Method, system and computer program product for operating an ad-hoc communication network

Abstract

In a method for operating an ad-hoc communication network (200, 300), a geographically limited area (206, 304) is defined with respect to the position of at least one reference (210). At least one vehicle (202) located within the geographically limited area (206, 304) is added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber. Communication connections are established between the subscribers of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300), thus enabling communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300).Alternatively or additionally, the communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) are established in such a way that communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) and at least one further participant (302) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating an ad-hoc communications network. The invention further relates to a system and a computer program product for operating an ad-hoc communications network.

[0002] Various ad-hoc communication networks are known from the prior art. For example, WO 2006 108 133 A1 discloses a method in which wireless communication devices are combined into an ad-hoc communication network based on geographical criteria. The wireless communication devices are, for example, mobile phones or other handheld devices.

[0003] US Pat. No. 6,256,503 B1 also discloses a communication method in a wireless communication network. This method restricts communication transactions based on the geographical location of senders and recipients.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a method, a system and a computer program product for operating an ad-hoc communication network which enables traffic-safe communication between vehicle occupants.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] In the proposed method for operating an ad-hoc communications network, a geographically limited area is defined with respect to the position of at least one reference. At least one vehicle located within the geographically limited area is added to the ad-hoc communications network as a participant. Communication connections are established between the participants of the ad-hoc communications network, enabling communication between occupants of the vehicles in the ad-hoc communications network. Alternatively or additionally, the communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communications network are established in such a way that communication between occupants of the vehicles in the ad-hoc communications network and at least one other participant in the ad-hoc communications network is enabled.

[0007] The ad-hoc communication network includes vehicles and may include other participants, such as handheld devices or a traffic broadcast transmitter. Via the ad-hoc communication network, vehicle occupants can communicate at least with each other and, if necessary, with other participants, such as a driver safety trainer using a handheld device. Communication among participants in the ad-hoc communication network is primarily verbal and preferably bidirectional. The range of communication via the ad-hoc communication network is limited to geographically defined areas, such as a traffic training area or a section of road.For this purpose, the position of each vehicle to be added to the ad-hoc communication network can be determined relative to the reference position, for example using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and on-board receivers. Based on this determination, a decision can then be made as to whether the vehicle will be added to the ad-hoc communication network as a participant. By limiting itself to geographically defined areas, the ad-hoc communication network imitates radio networks such as those formed by handheld devices for CB radio. In contrast to such radio networks, however, the vehicles themselves are participants in the proposed ad-hoc communication network. Thus, communication in the proposed ad-hoc communication network can take place using the vehicle's own on-board resources, such as a hands-free system.This means that no handheld devices are required and communication between the occupants, especially between drivers, of the vehicles can take place safely via the ad-hoc communication network.

[0008] In one embodiment, the reference is a vehicle. The vehicle that forms the reference is added to the ad-hoc communications network as a participant. The position of the geographically limited area is changed depending on the position of the vehicle that forms the reference. In this embodiment, the reference is movable and the position of the geographically limited area is changed with the position of the vehicle that forms the reference, for example, the geographically limited area always remains centered on the vehicle that forms the reference. This enables, for example, traffic-safe communication using on-board means between vehicles in a convoy or convoy, for example during an outing of friendly drivers or a wedding party. Alternatively, the reference is fixed, i.e. the position of the reference does not change.For example, the reference can be a cell tower, a radio beacon, a toll station, or other traffic infrastructure. In this alternative embodiment, the ad-hoc communication network is tied to a geographical location, such as a section of roadway or a traffic training area.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the reference is stationary. For each vehicle located within the geographically defined area, a direction of travel is determined. Only vehicles with a predetermined direction of travel are added to the ad-hoc communication network as participants. In this embodiment, the ad-hoc communication network consists, for example, of vehicles that travel along a section of road in the same direction of travel. This makes it possible, for example, to operate a local traffic broadcast via the ad-hoc communication network, via which the vehicle occupants can be informed, for example, of traffic disruptions on the section of road they are traveling on. In order to implement a local traffic broadcast, communication via the ad-hoc communication network is preferably unidirectional and originates from a stationary transmitter.

[0010] In a further embodiment, one of the participants in the ad-hoc communication network is defined as a master. Unidirectional communication takes place from the master to the other participants in the ad-hoc communication network. The master is, for example, a stationary transmitter for a local traffic radio broadcast. In particular, however, the master can also be a vehicle or a handheld device of a driving instructor or driver safety trainer. In such an embodiment, the master can simultaneously be the reference and change the location of the geographically limited area with the position of the master. In particular, the method can be designed such that communication from the master, for example a warning, interrupts audio playback in the other vehicles in the ad-hoc communication network, for example music playback.This ensures that important information transmitted via the ad-hoc communication network is perceived by the occupants of the vehicles in the ad-hoc communication network.

[0011] In a further embodiment, bidirectional communication between the occupants of the vehicles in the ad-hoc communication network is enabled using the vehicle's own on-board resources. The on-board resources can, in particular, be a hands-free system of the respective vehicle. The vehicle's own on-board resources are designed in such a way that they enable, in particular, a driver to communicate safely. For example, the driver does not have to take their hands off the steering wheel to use the vehicle's own on-board resources. This enables safe communication via the ad-hoc communication network.

[0012] In a further embodiment, an occupant of a vehicle located within the geographically limited area decides whether the vehicle should be added to the ad-hoc communication network as a participant. For example, the occupant can determine through a user input to a control unit of the vehicle that their vehicle should be added to the ad-hoc communication network as a participant. The fact that an ad-hoc communication network is available locally, to which the vehicle can join as a participant, can be indicated to the occupant, for example, via a display unit of the vehicle and / or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer.

[0013] In another embodiment, a vehicle is identified before being added to the ad-hoc communication network as a participant. For example, the vehicle can be identified via an application running on a vehicle's control unit, a license plate number, or a chassis number. This identification increases security and makes misuse of the ad-hoc communication network more difficult, as only authorized participants can communicate.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the ad-hoc communication network has at least two channels. Each participant in the ad-hoc communication network is assigned to at least one of the channels. Communication is only possible between participants in the ad-hoc communication network that are assigned to the same channel. In this embodiment, different groups of participants in the ad-hoc communication network at the same geographical location can communicate with each other without affecting each other. For example, vehicles that each travel on a section of road in the same direction can be assigned to the same channel. In a further example, different groups of vehicles each complete different training at a traffic training area. Each of these groups can be assigned its own channel.

[0015] In a further embodiment, a vehicle in the ad-hoc communications network is deregistered as a participant from the ad-hoc communications network when the vehicle leaves the geographically limited area. In this embodiment, communication via the ad-hoc communications network remains limited to the geographically limited area. Thus, the ad-hoc communications network mimics, for example, the functionality of a CB radio network. Deregistration can be initiated by the vehicle leaving the geographically limited area. For example, all vehicles in the ad-hoc communications network determine at regular intervals whether their current position is still within the geographically limited area.Alternatively, one of the vehicles of the ad-hoc communication network, for example a vehicle designated as the master and / or the reference, can determine at regular intervals whether the current positions of the other vehicles of the ad-hoc communication network are still within the geographically limited area.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the geographically limited area is a circle with a specific radius, the center of which is identical to the position of the reference. In this embodiment, the geographically limited area has a particularly simple geometry. This makes it particularly easy to determine which vehicles are located within the geographically limited area. Other geometries are conceivable; for example, the geographically limited area can extend along a section of roadway or be limited to a location, such as a traffic training area.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network are DSRC connections, V2X connections, mobile data connections, FM connections, WLAN connections and / or Bluetooth ® Connections. Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) is a wireless communication technology specifically developed for the automotive industry and primarily used for communication between vehicles (V2V) and between vehicles and infrastructure (V2I). With the proposed method, DSRC and V2X can also be used, in particular, for establishing an initial connection between participants in the ad-hoc communication network. Mobile data connections and FM connections are more efficient when the participants in the ad-hoc communication network are farther apart. Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth ®Connections are more efficient over short distances. The communication connection can also be a Voice over IP (VoIP) or a data connection in conjunction with a backend.

[0018] The invention also relates to a system for operating an ad-hoc communication network. The system comprises at least one control unit configured to define a geographically limited area with respect to the position of at least one reference and to add at least one vehicle located within the geographically limited area to the ad-hoc communication network as a participant. The at least one control unit is further configured to establish communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network, thus enabling communication between occupants of the vehicles in the ad-hoc communication network.Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is further designed to establish the communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network, so that communication between occupants of the vehicles of the ad-hoc communication network and at least one other participant of the ad-hoc communication network is enabled.

[0019] The control units are each assigned to one of the vehicles to be combined into the ad-hoc communication network, or to one of the other participants in the ad-hoc communication network. For example, they are control units of the vehicles to be combined into the ad-hoc communication network, or mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablet computers, each of which is coupled to one of these vehicles. In particular, the system does not include an external control unit, i.e., a control unit that is not assigned to any participant in the ad-hoc communication network. Thus, the proposed system enables a true ad-hoc network that does not rely on external resources.

[0020] The proposed system has the same advantages described above as the claimed method. In particular, the system can be further developed with the features of the dependent claims directed to the method. Furthermore, the method described above can be further developed with the features described in this document in connection with the system.

[0021] The invention further relates to a computer program product for operating an ad-hoc communications network. The computer program comprises instructions that, when executed by a control unit of a vehicle, cause the control unit to perform the steps of the method described above.

[0022] The computer program product can be provided, in particular, in the form of a downloadable application for the vehicle's control unit. By executing the computer program on the vehicle's control unit, the vehicle can either initiate the ad-hoc communication network described in this document or join such an ad-hoc communication network. The computer program product thus has the same advantages described above as the claimed method and system.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method for operating an ad-hoc communication network; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an ad-hoc communication network operated according to an embodiment of the method; and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an ad-hoc communication network which is operated according to a further embodiment of the method.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of the method for operating an ad-hoc communication network 200, 300.

[0025] The ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 serves to enable participants to communicate within a geographically limited area 206, 304. The potential participants of the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 are in particular vehicles 202, 204. Exemplary ad-hoc communication networks 200, 300 that can be operated with embodiments of this method are described below with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described in more detail.

[0026] The process is started in step S100.

[0027] In step S102, the geographically limited area 206, 304 is defined with respect to the position of at least one reference 210. The reference 210 is, for example, a vehicle 202 or a fixed geographical point. The reference 210 and the geometry of the geographically limited area 206, 304 can be specified, in particular, by a user, for example, an occupant of one of the vehicles 202 that are to be combined into the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300. Examples of the geographically limited area 206, 304 are described below with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described.

[0028] In step 104, at least one vehicle 202 located within the geographically limited area 206, 304 is added to the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as a participant. For this purpose, the geographical position of the vehicle 202 to be added is first determined, for example, using a GNSS such as GPS and a corresponding receiver of the vehicle 202. The determined position of the vehicle 202 to be added is then compared with the geographically limited area 206, 304 to determine whether the vehicle 202 to be added is located within the geographically limited area 206, 304.

[0029] An occupant of the vehicle 202 to be added can then determine, for example through user input, whether their vehicle 202 should be added to the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as a participant. To make this decision easier for the occupant, the name of the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as well as the names, aliases, and / or avatars of other participants can be displayed to the occupant. In addition, the geographical positions of the other participants can also be represented, for example, by their avatar in a navigation system of the vehicle 202. Preferably, the vehicle 202 is identified before the vehicle 202 is added to the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as a participant. This can be done, for example, using a unique identifier such as the chassis number of the vehicle 202.

[0030] Whether a vehicle 202, 204 is added to the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as a participant can be further determined based on the direction of travel of the vehicle 202, 204. For example, only vehicles 202, 204 traveling on a roadway section in a particular direction of travel can be added to the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 as a participant.

[0031] The ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 can be operated in such a way that it has multiple channels. For this purpose, each subscriber is assigned to at least one of the channels in step S104. For example, different channels can be assigned to different directions of travel within a road section, so that each channel can implement a direction-specific traffic broadcast. In particular, a subscriber can also choose which channel they wish to be assigned to.

[0032] In the optional step S106, one of the participants is defined as a master, from which unidirectional communication originates. The master can be, for example, a vehicle or a handheld device of a driving instructor or driver safety trainer. The master can also be a traffic broadcaster.

[0033] In step 108, communication connections are then established between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300. This enables communication between occupants of the vehicles 202 of the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300. The communication between the occupants of the vehicles 202 via the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 is particularly verbal and is preferably enabled via on-board means of the vehicles 202, for example, hands-free devices. This enables safe communication, particularly between vehicle drivers. Additionally, communication connections can be established to other participants that are not vehicles, for example, stationary transmitters or handheld devices.

[0034] If the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300 is operated in such a way that it comprises multiple channels, only communication connections are established between participants that have been assigned to at least one common channel. If one of the participants was defined as a master in step S106, the communication connections are established as unidirectional communication connections originating from the master. The unidirectional communication connections originating from the master can, in particular, be established such that communication from the master overwrites audio playback in the other vehicles 202 of the ad-hoc communication network 200, 300.

[0035] The process is then terminated in step S110.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an ad-hoc communication network 200 which is operated according to an embodiment of the method.

[0037] In Fig. 2, the ad-hoc communication network 200 comprises, purely by way of example, three vehicles 202 as the participants and thus enables communication between occupants of the participating vehicles 202, for example, between the drivers of the participating vehicles 202. Another vehicle 204 is located outside the geographically limited area 206 and is therefore not a participant in the ad-hoc communication network 200. In particular, the ad-hoc communication network 200 can be operated such that a participant who leaves the geographically limited area 206 is deregistered as a participant from the ad-hoc communication network 200. Purely by way of example, communication between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network 200 takes place via a mobile radio data connection 208.

[0038] The geographically limited area 206 is purely exemplary a circle with a fixed radius. The center of the circle is identical to the position of one of the vehicles 206, which serves as reference 210, on the basis of which the geographically limited area 206 is defined. In another embodiment of the method, the geographically limited area 206 can also have a different geometry. For example, the geographically limited area 206 can be an ellipse or a rectangle that are elongated in the direction of travel of the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the ad-hoc communication network 200 is operated such that the position of the geographically limited area 206 changes with the position of the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210. If the position of the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210 changes, the geographically limited area 206 is redefined so that the center of the circle is always identical to the position of the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210.

[0039] In the Fig. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the radius of the circle is not changed. However, embodiments of the method are conceivable in which a size, for example the radius, of the geographically limited area 206 is changed, for example depending on the situation. For example, the radius can be increased if the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210 is moving faster and reduced if the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210 is moving more slowly again. This prevents, for example, an acceleration of the vehicle 202 serving as reference 210 during convoy travel from causing some participants to leave the geographically limited area 206 and thus be inadvertently logged off from the ad hoc communication network 200.

[0040] The vehicles 202 of the ad-hoc communication network 200 each comprise a control unit 212. This can, in particular, be a control unit 212 of the vehicle 202 itself. However, the control unit 212 can also be formed by a mobile terminal that is installed in the vehicle interior and coupled to the vehicle 202 in such a way that it has access to certain vehicle functionalities, for example, the hands-free system and communication means. The control units 212 are each designed to carry out the method for operating the ad-hoc communication network 200. For this purpose, for example, an application is provided on the control units 212 that comprises a computer program that causes the control unit 212 to carry out the method for operating the ad-hoc communication network 200.The application can, for example, be provided by a vehicle manufacturer upon delivery of the vehicles 202, 204. Alternatively, the application can be provided at a later time, for example, as a download.

[0041] In the case of Fig. 2, only vehicles are participants in the ad-hoc communication network 200. With reference to Fig. 3, a further ad-hoc communication network 300 is described below, which is operated according to a further embodiment, in which at least one of the participants of the ad-hoc communication network 200 is not a vehicle.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an ad-hoc communication network 300 which is operated according to a further embodiment of the method.

[0043] In Fig. 3, the ad-hoc communication network 300 is operated such that, in addition to the vehicles 202, at least one further participant 302, which is not a vehicle, participates in the ad-hoc communication network 300. Purely by way of example, the further participant 302 is a handheld device via which, for example, a driving instructor or driver safety trainer can communicate with the occupants of the vehicles 202 of the ad-hoc communication network 300. However, the further participant 304 can also be a stationary transmitter, for example a traffic radio transmitter. The Fig. 3 described embodiment differs from the one based on Fig. 2 further differs in that the geographically limited area 304 is tied to a specific location, for example, a traffic training area or a section of road where a traffic broadcast is to be operated. A fixed reference point, for example, a geographical point on the traffic training area or the fixed transmitter of the traffic broadcast, serves as reference 210.

[0044] Also in Fig. In Figure 3, the geographically limited area 304 is shown purely as an example, as a circle. This simulates that communication between the participants takes place within the transmission area of a central transmitter, as may be the case, for example, with a terrestrial radio network. However, since the geographically limited area 304 can be defined arbitrarily in the proposed method and is not determined by the antenna characteristics of a transmitter, it is also possible, for example, to adapt the geometry of the geographically limited area 304 to the geometry of the traffic training area or the geometry of the road section.

[0045] In the case of the Fig. 1 to 3, at least one of the control units 212 assigned to the vehicles 202 forms a system for operating an ad-hoc communication network 200, 300. Further embodiments described in the Fig.Elements and features shown in Figures 1 to 3 and mentioned in the preceding description may be part of the system. Likewise, method steps described with reference to the system may be part of the claimed method. List of reference symbols 200 communication network 202, 204 vehicle 206 area 208 Mobile data connection 210 Reference 212 Control unit 300 communication network 302 participants 304 Area QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2006 108 133 A1

[0002] US 6 256 503 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for operating an ad-hoc communication network (200, 300), in which a geographically limited area (206, 304) is defined with respect to the position of at least one reference (210); at least one vehicle (202) located within the geographically limited area (206, 304) is added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber; and Communication connections are established between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) so that communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled and / or communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) and at least one further participant (302) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the reference (210) is a vehicle (202); wherein the vehicle (202) forming the reference (210) is added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber; and wherein the location of the geographically limited area (206, 304) is changed depending on the position of the vehicle (202) forming the reference (210). [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein the reference (210) is stationary; wherein a direction of travel is determined for each vehicle (202) located within the geographically limited area (206, 304); and wherein only vehicles (202) with a predetermined direction of travel are added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as participants. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is defined as a master; and wherein unidirectional communication takes place from the master to the other participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a bidirectional communication between the occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled using on-board vehicle resources. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an occupant of a vehicle (202) located within the geographically limited area (206, 304) decides whether the vehicle (202) is added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a vehicle (202) is identified before the vehicle (202) is added to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) has at least two channels; wherein each participant of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is assigned to at least one of the channels; and wherein communication is only enabled between participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) that are assigned to the same channel. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a vehicle (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is deregistered as a subscriber from the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) when the vehicle (202) leaves the geographically limited area (206, 304). [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the geographically limited area (206, 304) is a circle with a certain radius, the center of which is identical to the position of the reference (210). [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) are DSRC connections, V2X connections, mobile radio data connections, FM connections, WLAN connections and / or Bluetooth ® -connections are. [12] System for operating an ad-hoc communication network (200, 300), comprising at least one control unit (212) configured to define a geographically limited area (206, 304) with respect to the position of at least one reference (210); adding at least one vehicle (202) located within the geographically limited area (206, 304) to the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) as a subscriber; and to establish communication connections between the participants of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) so that communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled and / or communication between occupants of the vehicles (202) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) and at least one further participant (302) of the ad-hoc communication network (200, 300) is enabled. [13] Computer program product for operating an ad-hoc communication network (200, 300), comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a control unit (212) of a vehicle (202), cause the control unit (212) to carry out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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