Method and device for controlling a vehicle's journey using a navigation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle's journey, comprising determining (31) first information representative of a plurality of journeys on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system, selecting (32) a current journey from among the plurality of journeys, a current journey time being associated with the current journey, receiving (33) second information representative of an event associated with the current journey, and determining (34) third information representative of an alternative vehicle journey on a second set of roads based on the second information, an alternative journey time being associated with the alternative journey. A difference between the current journey time and the alternative journey time is compared (35) to a threshold, and one of the journeys is selected (36). Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle's journey by a navigation system Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring a journey of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for determining the travel time of a journey of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] To plan a journey to be made with a vehicle, it is known to use a navigation system, such a system being for example embedded in the vehicle or implemented in a mobile device, for example a mobile phone, itself embedded in the vehicle. Such a system uses map data such as digital road maps indicating the different road routes that the vehicle can take to go from point A to point B.

[0003] These map data are for example used to offer a driver the shortest route, the fastest route or the one that does not take a fast lane, etc. They can also be used by certain functions or driving assistance systems, called AD AS (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced Driving Assistance System”), to guide or control the vehicle in its environment to reach its destination.

[0004] These applications receive information relating to traffic on the roads, i.e. traffic incidents or events likely to disrupt driving and lengthen travel time. Based on this information, these navigation systems could suggest optimized routes to reduce this travel time by using less busy secondary networks. However, these secondary networks are not designed to accommodate reduced road traffic that inconveniences local residents and overloads the secondary network.

[0005] It is therefore preferable to suggest to a driver to avoid using alternative routes unless a difference in travel time using the secondary network is significant. This therefore requires calculating more routes and comparing them, which requires more machine resources such as a processor or memory, and the user experience loses quality due to longer calculation times. In addition, the navigation system must be able to classify the different roads into several categories with specific mapping. Summary of the present invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to optimize the use of on-board systems in a vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve road traffic.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a journey of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - determination of first information representative of a plurality of journeys based on data representative of a starting point and an arrival point of the vehicle on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system; - selection of a current route from among the plurality of routes based on the first information, a current travel time being associated with the current journey and included in the first information; - reception of second information representative of an event associated with the current journey according to a wireless communication mode; - determining third information representative of an alternative route of the vehicle on a second set of roads as a function of the second information, an alternative travel time being associated with the alternative route and included in the third information; - comparison to a threshold of a difference between the current travel time and the alternative travel time; and - selection of a route from the current route and the alternative route based on a comparison result.

[0010] An alternative route is thus only proposed when an event appears on the current route, thus making it possible to carry out additional calculations only if a factor extending the current route time is detected.

[0011] This alternative route is then only selected if the travel time saving is greater than a threshold, so the selection of an alternative route is not systematic.

[0012] According to a method variant, the threshold is equal to 10% of the current travel time.

[0013] According to another method variant, the current path is selected when the difference is less than or equal to the threshold and the alternative path is selected when the difference is greater than the threshold.

[0014] Any alternative route that does not offer a significant reduction in travel time is then not offered to the user. The secondary network is then not used.

[0015] According to another method variant, the second set of roads comprises a third set of so-called classified roads, the third set of roads and the first set of routes being disjoint.

[0016] Only the alternative route uses classified roads. The set of classified roads represents, for example, the secondary network.

[0017] According to an additional method variant, the second set of routes comprises the first set of routes and the third set of routes.

[0018] The set of roads eligible for the definition of the alternative route is the set of roads used for the definition of the current route to which the set of classified roads is added.

[0019] According to another method variant, the first and second information belong to a set of information comprising: - a travel time, - a travel distance, - a journey cost, and - a route.

[0020] A current route is then selected based on this data.

[0021] According to yet another method variant, the event belongs to a set of events comprising: - an accident, - works, - a closed road, and - bad weather.

[0022] Such events tend to increase travel time.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device of a journey of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0026] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a support computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0028] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0029] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0030] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an environment of a vehicle, according to an example particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a device configured for controlling a path of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a path of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Description of the examples of embodiment

[0036] A method and a device for controlling a vehicle path will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0037] The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)” (or “first(s)”, “second(s)”), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0038] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a journey of a vehicle, for example by a computer of the vehicle, comprises the determination of first information representative of a plurality of journeys on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system, the selection of a current journey from among the plurality of journeys, a current journey time being associated with the current journey and included in the first information, the reception of second information representative of an event associated with the current journey and the determination of third information representative of an alternative journey of the vehicle on a second set of roads according to the second information, an alternative journey time being associated with the alternative journey and included in the third information.

[0039] A difference between the current travel time and the alternative travel time is compared to a threshold and one of the journeys is selected.

[0040] Such a method has the advantage of only proposing an alternative route when an event appears on the current route, thus making it possible to carry out additional calculations only if a factor extending the current route time is detected.

[0041] This alternative route is then only proposed if the travel time saving is greater than a threshold, so the proposal of an alternative route is not systematic.

[0042] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates an environment 1 in which a vehicle operates, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0044] According to a first particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more AD AS systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the AD AS system(s) onboard the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (Local Interconnect Network) type. “Local Interconnected Network”) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0045] The vehicle 10 carries a navigation and geolocation system, also called a GNSS system (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System), for example a GPS type system (from the English “Global Positioning System” or in French “Geo-positioning system by satellites”).

[0046] According to a second particular embodiment and not illustrated here, a user has a mobile communication device, for example a tablet or a smart mobile phone (from the English “smartphone”).

[0047] The vehicle 10 is also configured to communicate (receive and / or transmit) data with other vehicles and / or an infrastructure of a communication network according to a wireless communication mode, called V2X.

[0048] For this purpose, the vehicle 10 carries a communication device corresponding for example to a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”) associated with one or more antennas.

[0049] The environment 1 of the vehicle 10 comprises, for example, a mobile communication infrastructure, for example an infrastructure of a V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) type network, with which the vehicle 10 is configured to communicate data. The communication infrastructure 1 implements, for example, communications according to LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (Long-Term Evolution - Advanced), C-V2X (Cellular - Vehicle to Everything) technology, which is based on 4G and / or 5G, based on LTE. The vehicle 10 communicates advantageously using a so-called V2X communication system, for example based on the 3GPP LTE-V or IEEE 802.1 lp standards of ITS G5.In such a V2X communication system, each vehicle carries a node to enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and / or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication.

[0050] The network infrastructure comprises, for example, communication devices 110 corresponding to relay antennas and / or roadside units (RUs), each corresponding to a node of the network.

[0051] The antenna or UBR 110 is advantageously connected to one or more remote servers 111, 112, for example via the “cloud” 100 (or in French “nuage”), via a wired and / or wireless connection. The antenna or UBR 110 is thus configured to act as a relay between the “cloud” 100 (and the remote server 111) and the vehicle 10.

[0052] The vehicle 10, for example, advantageously carries in its passenger compartment 10 a display system comprising a screen and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical HMI on the touch screen. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embarké”) of the vehicle.

[0053] The screen is for example touch-sensitive and corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Display à cristals liquide"), for example of the TFT type (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED type (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente biologique"). The screen is for example arranged in the center of the dashboard, for example above a central facade. Of course, the position of the screen is not limited to this example, the screen can be arranged in any position, for example on the central facade.

[0054] The screen makes it possible to display content intended for the driver and passengers of the vehicle. The screen is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle via a human-machine interface (HMI) displayed on the screen. For example, the screen makes it possible to control the infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system of the vehicle, as well as for example the system responsible for controlling a journey of the vehicle 10, as described below.

[0055] According to another example, not illustrated here, the screen is not integrated into the passenger compartment but corresponds to a screen of a second mobile communication device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, connected in communication, for example wirelessly, with the on-board system of the vehicle.

[0056] A process for controlling a journey of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors of one or more computers of the vehicle 10.

[0057] A user enters, for example, via 1THM, the coordinates of a starting point and an arrival point. The starting point is, for example, the location of the user or the vehicle 10.

[0058] In an operation 31, first information representative of a plurality of journeys is determined based on data representative of a starting point and an arrival point of the vehicle 10 on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system.

[0059] Such a navigation system has, for example, a map on which the starting point and the arrival point are placed. This map includes a first set of roads accessible to the vehicle 10. These roads are, for example: - motorways, - roads with regulated access, - roads of an extra-urban network, - main roads crossing built-up areas.

[0060] Several paths are calculated to connect the starting point to the arrival point with different parameters. Initial information is obtained for the different calculated paths, for example: - a journey distance, for example expressed in kilometers (kms), - a journey time, for example expressed in minutes or hours and minutes - a journey cost, for example expressed in a currency such as the euro, and - a route, defined by a sequence of road sections.

[0061] A journey time is defined for example from the distances of different sections or parts of roads and the average speed on these sections, obtained from data stored for example in the map.

[0062] A cost is estimated for example based on the distances and the average fuel or energy consumption of the vehicle 10 and based on tolls for certain sections.

[0063] A route is defined by a sequence of roads or sections to be traveled successively to connect the starting point to the arrival point.

[0064] For example, a first journey is determined by minimizing the time of this first journey. A second journey is determined so as to reduce the total distance traveled. A third journey is determined to be economical, that is to say the least expensive taking into account the fuel or energy required to travel the third journey and the tolls.

[0065] These journeys are for example presented to the user who has previously entered the departure and arrival points via a screen of the HMI. Part of the initial information is presented, for example the user has the time, distance and cost of each journey. This part of the initial information allows the user to choose a route that meets his expectations.

[0066] In an operation 32, a current path is selected from the plurality of paths based on the first information.

[0067] A current travel time, included in the first data, is associated with the current travel.

[0068] In an operation 33, second information representative of an event associated with the current path is received according to a wireless communication mode.

[0069] This second information is for example received using a vehicle-to-everything type communication mode, known as V2X.

[0070] Such an event belongs, for example, to a set of events comprising: - an accident, - roadworks, - a closed road, and - bad weather.

[0071] These events have a direct impact on travel time, extending the travel time by a greater or lesser amount, ranging from a few seconds to several minutes or even more than an hour.

[0072] The second information includes, for example, an additional travel time and the geographical position of the event, i.e. the section on which the event is located.

[0073] In an operation 34, third information representative of an alternative route of the vehicle 10 on a second set of roads is determined as a function of the second information.

[0074] The second set of roads includes, for example, secondary roads, which are not designed to accommodate too heavy a flow of traffic. Such roads are, for example, narrow and do not allow easy crossing or cross residential areas where residents will be disturbed by excessive traffic. Such roads are, for example, classified by decree, the mapping incorporating this type of classification. These classified roads then form a third set of roads separate from the first set of roads.

[0075] According to one example, the second set of roads comprises the first set of roads and the third set of roads. The second set of roads is therefore composed of all the roads that can be used by the vehicle 10, whether they are classified or not.

[0076] Where possible it is preferable to avoid using classified roads, i.e. roads in the third set of roads, particularly if a reduction in travel time by using them is negligible.

[0077] An alternative travel time, included in the third data, is then associated with the alternative journey using the second set of roads.

[0078] In an operation 35, a difference between the current travel time and the alternative travel time is compared to a threshold. This difference is equivalent to calculating the reduction in travel time, called the time saving, by taking the classified roads.

[0079] According to a particular embodiment, the threshold is defined as a function of the current travel time, it represents a defined rate of this current travel time, for example 10%, 15% or 20%.

[0080] In an operation 36, a path is selected from the current path and the alternative path based on the result of the comparison.

[0081] For example, if the threshold is 10% of the current journey time and the time saving is greater than this threshold then the selected journey is the alternative journey.

[0082] Conversely, if the threshold is not reached, the time saving is not significant. The current route is the selected route.

[0083] Thus, such a process has the advantage of only proposing an alternative route when an event appears on the current route, thus making it possible to perform additional calculations only if a factor extending the current route time is detected. Resources such as a processor or memory are thus used more only when an event appears on the current route.

[0084] The alternative route is then only selected if the travel time saving is greater than a threshold, so the selection of an alternative route is not systematic and secondary or classified roads are only taken in the event of significant time savings.

[0085] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for controlling a journey of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0086] The device 2 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to [Fig. 1] and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 2 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0087] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0088] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in memory 21.

[0089] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0090] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0091] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 23 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0092] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals. spherical 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0093] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a journey of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 2 of [Fig. 2],

[0094] In a first step 31, first information representative of a plurality of journeys is determined as a function of data representative of a starting point and an arrival point of the vehicle 10 on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system.

[0095] In a second step 32, a current path is selected from the plurality of paths based on the first information.

[0096] A current travel time, included in the first information, is associated with the current travel.

[0097] In a third step 33, second information representative of an event associated with the current journey is received according to a wireless communication mode.

[0098] In a fourth step 34, third information representative of an alternative route of the vehicle 10 on a second set of roads is determined as a function of the second information.

[0099] An alternative travel time, included in the third information, is associated with the alternative journey.

[0100] In a fifth step 35, a difference between the current travel time and the alternative travel time is compared to a threshold.

[0101] In a sixth step 36, a path is selected from the current path and the alternative path based on the result of the comparison.

[0102] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.l] apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.3].

[0103] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for determining a travel time of a journey which would include secondary stages without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0104] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 2 of [Fig.2].

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a journey of a vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps: - determining (31) first information representative of a plurality of journeys as a function of data representative of a starting point and an arrival point of said vehicle (10) on a first set of roads by a vehicle navigation system; - selecting (32) a current journey from among said plurality of journeys as a function of said first information; a current journey time being associated with said current journey and included in said first information; - receiving (33) second information representative of an event associated with said current journey according to a wireless communication mode;- determining (34) third information representative of an alternative route of said vehicle (10) on a second set of roads as a function of said second information, an alternative travel time being associated with said alternative route and included in said third information; - comparing (35) with a threshold a difference between said current travel time and said alternative travel time; and - selecting a route (36) from among said current route and said alternative route as a function of a result of said comparison.;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said threshold is equal to 10% of said current travel time.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein said current path is selected when said difference is less than or equal to said threshold and said alternative path is selected when said difference is greater than said threshold.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said second set of roads comprises a third set of so-called classified roads, said third set of roads and said first set of roads being disjoint.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second set of routes comprises said first set of routes and said third set of routes.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said first and second information belong to a set of information comprising: - a journey distance, - a journey time, - a journey cost, and - a route.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which said event belongs to a set of events comprising: - an accident, - works, - a closed road, and - bad weather.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (2) for controlling a journey of a vehicle, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 9.

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