A method for establishing an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment, a system and a computer program product

The invention is related to a method for establishing an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment according to the independent method claim. Further, the invention is related to a corresponding traffic server configured to execute respective method according to the independent device claim. Furthermore, the invention is related to a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to- everything environment comprising a corresponding traffic server according to the independent system claim. Moreover, the invention is related to a computer program product according to the independent product claim.

Vehicular communication systems are basically known, for example for exchanging of sensor data. Sensor data will usually be processed locally on vehicles for determining traffic information. However, processed data often lead to unreliable and/or inaccurate traffic information. Different vehicles have various applications and/or techniques how to collect sensor data. Furthermore, different vehicles have various methodologies how to analyze the sensor data. Usually, all these various methodologies have some estimation scope and/or interpretation failure. There are some known solutions (V2V technology) how vehicles may communicate with each other, for example to share locally evaluated traffic information. However, different manufactures use different communication technologies, so that not all traffic participants may receive the traffic information. Moreover, the locally evaluated traffic information may have failures. Traffic safety may suffer as a result.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment, which may organize, control, support, relieve, reroute, protect and/or assist traffic in such a system in a reliable and safe way. Especially, the aim of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment, which may supply improved traffic services, especially accurate, precise and reliable information, organization, control, support, relieve, reroute, protection and/or assistance services. Further, the aim of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment with improved functionality, convenient applicability, wide range, easy connectivity and enhanced safety. Also, the aim of the invention is to provide a corresponding traffic server. Besides, the aim of the invention is to provide an improved a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment. Further, the aim of the invention is to provide a computer program product for a corresponding method.

According to the first aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for establishing an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment with the features of the independent method claim. According to the second aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a traffic server with the features of the independent device claim. According to the third aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment comprising a corresponding traffic server with the features of the independent system claim.

According to the fourth aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a corresponding computer program product for a respective method with the features of the independent product claim. Details and features disclosed on individual aspects of the invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention and vice versa.

According to the first aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for establishing a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system (may also be called only system) in a vehicle- to-everything environment (which method may further preferably be used for organizing, controlling, supporting, assisting, relieving, rerouting, protecting and/or supporting traffic in such a system), the method comprising: providing a traffic server for supplying traffic services (especially comprising information, organization, control, support, relieve, reroute, protection and/or assistance services) to at least one vehicle in the vehicle-to-everything environment, collecting (especially comprising at least receiving, determining, measuring and/or predicting) a traffic information at the traffic server, evaluating (especially comprising processing, verification, consolidation, adaptation and/or refining) the traffic information by the traffic server, transmitting a message containing an evaluated traffic information from the traffic server to the at least one vehicle.

Embodiments of the method may be carried out in the given order or in a modified order. Individual actions of the method may be carried out simultaneously and/or repeatedly to allow a flowing process.

A traffic server within the meaning of the invention is a computer or a group of computers providing a high computational power, a large memory and easy access to updates as well as to different sensor data, environment data and/or weather data in order to provide a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle-to-everything environment. The backend device within the meaning of the invention is the representative of the cloud.

A traffic information within the meaning of the invention may comprise row or processed sensor data, road condition data, traffic signs data, traffic news data, traffic events data, environment data, weather data and so on, that is several data which may be relevant for a traffic information. Preferably all data as well as all data sources relevant for traffic information may be collected, considered and evaluated (especially comprising processing, verification, consolidation, adaptation and/or refining) by the traffic server for providing a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle-to-everything environment.

An evaluated traffic information serves as a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle- to-everything environment.

The idea is to provide a third party server as a central traffic server which collects several data of various sensors, sources, applications and/or techniques for collecting data, which may be relevant for a traffic information. Preferably, the traffic server may use various methodologies for analyzing data by evaluating a traffic information, combine them or their results and/or verify the results and/or compare the results with the actual traffic situation. Thus, a reliable and accurate traffic information may be centrally provided, especially independently of vehicle brand, sensor equipment, methodologies and technics. After evaluation a reliable and accurate traffic information may be distributed within the vehicle-to-everything environment to all participants of traffic services, especially independently of V2V technologies for connection of the vehicles, preferably by commonly used techniques, like radio waves or Bluetooth. Moreover, warnings may be provided to increase safety in traffic. Also, recommendations may be provided to vehicles how to act according to the current traffic situation.

With other words the idea is to provide an improved traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment. The system may use a vehicle-to-vehicle environment of interconnected cars of different brands, preferably build by generally accessible technology, to guide and to warn one another. Through the integration of third party services/applications by providing traffic information in a vehicle-to-everything environment a centralized provider for improved traffic information may be created for all participants. Thus, the road accidents may be minimized and even avoided. Further, participants may be provided with the ability to assess the message, to forward the message along their way according to the assessment, to confirm receiving and/or accuracy of the evaluated traffic information. The conformation may be provided for example by voice command.

For example, if all the vehicles of different brands on a road are connected and they integrate a third party service, then they may easily share the evaluated traffic information amongst themselves without a need to adapt it to a different technology.

The evaluated traffic information may further include time to destination, traffic jam information along the route, traffic signs/traffic sign recognition, road works, emergency info, conditions of the road or hazard info along the route (icy road, snow on road, flood, reflection road, oil on road, objects on road etc.), and so on.

The warning system may provide messages with an audio/video/augmented/haptic feedback, for example steering vibration for 2-3 sec.

Preferably a private or local network, preferably a mesh network, may be formed by the traffic server through the at least one vehicle with nearby vehicles over a certain distance and/or along the road. This private or local network may be used to integrate third party services and/or to exchange the evaluated traffic information.

In some embodiments, the traffic services comprise traffic information, organization, control, support, relief, rerouting, protection and/or assistance services. Thus, improved traffic services may be provided in the vehicle-to-everything environment.

In some embodiments, the traffic server is configured to provide an application programming interface for the at least one vehicle for using the traffic services (that is for connection to the system). Thus, the at least one vehicle may be provided with the ability to assess the message, to forward the message along their way according to the assessment, to confirm receiving and/or accuracy of the evaluated traffic information. The conformation may be provided for example by voice command. Preferably, the application programming interface may be a software interface independent of different vehicle models, vehicle manufacturers and/or different vehicle-to-everything technologies and/or different technics how to evaluate the traffic information. Thus, a software interface may be provided to other programs and/or devices of the at least one vehicle for connection to the system. In some embodiments, the evaluated traffic information comprise at least one of the following information: time to destination, traffic forecast, traffic jam information along the route, traffic signs/traffic sign recognition, road works, emergency info, accidence, conditions of the road, and/or hazards along the route, especially icy road, snow on road, flood, reflection road, oil on road, objects on road.

Thus, extended traffic information exchange may be provided.

In some embodiments, the evaluated traffic information comprise at least one of the following information: recommendation to action, and/or warning (especially comprising audio/video/augmented/haptic feedback).

Thus, traffic safety in the system may be increased.

In some embodiments, the evaluated traffic information comprise at least one of the following information: relevant area (that is enlarged area covering probably interested participants) for the evaluated traffic information, and/or affected area (that is localized area covering only the zone of the evaluated traffic information) by the evaluated traffic information.

Thus, the presentation of the evaluated traffic information may be provided in an convenient, understandable and intuitive way.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of the following: defining a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information by the traffic server, defining traffic participants in a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information by the traffic server.

Thus, a local network within the relevant are may be defined and created for sharing the evaluated traffic information, as well as recommendations and/or warnings.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of the following: contacting traffic participants in a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information directly by the traffic server and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle, offering an application programming interface for traffic participants in a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information directly by the traffic server and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle using the traffic services of the traffic server, and/or forwarding the message containing an evaluated traffic information from the traffic server to traffic participants in a relevant area directly by the traffic server and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle using the traffic services of the traffic server.

Thus, a software interface may be provided to the traffic participants in the relevant area for connection to the system. The traffic participants connected to system in the relevant area may build a local network within the relevant area for sharing the evaluated traffic information, as well as recommendations and/or warnings.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of the following: verbalizing and/or visualizing the message containing the evaluated traffic information in the least one vehicle, verbalizing and/or visualizing a recommendation to an action and/or a warning according to the evaluated traffic information, and/or verbalizing and/or visualizing relevant area for the evaluated traffic information and/or affected area by the evaluated traffic information.

Thus, intuitive use of traffic services may be provided. Customer convenience may thus be increased and confidence in the system strengthened.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of the following: asking for and/or receiving of a confirmation of receiving the message containing the evaluated traffic information (Al) by the traffic server from the at least one vehicle, and/or asking for and/or receiving of a confirmation of the correctness of the evaluated traffic information by the traffic server from the at least one vehicle according to the current traffic situation, and/or a confirmation of receiving the message containing the evaluated traffic information (Al) and/or of the correctness of the evaluated traffic information may be given by a user of the at least one vehicle by a voice command.

Thus, improved traffic services may be provided in the system. Also, the system may be provided with the ability of self-development and further and advancement.

In some embodiments, communication between the traffic server (20), the at least one vehicle

(10) and/or traffic participants in a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information (Al) is established using a wireless transmission method, in particular radio waves, especially from the low-frequency range to the high-frequency range, Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, Wibree or WiMAX. Thus, vehicles of different brands and sensor equipment may build a local network by generally accessible technology.

In some embodiments, the application programming interface is configured to enable the at least one vehicle to forward the message containing the evaluated traffic information using a wireless transmission method, especially upon receiving and/or assessment of the message, preferably in a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information. Thus, the evaluated traffic information may be distributed to further traffic participants in the relevant area automatically.

According to the second aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a traffic server configured to execute the method as described above. With the help of the inventive traffic server, the same advantages may be achieved as described above in the context of the inventive method. Full reference is made to these advantages in the present case.

Preferably, the traffic server may be configured to define a relevant area for the evaluated traffic information and to connect traffic participants in the relevant area, especially independent of different vehicle models, vehicle manufacturers and/or different vehicle-to-everything technologies and/or different technics how to evaluate the traffic information, in order to supply improved traffic services.

Embodiments of the invention provide, according to the third aspect, a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system in a vehicle-to-everything environment comprising: at least one vehicle and a corresponding traffic server as described above. With the help of the system, the same advantages may be achieved as described above in the context of the inventive method. Full reference is made to these advantages in the present case.

According to the fourth aspect, the invention provides a computer program product comprising a program code for carrying out a method as described above. In other words, the computer program product comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out embodiments of the method described above. With embodiments of such computer program product the same advantages may be achieved as with corresponding embodiments of the method described above. Full reference is made to these advantages in the present case.

Embodiments of the invention and its further developments as well as its advantages will be explained in more detail below using figures. The figures show schematically: Fig. 1 a schematic design of a system within the meaning of the invention configured for supplying traffic services, and

Fig.°2 a schematic design of a system within the meaning of the invention configured for supplying traffic services.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 serve for explaining of an inventive method for establishing a traffic information, warning and/or guiding system (may also be called only system) in a vehicle-to- everything environment V2X (which method may further preferably be used for organizing, controlling, supporting, assisting, relieving, rerouting, protecting and/or supporting traffic in such a system), the method comprising : providing a traffic server 20 for supplying traffic services S (especially comprising information, organization, control, support, relieve, reroute, protection and/or assistance services) to at least one vehicle 10 in the vehicle-to-everything environment V2X, collecting (especially comprising at least receiving, determining, measuring and/or predicting) a traffic information I at the traffic server 20, evaluating (especially comprising processing, verification, consolidation, adaptation and/or refining) the traffic information I by the traffic server 20, transmitting a message M containing an evaluated traffic information Al from the traffic server 20 to the at least one vehicle 10.

A traffic server 20 may be a computer or a group of computers providing a high computational power, a large memory and easy access to updates as well as to different sensor data, environment data and/or weather data in order to provide a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle 10 and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle-to-everything environment V2X.

A traffic information I may comprise row or processed sensor data, road condition data, traffic signs data, traffic news data, traffic events data, environment data, weather data and so on, or with other words several data which may be relevant for a traffic information I. Preferably all data as well as all data sources relevant for traffic information I may be collected and evaluated (especially comprising processing, verification, consolidation, adaptation and/or refining) by the traffic server 20 for providing a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle 10 and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle-to- everything environment V2X which participate in the system 100. An evaluated traffic information Al serves as a reliable and accurate traffic information that may be used by the at least one vehicle 10 and preferably by many or even all participants of the vehicle-to-everything environment V2X which participate in the system 100.

The invention provides a third party server as a central traffic server 20 which collects several data of various sensors, sources, applications and/or techniques for collecting data, which may be relevant for a traffic information. The traffic server 20 may combine various methodologies for analyzing data in order to evaluate a traffic information to a reliable and accurate traffic information. Thus, a reliable and accurate traffic information may be centrally provided, especially independently of vehicle brand, sensor equipment, methodologies and technics.

After evaluation the evaluated traffic information Al may be distributed within the vehicle-to- everything environment V2X to all participants of the system 100, especially independently of V2V technologies for connection of the vehicles 10, 11 , preferably by commonly used techniques, like radio waves or Bluetooth. Moreover, warnings may be provided to increase safety in traffic. Also, recommendations may be provided to vehicles 10,11 how to act according to the current traffic situation. Thus, the road accidents may be minimized and even avoided.

Further, vehicles 10,11 may be provided with the ability to assess the message M, to forward the message M along their way according to the assessment, to confirm receiving and/or accuracy of the evaluated traffic information Al. The conformation may be provided for example by voice command.

For example, if all the vehicles 10, 11 of different brands on a road are connected to the system 100, then they may easily share the evaluated traffic information Al amongst themselves without a need to adapt it to a particular technology.

Preferably a private or local network may be formed by the traffic server 20 through the at least one vehicle 10 with nearby vehicles 11 over a certain distance and/or along the road. This private or local network may be used to integrate third party services and/or to exchange the evaluated traffic information Al.

The traffic server 20 is configured to provide an application programming interface API for the at least one vehicle 10 and/or for further participants for using the traffic services S in order to connect to the system 100. Thus, the at least one vehicle 10 and/or for further participants may be provided with the ability to assess the message M, to forward the message M according to the assessment, to confirm receiving and/or accuracy of the evaluated traffic information Al. The conformation may be preferably provided by voice command. The evaluated traffic information Al my comprise at least one of the following information: time to destination, traffic forecast, traffic jam information along the route, traffic signs/traffic sign recognition, road works, emergency info, accidence (see for example Fig. 2), conditions of the road, and/or hazards along the route (see for example Fig. 1 ), especially icy road, snow on road, flood, reflection road, oil on road, objects on road.

The evaluated traffic information Al may further comprise at least one of the following information: recommendation to action, and/or warning (especially comprising audio/video/augmented/haptic feedback to a user).

The evaluated traffic information Al may also comprise at least one of the following information: relevant area A1 (that is enlarged area covering probably interested participants as shown in Fig. 1 and 2) for the evaluated traffic information Al, and/or affected area A2 (that is localized area covering only the zone of the evaluated traffic information Al as shown in Fig. 1 and 2) by the evaluated traffic information Al.

Moreover, the method may comprise at least one of the following: defining a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al by the traffic server 20, defining traffic participants in a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al by the traffic server 20.

Besides, the method may comprise at least one of the following: contacting traffic participants in a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al directly by the traffic server 20 and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle 10, offering an application programming interface API for traffic participants in a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al directly by the traffic server 20 and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle 10 using the traffic services S of the traffic server 20, and/or forwarding the message M containing an evaluated traffic information Al from the traffic server 20 to traffic participants in a relevant area A1 directly by the traffic server 20 and/or indirectly through the at least one vehicle 10 using the traffic services S of the traffic server 20.

Thus, a software interface may be provided to the traffic participants in the relevant area A1 for connection to the system 100. The traffic participants connected to system 100 in the relevant area A1 may build a local network, especially mesh network, within the relevant are for sharing the evaluated traffic information, as well as recommendations and/or warnings.

In the case of Fig. 1 an evaluated traffic information Al defines a hazard on the road in the affected area A2. This evaluated traffic information Al can be shared with further vehicles 11 in the relevant are A1 , preferably with a recommendation to give space for vehicle 10 to merge.

In the case of Fig. 2 an evaluated traffic information Al defines an accident in the affected area A2. This evaluated traffic information Al can be shared with further vehicles 11 in the relevant are A1 , preferably with a recommendation for vehicles 11 to give space for vehicles 11 on the affected lane of the road to merge.

For more convenience of the user, the method may comprise at least one of the following: verbalizing and/or visualizing the message M containing the evaluated traffic information Al in the least one vehicle 10, verbalizing and/or visualizing a recommendation to an action and/or a warning according to the evaluated traffic information Al, and/or verbalizing and/or visualizing relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al and/or affected area A2 by the evaluated traffic information Al.

For further development, the method may comprise at least one of the following: asking for and/or receiving of a confirmation of receiving the message M containing the evaluated traffic information Al by the traffic server 20 from the at least one vehicle 10, and/or asking for and/or receiving of a confirmation of the correctness of the evaluated traffic information I by the traffic server 20 from the at least one vehicle 10 according to the current traffic situation.

A confirmation of receiving the message M containing the evaluated traffic information Al and/or of the correctness of the evaluated traffic information I may be given by a user of the at least one vehicle 10 by a voice command. Preferably, the application programming interface API provided to the participants is configured to enable the participants to forward the message M containing the evaluated traffic information Al using a wireless transmission method, especially upon receiving and/or assessment of the message M, preferably in a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al.

A corresponding traffic server 20 builds the second aspect of the embodiments of the invention.

Preferably, the traffic server 20 may be configured to define a relevant area A1 for the evaluated traffic information Al and to connect traffic participants in the relevant area A1 , especially independent of different vehicle models, vehicle manufacturers and/or different vehicle-to- everything technologies and/or different technics how to evaluate the traffic information I, in order to supply improved traffic services S.

A corresponding traffic information, warning and/or guiding system 100 in a vehicle-to- everything environment V2X builds the third aspect of the embodiments of the invention.

Also, a computer program product comprising a program code for carrying out a method as described above provides an aspect of the invention.

The above description of the figures describes the present invention only in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments may be combined with each other, provided it is technically reasonable, without leaving the scope of the invention.

Reference signs

100 system

10 vehicle

11 vehicle

20 traffic server

I traffic information

M Message

S traffic services

Al evaluated traffic information

A1 relevant area

A2 affected area

API application programming interface

V2X vehicle-to-everything environment