Abstract: A simple, efficient and reliable introduction of a service key into a terminal is made possible by a method for introducing a service key into a terminal where the terminal can use the service key to decrypt service data transmitted in encrypted form from a central control station via a public communication channel. The terminal stores a decoding key which is produced from an initialization value by a terminal programming device using an algorithm. The central control station uses an algorithm corresponding to the algorithm and initialization value in the terminal programming device in order to produce a coding key matching the decoding key. The service key stored in the central control station is coded using the coding key and is transmitted to the terminal where it is decoded using the stored decoding key.

Abstract: A digital card of a highway network is provided in the form of a traffic file in a traffic data control center and in a terminal. Sections of streets or lanes or groups of streets or lanes are each represented as a segment in the digital card. Data pertaining to a chain of segments which follow each other in a numerical sequence in the highway network are combined in the control center into traffic data packets. Each traffic data packet contains (a) an identifier symbol representing the identity of the segment at one end of the chain, (b) a numerical chain segment symbol representing the total number of segments in numerical sequence in the chain, and (c) at least one condition symbol representing the condition of at least one of the segments in the chain The traffic data packets are transmitted to the terminal, where they are decoded and route information is output to a terminal user.

Abstract: The transmission of traffic information from a control center to a terminal is optimized with respect to the volume of data to be transmitted by a control center, a terminal, and process for decoding the traffic information pertaining to a highway network transmitted from a traffic control information center to a terminal.

Abstract: A secure and efficient key management system for utilizing a service key for retrieving service data transmitted to a terminal from a service center via a communication channel. A service key is inserted into a terminal and is used to enable the decryption of the received encrypted service data from the service center. The service center requests and obtains a coding key from a trust center when the service center receives a service key transmission request from the from the terminal. The service key transmission request includes a terminal identity number. The service center forwards the request to the trust center which returns the coding key associated with a decoding key corresponding to the specific terminal. The service center encrypts the service key with the coding key and transmits the service key to the terminal. The service key is decrypted in the terminal using the decoding key input to the terminal by the terminal manufacturer.

Abstract: Optimized, universal transmission of traffic information and the coding thereof by different terminals is permitted in a simple, inexpensive and efficient manner by apparatuses and a method for transmitting traffic information relating to a road traffic network from a traffic information control center to at least one terminal. In the control center, the segments of the road traffic network which are affected by the traffic information are either coded using a location coordinate table, available in the control center, in a form which represents the location of the segments, or are coded using a segment table, available in the control center, in a form which represents the identity of the segments without their location. The control center transmits to the terminal a selection information item which indicates which of the two above codings is used in the transmitted information.

Abstract: An efficient and trouble-proof location referencing of information transmitted from a information provider to the terminal unit is made possible by a method for spatial allocation of information, referring to a location in a terminal unit, wherein the information is sent from an information provider (6) to the terminal unit together with location coordinate data which is associated with this information and which concerns the geographic coordinates (geographic longitude and latitude) of the location and with supplemental location data the allocation of the information to a location is carried out in the terminal unit: based on a comparison of the transmitted location coordinate data relating to the information with location coordinate data in a reference file in the terminal unit; and based on a comparison of the transmitted supplemental location data relating to the information (1, 2) with supplemental location data (4, 5) in the reference file (10) in the terminal unit (8), and by means of a terminal uni

Abstract: Condensing of information is achieved by a terminal device, a traffic center and a method for informing a user of a terminal device about the traffic situation in a traffic network using traffic information transmitted from a traffic center to the terminal device over a communications channel. Traffic information relating to at least one section in the traffic network is converted to information relating to zone in the traffic network, and zone-oriented traffic information is displayed to the user of the terminal device.

Abstract: The redundancy of transmitted traffic information or of traffic information which is to be transmitted is optimized by a method for transmitting traffic information from a traffic information center to at least one terminal device in a vehicle via a publicly receivable (e.g., DAB, RDS-TMC) communications channel or via a private communications channel (e.g., mobile radio), wherein a first reference zone is defined at or around the known or presumed stopping place of at least one vehicle to which information is to be conveyed at a first time point. At least a second reference zone is defined at or around at least one presumed stopping place of the vehicle at a second time point lying in the future in relation to the first time point. Traffic information generated for a reference zone and for a respective future time point with forecasting and/or traffic information determined for the current time point and for the respective current reference zone are/is compiled.

Abstract: A process for the wireless transmission of data to a traffic sensor for assessing traffic in segments of a road network includes collecting data in a plurality of floating cars that travel in traffic and have sensor system for collecting the data. A current driving profile is formed in each floating car from the collected data. Actual values of characteristic driving profile properties are derived from the current driving profile and expected values of the characteristic driving profile properties are formed based on preestablished traffic situation information. A difference between the actual values and the expected values is determined and if the difference is determined to be a serious deviation from the expected values based on preestablished decision criteria, the data collected by the sensors is transmitted to a traffic center.

Abstract: A process for automated vehicle-autonomous detection of a particular traffic situation by continuously detecting an instantaneous vehicle speed onboard a vehicle. The detected vehicle speeds are classified using guidelines which may be based on rigid values or on fuzzy logic relationships, into one or more of a plurality of traffic categories by assigning a weight for that detected vehicle speed to each of the traffic categories. Thereafter, for each traffic category the weights associated with the detected speed values are integrated over time to calculate an integrated result for each traffic category. The integrated results of the traffic categories are then evaluated based on predetermined rules or criteria to generate a probabilistically-based traffic detection value indicating the traffic category representing the vehicles' current traffic situation. The traffic categories and guidelines or membership functions or relationships are defined for use with a particular type of road.

Abstract: A process for selecting traffic information received by or to be sent from a vehicle, whereby the selection is carried out in the vehicle in dependence on a type of road on which the vehicle is travelling at a given moment. The process including carrying out at the vehicle a segment-by-segment determination of a geometric route of the vehicle, whereby information on a particular segment of the geometric route includes at least relative positions of a starting and ending points of the segment, comparing the segment of the route to characteristic geometric parameters of road types, and, from this comparison, determining the road type currently being travelled and using the road type as a selection criterion.