey the traffic situation in front of the preceding vehicle 2 and thereby increase safety during an overtaking maneuver. Using its own driver assistance camera, the following vehicle 3 detects a detectable feature 12, in particular the license plate number, of the preceding vehicle 2 and requests the central database 7 to use the visual sensor data of the preceding vehicle with the detected detectable feature of the preceding vehicle 2.

[0050] If the preceding vehicle 2 has given permission for the visual sensor data, the database 7 distributes the visual sensor data of the preceding vehicle 2 to the following vehicle 3 and adapts the video data stream to the network performance between the central database 7 and the following vehicle 3, preferably by dynamic-adaptive video streaming.

[0051] In a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, a truck 2 provides data from a speed sensor via the central database 7 by means of a release message. A passenger car 3 wishes to use a convoy driving service based on this speed data, so that driving within a convoy of trucks is possible. For this purpose, the passenger car 3 or its driver or a driver assistance system submits a query to the central database 7. The identity of the truck 2 is in turn determined by assigning a feature 12 of the truck 2 detected by the passenger car 3.Since the truck 2 has authorized the use of the speed data, the passenger car 3 can access the speed data and thus use the convoy driving service, whereby the central database 7 initiates the transmission of the speed data between the truck and the passenger car. List of reference symbols 1 system 2 First actor 3 Second actor 4 Camera 5 Sensor of a convoy module 6 transmitters of the first actor 7 Central database 8 Transceiver of the second actor 9 Initial setup 10 recipients of the first actor 11 storage 12 Visible feature

Claims

[1] System (1) for exchanging data between road traffic actors (2, 3), in particular vehicles and / or traffic control centers, comprising: a first actor (2) having an identification, at least one type of sensor (4, 5), in particular a camera (4) and / or a sensor of a driver assistance system (5), and a transmitter (6) configured to send at least one release, linked to the identification, for the use of the data; a central database (7) configured to store the at least one release; at least one second actor (3) having a transceiver (8) configured to send a request for the use of data, in particular in real time, of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for a predetermined location and / or for a predetermined time to the central database (7) and to access the data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) provided by the first actor (3); and a first device (9), in particular a module of the central database (6), configured to check whether the at least one first actor (2) has released data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for the predetermined location and / or for the predetermined time. [2] System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter (6) of the first actor (2) is further configured to send a request for the use of data of at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for a predetermined location to the central database (7), and wherein the first actor (2) further comprises a receiver (10) in order to access data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) provided by the at least one second actor (3) if there is an approval by the at least one second actor (3). [3] System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitter and / or the receiver (6, 10) of the first actor (2) and the transmitter-receiver (8) of the at least one second actor (3) are configured to establish a data connection, in particular a vehicle-to-vehicle communication, between the first actor (2) and the at least one second actor (3), wherein the first actor (2) and the at least one second actor (3) communicate directly by means of direct communication or via a unit in the infrastructure, in particular a back-end and / or a central database (7). [4] System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first actor (2) and / or the central database (7) further comprises a memory (11) configured to store data of the at least one type of sensor, in particular a video recording, over a predetermined time and / or distance section. [5] System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first actor (2) has a feature (12) detectable by the at least one second actor (3), in particular an official license plate, which is linked to the identity of the first actor (2) in the central database (7). [6] Method (100) for exchanging data between road traffic actors (2, 3), in particular vehicles and / or traffic control centres, comprising the following steps: Providing (101) data, in particular processed data and / or detected objects, to at least one type of sensor (4, 5), in particular a camera (4) and / or a sensor (5) of a driver assistance system, by a first actor (2) having a first identification; Sending (102) an authorization for the use of the data to a central database (7), the authorization being linked to the first identification; Depositing (103a) the release in a central database (7); Sending (105) a request for the use of data, in particular in real time, of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for a predetermined location and / or for a predetermined time to the central database (7) by at least one second actor (3); Checking (109) whether the first actor (3) has released data of the at least one type of sensor (3, 4) for the predetermined location and / or for the predetermined time; and Accessing (111b) the data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) provided by the first actor (2) by the at least one second actor (3). [7] The method (100) of claim 6, further comprising the following steps: Sending (112) a request for the use of data from the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) for a predetermined location to the central database (7) by the first actor (2); and, if there is an approval by the at least one second actor (3), accessing (113b) data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) provided by the at least one second actor (3) by the first actor (3). [8] Method (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the step of accessing (111b; 113b) further includes the following sub-step: before accessing (111b; 113b), establishing (111a; 113a) a data connection between the first actor (2) and the at least one second actor (3), wherein the first actor (2) and the at least one second actor (3) communicate directly by means of direct communication or via a back end, in particular the central database (7). [9] Method (100) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the request for the use of data includes a request for the storage of the data over a predetermined time and / or distance section, in particular a video recording, and the method further comprises the following working step: Storing (110) the data about the predetermined time and / or route section by the first actor (2) and / or the central database (7). [10] Method (100) according to one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising the following steps: Accessing (103b) the data of the at least one type of sensor (4, 5) provided by the first actor (2) through the central database (7); Determining (110a) a traffic-relevant event on the basis of the provided data; and Storing (110b) the data by the central database (7). [11] Method according to one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising the following steps: Determining (104) a feature (12) detectable by the at least one second actor, in particular an official license plate, of the one first actor (2), in particular by means of a camera, by the at least one second actor (3); and Identification (105) of the first actor (2) based on the detectable feature (12), wherein the first identification of the first actor (2) is linked to the detectable feature (12) of the first actor (2) in the central database (7) and wherein the request of the second actor (3) includes the detectable feature (12) of the at least one first actor (2). [12] Method according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the data relate to a service, in particular a video recording and / or a provision of a driver assistance system function by the first actor (2). [13] Method according to one of claims 6 to 12, wherein a position of the first actor (2) is stored in the central database (7) with the release, which position is preferably updated periodically, and wherein the method further comprises the following work step: Checking (108) whether the position of the at least one first actor is in the area of the predetermined location. [14] Method according to one of claims 6 to 12, further comprising the following step: Determining (107) the position of the first actor by the central database if a release of the first actor for the requested data is stored in the central database; and Checking (108) whether the position of the at least one first actor is in the area of the predetermined location. [15] Method according to one of claims 6 to 14, further comprising the following steps: Evaluating (114) a plurality of requests for the use of data by the at least one second actor; and Storing (115) data based on the evaluation of the plurality of requests.

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