Navigation system for a motor vehicle and method for navigating a motor vehicle

Abstract

Navigation system (1) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein the navigation system (1) is designed to: - to provide an activatable navigation mode for navigating the motor vehicle (10) within an urban area (S1); - to determine a route within the city area (S2) in activated navigation mode, avoiding route sections outside of the city's main roads; and - to control (S3) an output device (2) of the motor vehicle (10) to suggest a specific route in the activated navigation mode; characterized in that - the route sections to be avoided include roads along schools and / or kindergartens within specified time windows.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a navigation system for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle comprising the navigation system, and / or a method for navigating a motor vehicle. Additionally, or alternatively, a computer program is provided that includes instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method, at least partially. Additionally, or alternatively, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method, at least partially.

[0002] The use of motor vehicles generally offers significant benefits to drivers themselves, although factors such as driving and traffic safety, travel costs, emissions, etc., must be considered. In addition, there are high costs for society as a whole (e.g., emissions, traffic jams, accidents, congestion, land use, noise, etc.). These factors and costs are particularly high in urban areas, where there is a high volume of traffic in a confined space and many people live and work. Therefore, urban mobility should be as socially acceptable as possible, also in terms of social sustainability. From a technical perspective, this includes, for example, the highest possible level of traffic safety and, where possible, a reduction in emissions. Currently, however, no support is provided to drivers in this regard.

[0003] US 2006 / 0047422 A1 relates to an object search device comprising a unit for acquiring information about city centers; a search condition setting unit for setting search conditions for the search for the city centers; and a city center search unit that searches for desired city centers based on the city center information and the search conditions.

[0004] Against the background of this prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to specify a device and / or a method, each of which is suitable to enrich the prior art.

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent and subordinate claims each contain optional further developments of the disclosure.

[0006] The task is then solved by a navigation system for a motor vehicle.

[0007] The navigation system is designed to provide an activatable navigation mode for navigating the motor vehicle within an urban area.

[0008] The navigation system is designed to determine a route within the city area when navigation mode is activated, avoiding route sections outside of main roads within the city area (or, when determining the route, avoiding route sections outside of main roads within the city area).

[0009] The navigation system is designed to control an output device of the motor vehicle (and / or the navigation system) that suggests a specific route in the activated navigation mode.

[0010] A navigation system is a system that uses the current position of the vehicle (e.g., GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, and / or IRNSS position data) and digital map data to create a route and provide guidance to a selected destination. The destination can be selected or specified by the user, for example, via an input device in the vehicle. The digital map data can contain information on road networks and points of interest (POs), such as residential areas, schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, and / or social meeting places. Road networks can, for example, differentiate between main roads and secondary roads (or non-main roads). The digital map data can be retrieved from the navigation system's or vehicle's memory and / or from external sources.

[0011] The navigation system described above offers a number of advantages. Among other things, it provides improved technology that allows for the calculation of routes within an urban area that avoid roads outside of main thoroughfares. This allows drivers to avoid locations requiring extra caution, such as schools and / or kindergartens, or other areas with high pedestrian traffic, as these are typically situated off the main roads. Consequently, this significantly increases road safety for both the vehicle and other road users. Furthermore, it allows for consideration of socially responsible aspects in terms of social sustainability, as the chosen route can be optimized for social impact or considered to be such.

[0012] Possible further developments of the navigation system described above are explained in detail below.

[0013] The navigation system may be designed to provide (and / or enable) an option to activate navigation mode or to automatically activate navigation mode once the vehicle has entered the urban area.

[0014] The option can be a control element, such as a button and / or a control panel, whereby the navigation mode can be activated by pressing the control element, provided the option has been provided (and / or enabled). In other words, as long as the control element or option has not been provided (and / or enabled) by the navigation system, pressing the control element has no effect or triggers the activation of the navigation mode. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the option could be designed to allow activation of the navigation mode via visual and / or acoustic interaction, such as a gesture and / or a voice command.

[0015] The route sections to be avoided may include streets in residential areas and / or along schools, kindergartens, children's playgrounds, cycle paths and / or social meeting points.

[0016] The route sections to be avoided include streets along schools and / or kindergartens within specified time windows. These time windows can specify times and / or days of the week. For example, the time windows can be defined as the start and end of school and / or kindergarten hours.

[0017] The navigation system can be designed to control the output device in activated navigation mode, at least to issue a warning message if the vehicle is in one of the route sections to be avoided.

[0018] The navigation system can be designed to drive to the output device in activated navigation mode, to suggest a parking space (e.g. a parking garage) in the vicinity of a destination within the city area.

[0019] The navigation system can be configured to automatically limit the vehicle's speed when navigation mode is activated. This automatic speed limit can, for example, depend on a predefined speed limit at the vehicle's current location.

[0020] The above can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete elaboration of the revelation as described below, whereby the following description is to be interpreted as not being restrictive for the revelation.

[0021] The navigation system or the vehicle itself can detect, for example, using GPS coordinates, when the vehicle enters an urban area. A user or driver can activate the navigation mode, which could also be called "Urban Social Mode," with automatic activation or pre-selection also being conceivable. This navigation mode can guide the vehicle through the city in a socially sustainable manner, using main roads and avoiding residential areas, schools and kindergartens (with a possible time-based component), bike paths, playgrounds, and other heavily frequented social meeting places. If these locations cannot be avoided, increased warnings can be used to raise awareness among the user or driver. Furthermore, parking garages and park-and-ride facilities can be recommended more frequently (e.g., to minimize on-street parking within the city and thus free up more open space).Furthermore, the possibility of automatic speed reduction of the motor vehicle may exist (no speeding is possible, so that the motor vehicle appears less "aggressive", among other things).

[0022] Furthermore, a motor vehicle will be provided that includes the navigation system described above.

[0023] The motor vehicle and / or the navigation system may include an output device.

[0024] The output device can be designed to display (e.g., visually and / or audibly) a route determined by the navigation system and, optionally, warning messages. The output device can be located inside the vehicle and may, for example, include a screen.

[0025] The navigation system can be connected to the output device via signal technology (directly or indirectly, e.g. via the vehicle's on-board network).

[0026] The motor vehicle can be a passenger car, in particular an automobile, or a commercial vehicle, such as a truck.

[0027] The motor vehicle may be automated. The motor vehicle may be designed to (e.g., by means of a control device of the motor vehicle and / or by means of the navigation system) take over longitudinal and / or lateral guidance during automated driving of the motor vehicle, taking into account the specified route.

[0028] Automated driving can be implemented in such a way that the vehicle's movement is (largely) autonomous. Automated driving can also be controlled at least partially and / or temporarily in an automated manner.

[0029] It is conceivable that the motor vehicle actively intervenes in the lateral guidance of the vehicle through a driver assistance system, e.g. by adjusting the actual steering wheel position, and optionally passively, e.g. by displaying a turning instruction.

[0030] The motor vehicle can be a Level 0 autonomous vehicle, i.e., the driver takes over the dynamic driving task, even if support systems (e.g., ABS or ESP) are present.

[0031] The motor vehicle may be a Level 1 autonomous vehicle, i.e., it may have certain driver assistance systems that support the driver in operating the vehicle, such as adaptive cruise control (ACC).

[0032] The motor vehicle can be a Level 2 autonomous vehicle, i.e., so semi-automated that functions such as automatic parking, lane keeping or lateral guidance, general longitudinal guidance, acceleration and / or braking are taken over by driver assistance systems.

[0033] The vehicle can be a Level 3 autonomous vehicle, meaning it is so conditionally automated that the driver does not need to constantly monitor it. The vehicle independently performs functions such as activating the turn signals, changing lanes, and / or maintaining its lane. The driver can attend to other tasks but will be prompted by the system to take over driving within a reasonable warning period if necessary.

[0034] The vehicle can be a Level 4 autonomous vehicle, meaning it can be so highly automated that the vehicle's control system is permanently taken over. If the system can no longer handle the driving tasks, the driver may be prompted to take over.

[0035] The vehicle can be a Level 5 autonomous vehicle, meaning it is so fully automated that a driver is not required to perform the driving task. No human intervention is necessary except for setting the destination and starting the system. The vehicle can operate without a steering wheel and pedals.

[0036] The above description with reference to the navigation system also applies analogously to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0037] Furthermore, a procedure for navigating a motor vehicle is provided.

[0038] The procedure includes providing an activatable navigation mode for navigating the motor vehicle within an urban area.

[0039] The procedure involves determining a route within the city area that avoids route sections outside of the city's main roads, in activated navigation mode (or if navigation mode is activated).

[0040] The procedure involves controlling an output device of the motor vehicle to suggest a specific route in the activated navigation mode.

[0041] The (control) procedure can be a computer-implemented procedure, i.e., one, several or all steps of the procedure can be carried out, at least partially, by a computer or a data processing device, optionally the navigation system.

[0042] What has been described above with reference to the navigation system and the motor vehicle also applies analogously to the procedure and vice versa.

[0043] Furthermore, a computer program comprising commands that, when executed by a computer, cause it to at least partially execute the procedure described above is provided.

[0044] The program code of a computer program can be in any type of code, especially code suitable for controlling motor vehicles.

[0045] What has been described above with reference to the navigation system, the motor vehicle and the procedure also applies analogously to the computer program and vice versa.

[0046] Furthermore, a computer-readable medium, in particular a computer-readable storage medium, is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to at least partially execute the procedure described above.

[0047] This means that a computer-readable medium can be provided that contains a computer program as defined above. The computer-readable medium can be any digital data storage device, such as a USB flash drive, a hard drive, a CD-ROM, an SD card, or an SSD card (or SSD drive / SSD hard drive).

[0048] The computer program does not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium in order to be made available to the motor vehicle, but can also be obtained via the Internet or other external sources.

[0049] The above descriptions relating to the procedure, the navigation system, the computer program and the motor vehicle also apply analogously to the computer-readable medium and vice versa.

[0050] The following is an optional embodiment with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle according to the disclosure with a navigation system according to the disclosure, Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure for navigating the motor vehicle according to the disclosure.

[0051] The in Fig. Figure 1, a motor vehicle 10 shown only schematically, comprises the navigation system 1 and an output device 2. The navigation system 1 and the output device 2 can be interconnected via signaling. It is also conceivable that the output device 2 is designed as part of the navigation system 1.

[0052] The output device 2 serves to output (e.g., visually and / or acoustically) a route determined by the navigation system 1 and optionally warning instructions to a driver while the motor vehicle 10 is in operation. The output device 2 can be located in an interior space of the motor vehicle 10 and may, for example, include a screen.

[0053] The navigation system 1 is designed for the navigation of the motor vehicle 10, in order to also refer to the following. Fig. 2 procedures described in detail 100 to be carried out.

[0054] In a first procedural step S1, an activatable navigation mode is provided for navigating the motor vehicle 10 within an urban area.

[0055] An option to activate navigation mode can be provided (and / or enabled), or navigation mode can be activated automatically as soon as the vehicle enters the urban area. The option can be a control element, such as a button and / or a control panel, whereby navigation mode can be activated by pressing the control element (e.g., by the driver), provided the option has been provided (and / or enabled). In other words, as long as the control element or option has not been provided (and / or enabled) by the navigation system, pressing the control element has no effect or triggers activation of navigation mode.

[0056] In a second process step S2, a route within the city area is determined in the activated navigation mode, whereby the determined route avoids (as far as possible) route sections outside of main roads in the city area.

[0057] The route sections to be avoided may include streets in residential areas and / or along schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, cycle paths, and / or social meeting places. A time component can be taken into account. For example, the route sections to be avoided may include streets along schools and / or kindergartens within specified time windows.

[0058] In a third process step S3, the output device 2 of the motor vehicle 10 is controlled to suggest the route specified in the activated navigation mode.

[0059] In addition to suggesting a specific route, it is conceivable that an automatic speed limit for the vehicle 10 is achieved in the activated navigation mode.

[0060] In a fourth process step S4, the output device 2 can be controlled in activated navigation mode to issue at least a warning message if the vehicle 10 is located in one of the route sections to be avoided. This can occur, for example, if no route could be determined that avoids all route sections to be avoided, and thus the determined route includes at least one section outside of main roads. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the driver does not adhere to the suggested route and enters a route section to be avoided (e.g., a street in a residential area).

[0061] In a fifth process step S5, the output device 2 can be controlled in activated navigation mode to suggest a parking space, e.g. a parking garage, in the vicinity of a destination (e.g. specified by the driver) within the city area.

[0062] According to procedure 100, the navigation of the motor vehicle 10 can be carried out, for example, as shown in the following example.

[0063] The driver of vehicle 10 is driving into the city for lunch. The shortest route passes a school that finishes classes at that time. When vehicle 10 crosses the city limits, the navigation mode can be activated so that, for example, it is not guided to its destination via the shortest route, but rather via the (e.g., most socially acceptable) route. This can reduce the risk of children being involved in a traffic accident with vehicle 10 after school, thus increasing road safety for vehicle 10 and other road users. Near a kindergarten that cannot be avoided or bypassed, warnings can be issued to alert the driver and make them aware of the possibility of children crossing the road. Finally, at the destination, the driver can be advised to use a parking garage. Reference symbol list 1 Navigation system 2 Output device 10 motor vehicle 100 procedures S1-S5 process steps

Claims

Navigation system (1) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein the navigation system (1) is configured to: - provide an activatable navigation mode for navigating the motor vehicle (10) within an urban area (S1); - determine a route within the urban area (S2) in the activated navigation mode, which avoids route segments outside of main roads of the urban area; and - control an output device (2) of the motor vehicle (10) (S3) to suggest the route determined in the activated navigation mode; characterized in that - the route segments to be avoided include roads along schools and / or kindergartens within specified time windows. Navigation system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the navigation system (1) is designed to:- provide an option to activate the navigation mode or to automatically activate the navigation mode as soon as the motor vehicle (10) has entered the urban area. Navigation system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the route sections to be avoided include roads in residential areas and / or along schools, kindergartens, children's playgrounds, cycle paths and / or social meeting places. Navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the navigation system (1) is designed to: - control the output device (2) in the activated navigation mode (S4), to issue at least one warning message if the motor vehicle (10) is in one of the route sections to be avoided. Navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the navigation system (1) is designed to: - control the output device (2) in the activated navigation mode (S5), suggest a parking space in the vicinity of a destination within the urban area. Navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the navigation system (1) is designed to:- effect an automatic speed limit of the motor vehicle (10) in the activated navigation mode. Motor vehicle (10), characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) comprises the navigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6. Method (100) for navigating a motor vehicle (10), wherein the method (100) comprises: - providing (S1) an activatable navigation mode for navigating the motor vehicle (10) within an urban area; - determining (S2) a route within the urban area that avoids route segments outside of main roads of the urban area, in the activated navigation mode; and - controlling (S3) an output device (2) of the motor vehicle (10) to propose the route determined in the activated navigation mode; characterized in that - the route segments to be avoided include roads along schools and / or kindergartens within specified time windows. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method (100) according to claim 8. Computer-readable medium on which the computer program according to claim 9 is stored.

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