FR2736457A1 - DRIVING ASSISTANCE METHOD AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for assisting driving on a road network from a central station (1) connected to a set of fixed beacons (4j), intended for vehicles (3p) moving on said road network and equipped with means of storage, processing and exchange of information (7, 8, 13) with beacons (4j), characterized in that each vehicle: - stores general information relating to the infrastructure of the road network and the messages sent by the beacons (4j) in the memory of a computer (7), - continuously calculates its position on the road network from the signals supplied by a progress sensor (9), the parameters of which are recalibrated on the basis of the position of the last beacon received by the vehicle, and - sends to the beacons (4j) data retransmitted via the central station (1) to the other vehicles (3p) concerned.

Description

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  METHOD OF ASSISTING DRIVING AND VEHICLE

  EOUIPE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS METHOD

  The present invention relates to assistance for 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 roadway.

  The overall improvement in road safety and driving comfort assumes that every user has permanent and accurate information about their journey, the traffic conditions they are exposed to and, if the situation warrants, about

  one or more alternative routes.

  The information transmitted to highway users and the indications for the services offered along them are most often grouped on fixed panels lining or overlooking the traffic lanes, while certain messages of a particular or temporary character are sometimes displayed on

  mobile signs, for example, indicating accidents or work.

  Safety messages, such as the presence of an accident, the development of traffic jams, or the evolution of fog layers, can also be announced on message boards.

  variable, and / or transmitted on specific radio frequencies.

  Finally, since the information collected from environmental sensors (cameras, thermometers, etc ...), or transmitted by certain users themselves from the emergency stop terminals, are fragmentary, and generally insufficient to be directly exploited by the information services of the highway, the latter relies to a large extent on the reports of the intervention and rescue teams, to inform the motorists. Various assistance systems for driving or, more generally, for informing users of a specific road network have already been proposed. These systems usually associate a

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  -2- set of fixed beacons distributed along a road network and a "fleet" of vehicles moving on this network. The publication FR 2,552,573 notably describes a transmission and reception device for public transport vehicles following an imposed route, such as a bus line lined with beacons, themselves connected to a central unit, which receives signals from all the beacons and all the vehicles concerned. According to this publication, the transmission and reception device of which the fleet's vehicles are equipped enables them to be recognized by the beacons.

and to dialogue with them.

  The device proposed by the publication FR 2.552.573 enables a central management unit for a line or a public transport network to establish from the set of signals collected by

  tags, information usable by users.

  On the other hand, it does not make it possible to transmit to each user personalized information, linked to his precise position on the network, and

  to changing traffic conditions.

  The present invention aims to ensure that vehicles moving along roadways 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.

  It relates to a driving assistance method on a road network from a central station connected to a set of fixed beacons, for vehicles moving on said road network and equipped with storage means, treatment and exchanging information with tags. This method is characterized in that each vehicle: - stores general information relating to the infrastructure of the road network and the messages transmitted by the tags in the memory of a computer, -3 - - continuously calculates its position on the network from signals provided by a progress sensor, and corrected to the position of the last beacon received by the vehicle, and - sends the beacons data, retransmitted via

  from the central station to the other vehicles concerned.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the messages are communicated to the users according to the progress of their vehicle. Advantageously each vehicle can have on request

  general information about the road network.

  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 enabling it to communicate with the central station by means of beacons, - a sensor for advancing the vehicle on the road network, - at least one traffic condition sensor. , - a memory card containing information relating to the infrastructure of the road network, - a calculator linked to all the preceding elements, so as to ensure the processing of all the information concerned, - an interface allowing the driver to have access to

  information developed by the calculator and the central office.

  The invention further provides that the vehicle is equipped with a mobile radio communication system connected to the computer for transmitting emergency calls associated with the position of the vehicle -4- on the road network, for services competent relief. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent

  clearly on reading the following description of a mode of

  particular embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 schematically shows the system implemented, and

  - Figure 2 relates to the vehicle proposed by the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows the central station 1 of the system, connected by wire or over the air, in a network 6, to a set of fixed beacons 4j distributed along a road axis, in particular a motorway . Station 1 is also connected to several information sources 2i, such as weather stations, fuel rate indicators, advertisers of services available on service and rest areas, operators indicating the average speed of vehicles on each stretch

  motorway, or the presence of accidents, traffic jams, etc.

  The various information received by the central station 1 are processed by it and transmitted to the tags 4j, where they are

  broadcast to vehicles 3p.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows that each vehicle 3p according to the invention is equipped with a badge 13 enabling it to receive over the air 5, the information transmitted by the

  4d tags and transmit this information to a calculator 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 to an interface 10 comprising in particular a display screen O10a, a speech synthesis system lob and a controller O10c, such as a satellite under steering wheel. The computer 7 is also connected to various sensors of traffic conditions 1i Ir, including fog detectors, heavy rain, and ice, a -5- average speed computer etc ..., and a sensor of accident, shock sensitive. Finally, the computer 7 may advantageously be connected to a mobile radio system, such as a radio-telephone 12. The driving assistance method proposed by the invention is as follows. The central station 1 collects from sources 2i different information transmitted beacons 4j. The vehicles 3p receive this information via their badge 13, and store it in the memory of the computer 7. The latter also carries out a cyclic reading of the advance sensor 9, to calculate the

position of the vehicle.

  According to the invention, the signals supplied by the advance sensor 9 are adjusted to the position of the last beacon received, so that the computer accurately determines the longitudinal position of the vehicle on the network. In addition, since certain parameters for calculating the longitudinal displacement of the vehicle can change over time, the computer can, if necessary, take advantage of the registration by the beacon, to recalibrate

these parameters.

  The knowledge of the exact position of the vehicle enables the computer 7 to determine to what extent it is concerned by the security information transmitted by the beacons, in order to systematically impose the display of the relevant information on the screen O10a or their voice synthesis in the cabin of the vehicle by the system 10b mentioned above. In general, the driver has access to information developed by the computer 7 and the central station 1, through the interface 10. Regarding the so-called 'comfort' information, the invention provides however that they are displayed or announced only at the request of the user, who can query the calculator 7 for this purpose, to

using his O10c command.

  As indicated above, the computer 7 is connected to sensors 11r circulation conditions. According to the invention, it constantly scans the information given by these sensors, and can thus record all the particular events detected on a determined section for example by two consecutive tags. These events are associated with their exact longitudinal position on the axis concerned, and all of this data may for example be stored in the badge 13, until the next passage of the vehicle in front of a tag 4j, which will send them on the network 6 to the central station 1, from which they

  will be broadcast to other relevant vehicles.

  The invention further provides that the driver can use its control member O10c to transmit an emergency call, for the attention of the relevant emergency services. If the vehicle is equipped with a mobile radio communication system, such as a radio telephone 12, this emergency call will advantageously be sent by the latter, either on the initiative of the driver using his own device. O10c, or automatically on the order of the vehicle crash sensor. Finally, in all cases of accident or breakdown, the position of the vehicle and the character of the event

  can be automatically integrated into the emergency message.

  The proposed driver assistance method therefore relies on the collection and dissemination of personalized information to the vehicles. The information, from various sources, is continuously enriched by the information transmitted to the central station from each vehicle while certain messages are triggered according to the progress of the vehicle. This method therefore makes it possible to present in real time to each driver safety instructions- and personalized messages to facilitate its conduct, such as a list of road sections to be taken, and associated guidance information (panels). The users of a road network thus have precise information on the unloading routes that will allow them to escape the announced traffic jams. Finally, the invention offers a solution particularly suited to the problem of the systematic transmission of emergency calls, from a vehicle in distress, and of

  alert information of imminent danger.

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Claims (3)

CLAIMS [1] A method of assisting driving on a road network from a central station (1) connected to a set of fixed beacons (4j) for vehicles (3p) traveling on said road network and equipped with means for storing, processing and exchanging information (7, 8, 13) with the beacons (4j), characterized in that each vehicle: - stores general information relating to the infrastructure of the road network and the messages transmitted by the beacons (4j) in the memory of a computer (7), - continuously calculates its position on the road network from the signals supplied by a progress sensor (9), the parameters of which are recalibrated on the position of the last beacon encountered, and - sends to the beacons (4j) data retransmitted via the central station (1) to other vehicles (3p) concerned. [2] Driving assistance method according to claim 1, characterized in that the messages are communicated to users according to the progress of their vehicle. [3] Driving assistance method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each vehicle can have at its request, general information relating to the road network. [4] Driving assistance method according to claim 3, characterized in that the general information relates road sections to take and / or guidance indications associated with these sections. [5] Driving assistance method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each 4939 1 16   -9- vehicle transmits to the central station information relating to traffic conditions, associated with a location precise on the road network.   [6] Driving assistance method according to claim 5, characterized in that the information relating to the traffic conditions is stored by the badge (13), up to the passage   following of the vehicle (3p), in front of a beacon (4j).   [7 Driving assistance method according to one of the   preceding claims, characterized in that each   vehicle can trigger an emergency call to the competent rescue services (1), associated automatically   by the calculator (7) at its position on the road network.   [8] Driving assistance method according to claim 7, characterized in that the emergency calls are triggered   automatically by the calculator (7).   [9] A driving assistance method according to claim 7 or 2, 8, characterized in that the emergency calls are sent via a mobile radio communication system (12). [10] Vehicle equipped to benefit from driving assistance   defined by the preceding claims, characterized in that   it comprises: - a badge (13) enabling it to communicate with the central station (1) via beacons (4j), - a sensor (9) for advancing the vehicle on the road network, - to minus a traffic condition sensor (1 lr), - a memory card (8) gathering information relating to the infrastructure of the road network, 49396 1 16   - 10 - - a calculator (7) connected to all the above elements, so as to ensure the processing of all relevant information, - an interface (10) allowing the driver to have access to the information 1 developed by the computer ( 7) and by post central (1).   [11] Vehicle according to claim 10, characterized 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 network,   destination of the competent rescue services. 49398 1 14