Method for providing location-dependent traffic information

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing location-dependent traffic information, comprising: defining a monitoring region (10) for a first mobile device (1); detecting an associated current location of the first mobile device (1); transmitting position data or movement information, by means of the first mobile device (1), to a server (3) in response to the fact that the current location is within the monitoring region (10); carrying out a checking process by means of the server (3), wherein it is checked, for the first mobile device (1), whether a condition is met, wherein the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device (1) and current position data or movement information of a second mobile device (2) which is also located within the monitoring region (10), wherein the predefined condition indicates the occurrence of a traffic situation caused by the second mobile device (2); and transmitting information, by means of the server (3), to the first mobile device (1) in response to the fact that it is determined, during the checking process, that the predefined condition is met, wherein the information indicates the occurrence of the identified traffic situation with regard to the second device (2).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Method for providing location-dependent traffic information

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Various systems are being developed to provide a virtual shield for vulnerable road users (VRUs) based on mobile communications. This typically involves transmitting positioning data over large areas to servers. However, this is disadvantageous both in terms of the resulting data volume and the required server capacity. The resulting data must be processed, even when the current traffic situation is generally completely non-critical.

[0006] Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The method according to the invention for providing location-dependent traffic information comprises defining a monitoring area for a first mobile device, detecting an associated current location of the first mobile device, transmitting position data or movement information by the first mobile device to a server in response to the current location being within the monitoring area, executing a check process by the server, wherein a check is carried out for the first mobile device as to whether a predefined condition is met, wherein the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device and current position data or movement information of a second device which is also located within the monitoring area,wherein the predefined condition indicates the presence of a traffic situation caused by the second device, and transmitting information by the server to the first mobile device in response to the checking process determining that the predefined condition is met, the information including the presence of the specific traffic situation with respect to the second device.

[0008] A mobile device according to the invention for providing location-dependent traffic information is configured to detect a definition of a monitoring area, detect a current location of the mobile device, transmit current position data of the mobile device to a server in response to the current location of the mobile device being within the monitoring area, and receive information from the server, the information indicating the presence of a specific traffic situation with respect to a second device and potentially further information.

[0009] A server according to the invention for providing location-dependent traffic information is configured to receive current position data or movement information from mobile devices which, according to their current location, are located within a monitoring area, to carry out a check process, wherein for at least a first device of the mobile devices which is located within the monitoring area, it is checked whether a predefined condition is fulfilled, wherein the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device and the current position data or movement information of at least one second mobile device of the mobile devices which is also located within the monitoring area, wherein the predefined condition refers to the presence of a

[0010] traffic situation can be inferred and to transmit information to the first and / or the second mobile device in response to the checking process determining that the condition is met, the information indicating the existence of the specific traffic situation with respect to the respective other device, possibly in combination with further conditions.

[0011] The server according to the invention and at least one mobile device according to the invention, in combination, form a system according to the invention for providing location-dependent traffic information. This system is configured to carry out a method according to the invention. However, it should be noted that the method carried out exclusively by the server or exclusively by one of the mobile devices is also advantageous in itself.

[0012] Preferably, the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device and current position data or movement information of a second device, which is also located within the surveillance area, and further information from external sources (e.g. presence of visual obstructions at this location, poor visibility conditions (night, fog), traffic density, position of the sun (glare), etc.).

[0013] Preferably, information is also transmitted by the server to the second mobile device in response to the fact that the checking process determines that the predefined condition is met, wherein the information includes the presence of the specific traffic situation with respect to the first mobile device.

[0014] The current position data or movement information of the first mobile device include, in particular, the current location of the first mobile device and optionally also further information relating to a movement of the first mobile device, for example, a direction of movement, a speed, an acceleration, or a path prediction of the first mobile device or of a vehicle connected to this mobile device. The first mobile device is, for example, a mobile telecommunications terminal, in particular a smartphone, a control unit of an electric bicycle, or a component of a driver assistance system. Current position data and movement information of the first mobile device are preferably transmitted to the server.

[0015] The current position data or movement information is only transmitted from the first mobile device to the server when the mobile device is located in the surveillance area that was defined for the first mobile device. The surveillance area is a real-life area that is delimited, for example, by a so-called geofence. The first mobile device therefore preferably does not always transmit the position data or movement information to the server, but only when this first mobile device is located in the surveillance area. However, it should be noted that the surveillance area can be defined in such a way that it moves together with the first mobile device. In this case, the first mobile device is continuously located in the surveillance area and the position data or movement information is preferably transmitted continuously until the surveillance area is redefined.The current location of the first mobile device is typically detected using a positioning system, preferably a satellite-based positioning system.

[0016] The transmission of position data or movement information by the first mobile device to the server preferably takes place via a radio connection, for example via a WLAN connection or a cellular connection. If the first mobile device is located in the surveillance area, position data or movement information relating to the first mobile device is available to the server, and the server knows where the first mobile device is located and / or how it moves within the surveillance area. This is the case because the position data or movement information is transmitted as long as the first mobile device is located in the surveillance area. The continuous transmission of the position data can also be suspended as long as the first mobile device is on its predicted and also communicated path, which is defined, for example, by the movement information.The server checks whether an interaction relevant to a user is taking place between the first mobile device and another mobile device, in this case a second mobile device. This is the case, for example, if the movements of the first mobile device and the second mobile device suggest that a collision could occur between the mobile devices or the vehicles or people transporting these mobile devices. For this purpose, position data of the second mobile device is also transmitted to the server. Preferably, the current position data of the second mobile device is only transmitted to the server if the second mobile device is also in the same surveillance area as the first mobile device.Optionally, the current position data of the second mobile device is only transmitted to the server if the second mobile device is located within a dedicated monitoring area defined for the second mobile device. In this case, the position data of the two mobile devices are related to each other using the predefined condition if the monitoring areas associated with the mobile devices overlap.

[0017] The server checks whether a predefined condition exists, whereby the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data of the first mobile device and the current position data of the second device. The condition can also contain further information, such as information on visual obstructions. The position and / or movement of the two mobile devices in the real world is therefore observed and related to one another. If this position data, i.e. the positions and movements of the mobile devices in the real world, fulfills a certain predefined condition, this allows conclusions to be drawn about certain associated traffic situations. For example, based on the current positions of the mobile devices, it can be determined whether they are approaching one another and a collision is imminent. In this example, the impending collision is the traffic situation caused by the second device.Based on the predefined condition and optional additional predefined conditions, different traffic situations can be defined that are detected by the server.

[0018] The server transmits information to the first and / or second mobile device in response to the fact that the check process has determined that the predefined condition is met, i.e., that a traffic situation exists that is of interest to a user of the first or second mobile device. If necessary, the first or second mobile device can issue a notification to a user, whereby this notification to the user may be subject to further conditions.

[0019] This makes it possible to create a mutual intelligent presence warning for road users using mobile communications or other wireless communication, which is provided in certain geographically limited areas. A geographically limited area is the surveillance area. Since vulnerable road users in particular do not typically carry dedicated devices that would make themselves visible in vehicle-to-vehicle traffic (V2X), but do carry mobile devices such as smartphones, this approach can be used to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists in particular. For example, cyclists and / or car drivers can be warned if both are currently moving in the area of ​​an accident hotspot, such as an intersection, roundabout, exit, etc., with a statistically significant frequency of collisions.

[0020] It should be noted that preferably both the first mobile device and the second mobile device are mobile radio devices. Alternatively, the first mobile device is preferably a mobile radio device and the second mobile device is a V2X-capable device that also provides information to the server, for example, via V2X-capable infrastructure.

[0021] This creates a process that can intelligently alert road users to the presence or approach of other road users. The process minimizes the amount of data transmitted, the computing power of the servers involved, and the privacy of the participants, for example, by only recording and transmitting position data or movement information to the server at specific accident hotspots.

[0022] Optionally, the recorded position data or movement information can also be used in anonymized form for traffic counts to be conducted in the surveillance area. It can also be used to create an accident recorder in which the position data or movement information is temporarily stored by the server and made available in the event of a subsequent collision.

[0023] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0024] Preferably, the monitoring area is defined by transmitting a definition of the monitoring area from the server to the first mobile device. This creates so-called dynamic monitoring areas, which are communicated to the first mobile device by the server.

[0025] This allows the monitoring area to be defined variably or dynamically. For example, the server defines monitoring areas where an accident has recently occurred. Such areas lead to an increased risk of further collisions, and so it is advantageous if position data or movement information is provided for such an area by the first mobile device in order to obtain information about other road users, in this case the second device, and also to provide position data or movement information that can be used to inform other road users about the movement of the first mobile device. Optionally, monitoring areas can be configured by a user of the first mobile device, for example, via an online platform connected to the server.For example, the user of the first mobile device can configure a monitoring area that covers a specific route, such as a route programmed in a navigation device. Furthermore, the user of the first mobile device can optionally book a mobile monitoring area that moves with the first mobile device. In this case, current position data is preferably continuously transmitted from the first mobile device. However, only those other devices that are also located in this mobile monitoring area are checked by the server in combination with the first mobile device with regard to the predefined condition. This keeps the server's computing load to a minimum.

[0026] Preferably, the monitoring area is dependent on the current location of the first mobile device or on the current location of the second mobile device. This is the case when the monitoring area is moved together with the first mobile device. The monitoring area can optionally be configured to a specific dimension, for example, as a square segment around the first mobile device, which, for example, has a dimension of ± 10 arc seconds, i.e., a dimension of approximately 200 m in Germany.

[0027] Preferably, the monitoring area is also defined for the second mobile device, wherein in particular an associated current location of the second mobile device is also detected and position data is transmitted by the second mobile device to the server in response to the current location of the second mobile device being within the monitoring area. Preferably, a sensor signal from a sensor of the first mobile device or a connected device is detected, wherein the current position data of the first mobile device is transmitted to the server depending on the sensor signal, and / or the predefined condition also defines a dependency on the sensor signal or on information obtained in another way, and / or an indication is output to a user of the first mobile device in response to receiving the information depending on the sensor signal.For example, the sensor detects the existing brightness in the area of ​​the first mobile device or detects a temperature in the area of ​​the first mobile device. If the information recorded as sensor data indicates, for example, poor visibility or poor road conditions, the current position data is transmitted. Otherwise, the current position data is not transmitted, even if the first mobile device is in the monitoring area. Road conditions could also be analyzed using a camera on the first mobile device, and the current position data could be provided in the event of poor road conditions. The connected device could, for example, be a vehicle sensor. Alternatively or additionally, a decision can be made in this way as to whether information is sent to the first mobile device according to the predefined condition.For example, the server could evaluate the distance required for a proximity warning differently depending on the temperature indicated by the sensor, and thus, for example, depending on the weather conditions. The decision to ultimately trigger a proximity warning could also be made locally by the first mobile device based on the sensor data.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the transmission of the current position data of the first mobile device to the server occurs depending on an environmental condition of the first mobile device and / or the predefined condition also defines a dependency on an environmental condition of the first mobile device, and / or an output of a notification to a user of the first mobile device occurs in response to receiving the information depending on the environmental condition. The environmental condition of the first mobile device can be obtained from any information source. The environmental condition can also be detected, among other things, by the sensor of the first mobile device. Alternatively, the environmental conditions are preferably obtained depending on the position, for example by retrieving weather information or lighting conditions are determined based on a time of day.In this example, adverse lighting conditions such as rain, poor visibility, and poor road conditions such as ice, snow, and wet conditions can also be inferred. If such adverse conditions exist, the current position data is transmitted within the monitoring area. If these adverse conditions do not exist, the position data is not transmitted, even if the first mobile device is within the monitoring area.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, when the server carries out the check process with the predefined condition, it is checked whether the distance between the first mobile device and the second mobile device has decreased and / or whether there is a visual obstruction between the first mobile device and the second mobile device. By checking the distance, it can be detected whether the mobile devices are approaching one another, which is an indication of a possible impending collision and thus preferably leads to a warning for the user. A visual obstruction between the first mobile device and the second mobile device can also be detected based on the position data, for example by storing view-obstructing objects and their associated position on the server. Based on simple geometric calculations, it can be detected whether such a visual obstruction is located between the first and the second mobile device.If this is the case, it can be concluded that the users of the two mobile devices cannot see each other, making a warning via the system according to the invention advantageous. The visual obstruction can also be caused by another mobile device that also provides its position data.

[0030] It is also advantageous if, along with the position data, usage information from the mobile devices is transmitted to the server, which allows conclusions to be drawn about the existing user behavior of a user of the associated mobile device. When the server executes the check process with the predefined condition, it is checked whether the user behavior of the user of the second mobile device indicates that the user is distracted. For example, the second mobile device transmits usage information to the server indicating whether there is any interaction between the user and the second mobile device. This can be used to determine, for example, whether a touchscreen on the second mobile device is being used or whether a website is being displayed for a user.Alternatively or additionally, the usage information can also describe whether the second mobile device is currently being used for a call or for reading or writing a text message. If this is the case, this information is transmitted to the server as usage information. This enables the server to take this information into account within the framework of the predefined condition. Optionally, the usage information is also transmitted from the first mobile device to the server, which can trigger a warning for the user of the second mobile device. Optionally, the usage information is also transmitted from the second mobile device to the server, which can trigger a warning for the user of the first mobile device.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, based on the usage information, a decision is made by the first mobile device as to whether the first mobile device, in response to receiving the information, will issue a notification to a user of the first mobile device. Thus, the decision in the terminal device, in this case the first mobile device, as to whether or not to display information received from the server can be made depending on the user's degree or type of distraction.

[0032] It is also advantageous if the first mobile device, in response to receiving the information, issues a notification to a user of the first mobile device. In particular, the notification is only issued if a further condition is met, which determines the local relevance of the traffic situation. Thus, the presence of a induced traffic situation can also be defined very specifically. For example, the presence of the traffic situation provides information that the second mobile device is located in an area to the left of the first mobile device. In this case, it would be advantageous, for example, if the notification is only provided to the user if it is apparent that the user of the first mobile device is planning a left turn. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for

[0035] Providing location-dependent traffic information;

[0036] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention for

[0037] Providing location-dependent traffic information;

[0038] Figure 3 shows an example of a static

[0039] surveillance area with the first mobile device located therein;

[0040] Figure 4 shows an exemplary representation of a movable

[0041] surveillance area carried with the first mobile device; and

[0042] Figure 5 shows an exemplary representation of a movable

[0043] Surveillance area, which is gradually carried along with the first mobile device.

[0044] Embodiments of the invention

[0045] Figure 1 shows a system for providing location-dependent traffic information. The system comprises a first mobile device 1, a second mobile device 2, and a server 3. The system optionally comprises any number of mobile devices, and the server 3 is not necessarily a single computing unit, but can consist of a combination of multiple computing systems.

[0046] The mobile devices 1, 2 are, for example, mobile phones, in particular smartphones. Alternatively, the first mobile devices are components of driver assistance systems or control units of electric bicycles or components of bicycle computers. The mobile devices 1, 2 can be different types of devices. The mobile devices 1, 2 are connected to the server 3 via a mobile network 4 in order to communicate with it.

[0047] The aim is to provide a user of the first mobile device 1 with information about the location or movement of the second mobile device if this is relevant to the user, for example, for safety reasons. For example, the system according to the invention provides a proximity warning.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for providing location-dependent traffic information, which is carried out by the system for providing the location-dependent traffic information.

[0049] In a first method step 101, a monitoring area 10 is defined for the first device 1. The monitoring area 10 is an area in the real world, which, for example, describes a geofence. The monitoring area is a spatially delimited area known to the first device 1. The monitoring area 10 for the first mobile device 1 can be defined in different ways. For example, either static monitoring areas or dynamic monitoring areas can be defined.

[0050] A static monitoring area is a monitoring area that is stored in the first mobile device 1 and cannot be modified by a user. For example, such static monitoring areas can mark accident blackspots that typically do not change. Examples of accident blackspots include intersections or dangerous sections of a country road. Changing the static monitoring areas occurs, for example, as part of a software update.

[0051] The dynamic surveillance areas are those surveillance areas which are defined by the server 3 and transmitted to the first mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 2. In this case, the surveillance area 10 is thus implemented by transmitting a definition of the surveillance area 10 from the server 3 to the first mobile device 1. The surveillance area 10 can be defined differently on the server side by the server 3. For example, a surveillance area 10 can be selected by a user of the mobile device via a server interface, and this is transmitted from the server 3 to the first mobile device 1. This allows a user of the first mobile device 1 to book a surveillance area 10, for example, possibly for a fee, which covers a route to be traveled.Alternatively, for example, the user of the first mobile device 1 can book a monitoring area 10 that moves with the first mobile device 1 and encompasses the surroundings of the first mobile device 1. Thus, a dynamically synchronized monitoring area 10 can also be defined for the first mobile device 1. It is also advantageous if, based on additional traffic information provided to the server 3, accident positions are detected, and monitoring areas 10 are defined for these accident positions and transmitted to the first mobile device 1.

[0052] In a second method step 102 of the method 100, the first mobile device 1 continuously determines an associated current location of the first mobile device 1. This occurs in a second method step 102 of the method 100, which, however, is continuously executed in a loop, also in parallel to the further method steps.

[0053] In a third method step 103, position data and / or movement information is transmitted by the first mobile device 1 to the server 3 in response to the current location being within the surveillance area 10. The first mobile device 1 thus detects whether the first mobile device 1 is located within the geofence defined by the surveillance area 10. The position data and / or movement information are only transmitted by the first mobile device to the server 3 if the first mobile device is located within the surveillance area 10. Optionally, multiple surveillance areas 10 can also be defined for the first mobile device 1, and the position data and / or movement information can be transmitted by the first mobile device if the first device is located within one of the surveillance areas.If the first mobile device 1 is not located within the surveillance area 10, no position data and / or movement information is transmitted. This ensures that the position data is not transmitted at positions where it is supposedly less relevant. The position data and / or movement information comprise, in particular, the continuously updated location of the first mobile device 1 and, optionally, also additional information regarding a speed or direction of movement of the first mobile device 1. The movement information comprises, in particular, a trajectory along which the mobile device 1 is expected to move. By transmitting such a trajectory, it is achieved, in particular, that information does not have to be transmitted continuously.The server 3 thus knows a current position of the first mobile device 1 and, over a period of time, also a movement of the first mobile device 1 whenever it is located within the monitoring area 10.

[0054] In the following, reference is made only to the position data. However, it should be noted that the movement information can also be used in a corresponding manner instead of the position data, or that this information can be used in addition to the position data.

[0055] Optionally, the position data from the first mobile device 1 are only transmitted to the server 3 if a further condition is met. For example, the current position data is transmitted by the first mobile device 1 to the server 3 depending on a sensor signal from a sensor of the first mobile device 1 and / or depending on an environmental condition of the first mobile device 1. For example, the environmental conditions of the first mobile device 1 are determined using a sensor of the mobile device 1 or other information such as a time of day or weather information available online. For example, current lighting conditions such as light / dark, a current weather condition such as rain, prevailing visibility or prevailing road conditions are determined.The current position data of the first mobile device 1 is, for example, only transmitted to the server 3 when unfavorable environmental conditions exist, such as poor lighting, adverse weather conditions, poor visibility, or poor road conditions. Such conditions generally increase the risk of collisions, and thus, the transmission of current position data within the monitoring area 10 may be more relevant. Thus, for example, monitoring areas 10 can be defined that only become accident hotspots under adverse weather or visibility conditions.

[0056] In a fourth method step 104, a check process is carried out by the server 3. This checks for the first mobile device 1 whether a predefined condition is met. The predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data of the first mobile device 1 and the current position data of the second mobile device 2. The second mobile device 2 corresponds in its functionality to the first mobile device 1 and provides its position data accordingly if it is located within the surveillance area 10. For example, both mobile devices 1, 2 provide current position data if they are both located within a surveillance area 10 that is defined by an accident blackspot. The predefined condition checks a relationship between the positions and movements of the two mobile devices 1, 2.Such a relationship allows conclusions to be drawn about certain traffic situations that, from the perspective of the first mobile device 1, are caused by the second mobile device 2. For example, if a proximity warning is to be provided, the predefined condition is used to check whether the distance between the first mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 2 is decreasing. Such a reduction in the distance, in particular a reduction below a threshold value, suggests that a collision could occur in the future between the vehicles in which the first mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 2 are traveling.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the predefined condition checks whether there is an obstruction of sight between the first mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 2, for example due to an object located there which interrupts a line of sight between the two devices 1, 2. The predefined condition can be selected arbitrarily in order to define and recognize certain existing traffic situations which include the first and the second mobile device 1, 2. The predefined condition is not necessarily a single condition, but can also be formed by a chain of conditions. For example, it can be checked whether the two mobile devices 1, 2 are approaching each other and it can be checked at the same time whether a minimum distance has already been reached. The combination of these two test steps can also be regarded as a predefined condition.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, within the framework of the predefined condition, an existing user behavior of a user of the second mobile device 2 is also checked. Thus, preferably with the position data, usage information of the mobile devices 1, 2 is also transmitted to the server 3. The usage information allows conclusions to be drawn about an existing user behavior of a user of the associated mobile device 1, 2. For example, the usage information indicates whether an interaction is taking place between the respective mobile device 1, 2 and the associated user. This is detected, for example, by interaction with a touchscreen, messages being written, a call being made, or specific software being opened. This information is provided to the server 3.During the testing process, a check is carried out to determine whether the user of the second mobile device 2 may be limited in their attention span based on the usage information. If this is the case, the traffic situations detected during the testing process can be examined more critically, for example, by tightening the predefined conditions or by determining the presence of a induced traffic situation based solely on the usage information.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, an environmental condition of the first mobile device is also taken into account within the predefined condition, such as the current weather, the presence of a visual obstruction (from a map or dynamically), or existing visibility conditions (light / dark, etc.). This information is provided to the server either by one of the mobile devices 1, 2 located in the monitoring area 10 or by an external source. Depending on these additional conditions, it can be determined whether a specific traffic situation exists.

[0060] If, during the checking process, the server 3 has detected the existence of a specific traffic situation because the predefined condition is met, the server 3 transmits information to the first mobile device 1 in a fifth method step 105. The information describes the existence of the specific traffic situation with regard to the second device 2. For example, the first mobile device 1 is provided with the information that the second mobile device 2 is being approached, which could lead to a collision. The first mobile device 1 could also be provided with the information that the second device 2 is being approached and that its user is showing reduced attention. The information transmitted to the first mobile device 1 can be provided to the user of the first mobile device 1 in any desired manner, for example by means of a graphic indicator or an acoustic warning message.Depending on how specific the predefined condition and the associated traffic situation are defined, very specific warnings can also be given, for example that the second mobile device 2 is approaching from the front right.

[0061] It should be noted that the first mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 2 preferably operate based on the same functional principles and are preferably also of identical construction or execute the same method according to the invention. This ensures that both the first mobile device 1 can be informed about the second mobile device 2, and the second mobile device can receive information about the first mobile device 1. Accordingly, it is advantageous if both mobile devices 1, 2 provide position data and usage information.

[0062] It is also advantageous if additional mobile devices communicate with the server 3, which, however, are not bound to the data exchange described above, but for example do not provide their own position data, but receive information regarding the movement of the first mobile device 1 or the second mobile device 2. It is further advantageous if communication takes place between the first mobile device 1 and a vehicle in or on which the first mobile device 1 is arranged. As a result, the first mobile device 1 can, for example, additionally record movement information of the vehicle and recognize information from a vehicle sensor system, such as a steering wheel angle or the activation of a turn signal. In this case, it is advantageous if this information is used to determine whether information provided by the server 3 has local relevance for the first mobile device 1.For example, the first mobile device 1 can detect that the vehicle in which the first mobile device 1 is located is turning left, while the server 3 provides the information that another vehicle is located to the right of the first mobile device 1. In this case, the first mobile device 1 can decide locally that, despite the approach, there is no risk of collision, since this is averted by the announced turning maneuver. It is therefore advantageous if a notification is only issued by the first mobile device 1 if a further condition is met, which determines the local relevance of the traffic situation.

[0063] Figure 3 shows a first example scenario in which a surveillance area 10 is defined at an accident blackspot in the area of ​​a T-junction. The first mobile device 1 is being carried by a cyclist. Since the first mobile device 1 is located within the surveillance area 10, position data is provided by the first mobile device 1. This is thus visible to other users of the system. The second mobile device 1 is being carried by a driver of a truck. Since the second mobile device 2 is also located within the surveillance area 10, current position data is also provided from it to the server 3. The server 3 detects that an approach between the two mobile devices 1, 2 is taking place.By selecting the predefined conditions on the server 3, information is transmitted to both mobile devices 1, 2, informing the associated users of the approaching vehicle. In particular, the second mobile device 2 indicates that a bicycle, i.e., the first mobile device 1, is located in the planned path of the truck. This is detected particularly accurately if the second mobile device 2 is also provided with information about the truck's steering angle.

[0064] Figure 4 shows an exemplary scenario for a surveillance area 10 that is carried along by the first mobile device 1. For example, the surveillance area 10 is defined to cover an area with a radius of 100 m around the first mobile device 1. The first mobile device 1 thus continuously transmits current position data to the server 3. However, the method is nevertheless advantageous because the server 3 only relates the current position data from other mobile devices 1, which are also located within the surveillance area 10, to the current position data of the first mobile device 1 using the predefined conditions. In the situation shown in Figure 4, no other mobile device is located in the surveillance area 10.Therefore, although position data is transmitted from the first mobile device 1 to the server 3, the server 3 only uses the position data to check where the surveillance area 10 is currently located and whether another mobile device is located within this surveillance area 10. Further checking of the predefined condition only occurs when another mobile device is located within the surveillance area 10, whose position is determined by the first mobile device 1. For this purpose, the other devices, for example the second device 2, are informed of the current location of the surveillance area 10, which is determined by the first mobile device. This surveillance area of ​​the first mobile device 1 is then also viewed as a surveillance area by the second mobile device 2.This means that position data is transmitted from both mobile devices 1, 2 to the server 3, which can then make a decision about whether a traffic situation exists.

[0065] Figure 5 shows an alternative implementation for a mobile surveillance area 10. Here, the surveillance area 10 is not continuously moved, but rather a route to be traveled is divided into individual sections, with each section being assigned a surveillance area. Thus, the path to be traveled shown in Figure 5 is divided into a first surveillance area 10a and a second surveillance area 10b. The first surveillance area 10a is active as long as the first mobile device 1 is located within the first surveillance area 10a. If the first mobile device 1 moves across the boundary between the first surveillance area 10a and the second surveillance area 10b, the first surveillance area 10a becomes inactive, and the second surveillance area 10b becomes active as the surveillance area for the first mobile device 1.

[0066] The system according to the invention thus creates a (mutual) intelligent presence warning information for road users by means of mobile communications in certain geographically limited areas.

[0067] Since vulnerable road users (VRUs) typically do not carry dedicated devices that would make them visible in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) traffic, but do carry mobile devices (smartphones), this approach is particularly suitable for protecting VRUs.

[0068] For example, cyclists and / or car drivers can be warned if they are both currently moving in the area of ​​an accident hotspot (e.g. intersection, roundabout, exit, etc., with a statistically significant frequency of collisions).

[0069] The invention proposes a method that can intelligently alert road users (especially VRUs) to the presence or approach of other road users. The method minimizes the amount of data to be transmitted, the computing power on the servers involved, and the privacy of the participants, for example, by only collecting this data in specific accident hotspots (geofences).

[0070] As a byproduct, the collected data can, of course, also be used in anonymized form for traffic payments (number and times of passage through geofences, speeds, etc.). Another byproduct is an accident recorder for capturing movement data immediately before a collision, should one occur.

[0071] The core of the invention is that effective and lean protection of road users against collisions is achieved by road users only sending their movement data via mobile radio to the server 3, in particular an application server, if certain conditions are met, and that the application server can generate a mutual presence or approach warning / information and send it to the affected users if further conditions are met.

[0072] From a technical point of view, this data can also be used for other purposes, such as traffic payment recording in geofences or an accident recorder of movement data before an accident.

[0073] According to the invention, the conditions for road users to transmit their position and other data (such as VRU type, see, for example, the contents of the ETSI VAM) are the presence or passage through a specific, geographically defined area (geofence), possibly combined with other criteria. These areas are referred to as the surveillance area.

[0074] Monitoring areas can be (quasi)static geofences (updated only occasionally, e.g., in conjunction with a software update). These include, for example, (potential) accident hotspots, such as a relevant intersection or a dangerous section of a country road.

[0075] Monitoring areas can be dynamic geofences that are updated cyclically (e.g., every 1-30 seconds). For example, a cyclist can book visibility (possibly for a fee) along a route (e.g., a navigation route), or even in sections (depending on their current location). A cyclist can also book a radius or a specific square segment of + / -10 arc seconds (approximately 200m in Germany) around them (dynamically updated), or the monitoring area can be defined around a location (on a road) where an accident has just occurred (via HelpConnect).

[0076] It is also conceivable to initially activate geofences, i.e. surveillance areas, only for VRUs (based on the assumption that VRUs may be more willing to release their location data in order to be protected), and only then activate these geofences for cars or other "dangerous" road users when a VRU is located within this fence. This condition can be combined with all the others mentioned. Likewise, further information can be used as additional conditions, particularly information that is easily determined offline by road users using appropriate sensors or is easily obtainable, such as lighting conditions (light, dark), rain, poor visibility, or poor road conditions (e.g., ice, snow, wetness).

[0077] Conditions for sending presence warnings / information from Server 3 to road users can be selected as follows:

[0078] Several road users are in the same monitoring area and move in such a way that the distance is reduced,

[0079] Visual obstructions, which may also be stored in the monitoring area, indicate that road users cannot see each other, and / or available information indicates that a road user is distracted (e.g. looking at their mobile phone or listening to music) (this information can be partially communicated via the ETSI VAM formats).

[0080] Conditions for how and why the information spoken by Server 3 is displayed to the road user can be selected as follows: a driver potentially turning receives a warning only when the steering wheel is turned / the indicator is activated, and / or a driver on a country road only receives information about the cyclist in front of him when it is clear that a certain distance has been exceeded.

[0081] Some of the conditions mentioned above can also be combined, which would mean that something is sent more often, but a warning is still only issued in the dark or at increased speed, for example.

[0082] In addition to the above written disclosure, explicit reference is made to the disclosure of Figures 1 to 5.

Claims

Claims 1. A method (100) for providing location-dependent traffic information, comprising: Defining (101) a surveillance area (10) for a first mobile device (1); Detecting (102) an associated current location of the first mobile device (1); Transmitting (103) position data or movement information by the first mobile device (1) to a server (3) in response to the current location being within the monitoring area (10); Execution (104) of a test process by the server (3), wherein for the first mobile device (1) it is checked whether a condition is fulfilled, wherein the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device (1) and current position data or movement information of a second mobile device (2), which is also located within the monitoring area (10), wherein the predefined condition allows the existence of a traffic situation caused by the second mobile device (2); and Transmitting (105) information by the server (3) to the first mobile device (1) in response to the checking process determining that the predefined condition is met, the information including the presence of the specific traffic situation with respect to the second device (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein defining (101) the monitoring area is carried out by transmitting a definition of the Monitoring area from the server (3) to the first mobile device (1), wherein the monitoring area is in particular an area defined by the second mobile device. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring area is dependent on the current location of the first mobile device (1) or dependent on the current location of the second mobile device (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Defining the monitoring area for the second mobile device, detecting an associated current location of the second mobile device by the second mobile device, and Transmission of position data or movement information by the second mobile device to the server in response to the current location of the second mobile device being within the monitoring area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein detection occurs from a sensor signal of a sensor of the first mobile device (1) or a connected device, and: the transmission of the current position data or the movement information of the first mobile device (1) to the server (3) occurs depending on the sensor signal, and / or the predefined condition also defines a dependency on the sensor signal, and / or an output of a notification to a user of the first mobile device (1) occurs in response to receiving the information depending on the sensor signal.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission of the current position data or the movement information of the first mobile device (1) to the server (3). depending on an environmental condition of the first mobile device (1), and / or the predefined condition also defines a dependency on an environmental condition of the first mobile device (1), and / or outputting a notification to a user of the first mobile device (1) in response to receiving the information takes place depending on the environmental condition. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the server (3) carries out the checking process with the predefined condition, it is checked whether a distance between the first mobile device (1) and the second mobile device (2) has decreased and / or a line of sight is present between the first mobile device (1) and the second mobile device (2) and / or further conditions are met.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, together with the position data or the movement information, usage information of the mobile devices (1, 2) is also transmitted to the server, which allows conclusions to be drawn about an existing user behavior of a user of the associated mobile device, and wherein, when the checking process is carried out by the server (3) with the predefined condition, a check is carried out to determine whether the user behavior of the user of the second mobile device (2) allows conclusions to be drawn about a distraction of the user, and / or wherein, based on usage information of the first mobile device (1), a decision is made by the first mobile device as to whether, in response to receiving the information, a notification is issued by the first mobile device for a user of the first mobile device.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mobile device (1) issues a notice to a user of the first mobile device (1) in response to receiving the information, wherein the notice is in particular only given when. is output when a further condition is met, by which a local relevance of the traffic situation is determined. Mobile device (1) for providing location-dependent traffic information, wherein the mobile device (1) is configured to: detect a definition of a monitoring area (10); detect a current location of the mobile device (1); transmit current position data or movement information of the mobile device (1) to a server (3) in response to the current location of the mobile device (1) being within the monitoring area (10);and receive information from the server (3), the information indicating the presence of a specific traffic situation with respect to a second device (2). A server (3) for providing location-dependent traffic information, the server (3) being configured to: receive current position data or movement information from mobile devices (1, 2) that are located within a monitoring area according to their current location;to carry out a test process, wherein for at least a first device (1) of the mobile devices (1, 2) which is located within the monitoring area (10), it is checked whether a predefined condition is met, wherein the predefined condition defines a dependency between the current position data or movement information of the first mobile device (1) and the current position data or movement information of at least a second device (2) of the mobile devices (1, 2), which is also located within the monitoring area (10), wherein the predefined condition allows the existence of a traffic situation caused by the second device (2) to be inferred; and; transmitting information to the first mobile device (1) in response to the checking process determining that the condition is met, the information indicating the presence of the specific traffic situation with respect to the second device (2).

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