Procedure for determining traffic information and for assisting a user, as well as a motor vehicle for carrying out the procedure

Abstract

The invention describes a method in which traffic sign information from a traffic sign arranged on an upcoming section of road is determined and a user is supported by means of a device based on the traffic sign information. According to the invention, a user identity is determined by an identity determination unit. If a user-dependent authorization to travel on the preceding section of road is recognized as traffic sign information by means of a recognition device, a comparison of the user identity with a data directory containing users authorized to travel on the section of road is carried out by means of an evaluation unit, and if the recognized user is included in the data directory, a signal regarding the authorization to travel on the section of road is generated for reception by the user support device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining traffic information on a route section ahead and for assisting a user by means of a device based on the traffic information, as well as to a motor vehicle for carrying out the method.

[0002] From the disclosure DE 10 2011 012 791 A1 a method is known in which, with regard to the current position of a motor vehicle, information on a traffic sign ahead on a route is determined and further processed by a device to support a user.

[0003] DE 10 2022 003 533 A1 discloses a toll system, wherein a user ID can be transmitted at an access point to grant entry or exit for a toll road section.

[0004] From JP 2006-164 196 A it is known how an access restriction is handled based on a license plate, a user ID or after registration.

[0005] DE 197 36 774 A1 discloses a vehicle, wherein a display unit displays a section of an image from a camera, which includes a traffic sign including an additional sign.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a method and a vehicle by means of which an improved determination and evaluation of traffic sign information is determined to support a user.

[0007] The object is achieved by a method for determining the meaning of traffic signs ahead and assisting a user with the features of claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 10. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] In the method according to the invention, a user identity is determined with an identity determination unit and if a user-dependent authorization to drive on the upcoming section of road is recognized as traffic sign information by a recognition device, the user identity is compared with a data directory containing users authorized to drive on the section of road by an evaluation unit and if the recognized user is included in the data directory, a signal is generated regarding the authorization to drive on the section of road for output to the receiving device for user support. Upon reception, the signal is processed and an action for user support is output. The method enables the traffic sign information applicable to a user group, ieessentially to determine the meaning of the traffic sign, which applies in particular to the group of people, and to evaluate it accordingly using a device, i.e. an assistance system to support the vehicle user or driver, and to initiate reactions if necessary.

[0009] The traffic sign information of the traffic sign located on a road section ahead and associated information can be determined in various ways. For example, the traffic signs located ahead on a planned route can be received by a backend server, read from a map, or determined using a camera and / or other sensors. The road section ahead is a road section that is immediately ahead, i.e. at least the beginning of which is within sight, and on which the traffic sign is preferably located, such as on a one-way street or a road with restricted access. Likewise, the road section can comprise an entire route that is stored, for example, in a navigation system.The authorization contained in the traffic sign information to drive on a given road section based on a user identity applies to a group of people, such as a resident or visitor visiting a facility located on the road section. Personalized entry or transit permits are also conceivable. In a further variation, the authorization can be combined with time restrictions, which are taken into account when the signal is issued. User identities for whom authorization to drive on the road section exists are stored in the data directory.The device for assisting the user is, for example, a system for determining a position and issuing a warning if there is no authorization to drive on a section of road at that position, a navigation device for route planning based on the signal, or a control unit of an automated vehicle which selects the route based on the signal.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the determination of a user's identity is carried out automatically by recognizing biometric data, by recognizing a mobile device, or by input from a user, i.e., a driver. Advantageously, the determination of the user's identity is automated, so that it cannot be accidentally missed.

[0011] In a further embodiment, a warning is issued to a user via the user support device if the signal indicating authorization to drive on an upcoming or currently driven section of road is not present. Advantageously, the user is automatically warned that they are not authorized to drive on the upcoming section of road.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the device can issue a warning to assist the user. If a user has any kind of authorization to drive on a section of road, for example, as the driver of a special vehicle or similar, the user can deactivate the warning for this section of road to prevent repeated unauthorized warnings.

[0013] In a further embodiment, in route planning in the device designed as a navigation system to assist the user, only those route sections are considered for which the signal regarding authorization to drive on the route sections is present. The method advantageously enables optimized route planning. The signal regarding authorization to drive on a current or future route is determined, for example, from traffic sign information stored on a map and the user's identity.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the method, traffic sign information on a road ahead is determined using a camera device. The camera detects the traffic signs, and an evaluation device assigned to the camera determines the traffic sign information, i.e., the meaning of the traffic sign, using trained image recognition algorithms. For a road section marked with a traffic sign that permits passage only to a specific group of people, the method checks whether the user has authorization to enter it. If no authorization is available, the user is advantageously warned before entering this section.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the data directory of users authorized to drive the route section is stored in the vehicle, on a backend server, or on a mobile device. The data directory contains the identity of the users authorized to drive the route section. Storage in the vehicle is suitable for users who primarily use the same vehicle. Storage on a mobile device or a server has the advantage that it can be determined independently of the vehicle whether or not a user is authorized to drive through.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the users authorized to travel on the route section are determined automatically and stored in the data directory by determining locations visited multiple times by a user on a route section accessible only by authorized users.

[0017] If a user frequently visits a location on a route section for which user-dependent authorization to travel exists, i.e., more often than a specified number of times, it is assumed that the user has authorization and the information is automatically entered in the data directory. These locations could be, for example, regularly visited homes, schools, or public institutions. In one further training, in addition to the frequency, information about the user such as place of residence, memberships, children, workplace, etc. is used to verify authorization. In one variant, the user is offered the option of being added to the data directory for confirmation, thus preventing inadvertent entry.

[0018] The motor vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that an identity determination unit determines a user identity. If a recognition device recognizes a user-dependent authorization to drive on the upcoming road section as traffic sign information, an evaluation unit compares the user identity with a data directory containing users authorized to drive on the road section. If the recognized user is included in the data directory, the evaluation unit generates a signal concerning the authorization to drive on the road section for output to and reception by the device for supporting the user. Advantageously, the motor vehicle according to the invention enables the driver support by devices such as assistance systems to take into account authorizations or prohibitions to drive on a road section that are dependent on the user identity, preferably in a fully automated manner.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail—possibly with reference to the drawings. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject matter of the invention alone or in any meaningful combination, possibly independently of the claims, and may, in particular, also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0020] Showing: Fig. 1 vehicle according to the invention in the entrance area of ​​a section of road accessible only to authorized persons and Fig. 2 Flowchart of the method according to the invention.

[0021] According to Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 parked in front of a traffic sign 3 prohibiting motor vehicles from entering a section of road. Text 5 on traffic sign 3 indicates an exception for a predetermined group of people, for example, residents on the section of road ahead.

[0022] The vehicle 1 has a camera 7 as a recognition device and an associated image evaluation unit (not shown), which recognizes the traffic sign 3 and associated text using artificial intelligence-supported algorithms and determines their meaning, i.e., the associated traffic sign information. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle 1 determines its own position, for example via GPS, wherein the traffic sign information associated with the traffic sign 3 can be determined from a map based on its own position. The determined traffic sign information is fed to a control unit 9 of a device 10 designed as an assistance system for supporting a user 11. The assistance system 10 is designed as a means for outputting acoustic and / or graphic information, as a navigation system, or as a control unit for automated driving.

[0023] An identity determination unit 15, embodied here as a camera, determines the user's identity through facial and eye recognition. Additionally or alternatively, a fingerprint sensor (not shown) or a voice recognition device is installed. The identity determination unit 15 uses stored biometric data to determine who the user is, i.e., the driver 11 of the vehicle 1.

[0024] The vehicle 1 further comprises an evaluation unit 17 configured to compare the identity of the user 11 with a data directory 19 and determine whether the user is registered. The data directory 19 contains all persons authorized to drive on the road section closed to the public. If the evaluation unit 17 determines during the comparison that the user 11 is authorized to drive on the road section, the evaluation unit 17 generates a signal that is received and processed by an assistance system 10 of the vehicle 1.

[0025] Depending on whether or not the signal indicating authorization to enter the route section is present, an assistance system 10, for example, plans a route that includes or excludes the route section. An output unit 10 configured as an assistance system will, for example, issue a warning to a user if the signal indicating authorization to enter the route section is absent.

[0026] In the Fig. Figure 2 depicts the steps of the method according to the invention. In step 100, the recognition unit 7 determines traffic sign information from a traffic sign 3 located on a road section ahead of the vehicle 1. In step 102, a user identity is determined using an identity determination unit 15.

[0027] If the traffic sign information includes user-dependent authorization to drive on the upcoming road section, in step 104 the user identity is compared with a data directory 19, i.e., with entries in a database. If an entry matching the user identity can be determined, a signal concerning the authorization to drive on the road section is generated for reception by an assistance system 10. The signal includes information that the user 11 is authorized to drive on the road section. In step 106, the signal is received by an assistance system 10, and a corresponding action of the assistance system 10 is determined and implemented.

Claims

[1] Method in which traffic sign information of a traffic sign (3) arranged on a preceding section of road is determined and a user (11) is supported by means of a device (10) on the basis of the traffic sign information, characterized by , that a user identity is determined with an identity determination unit (15) (S102) and if a user-dependent authorization to drive on the section of road ahead is recognized as traffic sign information by means of a recognition device (7) (S100), a comparison of the user identity with a data directory (19) comprising users authorized to travel on the route section is carried out by means of an evaluation unit (17) (S104) and provided that the recognized user is included in the data directory (19), Generation of a signal about the authorization to travel the route section for reception by the device (10) for assisting the user (S106), which is designed as a navigation device for route planning on the basis of the signal or as a control device of an automated vehicle which selects the route on the basis of the signal. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the traffic sign regulates the right of passage for residents. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the determination of a user’s identity is carried out automatically by recognizing biometric data, by recognizing a mobile device or by input from a user (11). [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat a warning is issued to a user (11) by means of the device (10) for assisting the user if the signal concerning an authorization to drive on a section of road ahead or currently being driven on is not present. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by that the output of a warning can be deactivated by means of the device (10) to assist the user. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that in a route planning in the device (10) designed as a navigation system to support the user, only those route sections are taken into account for which the signal concerning an authorization to travel on the route section is present. [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the traffic sign information on a route ahead is determined by means of a device (10) designed as a camera to assist the user (11). [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the data directory (19) of the users (11) authorized to travel on the route section is stored in the vehicle, on a backend server or on a mobile device. [9] Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the users (11) authorized to travel on the route section are automatically determined and stored in the data directory (19) as soon as a user (11) visits locations on the route section more frequently than a predetermined number. [10] Motor vehicle for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, with a recognition unit (7) for determining traffic sign information of a traffic sign (3) arranged on a road section ahead, and with a device (10) which supports a user on the basis of the traffic sign information, characterized by , that an identity determination unit (15) determines a user identity and if the recognition device (7) recognizes a user-dependent authorization to drive on the route section ahead as traffic sign information, an evaluation unit (17) which compares the user identity with a data directory (19) comprising users authorized to drive on the route section and if the recognized user is included in the data directory (19), the evaluation unit (17) generates a signal about an authorization to drive on the route section for output to and reception by the device for assisting the user (11), which is designed as a navigation device for route planning on the basis of the signal or as a control device of an automated vehicle which selects the route on the basis of the signal.

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