A method for estimating an arrival time at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle by a navigation system, a computer program product

Abstract

A method for estimating an arrival time 44 at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle 10 by a navigation system 12 of the motor vehicle. A first arrival time at the destination depending on a predetermined route is determined by an electronic computing device 16 of the navigation system; and a waiting time 38 from an institution is received by a receiving device 14 of the navigation system. The institution can accept an electric toll collection payment, and the waiting time is a part of electric toll collection information 42 from the institution which comprises at least a toll payment information and waiting time information. The computing device adds the waiting time to the first arrival time to give the the estimated arrival time 44, and transfers the estimated arrival time to an output device 18 of the navigation system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for estimating an arrival time at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle by a navigation system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a corresponding navigation system, as well as a corresponding motor vehicle. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] From the state of the art already so-called electric toll collection systems (ETCS) are already known and expanding recently. For example, a driver of a motor vehicle can pay by the electric toll collection system not only for motorway tolls but also in diners, coffee shops over a drive-through or other institutions. Furthermore, it is known, that when a driver stops by any diner and / or coffee shop which accept electric toll collection payment, a generic navigation does not consider a waiting time for an order into the estimated time of arrival so the navigation estimated time of arrival will be delayed according to the waiting time for the order. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a corresponding navigation system, as well as a corresponding motor vehicle, by which an arrival time can be estimated in an improved manner.

[0004] This object is solved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a corresponding navigation system, as well as a corresponding motor vehicle according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for estimating an arrival time at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle by a navigation system of the motor vehicle. A first arrival time at the arrival position is determined depending on a predetermined route by an electronic computing device of the navigation system. A waiting time for an institution is received by a receiving device of the navigation system, wherein the institution is able to accept an electric toll collection payment, wherein the waiting time is a part of an electric toll collection information from the institution comprising at least a toll payment information and a waiting time information. The waiting time is added to the first arrival time at an estimated arrival time by the electronic computing device and the estimated arrival time is transferred to an output device, for example a display device, of the navigation system by the electronic computing device.

[0006] Therefore, a method is described to enhance the estimated time of arrival more actual considering the waiting time for, for example, an order by the institution by communicating with the navigation device for example on driving-through. Therefore, in order to provide more realistic estimation time arrival to the navigation users, the waiting time for an order which is provided from the electric toll gate may to be considered into a navigation device.

[0007] For example, when a motor vehicle reaches out a drive-through shop which has an electric toll gate, wherein the drive-through shop may be the institution, the electric toll collection system in the motor vehicle may pay costs for the driver's orders. The electric toll collection system in the motor vehicle may receive an estimated waiting time for an order via the receiving device. The electric toll collection system, which may be integrated in the navigation device, in the motor vehicle receives the current estimated time for the order and transmits it to the navigation device. If the navigation has an estimated time of arrival for a current route, the estimated waiting time is added to the current estimated time of arrival.

[0008] In particular, therefore, the invention proposes a method in the area of navigation devices, and describes a method to enhance the estimated time of arrival more actual considering the waiting time for an order by communicating with the electric toll collecting system on the driving-through.

[0009] The electric toll collection system is a wireless system to automatically collect the usage fee or toll charge to motor vehicles using for example toll roads, toll bridges or tunnels. It is a faster alternative which is replacing toll booths, where vehicles must stop and the driver manually pays the toll with cash or card. In most systems, motor vehicles using the system are equipped with an automated radio transponder device. When the motor vehicle passes a road site toll reader device, a radio signal triggers the transponder, which transmits back an identifying number which registers the motor vehicle's use of the road, and an electronic payment system charges the user the toll.

[0010] According to an embodiment if no waiting time is received a general waiting time is added to the first arrival time. For example, as the general waiting time, five minutes of waiting can be added. Therefore, if the motor vehicle drives through the institution, and the institution may not send a waiting time, an automatically generated waiting time is added. Therefore, a more precise estimating of an arrival time is provided.

[0011] In another embodiment additionally an electric payment for an order at the institution is performed by the navigation system. In particular, the electric payment is a part of the electric toll collection system. With the electric toll collection system, the motor vehicle is able to automatically pay for example a toll at a toll gate. Furthermore, institutions, which are using this system, can further be paid with the electric toll collection system. For example, food shops or furthermore, can also use the electric toll collection system, and can be paid via an electronic drive-through toll gate.

[0012] In another embodiment the electric toll collection information is received at a toll gate of the institution. For example, the institution may provide a toll gate, wherein driving through the toll gate may initiate the payment and / or receiving the waiting time information. Therefore, an automated process for estimating the current arrival time as well as an automated payment can be provided by the institution.

[0013] In another embodiment the navigation device comprises an electric toll collection communication device, wherein the electric toll collection information is received by the electric toll communication device. In particular, for example the electric toll collection communication device may be a transponder for receiving a radio signal from the institution.

[0014] In another embodiment the waiting time is determined depending on a manual input at the institution and / or depending on historical waiting times at the institution. For example, a cook or service worker may input the current waiting time into a system, wherein the waiting time is then determined depending on the input of the worker. Furthermore, the institution may have information about historical waiting time, wherein this can be automated determined, and transmitted to the motor vehicle. Therefore, a precise determination of the estimated time of arrival can be provided.

[0015] In particular, the method is a computer-implemented method. Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0016] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0017] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a navigation system for estimating an arrival time at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle, comprising at least a receiving device, an electronic computing device, and an output device, wherein the navigation system is configured for performing a method according to any of the preceding aspects. In particular, the method is performed by the navigation system.

[0018] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the navigation system according to the preceding aspect.

[0019] Advantageous forms of the method are to be regarded as advantageous forms of the corresponding computer program product, the corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the corresponding navigation system, as well as the corresponding motor vehicle. The navigation system as well as the motor vehicle therefore comprises means for performing a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0020] A computing unit / electronic computing device may in particular be understood as a data processing device, which comprises processing circuitry. The computing unit can therefore in particular process data to perform computing operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0021] In particular, the computing unit may include one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, ASIC, one or more field-programmable gate arrays, FPGA, and / or one or more systems on a chip, SoC. The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units, CPU, one or more graphics processing units, GPU, and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors, DSP. The computing unit may also include a physical or a virtual cluster of computers or other of said units.

[0022] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0023] A memory unit may be implemented as a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory, DRAM, or a static random access memory, SRAM, or as a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory, ROM, a programmable read-only memory, PROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM, a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory, FRAM, a magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM, or a phase-change random access memory, PCRAM.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] The drawings show in:

[0027] Fig. 1 a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of a navigation system;

[0028] Fig. 2 a schematic block chart according to an embodiment of a navigation system; and

[0029] Fig. 3 a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method.

[0030] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0032] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0033] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0034] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 may comprise a navigation system 12. The navigation system 12 may comprise a receiving device 14, an electronic computing device 16 and an output device 18. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 may comprise an electric toll collection system 20. The electric toll collection system 20 may be part of the navigation device 12 or be separate to the navigation system 12 a part of the motor vehicle 10.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram according to an embodiment of the navigation system 12. The navigation system 12 according to the shown embodiment may comprise the electric toll collection system 20 and the electronic computing device 16.

[0037] The electric toll collection system 20 may comprise a processor 22 and a memory 24. Furthermore, the electric toll collection system 20 may comprise a communication device 26, which may be configured as the receiving device 14, as well as an interface 28 for a communication with the electronic computing device 16.

[0038] The electronic computing device 16 may further comprise a further processor 30 and a further memory 32. Furthermore, the electronic computing device 16 may comprise a further electric toll collection communication device 34. Furthermore, the electronic computing device 16 may comprise an algorithm 36, which may calculate the estimated time of arrival of the motor vehicle 10. This may be in particular the computer program product 44. The electric toll collection system 12 may transmit an estimated waiting time 38 for the order to the electronic computing device 16. Furthermore, a toll gate 40 is shown. The toll gate 40 is from a not shown institution, wherein the institution is able to accept an electric toll collection payment, and wherein the waiting time 38 is a part of the electric toll collection information 42 from the institution comprising at least a toll payment information and awaiting time information.

[0039] According to the shown embodiment a first arrival time at an arrival position of the motor vehicle 10 is determined depending on a predetermined route by the electronic computing device 16. The waiting time 38 is received from the institution by the receiving device 14 of the navigation system 12, wherein the receiving device 14 may be for example the electric toll collection communication device 26. The institution is able to accept an electric toll collection payment, wherein the waiting time 38 is a part of the electric toll collection information 42 from the institution comprising at least a toll payment information and a waiting time information. The waiting time 38 is added to the first arrival time as the estimated arrival time by the electronic computing device 16 and the estimated arrival time is transferred to an output device 18 of the navigation system 12 by the electronic computing device 16.

[0040] In particular, for example when a driver stops by any diner and / or coffee shop which can accept the electric toll collection payment, a generic navigation does not consider waiting time 38 for an order into the estimated time of arrival so the navigation estimated time of arrival will be delayed according to the waiting time 38 for order. In order to provide more realistic estimated time of arrival to the navigation users, the waiting time 38 for an order which is provided from the electric toll gate 40 is considered into the navigation estimated time of arrival. If the electric toll gate 40 does not provide waiting time 38 for the order, then the navigation can provide average waiting time 38 for example five minutes by itself.

[0041] In particular, when the motor vehicle reaches out a drive-through shop, which has the electric toll gate 40, the electric toll collection system 20 in the motor vehicle 10 may pay costs by driver's orders. The electric toll collection system 20 in the motor vehicle may receive an estimated waiting time for an order via the electric toll collection information 42. The electric toll collection system 20 in the motor vehicle 10 delivers the estimated waiting time 38 for the order to the navigation device 12. If the navigation has an estimated time of arrival for a current route, then the estimated waiting time 38 for the order is added to the current estimated time of arrival. If there is no estimated waiting time coming from the electric toll collection system 20 the navigation regards certain average waiting times defined, for example five minutes, as an estimated waiting time 38.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method. In a first step S1 the method starts. In a second step S2 a user may pay for an order at a drive-through toll gate 40. In a third step S3 it is checked, if the electric toll collection system 20 in the motor vehicle 10 has received an estimated waiting time 38 from the toll gate 40. If not, the navigation device 12 regards a certain waiting time 38, for example five minutes, as an estimated waiting time 38 for the order in a fourth step S4. If the waiting time 38 is received, a fifth step S5 is performed, wherein the electric toll collection system 20 in the motor vehicle 10 provides an estimated waiting time 38 to the navigation system / navigation device 12. In a sixth step S6 it is checked, if the navigation device 12 has an estimated time of arrival for the route, in particular a first arrival time. If yes, the navigation device 12 adds the estimated waiting time 38 to the current estimated time of arrival in a seventh step S7. In an eighth step S8 the navigation system 12 updates the estimated time of arrival on the output device 18, which may be for example a display device. Coming from the sixth step S6, if no estimated time of arrival for the route is provided the ninth step S9 is performed, which ends the method. From the eighth step S8 also the ninth step S9 is performed. Reference signs 10 Motor vehicle 12 Navigation device 14 Receiving device 16 Electronic computing device 18 Output device 20 Electronic toll collection system 22 Processors 24 Memory 26 Electronic toll collection communication device 28 Interface 30 Further processor 32 Further memory 34 Further electric toll collection communication device 36 Algorithm 38 Waiting time 40 Toll gate 42 Electric toll collection information 44 Computer program product S1-S9 Steps of the method

Claims

1. A method for estimating an arrival time (44) at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle (10) by a navigation system (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of:- determining a first arrival time at the arrival position depending on a predetermined route by an electronic computing device (16) of the navigation system (12);- receiving a waiting time (38) from an institution by a receiving device (14) of the navigation system (12), wherein the institution is able to accept an electric toll collection payment, wherein the waiting time (38) is a part of an electric toll collection information (42) from the institution comprising at least a toll payment information and awaiting time information;- adding the waiting time (38) to the first arrival time as the estimated arrival time (44) by the electronic computing device (16); and- transferring the estimated arrival time (44) to an output device (18) of the navigation system (12) by the electronic computing device (16).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatif no waiting time (38) is received a general waiting time (36) is added to the first arrival time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatadditionally an electric payment for an order at the institution is performed by the navigation system (12).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe electric toll collection information (42) is received at a tollgate (40) of the institution.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe navigation system (12) comprises an electric toll collection communication device (26), wherein the electric toll collect information (42) is received by the electric toll communication device (26).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe waiting time (38) is determined depending on a manual input at the institution and / or depending on historical waiting times at the institution.

7. A computer program product (36) comprising program code means for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising at least the computer program product (36) according to claim 7.

9. A navigation system (12) for estimating an arrival time (44) at a predetermined arrival position for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least a receiving device (14), an electronic computing device (16), and an output device (18), wherein the navigation system (12) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A motor vehicle (10) comprising the navigation system (12) according to claim 9.

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