DE19859645A1 - Navigation system for vehicles has topological data memory connected to external, preferably central server that can communicate via mobile network with navigation system units in vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a position detection device, a destination selection device with an input unit (12) within the vehicle (11), a topological data memory (13) with information about topological conditions in a defined area of the Earth's surface and a display in the vehicle for displaying a relationship between the current vehicle position and the selected destination. The topological data memory is connected to an external, preferably central server (15) that can communicate via a mobile network (16) with navigation system units (17) within the vehicle An Independent claim is also included for a method of operating a navigation system.

Description

The invention relates to a navigation system for a driving with a position detection device for determination a current position of the vehicle, a speed dial Direction with in-vehicle input unit for entering egg desired destination, a topology data storage with Information about topological conditions in a be agreed area of the earth's surface and a vehicle interior NEN display device for displaying a relation between between the current position of the vehicle and the selected one Destination, as well as an associated operating procedure.  

Such navigation systems have been in use for some time offered especially for motor vehicles, such as the Sy stem "Travel Pilot" from Blaupunkt.

This enables drivers to work in a foreign environment for example in a foreign city, relatively unproblematic and comfortably guided to the destination they are aiming for without studying maps or city maps or have to ask residents for directions. The well-known Sy stem consists of a compact computer with CD-ROM run werk, a GPS receiver with antenna, a heading sensor and two magnetic sensors on the rear wheels. The correspond Appropriate topologies in the area of the destination are on a CD-ROM that is saved from time to time by a new, updated must be replaced.

The disadvantage here is that especially shortly before the thawing the contents of the topology data have already become quite out of date. Moreover you have to keep repeating new versions of the Buy and use stored topology data or for one "Updating service" either a relatively high one-off sum or non-negligible periodic amounts to the applicants pay provider of the data carrier. Another disadvantage of known systems, finally, is that the CD-ROMs have only a very limited storage capacity and there a number for different areas such storage media must be kept available and / or for reasons of space, only the most important topology data can be saved.  

The object of the present invention is therefore a Naviga tion system with the features described above where the need for individual Upda tings by the end user and a considerably higher Large amount of topology data is readily available hold and can be updated easily.

According to the invention, this task is also as simple as effective way solved that the Topolo giedata memory to a vehicle external, preferably central server is connected, which is via a mobile Radio network with in-vehicle groups of the navigation system stems can communicate.

By providing the topology data in a central location a server that receives its information via a cellular network can pass on the network to the respective vehicle the need for individual adaptation to the new one most of the circumstances by the end user. Rather, without great effort in the preferably central server everyone current version with the latest topology data be held up. Since ideally only one central server is required, it can be connected to an ent large storage volume that can be equipped in a car from a technical and economic point of view points in this size could not be used at all. This makes the topology data available special be finely structured and precise.

For some years now, the so-called "Global Positioning System "(= GPS) known and in connection with navigation facilities in use. A good overview is given by for example the book "Global Positioning System: Theory and  Practice "by B. Hofmann-Wellenhof et al., Which has been in operation since May 1997 in the Springer Verlag under the ISBN no. 3211828397 offered becomes.

An embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous navigation system according to the invention, in which the position data a GPS device inside the vehicle (= Global Posi tioning system) receiver. Such a GPS receiver are now in a large selection and relatively inexpensive Commercially available and easy to retrofit in a vehicle.

An alternative embodiment is characterized by this from that the position detection device is part of the Cellular network is, a vehicle external or driving In-tool computer is provided, the current Posi tion of the vehicle due to in-vehicle construction groups can send radio signals determined by several base stations of the mobile network with difference locations are received. It is advantageous no additional vehicle-side for this embodiment Device, such as the GPS receiver mentioned above required. However, an exact determination of the Vehicle position a correspondingly high distribution density from base stations of the mobile network.

In a further advantageous embodiment, this includes Mobile network preferably a satellite-based Positi on detection system, so that also exclusively radio connections within the mobile network for operation of the navigation system are required. The precision the location for the respective vehicle position especially in the case of the satellite-based variant be high.  

A ver also falls within the scope of the present invention drive to operate a navigation system of the above written type in which the information on topological Conditions in the topology data memory external to the vehicle continuously, preferably updated daily. In order to the advantage of the invention over a vorweiswei Topolo connected to the central server on the mobile network data storage is used particularly well since it is not a pro represents such a vehicle-external memory to "feed" constantly with the latest topology data while with the current state of the art for cost reasons the replacement cycles of the commonly used CD ROMs in the vehicle on the order of at least one Year.

In a particularly preferred variant of the invention The topology data memory is also ver traffic information, especially current data about Ver traffic density distributions, traffic jams, accidents etc.

In other advantageous method variants, the Topology data also stores current information about changeable topological conditions such as B. Construction site len, road closures, diversions, changed right of way successfully fed etc.

It is also advantageous if the topology data Also store current information about changing me geological conditions in a certain area, such as e.g. B. heavy rainfall, ice formation, gusts etc. be fed.  

All of the above-mentioned process variants open up the possibility, in addition to the pure topological conditions for vehicle navigation also actual, constant to take into account changing circumstances that a particular safe, comfortable and optimal route guidance through the enable navigation system according to the invention. So can for example traffic information through appropriate Be observatories of the national automobile, for example clubs or the police directly to the Topology data storage are sent. Current information tions about changed traffic management data can be found at available for example from the road construction company be put. In turn, meteorological data can be from relevant weather services or automatically from weather observation stations distributed across the country to the Topology data storage or the central server be enough.

A method variant in which the the information additionally supplied to the topology data memory tion data at least every hour, preferably in shorter ones intervals are updated. As a role model here for the acquisition and distribution of traffic radio da serve as they are currently widespread across regional Radio station is handled. Practically without any time delay Such data can be obtained automatically using the above mentioned Data acquisition stations such as Wetterbeobach tion stations are fed.

In a further particularly advantageous method variant te is provided that from the server external to the vehicle via the If necessary, the mobile network also sends warning signals to the vehicle's internal system Haugruppen of the navigation system are sent at  for example, traffic jam warnings, storm warnings, black ice warnings etc., and that these warning signals about the in-vehicle to show device and / or via acoustic devices to the Vehicle drivers are brought to the knowledge. In this way mass accidents that have always occurred again more effective than the known traffic announcements ver be avoided.

In a process variant for operating one with a in-vehicle GPS receiver equipped navigation system stems is provided that the in-vehicle GPS receiver the current position of the Vehicle determines that the corresponding position data as well as the data of the entered destination via the mobile radio network are transmitted to the server external to the vehicle, and that the server based on the data available to it Calculate proposal for next action by driver net and this proposal over the mobile network to the fahr internal display device sends. This is special advantageous because of the server, especially when it comes to a central facility deals with extremely high rakes capacity can be equipped so that an optimal before beat for the cheapest route of the requesting drive stuff can be calculated in fractions of a second.

Alternatively, a proposal can be drawn up for an optimal route of the vehicle to the desired destination even in an in-vehicle computer due to the above Mobile network network requested topology data and the current Position data of the GPS receiver from the corresponding Sa tellites occur. The advantage of this process variant be is that only data is retrieved from the vehicle and the actual target calculation individually in  Vehicle itself is done without having to queue one central computer, which in particular may be too long at busy times waiting times.

A method for operating a Naviga is also advantageous tion system, in which the position detection over several Base stations of the cellular network with different Locations takes place, and which is characterized in that the current position of the vehicle from the computer in short time intervals due to the respective distribution of the Si received by the different base stations signal strengths sent by the in-vehicle components ten radio signals is determined, and that the computer due the data available to the server a suggestion for the the driver's next action is calculated and this before passes on to the in-vehicle display device. Here, too, you can use the opti paint the route to the desired destination External connected to the mobile network or vehicle be provided internally.

In all operating methods for the invention Navigation system can set the time for the next query of data by the in-vehicle groups of the Naviga tion system by hand, for example by actuation against a signaling device such as pushing a button etc. consequences.

However, a method variant is advantageous in which based on the proposal for the next action, the Time for the next determination of the current position of the vehicle is determined. This will make the driver of the  Vehicle in its concentration on traffic if possible little disturbed, even if no helpful co-driver to the Be operation of the navigation system.

Further advantages of the invention result from the Be writing and drawing. Likewise, the above mentioned and invented the features further invented in accordance with the invention individually for themselves or for several in be arbitrary combinations are used. The shown and The embodiments described are not intended to be final Understand enumeration, but rather have exemplary th character for the description of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is hand of an embodiment explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with Na vigationssystems fahrzeuginternem GPS receiver; and

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment with position determination via different base stations of the mobile network.

The navigation system for a vehicle 11 shown schematically in FIG. 1 comprises a position detection device for determining the current position of the vehicle 11 , which in the exemplary embodiment shown is implemented by a GPS receiver 18 inside the vehicle, which position signals from satellites 19 a, 19 b, 19 c etc. and can determine the current vehicle position. Furthermore, the navigation system includes a one-touch dialing device with an internal input unit 12 for entering a desired destination, which on the one hand is connected to the GPS receiver 18 , and on the other hand to an in-vehicle assembly 17 , which is connected to a mobile radio network 16 . Via the mobile radio network 16 , the vehicle-internal assembly 17 can communicate with a central server 15 , to which a topology data memory 13 with information about topological conditions in a certain area of the earth's surface is connected.

A possible operating method of the embodiment of the navigation system according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 can look as follows:

• 1. In the vehicle 11 , a desired destination is input into the input unit 12 .
• 2. The GPS receiver 18 determines the coordinates belonging to the current location of the vehicle 11 on the basis of signals from the satellites 19 a, 19 b, 19 c and forwards this information to the in-vehicle mobile radio module 17 .
• 3. The assembly 17 forwards the position information to the mobile radio network 16 , which routes the information to the server 15 .
• 4. From the known location and the target information, the next sensible action for the driver of the vehicle 11 is calculated in the server 15 , taking into account the topology information available from the topology data memory 13 .
• 5. The proposal for the next action is passed on by the server 15 to the mobile radio network 16 , which routes the proposal to the vehicle-internal hair group 17 .
• 6. The display unit 14 , which may have optical and / or acoustic means, displays the proposal for the next action calculated by the server 15 to the driver.
• 7. The transferred data becomes the time automatically point for the next query of an action proposal determined.

The seventh step can also be carried out manually, for example whenever the driver of the vehicle 11 currently needs a navigation aid.

In the embodiment of the navigation system according to the invention shown schematically in FIG. 2, in principle no GPS receiver is required, but the current position of the vehicle 21 is determined on the basis of radio signals transmitted by in-vehicle assemblies 27 , which are transmitted by several base stations 29 a, 29 b, 29 c etc. a cellular network 26 can be received with different locations. On the basis of the distribution of the signal strengths received by the different base stations 29 a, 29 b, 29 c and possibly different transit times, the coordinates belonging to the location of the vehicle 21 can be calculated.

An input unit 22 in the vehicle 21 can again be used to specify a desired destination. Taking into account the topology data of a topology data memory 23 , which in turn can communicate with the mobile radio network 26 via a server 25, suggestions for further actions by the driver of the vehicle 21 can be calculated from the current location of the vehicle 21 and the desired destination entered an in-vehicle display device 24 , which in turn can include optical and / or acoustic means, can be communicated to the driver. The computer required for the determination of the suggestions can also be provided inside or outside the vehicle, for example in connection with the central server 25 .

Claims (13)

1. Navigation system for a vehicle ( 11 ; 21 ) with a position detection device for determining a current position of the vehicle ( 11 ; 21 ), a destination selection device with an in-vehicle input unit ( 12 ; 22 ) for entering a desired destination, a topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) with information about topological conditions in a specific area of the earth's surface and a vehicle-internal display device ( 14 ; 24 ) for displaying a relation between the current position of the vehicle ( 11 ; 21 ) and the selected destination, characterized in that the Topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) is connected to a vehicle-external, preferably central server ( 15 ; 25 ) which can communicate with vehicle-internal modules ( 17 ; 27 ) of the navigation system via a mobile radio network ( 16 ; 26 ). 2. Navigation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the position detection device comprises an in-vehicle GPS (= Global Positioning System) receiver ( 18 ). 3. Navigation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the position detection device is part of the mobile radio network ( 26 ), wherein a vehicle-external or vehicle-internal computer is provided, which the current position of the vehicle ( 21 ) due to by vehicle-internal modules ( 27 ) sent Can determine radio signals that are received by several base stations ( 29 a, 29 b, 29 c) of the mobile network ( 26 ) with different locations. 4. Navigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile radio network ( 16 ; 26 ) comprises a preferably satellite-based position detection system. 5. Method for operating a navigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information about topological conditions in the vehicle-external topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) is updated continuously, preferably daily. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) also traffic information, in particular current data about traffic density distributions, traffic jams, accidents etc. who supplied the. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) also current information on changing topological conditions such. B. construction sites, road closures, diversions, changed right of way regulations, etc. are supplied. 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) also current information on changing meteorological conditions in a certain area, such as. B. heavy rainfall, black ice, storm gusts, etc. are supplied. 9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the topology data memory ( 13 ; 23 ) additionally supplied information data are updated at least hourly, preferably in shorter time intervals. 10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that from the vehicle-external server ( 15 ; 25 ) via the mobile radio network ( 16 ; 26 ), if necessary, warning signals to vehicle-internal modules ( 17 ; 27 ) of the navigation system are sent , for example traffic jam warnings, storm warnings, black ice warnings, etc., and that these warning signals are brought to the attention of the vehicle driver via the vehicle's internal display device ( 14 ; 24 ) and / or via acoustic devices. 11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10 for operating a navigation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the vehicle-internal GPS receiver ( 18 ) determines the current position of the vehicle ( 11 ) at short time intervals that correspond to the Position data and the data of the destination entered are transmitted to the vehicle external server ( 15 ) via the mobile radio network ( 16 ), and that the server ( 15 ) uses the data available to it to calculate a proposal for the next action by the vehicle driver and this proposal via the Cellular network ( 16 ) sends to the vehicle-internal display device ( 14 ). 12. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10 for operating a navigation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the current position of the vehicle ( 21 ) from the computer in short time intervals due to the respective distribution of the by the different base stations ( 29th a, 29 b, 29 c) received signal strengths of the radio signals transmitted by the vehicle's internal groups ( 27 ) is determined, and that the computer, based on the data available to the server ( 25 ), calculates a proposal for the next action of the vehicle driver and submits this proposal the vehicle internal display device ( 24 ) passes on. 13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the time for the next determination of the current position of the vehicle ( 11 ; 21 ) is automatically determined on the basis of the proposal for the next action.