EP0752691B1 - Driving assist method and vehicle equipped for carrying out this process - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to assistance with driving road vehicles. It is applicable on a road network with a specific infrastructure, such as a set of fixed beacons distributed regularly along the road.

The overall improvement in road safety and comfort driving assumes that each user has permanence of precise information on his route, on the conditions to which he is exposed and, if the situation warrants, on one or more alternative routes.

Information transmitted to highway users and indications relating to the services offered along these, are the more often grouped on fixed panels bordering or overlooking the traffic lanes, while some special or temporary character are sometimes displayed on mobile signs for example indicating accidents or work. Security messages, such as the presence of a accident, the development of plugs, or the evolution of groundwater fog, can also be announced on message boards variable, and / or transmitted on specific radio frequencies. Finally, given that the information collected from environmental sensors (cameras, thermometer, etc.), or transmitted by certain users themselves from the stop terminals emergency, are piecemeal, and generally insufficient to be operated directly by the information services of the motorway, these rely to a large extent on the reports of intervention and rescue teams, to inform motorists.

Various driver assistance systems or, more general information for users of a specific road network, have already been proposed. These systems generally combine a set of fixed beacons distributed along a road network and a "fleet" of vehicles moving on this network. The publication FR 2,552,573 describes in particular a transmission and reception device for public transport vehicles following a route imposed, such as a bus line lined with beacons, themselves connected to a central unit, which receives signals from all beacons and all affected vehicles. According to this publication, the transmission and reception device with which fleet vehicles, allows them to be recognized by tags and dialogue with them.

The device proposed by the publication FR 2.552.573 allows a central line or transmission network management unit in common, to establish from all the signals collected by tags, information usable by users.

However, it does not allow each user to be sent a personalized information, linked to its precise position on the network, and changes in traffic conditions.

The present invention aims to provide vehicles moving along road axes equipped with an infrastructure of fixed beacons, transmitters and receivers, driving assistance based on the simultaneous dissemination of general information, and information dedicated to each vehicle.

• stocke des informations générales relatives à l'infrastructure du réseau routier et les messages émis par les balises dans la mémoire d'un calculateur,
• calcule en permanence sa position sur le réseau routier à partir de signaux fournis par un capteur d'avancement, et recalés sur la position de la dernière balise reçue par le véhicule, et
• envoie aux balises des données, retransmises par l'intermédiaire du poste central aux autres véhicules concernés.

It relates to a method of assisting driving on a road network from a central station connected to a set of fixed beacons, intended for vehicles moving on said road network and equipped with storage and processing means. and exchange of information with the tags. This process is characterized in that each vehicle

• stores general information relating to the infrastructure of the road network and the messages sent by the beacons in the memory of a computer,
• permanently calculates its position on the road network from signals supplied by a progress sensor, and readjusted to the position of the last beacon received by the vehicle, and
• sends data to the beacons, retransmitted via the central station to the other vehicles concerned.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the messages are communicated to users according to the progress of their vehicle.

Advantageously each vehicle can have on request general information relating to the road network.

• un badge lui permettant de communiquer avec le poste central par l'intermédiaire de balises,
• un capteur d'avancement du véhicule sur le réseau routier,
• au moins un capteur de conditions de circulation,
• une carte à mémoire regroupant des informations relatives à l'infrastructure du réseau routier,
• un calculateur relié à l'ensemble des éléments précédents, de façon à assurer le traitement de toutes les informations concernées,
• une interface permettant au conducteur d'avoir accès aux informations élaborées par le calculateur et par le poste central.

The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped so as to implement such a method. This vehicle is characterized in that it comprises:

• a badge allowing him to communicate with the central station via beacons,
• a vehicle progress sensor on the road network,
• at least one traffic condition sensor,
• a memory card containing information relating to the infrastructure of the road network,
• a computer linked to all of the above elements, so as to ensure the processing of all the information concerned,
• an interface allowing the driver to have access to the information produced by the computer and by the central station.

The invention further provides that the vehicle is equipped with a system radio communication system connected to the computer for transmit emergency calls associated with the vehicle position on the road network, intended for emergency services competent.

• la figure 1 présente schématiquement le système mis en oeuvre, et
• la figure 2 se rapporte au véhicule proposé par l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 schematically presents the system used, and
• Figure 2 relates to the vehicle proposed by the invention.

In FIG. 1, the central station 1 of the system has been shown, connected by wire or wireless, according to a network 6, to a set of fixed 4j beacons, distributed along a road axis, including a highway. Station 1 is also connected to several 2i information sources, such as weather stations, fuel rate indicators, service advertisers available in service and rest areas, operators showing the average vehicle speed on each section motorway, or the presence of accidents, traffic jams, etc. The various information received by central station 1 is processed by it and transmitted to 4j tags, from where they are broadcast towards 3p vehicles.

Figure 2 shows schematically that each 3p vehicle according to the invention is fitted with a badge 13 enabling it to receive over the air 5, the information sent by the beacons 4j and to transmit this information to a computer 7. This is connected for example to a memory card 8 storing data relating to the general infrastructure of the road network, to a vehicle progress sensor 9, and at an interface 10 comprising in particular a display screen 10a, a system for speech synthesis 10b and a controller 10c, such as a satellite under steering wheel. The computer 7 is also connected to various vehicle traffic condition sensors 11r, including fog, heavy rain, and ice detectors, an average speed calculator etc ..., and an accident sensor, sensitive to shocks. Finally, the computer 7 can advantageously be connected to a mobile radio communication system, such as a radio telephone 12.

The driving assistance method proposed by the invention is the next. Central station 1 collects from different 2i sources information transmitted to tags 4d. 3p vehicles receive this information via their badge 13, and stores it in the memory of the computer 7. The latter also performs a cyclic reading of the progress sensor 9, to calculate the vehicle position.

According to the invention, the signals supplied by the sensor 9 are moved to the position of the last tag received, so that the computer accurately determines the longitudinal position of the vehicle on the network. Furthermore, as certain parameters for calculating the longitudinal displacement of the vehicle may change over time, the computer may, if necessary, take advantage of the registration by the tag, to recalibrate these settings.

Knowing the exact position of the vehicle allows the calculator 7 to determine to what extent it is concerned by the security information transmitted by the beacons, so systematically impose the display of relevant information on screen 10a or their voice synthesis in the passenger compartment of the vehicle by the system 10b mentioned above. In general, the driver has access to the information produced by the computer 7 and by central station 1, using interface 10. Regarding the information called "comfort", the invention however provides that these are displayed or announced only at the request of the user, who can interrogate the computer 7 for this purpose, at using his command 10c.

As indicated previously, the computer 7 is connected to traffic condition sensors 11r. In accordance with the invention, it constantly scans the information given by these sensors, and can thus record all particular events detected on a section determined for example by two beacons consecutive. These events are associated with their position exact longitudinal axis, and all of these data can for example be stored in the badge 13, until the passage next to the vehicle in front of a 4j beacon, which will take care of them send over network 6 to central station 1, from which they will be broadcast to other affected vehicles.

The invention further provides that the driver can use his control unit 10c for transmitting an emergency call, to the attention of the competent emergency services. If the vehicle is equipped with a mobile radio communication system, such as a radio telephone 12, this emergency call will be advantageously sent by the latter, either at the initiative of the driver using its control member 10c, or automatically on the order of the vehicle accident sensor. Finally, in all accident cases or breakdown, the position of the vehicle and the character of the event can be integrated automatically into the emergency message.

The proposed driving assistance process is therefore based on the collection and dissemination of personalized information to cars. The information, coming from various sources, is continuously enriched by the information sent to the station central from each vehicle while some messages are triggered according to the progress of the vehicle. This process therefore makes it possible to present in real time to each driver safety instructions and custom messages specific to facilitate driving, such as a list of road sections to borrow, and associated guidance information (panels). The road network users thus have precise information on load shedding routes that will allow them to escape traffic jams announced. Finally, the invention offers a solution particularly suited to the problem of systematic issuance of emergency calls, from a vehicle in distress, and from alert information of imminent danger.

Claims (11)

1. A process for assisting with driving on a road system from a central station (1) connected to an array of fixed beacons (4j), which is intended for vehicles (3p) which are displaced on said road system and which are equipped with means for storing, processing and exchanging items of information (7, 8, 13) with the beacons (4j), characterised in that each vehicle:

   stores items of general information relating to the infrastructure of the road system and the messages emitted by the beacons (4j) in the memory of a computer (7),

   permanently computes its position on the road system from signals which are supplied by a progress sensor (9) and the parameters of which are reset to the position of the last beacon encountered,

   sends to the beacons (4j) data which are retransmitted by way of the central station (1) to the other vehicles (3p) in question, and

   presents the driver in real time with items of information which are pertinent in dependence on his exact position on the road system.
2. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 1 characterised in that the messages are communicated to the users in dependence on the progress of their vehicle.
3. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that each vehicle may have on demand items of general information relating to the road system.
4. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 3 characterised in that the items of general information concern road sections to be followed and/or guidance indications associated with such road sections.
5. A process for assistance with driving according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that each vehicle transmits to the central station items of information relating to the traffic conditions associated with a precise location on the road system,
6. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 5 characterised in that the items of information relating to the traffic conditions are stored by the badge (13) until the vehicle (3p) next passes in front of a beacon (4j).
7. A process for assistance with driving according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that each vehicle can trigger an emergency call intended for the relevant safety services (1), which is associated automatically by the computer (7) with its position on the road system.
8. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 7 characterised in that the emergency calls are triggered automatically by the computer (7).
9. A process for assistance with driving according to claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that the emergency calls are sent by way of a mobile radio-communication system (12).
10. A vehicle equipped to have the benefit of the assistance with driving defined by the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises:

    a badge (13) permitting it to communicate with the central station (1) by way of beacons (4j),

    a sensor (9) for progress of the vehicle on the road system,

    at least one traffic conditions sensor (11r),

    a memory card (8) holding information relating to the infrastructure of the road system,

    a computer (7) connected to the assembly of the preceding elements in such a way as to transmit items of information to the beacons, to determine the exact position of the vehicle, and to determine to what extent the latter is concerned with the items of information transmitted by the beacons, and

    an interface (10) permitting the driver to have access to the items of information prepared by the computer (7) and by the central station (1).
11. A vehicle according to claim 10 characterised in that it is equipped with a mobile radio-communication system (12) connected to the computer (7) for transmitting emergency calls associated with the position of the vehicle on the road system, intended for the relevant safety services.

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