Method for vehicle communication

• US 7,945,381 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ab Tryggit
• Original Assignee: Ab Tryggit
• Inventors: Brynielsson, Thore
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEN, MINGJEN
• Application Number:
  US10/554,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20070213923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,580 Days
• Field of Search: 340/992, 340/994, 340/989, 701/200, 701/209
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/081 Plural intersections under common control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

A method is disclosed for communication between a vehicle travelling along a route and a stationary system. The vehicle is equipped with a communication unit to communicate messages to the stationary system. The method includes dividing the route into a plurality of partial sections, defining for each partial section a required information flow from the vehicle, and adapting the communication to this definition. The method makes it possible to command the communication unit to communicate with correctly adjusted accuracy. This also improves the possibility of effectively utilizing the traffic information in local units, for instance for displays and traffic signals.

Claims

1. A method for communication between a vehicle travelling along a route and a stationary system, the vehicle including a communication unit to communicate messages to the stationary system, the method comprising:

dividing the route into a plurality of partial sections;

defining for each partial section a required information flow from the vehicle;

creating a set of parameters for each partial section, the set of parameters define at least one of when messages are sent and the contents of the messages,

receiving the set of parameters for each partial section at the vehicle communication unit, and

adapting the communication based on said parameters, the adapting includes shifting between a time-controlled communication and a distance-controlled communication.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

communicating, by the stationary system, the set of parameters for each partial section to the vehicle.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

associating each partial section with one of a plurality of predetermined classes, which each define an adaptation of the information flow; and

determining which class each partial section is associated with, and adapting the communication for each partial section according to this class.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptation comprises changing a longest time period which is allowed to pass before the next messages are sent.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptation comprises changing a fixed longest section along which the vehicle is allowed to travel before the next messages are sent.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptation comprises indicating fixed points along the route at which messages are to be sent.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptation comprises indicating an event which is to initiate transmission of a message.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptation comprises affecting the contents of the message.

9. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

associating each partial section with one of a plurality of predetermined classes, which each define an adaptation of the information flow; and

determining which class each partial section is associated with, and adapting the communication for each partial section according to this class.

10. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises changing a longest time period which is allowed to pass before the next messages are sent.

11. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises changing a fixed longest section along which the vehicle is allowed to travel before the next messages are sent.

12. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises indicating fixed points along the route at which messages are to be sent.

13. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises indicating an event which is to initiate transmission of a message.

14. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adaptation comprises affecting the contents of the message.

15. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein each message contains information about at least one of vehicle position, vehicle speed and state of the vehicle equipment.