EP0594495B1 - Driving aid method and device by reception and processing of traffic information - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of assistance in driving motor vehicles. More specifically, it relates to a method and a device enabling the driver to use real-time traffic information relating to a route or a geographic area.

We know many driving assistance systems for motor vehicles comprising a processing unit information, a display screen connected to it, and a control device allowing the driver to control the whole system. The information processed is, depending on the case, vehicle-specific information from sensors on-board such as wheel speed or angle sensors steering, map information stored in a mass memory of the vehicle or on laser discs, or information received by radio, concerning either the location of the vehicle, or road traffic.

In practice, the integration of communication devices and means enabling the driver to exploit these appliances in the best conditions of comfort and safety installation specific management and ordering issues, including when the vehicle is fitted with more than one communication, such as a radio receiver, a radiotelephone or a laser disc player.

Applicant's publication FR 2 656 966, relating to a management and control system for at least two on-board communication, offers to integrate a vehicle into a management and control unit with which these devices communicate permanently by exchanging mutually coded messages. In addition, an instruction unit receives orders user command, and transforms them into internal instructions for that of the devices which is momentarily the only one in communication with it, while managing a means display. This publication provides in particular that one of the two on-board communication devices be precisely a driver assistance equipment, without specifying the nature or operation of this equipment.

FR-A-2651352, on the other hand, specifies the nature and the operation of such driving assistance equipment collaborating with an RDS radio receiver and relying on the radio reception of traffic information and their selection in function of parameters fixed in advance (route followed) by the driver.

DE-A-4126435 discloses an information reception system not making such a selection, the different elements (including a laser disc player) communicate with each other with the others by means of a common bus.

Another assistance method is known from A. Gebhardt and H. Weinerth: "Schlüsseltechnologie Mikroelektronik" 13. Teil: Das Anwendungsbeispiel Audio "published in Elektronik, Vol.38, No 121, pages 92-110, 09-06-1989, München, DE; According to this process known, a communication bus connects a navigation module with screen, mobile phone, RDS radio receiver for radio reception of traffic information, laser disc player, as well as graphical, tactile and sound interfaces. However this last process does not include reading routes or areas geographic data on laser discs stored on board the vehicle.

The subject of the invention is a method of driving assistance for motor vehicle according to claim 1, based on the radio reception of traffic information and on the active dialogue of different communication devices, allowing operation of this information in real time by the driver.

The invention also relates to a device for assisting with the conduct for the implementation of this process, in accordance with claim 5.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the other modes of actionable communications include listening to a car radio and / or the use of a radiotelephone and / or the use of a radio player laser discs.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the paths or the zones geographic maps are memorized and stored on board the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the information road vehicles received are returned in visual form.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the information road vehicles received are returned in audio form.

• choix du trajet ou de la zone géographique,
• synthèse de tous les messages reçus,
• synthèse du dernier message reçu,
• arrêt de la synthèse.

According to one embodiment of the invention, listening to traffic information gives the user access to the following functions:

• choice of route or geographic area,
• summary of all messages received,
• summary of the last message received,
• termination of synthesis.

• accès au message suivant ou au message précédent,
• synthèse de tous les messages reçus,
• synthèse du message courant,
• arrêt de la synthèse.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the consultation of traffic information gives the user access to the following functions:

• access to the next message or to the previous message,
• summary of all messages received,
• synthesis of the current message,
• termination of synthesis.

The present invention also relates to a device designed for the implementation of this process. This device is characterized by what it has a traffic information decoder and at least another communication device connected to a central processing unit control with a common communication bus allowing the decoder for traffic and other traffic information devices communication to dialogue among themselves, and to access organs restitution commons.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the other devices for communication are a radiotelephone, and / or a car radio, and / or a laser disc player.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the driver checks the dialogue between the decoder and the other devices of communication from a satellite located under the steering wheel of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound reproduction of the traffic information is provided via a system speech synthesis.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the restitution member sound consists of all of the vehicle's speakers, and the visual rendering device is a display screen arranged at close to the dashboard.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the decoder traffic information is integrated into the car radio.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central unit ensures the sound management so as to trigger the automatic reduction of the sound volume of the radio of the laser disc player during audio playback of traffic information and / or during telephone conversations.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central unit generates automatically display on the screen, pictograms indicating the selected device, when its operation is not accompanied by a visual restitution.

• la figure 1 représente l'ensemble des éléments constitutifs de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est un schéma fonctionnel simplifié de celle-ci, et
• la figure 3 illustre les commutations entre différents modes opératoires de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents all of the constituent elements of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram thereof, and
• FIG. 3 illustrates the switching between different operating modes of the invention.

In the center of Figure 1 there is shown schematically a unit central control unit 1. This includes a communication bus not shown, allowing different communication devices (2, 2 ', 4, 6, 8) to communicate, under the control of the user. These devices are as follows.

A car radio 2, connected to an antenna 3 allows the user to receive all the radio programs broadcast on the usual channels. In accordance with the invention, the radio 2 can be equipped with a R.D.S. decoder (Radio Data system) 2 'not appearing on the figure, giving in particular access to road and urban information broadcast by the Traffic Message Channel (TMC). Alternatively, the 2 'decoder can be independent of the radio 2, or be mounted in place of it.

The central unit 1 is also connected to a laser disc player 6 and to a memory card reader 4 5. Of course the reader laser discs 6 can be integrated into the radio set-top box 2.2 'RDS. Reader 6 provides the user with recorded music programs or help information driving such as road maps or directions of routes that can be displayed on the display or screen of viewing 7.

In known manner, reading an appropriate memory card 5 by reader 4, filters the received traffic information, relating to the geographic sector or to the route selected by the user. Traffic information captured and selected can be reproduced in graphic form or in sound form. In the first case, this information is displayed in the form of message on a screen 7 arranged near the dashboard. In the second, a speech synthesis apparatus, known in itself and not mentioned in Figure 1 will ensure their return by through the vehicle speakers 10.

This can also be equipped with a radiotelephone 8, connected to a 8 'microphone. The screen 7 and the microphone 8 ', will be arranged for example on the dashboard, near the tachometer. The 8 'microphone allows, in known manner, to use the radiotelephone 8 while keeping the handsfree while driving.

Finally a satellite 9, placed under the steering wheel allows the driver to select one of the devices (2, 6, 8), and adjust the speaker sound (10).

The functional diagram of Figure 2 highlights the connections existing between some of the organs (2, 2 ', 6, 7, 8, 8', 9) mentioned upper. As previously indicated, the driver selects using satellite 9 receiving traffic information, listening the radio 2, the use of the laser disc player 6 or that of the radiotelephone 8. It also has the possibility of choosing between a graphic display on screen 7, or audio via 10 speakers by adjusting their sound volume. When the screen 7 is not used (use of the radio, player 6, radiotelephone) the invention provides that the operating mode corresponding is automatically displayed on screen 7, under the control of central unit 1, using pictograms or graphic symbols.

The device which has just been described allows the user to have real-time visual or audible traffic information relating to the route or to the geographic area of interest while having the possibility to keep or instantly find the usage other communication devices.

a) la sélection du décodeur R.D.S. parmi d'autres appareils de communication (autoradio, radiotéléphone, lecteur de disques laser)

b) la sélection des informations routières utiles

c) le choix du mode de restitution des informations (visuel et/ou sonore)

d) la gestion du son.

The integration of the RDS 2, 2 ′ radio decoder unit in accordance with the invention provides the user with:

a) the selection of the RDS decoder among other communication devices (car radio, radiotelephone, laser disc player)

b) the selection of useful traffic information

c) the choice of the mode of restitution of information (visual and / or audio)

d) sound management.

• le choix d'un trajet ou d'une zone géographique prédéfinis,
• l'adoption du mode "écoute" consistant à recevoir et exploiter en temps réel les informations concernant le trajet, ou la zone retenue.
• l'adoption du mode "consultation" des messages relatifs à ce trajet ou à cette zone, reçus antérieurement.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the selection of the different accessible operating modes relates to:

• the choice of a predefined route or geographic area,
• the adoption of the "listening" mode consisting of receiving and using information in real time concerning the journey or the area selected.
• the adoption of the "consultation" mode of messages relating to this route or to this zone, received previously.

• choix du trajet ou de la zone,
• synthèse de tous les messages reçus,
• synthèse du dernier message reçu,
• arrêt de la synthèse,

tandis qu'en mode consultation il disposera des fonctions suivantes :

• accès au message suivant ou précédent,
• synthèse de tous les messages reçus,
• synthèse du message courant,
• arrêt de la synthèse.

In listening mode, the user can advantageously have access to the following functions:

• choice of route or area,
• summary of all messages received,
• summary of the last message received,
• stop synthesis,

while in consultation mode it will have the following functions:

• access to the next or previous message,
• summary of all messages received,
• synthesis of the current message,
• termination of synthesis.

• la diminution automatique du volume sonore de la radio ou du disque laser pendant les restitutions sonores, d'informations routières et/ou pendant les conversations téléphoniques, et
• l'arrêt automatique de la restitution sonore d'informations pendant les conversations téléphoniques.

In addition, sound management, integrated into the functions of the central unit, includes:

• automatic reduction of the radio or laser disc sound volume during sound reproduction, traffic information and / or during telephone conversations, and
• automatic stopping of the audio reproduction of information during telephone conversations.

In conclusion, the invention is based on the sharing of the resources of display 7, speakers 10 and satellite control 9 between the radio 2, the RDS decoder 2 ', the radiotelephone 8 and the laser disc player 6 or possibly other devices not mentioned in this description.

CPU 1 is also responsible for triggering automatically display on the screen of the pictograms indicating the selected operating mode, when this is not accompanied by visual restitution (listening to the radio, laser discs, use of the radiotelephone, and restitution of traffic information exclusively by sound).

Finally, it is important to emphasize that the process and the device the invention allow the driver to plan his routes user-friendly and in good security conditions, without lose immediate and / or simultaneous access to other devices communication.

Claims (12)

1. A driving aid method for an automobile vehicle based on the reception by radio of road information and on the use of this information in real time, and on the permanent monitoring of the reception of road information, on the simultaneous or non-simultaneous use of other communication devices (2, 6, 8) in different operating modes and on the corresponding use of shared visual and/or sound reproduction members, this method including the reading of routes or geographical areas on laser disks stored on board the vehicle and the selection of a pre-selected route or geographical area memorised and stored on board the vehicle, and making it possible to obtain a summary of some or of all the messages received in relation to this route or this area.
2. A driving aid method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the other operating modes that can be used include listening to a car radio and/or using a radio telephone and/or using a laser disk player.
3. A driving aid method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the user can use a listen mode, enabling him:

   to choose a route or a geographical area,

   to obtain a summary of all the messages received;

   to obtain a summary of the last message received;

   to discontinue the summary.
4. A driving aid method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the driver can use a consultation mode, enabling him to obtain:

   access to the following or preceding message,

   a summary of all the messages received,

   a summary of the current message, or

   the discontinuation of the summary.
5. A driving aid device for implementing a method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a road information decoder (2') and a laser disk player (6) in the memory of which road maps and/or route planners are stored, connected to a central control unit (1) provided with a common communication bus enabling the decoder (2') and the other communication devices (2, 6, 8) to dialogue with one another and to gain access to the shared reproduction members (7, 10).
6. A driving aid device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that it comprises a radio telephone (8) and/or a car radio (2) connected to the central unit (1).
7. A driving aid device as claimed in claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the driver controls the dialogue between the decoder (2') and the other communication devices (2, 6, 8) via an under-wheel satellite (9).
8. A driving aid device as claimed in claims 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the sound reproduction of road information is carried out by means of a speech synthesis system.
9. A driving aid device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the sound reproduction member is formed by all the loudspeakers (10) of the vehicle, and in that the visual reproduction member (7) is a display screen (7) disposed in the vicinity of the dashboard.
10. A driving aid device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the road information decoder (2') is integrated with the car radio (2).
11. A driving aid device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that the central unit (1) manages sound in order to trigger the automatic reduction of the sound volume of the car radio (2) or of the laser disk player (6) during the sound reproduction of road information and/or during telephone conversations.
12. A driving aid device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the central unit (I) automatically generates the display on the screen (7) of pictograms indicating the device (2', 6) selected, when the operation of the latter is not accompanied by visual reproduction.

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