Method and device for transmitting data on traffic assessment

• US 6,178,374 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sirius XM Connected Vehicle Services Inc. (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Müller, Thomas, Vieweg, Stefan, Möhlenkamp, Klaus, Schulz, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Donnelly, Arthur D.
• Application Number:
  US09/284,163
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/116, 701/118, 701/119, 701/24, 701/25, 701/26, 701/209, 701/220, 340/905, 340/989, 340/988, 340/990
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

A process for the wireless transmission of data to a traffic sensor for assessing traffic in segments of a road network includes collecting data in a plurality of floating cars that travel in traffic and have sensor system for collecting the data. A current driving profile is formed in each floating car from the collected data. Actual values of characteristic driving profile properties are derived from the current driving profile and expected values of the characteristic driving profile properties are formed based on preestablished traffic situation information. A difference between the actual values and the expected values is determined and if the difference is determined to be a serious deviation from the expected values based on preestablished decision criteria, the data collected by the sensors is transmitted to a traffic center.

Claims

1. A process for wireless transmission of data for traffic system assessment in segments of a road network to a traffic center, comprising the steps of:

collecting data using sensors in a floating vehicle in the road network;

forming a current driving profile from the data;

deriving actual values of characteristic driving profile properties from the current driving profile;

forming expected values of characteristic driving profile properties based on preestablished traffic situation information;

comparing the actual values to the expected values;

assessing a difference found in said step of comparing and determining whether the difference is a serious deviation from the expected values based on preestablished decision criteria; and

transmitting the actual values to the traffic center if it is determined that the difference is a serious deviation in said step of determining.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of forming expected values comprises forming expected values based on traffic information received via wireless communication.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of forming expected values comprises forming expected values based on predicted traffic situation data.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of forming expected values comprises forming expected values based on heuristic traffic situation data.

5. The process of claim 4, further comprising the steps of modifiying and storing the heuristic traffic situation data based on the data collected by the sensors of the floating vehicle via a self-learning system.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said step of forming a current driving profile comprises forming a current driving profile including time, location and speed of the floating vehicle.

7. The process of claim 2, further comprising the step of receiving the traffic information via a cellular mobile telephone network.

8. The process of claim 2, further comprising the step of receiving the traffic information via a broadcast-capable radio network.

9. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the preestablished decision criteria as required by the traffic center via a wireless communication.

10. A device for wireless transmission of data for traffic system assessment in segments of a road network to a traffic center, including:

a sensor system mounted in a floating vehicle for determining driving profile data;

a processing device for receiving the driving profile data from said sensor system and determining actual values and expected values of characteristic driving profile properties;

a comparator for comparing the actual values and expected values of the characteristic driving profile properties and determining a difference between said actual values and said expected values;

a first memory comprising decision criteria; and

a transmitting device for transmitting said driving profile data to the traffic center when said difference between said actual values and said expected values is determined to be a serious deviation from said expected values based on said decision criteria in said first memory.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a first receiver for receiving current traffic information from an external source and inputting said current traffic information to the said processing device for use in determining said expected values of characteristic driving profile properties.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said first receiver comprises a device for operation in a cellular mobile telephone network.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said first receiver comprises a device for operation in a broadcast-capable radio network.

14. The device of claim 10, further comprising a second receiver for receiving said decision criteria from the traffic center and transmitting said decision criteria to said memory.

15. The device of claim 10, further comprising a second memory including a digital roadmap.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a memory device, wherein said first memory and said second memory comprise portions of said memory drive.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein said sensor system further comprises a location device for determining a location of the floating vehicle.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said location device comprises a device operable on the basis of satellite navigation.