DE102009024528A1 - Navigation system for motor vehicle, has navigation computer for computing route from starting position to destination, and determining cost-optimized route by considering received fuel prices and remaining range of motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (2) has a navigation computer (4) for computing a route from a starting position to a destination. A position determination unit i.e. global positioning system, is attached to the navigation computer. The navigation computer has a remaining range computer (10) for determining a remaining range of a motor vehicle. A receiving device (8) receives information of fuel prices of two petrol filling station. The navigation computer determines cost-optimized route by considering the received fuel prices and the remaining range of the motor vehicle. An independent claim is also included for a method for navigation of a motor vehicle by a navigation system.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for navigation and a navigation system for a motor vehicle with a navigation computer for Calculation of a route from a starting place to a destination and a Position determination unit connected to the navigation computer.

such Navigation systems are known in the art. The well-known Navigation systems calculate in their simplest form Specifying a start location and a destination a route between Place of departure and destination. For more advanced systems can various options are given, for example a shortest one or a fastest route.

mobile Navigation systems used in a motor vehicle, for example a Passenger or commercial vehicle are used, have regularly a position determination unit, usually a GPS unit. With the help of the position determination unit can the starting point and the current position while driving be determined, if necessary, the current speed. With help This information allows mobile navigation system directions depending on the current position and, if necessary, speed deliver to a driver of the motor vehicle.

Further advanced known systems have receiving units for receiving current traffic or congestion information. This information can either be displayed to the driver or in the Calculation of a favorable route included.

From the DE 103 23 936 A1 shows a navigation system and method, which has a mobile client part and a stationary navigation server part, wherein the mobile client part and the stationary navigation computer part are coupled to each other via a mobile link. The system is designed to meet the needs of mobile phones and can target certain relevant traffic information, such as the location of restaurants, gas stations and hotels. However, it is necessary to intervene by the user, for example, to choose a route to a gas station.

From the DE 103 35 927 A1 In addition, a navigation system of a motor vehicle with an input unit, a position determination unit, a computer unit and an output unit is known. The navigation system is designed not to exceed a given maximum travel time and to minimize expected fuel consumption.

From the DE 101 05 175 A1 a vehicle computer system for determining a consumption-optimized route is known, which has a locating unit for determining the location data of the current location, wherein a transmitting unit for transmitting the location data to a provider, a receiving unit for receiving data at least one gas station, preferably data on gas stations, Location and fuel price and a selection device for selecting one of the received gas stations according to a predetermined criterion includes. One of the possible criteria is the cheapest fuel price of a gas station. Another criterion is the shortest distance between a gas station and the current location. This system is disadvantageous in that it displays the user to the cheapest gas station in the area or the distance to a gas station, but the user does not receive information about an actual cost-optimized route between a starting place and a destination.

task The invention is therefore a navigation system of the aforementioned Art to improve that it is a cost-optimized route taking into account fuel prices at least can identify two gas stations.

The The object is achieved by a navigation system according to claim 1 and a method for navigation of a motor vehicle according to the sibling Claim 4. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject the dependent claims. In particular, this should be taken into account whether the required fuel type is available.

One Navigation system according to the invention, which is suitable for a motor vehicle is designed, has a navigation computer for determining a route from a starting location to a destination. Furthermore, there is a position determination unit connected to the navigation computer intended. The starting location may be, for example, by the position determination unit be determined by yourself. The destination is usually can be entered by the operator of the navigation system. The navigation computer calculates a route from the place of departure and the destination. This is preferred Route the driver of the motor vehicle by optical and / or acoustic Medium displayable. Preference is given to the driver, depending of route and current location, navigation instructions given.

As a position determination unit, for example, a GPS receiver is used, as it is often installed in current navigation systems. Alternatively, for example, a radio cell location system may be provided which uses the information of various radio cells, for example a mobile radio network for position determination For example, by triangulation. Also, further position determination units are conceivable.

According to the invention provided that the navigation computer means for determining a Remaining range of the motor vehicle, wherein a device for receiving information about fuel prices of at least two Filling stations is provided and wherein the navigation computer is designed is considering a cost-optimized route the received fuel prices and available fuels and to determine the remaining range of the motor vehicle.

the Driver will have the option of choosing a most economical Route offered. For this purpose, the fuel prices are updated by the system. Based on this, the route can be considered a predefined travel time to the changed fuel prices be adjusted.

The System has the advantage that the driver of the motor vehicle is not actively seek information about fuel prices. In addition, it has been shown that many drivers Having trouble with it, based on existing information about Fuel prices to determine a cost-effective route itself. Often, in favor of only a minor lower fuel prices taken detours, the one To cause more consumption, out of proportion to saving fuel when refueling or approaching a gas station, which does not provide the required fuel. The navigation system according to the invention is in able to remedy this situation.

To the Receiving information on fuel prices and fuel availability At least two service stations can provide different systems be, for example, an information data service system, which is integrated into the mobile network or a broadcasting system that is similar how the traffic jam service TMC is set up.

According to one first advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided that the navigation system is permanently installed in the motor vehicle. On This way, the remaining range of the motor vehicle can be especially easy about information on tank contents, fuel type and average consumption.

alternative For this purpose, the navigation system can be designed as a portable system be, which are used in different vehicles can. Then it is preferably provided that the navigation system equipped with receiving means, the receipt of necessary Information to determine the remaining range and fuel type of the Motor vehicle have. These are the means of identification coupled to the remaining range. This can be a standardized Be provided system that allows the simple coupling of the mobile navigation system enabled with different vehicles.

According to one Further development of the invention is the navigation system with a Congestion information system, such as TMC equipped.

One first independent subject of the invention relates to a Method for navigating a motor vehicle with a plurality of method steps. First if an entry of a destination is received by the navigation system, for example, via a cooperating with the navigation system Input means.

Then the current location is determined, for example via positioning means belonging to the navigation system, for example, a GPS system. Furthermore, a remaining range of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, a motor vehicle internal Calculation can be resorted to or a calculation be done by the navigation system itself, for example, taking into account various factors, such as expected consumption on different Types of track as well as terrain profile, traffic jams and the like.

Of Further information about fuel prices of receive at least two gas stations, either directly lying on the route or near the route and the required fuel can provide. Finally, a route of the motor vehicle including the Remaining range of the motor vehicle and the fuel prices of the charged at least two gas stations. Here, the predefinable maximum travel time or a specifiable time of arrival become.

The inventive method has the advantage that the driver automatically at a convenient gas station passed by, if necessary. The driver does not need to be active in order to choose a cheap gas station. The inventive method is particularly useful for professional drivers, for example in cars, trucks or Coaches. These are used by the system when planning a economic route significantly relieved.

According to a first development of the method according to the invention, it is provided that if the distance between the current location and the destination is less than the remaining range of the motor vehicle multiplied by a given factor, the route is determined independently of the fuel prices of petrol stations.

Of the Factor of the remaining range requires that an adequate driving distance when resuming to another destination is to go to another gas station, regardless of the selected direction of travel to the next destination. Should the remaining range of the motor vehicle multiplied by a given Factor falls below, according to this Training provided that a gas station is started, optimizes the total cost of the journey as possible become.

The Invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment. Here are shown schematically:

1 a block diagram of the navigation system according to the invention;

2 a flowchart for explaining the method according to the invention and

3 a schematic representation of different calculated routes between two locations A, B to explain the choice of the respective route.

1 shows a navigation system according to the invention 2 for a motor vehicle, for example a commercial vehicle.

The navigation system 2 has a navigation computer 4 auf, the calculation of a route depending on location, destination, maximum travel time, traffic information and the remaining range of the motor vehicle, taking into account the fuel prices.

To receive the fuel prices is in the navigation system 2 a fuel price information receiver 8th which receives information about different gas stations, their location, opening times, availability and price per fuel type.

Furthermore, there is a remaining range calculator 10 provided that determines a remaining range based on the remaining fuel volume in the vehicle and an expected fuel consumption. This remainder range calculator 10 can be part of the navigation computer as shown 4 be. To the navigation computer 4 a position determination unit is connected, for example designed to receive and evaluate satellite signals, such as used in a satellite-based system for global positioning, for example, known as GPS (Global Positioning System).

Of the Fuel consumption is in the inventive Navigation system depending on the selected Route, the terrain topology on the route as well as traffic situation determined. So is the fuel consumption on highways usually for commercial vehicles, slightly lower than on rural roads, because on motorways usually driven more constant speeds whereas on rural roads, in particular winding country roads, the vehicle braked more frequently and must be accelerated again. Even those to be overcome Altimeters have a noticeable effect on the fuel consumption. So is possibly a flat highway route more fuel efficient than a motorway of the same length, which leads through mountainous area.

The navigation computer needs to select the required fuel prices 4 Furthermore, information about the type of fuel that the vehicle needs.

On The basis of this information can be the navigation computer Optimization calculations choose a cost-effective route.

According to one Development of the invention can also be observed here Delivery times, permitted driving times and personnel costs of the driver and operating time-dependent Costs are taken into account.

2 shows a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary calculation process.

In a first step is the invention Procedure started. In a further step, an arrival time or a maximum travel time entered. After that, the most fuel-efficient Route calculated. In a subsequent step, it is checked whether there are traffic reports. If this is the case, taking into account the Traffic news a new most fuel-efficient route calculated. If there are no traffic reports, the most fuel-efficient Route (route 1) calculated, while in the meantime received Fuel price information for a gas station on the Route will be received, provided the remaining range for the chosen route is not enough.

Parallel to this, several alternative routes (route 2 to route n) are calculated and fuel costs of the required fuel are determined by filling stations located on these routes. In order to determine the most cost-effective route, the average consumptions V ₁ to V _n to be expected on the corresponding routes and the route lengths D ₁ to D _{n are taken} into account by multiplying the average consumptions to be expected with the Route length.

By Multiplication of the respective track lengths with the verbauch per km and with the fuel cost per fuel unit to the On the respective routes petrol stations can be the least Determine costs for the respective travel route, which overall, the most cost-effective route can be determined which is then recommended to the driver as a result.

3 illustrates the selection of the most cost-effective route between two locations A, B due to the navigation system 2 available information.

On a route between the locations A, B are a variety of gas stations, which are marked with T ₁₁ to T ₃₅ . On the route between A and B, a section of the route is blocked, for example because of a full closure, marked X. The most fuel-efficient route, indicated by the dashed route section, can therefore not be traveled. The system therefore calculates several alternative routes.

Under Consideration of the traffic situation, the maximum travel time as well as type and topology of the respective routes will be entered per route Average consumption calculated. On Route 1, in the illustrated Example 670 km long, is an average consumption of 9 liters to be expected on 100 km. On route 2, in the example shown 640 km long, is an average consumption of 10 liters per 100 km to be expected. Route 3 has a distance of 655 km at an estimated 11 liters per 100 km consumption.

The system collects for each gas station T ₁₁ to T ₃₅ all relevant gas station prices, which are shown as an example in tabular form. Route 1: distance consumption Route 1 670 9.00 Gas station at km Price per l route costs TA 0 1.31 78.99 T11 55 1.32 79.60 T12 100 1.3 78,39 T13 295 1.33 80.20 T14 455 1.29 77.79 T15 530 1.35 81.41 TB 670 1.4 84.42 Route 2: distance consumption Route 2 640 10.00 at km Price per l route costs TA 0 1.31 83,84 T21 55 1.32 84.48 T22 100 1.3 83.20 T23 200 1.29 82.56 T24 425 1.2 76,80 T25 450 1.33 85,12 T26 500 1.35 86,40 TB 640 1.4 89.60 Route 3: distance consumption Route 3 655 11.00 at km Price per l route costs TA 0 1.31 94.39 T31 55 1.32 95.11 T32 100 1.3 93.67 T33 170 1.29 92.94 T34 500 1.33 95.83 T35 520 1.35 97.27 TB 655 1.4 100.87

From the existing residual amount of fuel in the fuel tank of the vehicle determines the navigation system according to the invention 2 that a one-time refueling on the route is required.

On each of the three routes there is a cheapest gas station, which lies within the remaining range.

It is assumed as a first alternative that the remaining range is still 300 km, it turns out to be the cheapest gas station on the route: route cheapest gas station at km route costs 1 T12 100 78,39 2 T23 200 82.56 3 T33 170 92.94

Although the first route is the longest one, results Due to the combination of the cheapest gas station and the average fuel consumption, Route 1 causes the lowest route costs despite its length.

If, as a second alternative, a remaining range of 700 km is assumed, and the destination could be reached without refueling, there are more petrol stations to choose from: route cheapest gas station at km route costs 1 T14 455 77.79 2 T24 425 76,80 3 T33 170 92.94

In this case it can be seen that Route 2 with refueling is most favorable at T ₂₄ , although on this route the average consumption is higher than on Route 1.

According to one Further development of the invention can be provided that continuously monitor the fuel prices of filling stations and the route depends on the current consumption is calculated. This may result in one of them already calculated route is deviated and instead an alternative Route is used. The method of calculation can be essentially made in accordance with the previous description.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10323936 A1 [0005]
• DE 10335927 A1 [0006]
• - DE 10105175 A1 [0007]

Claims (6)

Navigation system ( 2 ) for a motor vehicle, with a navigation computer ( 4 ) for calculating a route from a starting place to a destination and to the navigation computer ( 4 ) connected position determination unit, characterized in that the navigation computer ( 4 ) Medium ( 10 ) for determining a remaining range of the motor vehicle, wherein a device ( 8th ) is provided for receiving information on fuel prices of at least two gas stations and wherein the navigation computer ( 4 ) is adapted to determine a cost-optimized route taking into account the received fuel prices and the remaining range of the motor vehicle. Navigation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the navigation system ( 2 ) is permanently installed in the motor vehicle. Navigation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the navigation system ( 2 ) is designed as a portable system, the means ( 10 ) for determining a remaining range of the motor vehicle with receiving means for receiving necessary information for determining the remaining range of the motor vehicle cooperate. Method for navigating a motor vehicle by means of a navigation system, with the method steps: receiving inputting a destination, determining the current location, determining a residual range of the motor vehicle, retrieve or receive information about fuel prices and fuel availability of at least two gas stations, calculating a route of the motor vehicle taking into account the remaining range of the motor vehicle and the Fuel prices of at least two gas stations. The method of claim 4, wherein when the distance between current place and destination is smaller than the remaining range of the motor vehicle multiplied by a given factor, the Route regardless of the fuel prices of gas stations is determined. The method of claim 4, wherein the remaining range taking into account the nature of the route and / or its Topology is determined.