CN111758126A - A system for transmitting information about traffic conditions from a sending vehicle to a subsequent receiving vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for transmitting information about traffic situations from a transmitting vehicle to a receiving vehicle travelling behind it. The sending vehicle (S) is equipped with a sensor (1) directed forward in the direction of travel to detect traffic conditions in front of the sending vehicle (S), and with transmission means (2) adapted to transmit information recorded by the sensor (1) to a receiving vehicle (E) located behind the sending vehicle (S). The receiving vehicle (E) is equipped with a receiving device (3) for receiving these pieces of information and a display or evaluation device (4) for displaying or evaluating the information received by the receiving device (3).

Description

A system that transmits information about traffic conditions from a sending vehicle to a subsequent receiving vehicle

technical field

The present invention relates to a sending vehicle and a receiving vehicle as part of a system for transmitting information about the traffic situation in front of the sending vehicle.

Background technique

Overtaking manoeuvres are always a potential danger to road traffic because the overtaking vehicle is in the lane for reverse traffic during this period. The most serious accidents can be caused if the overtaking driver incorrectly estimates the available time. This danger is especially great if a lorry (LKW) or similar vehicle is overtaken, because the overtaking action takes a relatively long time due to the length of the LKW and the overtaking driver has very limited access to the traffic ahead of the LKW due to the height of the LKW 's vision.

Samsung has come up with a product called "Safety Truck" (press release February 2, 2016, https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-presents-first-samsung- safety-truck-prototype, accessed 14 Jan 2019). Here, in the LKW, the traffic situation is recorded by forward-pointing cameras and displayed on a large display located at the rear of the vehicle. The driver of a vehicle located behind the LKW is thus able to look "through the LKW" and better recognize oncoming traffic and other obstacles.

The "safety truck" actually improves safety when overtaking LKWs, but it has the disadvantage of using a very large display. Thus, the system is relatively expensive and has high energy requirements. Furthermore, it is sensitive to environmental influences. Heavy rain, fog, or unfavorable sun exposure can, for example, make the display difficult to see, and the display can be damaged by gravel or hail impacts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the task of communicating an improved system for transmitting information about a traffic situation from a vehicle to a vehicle driving behind it.

The system according to the invention comprises a sending vehicle and a receiving vehicle, wherein the information about the traffic situation in front of the sending vehicle is transmitted by the sending vehicle to the receiving vehicle located behind it.

According to the invention, the sending vehicle is equipped with at least sensors and transmission means. The sensor points forward in the direction of travel and is adapted (especially continuously) to detect the lane and traffic situation in front of the transmitting vehicle, especially reverse traffic, vehicles driving directly in front of the transmitting vehicle and other vehicles in the lane obstacle. The transmission device is suitable for transmitting, in particular continuously, the information recorded by the sensors to a receiving vehicle which is located behind the sending vehicle in the direction of travel and is equipped with a receiving device suitable for this. The sensor and the transmission device are preferably fixedly mounted in the sending vehicle.

In a simple configuration of the invention, the sensor is a camera, in particular a video camera (for the visible spectral range, VIS-camera). However, it is also possible to use UV-sensors (UV-camera), IR-sensors (IR-camera), or, alternatively, radar sensors or lidar sensors,

According to the invention, the receiving vehicle is equipped at least with a receiving device and an electronic display or evaluation device. The receiving device is adapted to receive information on the traffic situation in the direction of travel in front of the transmitting vehicle located in front of the receiving vehicle. This information is recorded by sensors arranged in the sending vehicle (eg by an optical camera as a video recording) and transmitted to the receiving vehicle by a transmission device arranged in the sending vehicle. The display or evaluation device (which can also be referred to as display or evaluation electronics) is suitable for displaying or evaluating the information received by the receiving device. The receiving device and the display or evaluation device are preferably fixedly mounted in the receiving vehicle.

According to the invention, the transmission of the information from the transmitting vehicle to the receiving vehicle takes place wirelessly, specifically not optically, but in particular by radio signals. In contrast to the "safety truck" described at the outset, an expensive, energy-intensive and easily damaged display at the sending vehicle is omitted. The system according to the invention is thus more cost-effective, more energy-efficient and less susceptible to environmental influences. Furthermore, the transmitted information can also be used automatically, eg by electronic analysis or for autonomous driving. This is a great advantage of the present invention.

In a configuration of the invention, the information is transmitted by direct transmission from the sending vehicle to the receiving vehicle (“peer-to-peer” communication, “vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)” communication). The transmission device here includes an antenna for direct wireless transmission to the receiving vehicle. Different transmission techniques can be used, which differ, among other things, by radio frequency and range. For example, Bluetooth, WLAN (eg according to the 802.11p standard), EnOcean or so-called Specified Low Power-Technologie can be used. Furthermore, so-called "Dedicated Short Range Communication" techniques are also suitable, which are already used for toll detection (eg according to European Standard EN 12253 or ETSI EN 302 571). If the system according to the invention reaches a certain degree of diffusion, the transmission technology is standardized by the vehicle manufacturer, in particular in the process of standardizing V2V-communication in general.

The antennas used for direct data transmission are preferably directional antennas. This has the advantage that all radiated energy can be concentrated on the relevant area. On the one hand, a higher radiation intensity can thus be achieved, and on the other hand, a receiver cannot receive the transmission, which is not located behind the transmitting vehicle and the signal is therefore independent of the receiver, which would otherwise lead to wrong explanation.

The directional antenna preferably generates directional radiation having a lateral opening angle of 15° to 25°, particularly preferably 18° to 22°, in particular a lateral opening angle of about 20° and a lateral opening angle of 30° to 60°, particularly preferably 35° to 45° °, in particular about 40° vertical opening angle and radiation intensity for signal transmission up to a distance (ie range) of up to 150 m (in particular about 100 m), particularly preferably up to a distance of 15 m (in particular about 10 m). Interferences can be avoided and energy saved by the limited reach, and it is ensured that only potential receiving vehicles that are located in a certain vicinity behind the transmitting vehicle and are therefore relevant to the signal receive the information.

In another configuration of the invention, the transmission device is adapted to transmit the information recorded by the sensor to the Internet. The data transmission is thus not directly from the sending vehicle to the receiving vehicle, but via the Internet ("cloud-based"). However, direct transmission can be preferred in contrast to this because it requires fewer resources. The display or evaluation device of the receiving vehicle is then adapted to retrieve this information from the Internet.

The invention can also be configured differently with regard to the information to be transmitted. In one configuration, the recordings detected by the sensors (eg video images in the case of an optical camera) are transmitted to the receiving vehicle, and the transmission device is adapted for this. The display or evaluation device of the receiving vehicle is then configured as a screen for displaying the records transmitted by the sending vehicle. For example, LCD-, LED- or OLED-displays can be used as screens. The screen can for example be applied in the interior of the receiving vehicle, integrated into the dashboard of the receiving vehicle or integrated into the windshield of the receiving vehicle, for example as a laminated OLED-display. The recordings of the sensors of the sending vehicle are shown on the screen so that the driver of the receiving vehicle can judge the traffic situation in front of the sending vehicle. If the sensor is an optical camera, the recorded video image is displayed directly on the screen. In other cases (eg when UV- or IR-cameras or radar sensors or lidar sensors are used as sensors), a corresponding conversion is of course required in order to display the recording on the screen in an optically perceptible manner.

In addition to transmitting and displaying sensor recordings, however, other configurations are also conceivable. Especially in the case of automated driving, it is also possible to set up, electronically analyze and interpret the records in order to, for example, derive an assessment of whether an overtaking will take place at a certain moment. This automated analysis of the recording can take place in either the sending vehicle or the receiving vehicle. Thus, in one configuration, the sending vehicle is equipped with an electronic evaluation device (evaluation electronics) adapted to interpret the recordings of the sensors. Subsequently, a signal based on analyzing the video image and depending on the interpretation is transmitted to the receiving vehicle. The signal can be, for example, the message "It is (un)safe to overtake at this moment", which is then displayed to the driver in the receiving vehicle or implemented by the receiving vehicle in the framework of automated driving.

In an alternative configuration, the display or evaluation device of the receiving vehicle is adapted to analyze and interpret the recording transmitted by the sending vehicle and convert it into a signal based on the analysis, dependent on the interpretation. The sending vehicle thus records the record and transmits it to the receiving vehicle, where the record is interpreted. The interpretation in the receiving vehicle can be preferred over the interpretation in the sending vehicle for liability reasons.

Of course, other combinations of the foregoing configurations are also possible. Thus, for example, the recording in the receiving vehicle can be shown, and the signal from the electronic interpretation is additionally shown as an action recommendation.

The sensor can be fastened, for example, at the inner side of the windshield or applied in the interior space of the sending vehicle (for example at the dashboard or roof). Sensors can also be integrated into the windshield, especially when using cameras as sensors (eg as laminated optical chips). Preferably, sensors are used which are arranged in the framework of a driver assistance system (Advanced Driver Assistance System, ADAS). Such sensors are typically fastened to the windshield, possibly in combination with other detectors.

If the sensor is a camera, in an advantageous configuration the focal length is 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 4 mm to 6 mm, and the opening angle is 50° to 70°. Such cameras are suitable for complete detection of traffic situations. In addition to the image chip and the necessary optics, the camera also includes electronics to manipulate the chip, buffer the video recording, transmit the video image to a transmission device, and include other components necessary for the operation of the camera, which are known to the skilled artisan itself is known.

The sending vehicle is in a preferred configuration a lorry, delivery van, van, motorhome, or other vehicle with a taller body that significantly restricts the view of the lane for vehicles behind it.

The receiving unit of the receiving vehicle also includes the antenna and the electronics necessary for its operation. In the case of direct transmission (V2V communication), the antenna can also be designed as a directional antenna which points forward in the driving direction. It is thus ensured that only information from the relevant area is recorded.

The terms "sending vehicle" and "receiving vehicle" should be understood functionally and cannot be understood as such: they are mutually exclusive. Thus, the same vehicle can be equipped with both sensors and transmission devices as well as receiving devices and display or evaluation devices. The vehicle is then used as a sending vehicle or a receiving vehicle, or also as a sending and receiving vehicle, depending on the situation.

Due to the limited range of the transmission device and the use of a directional antenna as the transmission device, which can be implemented passively, only the potential receiving vehicle receives the signal, which is located behind and in the vicinity of the transmitting vehicle. Advantageously, however, additional measures should be used in the receiving vehicle to ensure that the information of the correct sending vehicle is received, displayed and/or interpreted. This is of particular interest when the system according to the invention achieves a wide dissemination, and also in cloud-based transmissions.

This identification can be carried out, for example, according to the handshake principle (“handshake” principle), wherein the transmitting vehicle transmits, in addition to the sensor recording (or information based thereon), further signals which are suitable for identifying the transmitting vehicle by the receiving vehicle . For example, sending and receiving vehicles can exchange electronic data packets that allow mutual identification. The sending and receiving vehicles must be equipped with suitable sending and receiving devices for this purpose and with evaluation electronics. Alternatively, the transmitting vehicle can unilaterally receive signals of the transmitting vehicle in the sense of sensor fusion (sensor data fusion), which signals allow the transmitting vehicle to be identified. In a first preferred configuration, the transmitting vehicle is equipped with a device for generating a backward-directed (static or dynamic) optical signal, for example a flashing light (dynamic), which has a specific characteristic for the respective transmitting vehicle. Signal sequence (code, flashing code). Information about the signal sequence is transmitted to the receiving vehicle together with the sensor signal. The receiving vehicle is equipped with a forward-pointing camera in order to detect the optical signal of the transmitting vehicle, and is equipped with means (electronics) for compensating the optical signal detected by the camera with information from the data transmission, which information is displayed or evaluated by device receives. The two signals are compared in the receiving vehicle. If they match, the correct sending vehicle receiving sensor signal is ensured. Alternatively, a static code (eg a sequence of letters and/or numbers) can also be applied to the rear of the transmitting vehicle, which is detected by the camera of the receiving vehicle. Vehicle license plates can also be used as static codes (license plate recognition). In a second preferred configuration, the transmitting vehicle transmits its GPS position together with the sensor information to the receiving vehicle, so that it (GPS position) there can compensate for the GPS-signal of the receiving vehicle in order to ensure that the received data is actually from a vehicle driving ahead. For this purpose, the sending and receiving vehicle must of course be equipped with a device for determining the GPS position and a device for transmitting (sending vehicle) or receiving and analyzing (receiving vehicle) GPS signals.

Alternatively, the identification can also take place by comparing or correlating sensor recordings (eg camera images). In this case, the receiving vehicle, like the sending vehicle, is also equipped with forward-pointing sensors to detect traffic situations. The receiving vehicle utilizes sensors to create a record similar to the sending vehicle. After analyzing features in the surrounding environment, such as tree shapes, houses, bridges or other buildings, the receiving vehicle can calculate when these features must appear in its own camera image, taking into account the speed of travel. If the signature appears as expected, it is ensured that the correct sending vehicle data was received. Of course, the receiving vehicle must be equipped with corresponding evaluation electronics in addition to the sensors for this purpose. This configuration can be preferred because, for example, unlike the aforementioned compensation of optical signals, it is not limited to the following vehicle (or a small number of following vehicles) of the transmitting vehicle, but has a larger range of action.

Combinations of the aforementioned measures can also be considered in order to increase safety in the sense of redundancy.

Likewise, the present invention also includes a method for operating a system according to the present invention. In this case, the transmitting vehicle according to the invention is operated such that the lane in front of it is continuously recorded by the sensors and the information recorded by the sensors is continuously transmitted by the transmission device directly or after electronic analysis and interpretation. The receiving vehicle is operated such that the receiving device receives the transmitted information of the transmitting vehicle and the display or evaluation device displays or electronically analyzes and interprets the transmitted information. The transmission can take place via V2V-communication ("vehicle-to-vehicle") or "cloud-based" via the Internet. Optionally, steps can be taken to identify the correct sending vehicle by the receiving vehicle. These measures can be based, for example, on the recording of optical signals recorded by the cameras of the receiving vehicle, shown by the sending vehicle, on a comparison of the GPS positions of the vehicles, or on the association of sensor records of the sending and receiving vehicles. The aforementioned implementations for the sending and receiving vehicles also apply correspondingly to the method. Instead of continuous recording and transmission, a development of the invention is also conceivable, in which the transmitting vehicle detects the presence of the receiving vehicle and the recording and transmission are carried out only in a situation-dependent manner.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to figures and examples. The drawings are schematic and not to correct scale. The drawings in no way limit the invention.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a system according to the invention for transmitting information about a traffic situation.

Detailed ways

The sending vehicle S is ahead of the receiving vehicle E in the direction of travel. The transmitting vehicle S is, for example, an LKW which greatly restricts the driver of the receiving vehicle E with respect to the traffic situation in front of the transmitting vehicle S. As a result, overtaking maneuvers can become significantly more difficult, since the driver of the receiving vehicle E cannot reliably grasp and evaluate oncoming traffic or other obstacles in a comprehensive manner. According to the invention, the sending vehicle is equipped with a forward-pointing sensor 1 , which is designed, for example, as an optical camera and is fastened to the windshield. The sensor 1 records a video image of the lane in front of the transmitting vehicle S. This video image is transmitted to the receiving vehicle E by means of the transmission device 2 . The transmission device 2 is, for example, a backward-pointing directional antenna with a lateral opening angle of 20°, a vertical opening angle α of 20° and a range of approximately 100 m. The transmission takes place, for example, according to the 802.11p standard.

The receiving vehicle E is equipped with a receiving device 3 (antenna) with which the signal transmitted by the sending vehicle S is received. Furthermore, the receiving vehicle E has a display or evaluation unit 4 . The display or evaluation unit is, for example, equipped as a screen on the dashboard. The video image of the sensor 1 is shown on the screen. Therefore, the driver seems to be able to observe "through the sending vehicle S". As a result, the traffic situation in front of the transmitting vehicle can be evaluated significantly better. Thus, the present invention provides an improvement in safety in road traffic, especially when overtaking maneuvers are performed.

Advantageously, the system also provides the possibility to ensure that the receiving vehicle E receives the correct data of the sending vehicle S, and thus to exclude erroneous interpretations. In the configuration shown, this is achieved using sensor fusion according to a handshake principle. The sending vehicle is equipped with flashing lights 5 directed rearwards in the direction of travel, said flashing lights sending a specific flashing code characterizing the sending vehicle S. Together with the camera image, information about this flashing code is also transmitted to the receiving vehicle E. The receiving vehicle E is equipped with a camera 6 with which the flashing light 5 can be detected and analyzed. The corresponding electronics in the receiving vehicle E then compare the transmitted code with the detected code. Consistently, it is ensured that the camera image is in fact from the transmitting vehicle S traveling ahead and not from another nearby transmitting vehicle.

Numerous variants and extensions of the above-described simple embodiment are also conceivable. Thus, the data transmission from the sending vehicle S to the receiving vehicle E can also take place “cloud-based” rather than directly (V2V-communication), wherein the camera image is transmitted by the transmission device 2 to the Internet and by the receiving device E of the receiving vehicle E Loaded from the internet. It is also possible that the camera image is first analyzed and interpreted electronically in the sending vehicle S instead of being directly transmitted, and a signal based thereon (eg information on whether overtaking is taking place at a certain time) is transmitted to the receiving vehicle. Alternatively, the analysis and interpretation of the camera images can also take place in the receiving vehicle. This variant is important in particular with regard to automated driving.

The identification of the transmitting vehicle S can also be achieved in other ways than using the flash 5 and the camera 6 . Thus, for example, the GPS position of the sending vehicle S can be transmitted together with the camera image to the receiving vehicle E, where it is compared with its own GPS position. It can also be determined whether the transmission originates from a sending vehicle S traveling in front. Alternatively, the camera 6 can also record a video image of the lane and compensate this video image with the transmitted camera image of the transmitting vehicle S. Then, characteristic structures in the surrounding environment, such as specific groups of trees (forests), can be used for identification. In the receiving vehicle, it is calculated, taking into account the driving speed, when the same feature structure has to be recorded by the own camera 6 when the received information actually comes from the sending vehicle S traveling ahead.

List of reference signs

(S) Send Vehicle

(E) Receiving Vehicles

(1) Sending the sensor of the vehicle S

(2) Transmission device for sending vehicle S

(3) Receiving device for receiving vehicle E

(4) Display or evaluation device for receiving vehicle E

(5) A device/flash light for generating a rearward directed optical signal that transmits the vehicle S

(6) Receiving the camera of the vehicle E

(α) Vertical opening angle of the directional antenna used as the transmission device 2 .

Claims (15)

1. Send vehicle(s), equipped with: - a sensor (1) pointing forward in the direction of travel to detect traffic in front of said sending vehicle (S); and - a transmission device (2) adapted to transmit the information recorded by said sensor (1) to a receiving vehicle (E) located behind said sending vehicle (S), said receiving vehicle being equipped with suitable the receiving device (3). 2. The transmitting vehicle (S) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (1) is a camera, a radar sensor or a lidar sensor for the visible UV or IR range. 3. The transmitting vehicle (S) according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting means (2) comprise an antenna for direct wireless transmission to the receiving vehicle (E). 4. A transmitting vehicle (S) according to claim 3, wherein the antenna is a directional antenna, preferably with a lateral opening angle of 15° to 25° and a vertical opening angle (α) of 30° to 60° and Preferably, there is a radiation intensity for transmitting the signal to a distance of up to 150 m, particularly preferably up to a distance of 15 m. 5. The sending vehicle (S) according to claim 2, wherein said transmission means (2) are adapted to transmit said information recorded by said sensor (1) to the Internet. 6. The sending vehicle (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the recording of the sensor (1) is transmitted to the receiving vehicle (E). 7. The sending vehicle (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is equipped with an evaluation device adapted to interpret the recordings of the sensor (1), wherein depending on The interpreted signal is transmitted to the receiving vehicle (E). 8. A transmitting vehicle (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is equipped with a device (5) for generating a backward-directed optical signal, said device having a characteristic of said transmitting vehicle A signal sequence of (S), wherein information about said signal sequence is transmitted by said transmission means (2). 9. A sending vehicle (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is equipped with a GPS receiver, wherein the GPS position is transmitted by the transmission means (2). 10. Receiving vehicle (E), equipped with - a receiving device (3) for receiving information about the traffic situation, said information being recorded by a sensor (1) arranged in a sending vehicle (S) located in front of said receiving vehicle (E) and by a sensor (1) arranged in said receiving vehicle (E) transmitting the transmission from the transmission device (2) in the vehicle (S); and - a display or evaluation device (4) for displaying or evaluating the information received by said receiving device (3). 11. The receiving vehicle (E) according to claim 10, wherein the display or evaluation device (4) is a screen for displaying the recordings of the sensor (1). 12. The receiving vehicle (E) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the display or evaluation device (4) is adapted to interpret the recordings of the sensor (1) and convert them into signals depending on the interpretation. 13. A receiving vehicle (E) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which is equipped with: - a camera (6) pointed forward to detect the signal sequence of the device (5) for generating the optical signal of the transmitting vehicle (S); and - means for compensating the signal sequence detected by the camera (6) with information about the signal sequence received by the display or evaluation device (4). 14. A receiving vehicle (E) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, equipped with forward-pointing sensors for detecting the traffic situation and for recording the sensors Means for comparing with the records of the sensor ( 1 ) of the transmitting vehicle (S) received by the receiving device ( 3 ). 15. A receiving vehicle (E) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, which is equipped with a GPS receiver and means for comparing the GPS position of the receiving vehicle (E) with that of the receiving vehicle (3) A device for comparing the received GPS position of the transmitting vehicle (S).

Images