JP2006281850A - Inter-vehicle information exchanging device, and inter-vehicle information exchanging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inter-vehicle information exchanging device, and an inter-vehicle information exchanging method capable of rapidly and efficiently exchanging user-desired information between a plurality of vehicles. <P>SOLUTION: When acquisition of the information content is requested, an information list control device 24 sets and generates requested information capable of identifying the kind of the requested information content in an information list. When the information content is input, the information list control device 24 sets and generates retained information capable of identifying the kind of the input information content in the information list. The generated information list is stored in an information list retaining device 25. In a radio-communicable state with a device of another vehicle, the information list of the self vehicle is transmitted to all vehicles to constitute the network. When the information list transmitted from other vehicles is received, the information list control device 24 transmits the information content to the requesting vehicle when the information content of the kind indicated by the requested information in the information list of the other received vehicle is stored in an information content retaining device 26. Further, the information content transmitted from the predetermined vehicle is received according to the requested information in the information list of the self vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle information exchange device and an inter-vehicle information exchange method for exchanging various types of information between vehicles.

  If various types of information can be exchanged between running vehicles, for example, notify the following vehicle of the situation of the traffic accident, or prevent the rear-end collision, or notify the driver of an approaching vehicle at an unforeseen intersection. It is also possible to avoid encounter collisions.

  As a conventional information exchange device, in Patent Document 1, identification numbers (IDs) are assigned to a plurality of vehicles, and information including vehicle identification numbers (vehicle position, vehicle speed) is given in ascending order of the assigned identification numbers. Etc.) is transmitted to other vehicles.

  Further, as a conventional information exchange device, in Patent Document 2, when information collected by a specific person and index information corresponding to this information are transmitted from a terminal through a network, the server receives the information and index information. When a search for information is performed using index information as a key when accessed from another terminal, the server transmits the searched information to the other terminal through a network.

JP 10-322263 A JP 2002-99537 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, information is exchanged between a plurality of vehicles, but vehicle position information and speed necessary to keep the inter-vehicle distance constant in order to enable automatic driving of the vehicle. They are only exchanging information. Therefore, such an apparatus cannot acquire information desired by a person (driver or passenger) in the car. In addition, a person in a car cannot actively provide information to others.

  Further, in the system described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to access a server in order to acquire information, but it is difficult to access a base station or an access point of a communication network from an in-vehicle device. Therefore, since it is difficult to access the server, such a system cannot be applied to an information exchange apparatus between vehicles.

  By the way, it is conceivable to apply an ad hoc network that performs wireless communication between terminals directly or via other terminals without requiring a base station or an access point as a network that realizes information exchange between vehicles. However, a high-speed and efficient information exchange mechanism is indispensable for communication between a plurality of vehicles moving at high speed. This is a problem that cannot be solved by a general personal computer ad hoc communication and ad hoc network technology.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an inter-vehicle information exchange device and a vehicle that can exchange user-desired information at high speed and efficiently between a plurality of vehicles. The purpose is to provide an inter-information exchange method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the inter-vehicle information exchange device according to the present invention establishes a communication link with a device mounted on another vehicle to form a network, and directly or via another device with the device. Information exchange device mounted on a vehicle for exchanging information by wireless communication and acquiring data content from a data storage means for storing various data and an external device of the host vehicle When requested, own vehicle request data generating means for generating own vehicle request data indicating the type of content of the requested information, and storing the own vehicle request data generated by the own vehicle request data generating means. When the information content is inputted from the own vehicle request data storage control means to be stored in the means and the external device of the own vehicle, the inputted information content is stored in the data storage means. The own vehicle content storage control means, the own vehicle holding data generation means for generating the holding data of the own vehicle indicating the content type of the information stored and held in the data storage means, and the own vehicle holding data generation means When a communication link is established between the own vehicle holding data storage control means for storing the generated holding data of the own vehicle in the data storage means, and a device mounted on another vehicle so that wireless communication with the device is possible. The vehicle data transmitting means for transmitting the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle to the devices mounted on all the vehicles constituting the network at a predetermined timing, and the device mounted on the other vehicle Requested data of other vehicles indicating the type of content of information requested in other vehicles transmitted from and held in other vehicles The other vehicle data receiving means for receiving the retained data of the other vehicle indicating the type of the content of the information being stored, and the information content of the type indicated by the request data of the other vehicle received by the other vehicle data receiving means are stored in the data storage means. A vehicle content transmission control unit that checks whether or not the content is stored and, when stored, reads the content from the data storage unit and transmits the content to a device mounted on the vehicle that requested the content; In addition to receiving the content of the type of information indicated by the request data of the own vehicle transmitted from a predetermined vehicle among the vehicles constituting the network, in response to the request data of the own vehicle transmitted by the own vehicle data transmission means Vehicle content receiving means.

  Check whether the request data of the host vehicle indicating the type that matches the type indicated by the other vehicle data received by the other vehicle data receiving means is stored in the data storage means, You may provide the own vehicle request data transmission control means which reads the request data of the own vehicle from a data storage means, and transmits the request data of the own vehicle with respect to the vehicle which transmitted the holding data of another vehicle.

  The own vehicle request data generating means sets the vehicle identification information that can uniquely identify the own vehicle in the request data of the own vehicle when generating the request data of the own vehicle. When generating the holding data, the vehicle identification information is set to the holding data of the own vehicle, and the own vehicle content transmission control means requests the content based on the vehicle identification information set in the request data of the other vehicle. The own vehicle request data transmission control means may be configured to identify the vehicle that has transmitted the retention data of the other vehicle based on the vehicle identification information set in the retention data of the other vehicle. .

  When generating the request data of the own vehicle, the own vehicle request data generating means sets an expiration date in which the request data of the own vehicle is valid in the request data of the own vehicle, and the own vehicle holding data generating means When generating the retention data of the vehicle, the validity period for which the retention data of the own vehicle is valid is set in the retention data of the own vehicle, and the request data of the other vehicle received by the other vehicle data receiving means and the other vehicle Other vehicle data storage control means for storing the retained data in the data storage means, and whether or not the expiration date set in the request data of the other vehicle stored in the data storage means and the retained data of the other vehicle has been exceeded. And when the expiration date has been exceeded, there may be provided other vehicle data deletion means for deleting the request data of the other vehicle that has exceeded the expiration date and the retained data of the other vehicle. .

  Check whether the expiration date set in the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle has been exceeded. If the expiration date has been exceeded, the request data of the own vehicle exceeding the expiration date and the own vehicle Own vehicle data updating means for updating the expiration date of the stored data may be provided.

  The request data, the holding data, and the vehicle identification information are preferably identifiers made up of numbers or symbols.

  The inter-vehicle information exchange method according to the present invention establishes a communication link with a device mounted on another vehicle, forms a network, and performs wireless communication with the device directly or via another device. A vehicle-to-vehicle information exchange method for exchanging information between vehicles, in which a control unit mounted on a device of the host vehicle is used to transmit information content from an external device of the host vehicle according to a control program stored in the storage unit. When acquisition is requested, request data for the own vehicle indicating the type of content of the requested information is generated, the generated request data for the own vehicle is stored in the data storage means, and the content of information from an external device of the own vehicle Is stored in the data storage means, and the vehicle's holding data indicating the type of information content stored and held in the data storage means is stored. A predetermined timing when a communication link is established with a device mounted on another vehicle and wireless communication is possible with the device. Then, the request data of the own vehicle and the holding data of the own vehicle are transmitted to the devices mounted on all the vehicles constituting the network, and the request is transmitted from the devices mounted on the other vehicles. The request data of the other vehicle indicating the type of the content of the received information and the holding data of the other vehicle indicating the type of the content of the information held in the other vehicle are received, and the type of the type indicated by the received request data of the other vehicle Check whether the content of the information is stored in the data storage means, and if so, read the content from the data storage means, The type of data indicated by the request data of the own vehicle transmitted from a predetermined vehicle among the vehicles constituting the network is transmitted according to the request data of the own vehicle transmitted to the device mounted on the requested vehicle. The content of information is received.

  As described above, in the present invention, when acquisition of information content is requested, request data for the own vehicle indicating the type of the requested information content is generated, and the generated request data for the own vehicle is stored in the data storage means. When the content of the information is input, the content of the input information is stored in the data storage means, and the holding data of the own vehicle indicating the type of the information content stored and held in the data storage means is generated. The stored data of the own vehicle is stored in the data storage means, and the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle are transmitted at a predetermined timing when wireless communication with a device mounted on another vehicle is possible. Is transmitted to the devices mounted on all the vehicles that make up the network, and is transmitted from the devices mounted on the other vehicles. The request data of the other vehicle indicating the type of information content and the holding data of the other vehicle indicating the type of content of information held in the other vehicle are received, and the type of information indicated by the received request data of the other vehicle is received. Check whether the content is stored in the data storage means, and when it is stored, read the content from the data storage means, and transmit the content to the device mounted on the vehicle that requested the content, Since it is configured to receive the content of the type of information indicated by the request data of the own vehicle transmitted from a predetermined vehicle among the vehicles constituting the network in accordance with the transmitted request data of the own vehicle, the request By transmitting and receiving data and holding data between vehicles, requesting the vehicle holding the content of the specific type of information and the content. Only when the vehicle there are found, it is possible to transmit and receive the content. As a result, the amount of information transmitted and received between a plurality of vehicles can be reduced, and user-desired information can be exchanged between the plurality of vehicles at high speed and efficiently.

  Further, in the present invention, it is confirmed whether or not the request data of the own vehicle indicating the type that matches the type indicated by the received holding data of the other vehicle is stored in the data storage means. Since the request data of the own vehicle is read from the storage means and the request data of the own vehicle is transmitted to the vehicle that has transmitted the holding data of the other vehicle, Even if the vehicle holding the content and the network are not configured, when the vehicle and the network holding the user-desired content are subsequently configured, the user-desired content is acquired from the vehicle. Will be able to.

  Further, in the present invention, vehicle identification information capable of uniquely identifying a vehicle is set in the request data and holding data, and the vehicle is specified based on the vehicle identification information. Therefore, the content of a specific type of information is held. It is possible to reliably recognize and identify the vehicle and the vehicle requesting the content.

  In the present invention, the expiration date is set in the request data and the holding data, and whether or not the expiration date set in the request data of the other vehicle and the holding data of the other vehicle stored in the data storage means is exceeded. If the expiration date has been exceeded, the request data of other vehicles that have exceeded the expiration date and the retained data of other vehicles are deleted, so the content of old information that the user does not want to obtain It is possible to prevent transmission / reception of data.

  Further, in the present invention, it is confirmed whether or not the expiration date set in the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle has been exceeded, and if the expiration date has been exceeded, the own vehicle that has exceeded the expiration date Since the expiration date of the request data and the retained data of the own vehicle is updated, the content of information that the user desires to acquire or provide can be acquired and provided over a long period of time.

  Moreover, in this invention, when request data, holding | maintenance data, and vehicle identification information are identifiers consisting of a number or a symbol, the data amount always transmitted / received when the network is comprised can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an ad hoc network according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1, four vehicles 1-1 to 1-4 are traveling on the road. Inter-vehicle information exchange devices 2-1 to 2-4 are mounted on the respective vehicles 1-1 to 1-4. An ad hoc network connected by an ad hoc communication link is formed by the inter-vehicle information exchange devices 2-1 to 2-4.

  Here, as described above, an ad hoc network is a wireless connection between terminals (PC, PDA, mobile phone, etc.) that can be wirelessly connected without using a base station or an access point, or via other terminals. A network for communication. An ad hoc network employs a form (multi-hop communication) in which a large number of terminals are connected to each other without intervening access points while using technologies such as IEEE802.11x and Bluetooth widely used for wireless connection of computers and the like. . Accordingly, a base station and an access point are not required, and a network can be constructed at a low cost in a place without such infrastructure, which is effective as a simple network construction means within a limited area.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of information transmitted and received between vehicles. Information transmitted and received between vehicles (between information exchange devices between vehicles) includes “information catalog” that is a catalog of information and “information content” (also referred to as content) that is the main body (contents) of information. In the “information inventory”, as shown in FIG. 2, “vehicle ID” which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the host vehicle and “request information” which is an identifier of information content requesting acquisition from another vehicle. And “holding information” that is an identifier of information content held by the vehicle (own vehicle) and “expiration date” that is a time limit for validating the information list. Further, as a specific example of “information content”, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a content such as “There is a traffic accident at the XX intersection in XX town” is assumed.

  “Vehicle ID” is an identifier composed of a plurality of digits or symbols (eight digits in the example shown in FIG. 2), and is preset in the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 (the vehicle ID holding device 27).

  “Request information” and “holding information” are also identifiers composed of numbers or symbols of a plurality of digits (8 digits in the example shown in FIG. 2). By these identifiers, the type (type) of information content requested to be obtained is identified, and the type (type) of information content held by itself is identified. The following methods are conceivable as methods for identifying “request information” and “holding information”. For example, “request information” and “holding information” are classified into large categories by the first digit and the second digit or symbol, and each of the large categories is moderate by the third and fourth digit or symbol. Each of the intermediate categories is classified into subdivided categories according to numbers or symbols in the fifth and sixth digits. The 7th and 8th digits or symbols are added to identify each piece of information.

  As will be described later, the “request information” is set in the information list when the information list is generated by the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 in response to a request for acquisition (acquisition) of information from the outside. “Information” is set in the information list when the information list is generated by the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 in response to the input of information from the outside.

  The “expiration date” is also set in the information list when the information list is generated. The “expiration date” may be a uniform time limit (for example, half a day, 3 days, etc.) for all information catalogs, or may be a different time limit depending on the type of information content. For example, if the information type is “traffic jam information”, it may be different for 3 hours, and if it is “current news”, it may be 1 day. In this case, when the information list is generated, a different deadline is set in the information list as an expiration date by checking the type of information content. Further, the time limit may be different between the case where “request information” is set in the information list and the case where “holding information” is set in the information list.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-vehicle information exchange apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, an inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 and an external device 3 are mounted on the vehicle. The inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 includes an ad hoc communication device 21, an information inventory transmission / reception device 22, an information content transmission / reception device 23, an information inventory management device 24, an information inventory holding device 25, an information content holding device 26, and a vehicle ID holding device 27. It has. Each vehicle 1-1 to 1-4 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with an inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 having the same configuration shown in FIG.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the ad hoc communication device 21 is a communication device that establishes an ad hoc communication link with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 on another vehicle and enables mutual communication. For example, a wireless LAN communication device, a narrow area wireless communication device, an infrared communication device, and the like correspond to this. The ad hoc communication device 21 relays communication not addressed to itself in order to enable communication between the vehicle information exchange devices 2 mounted on two vehicles that are not directly connected by an ad hoc communication link. Has function. With this function, in an ad hoc network, communication can be performed between two arbitrary inter-vehicle information exchange apparatuses that form the network.

  The information inventory transmission / reception device 22 receives the information inventory addressed to itself transmitted from the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 on the other vehicle sent from the ad hoc communication device 21, and sends the received information inventory to the information inventory management device 24. . In addition, the information inventory transmission / reception device 22 transmits the information inventory addressed to the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 on the other vehicle sent from the information inventory management device 24 via the ad hoc communication device 21.

  The information content transmission / reception device 23 receives the information content addressed to itself transmitted from the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 on the other vehicle sent from the ad hoc communication device 21, and sends the received information content to the information inventory management device 24. . The information content transmitting / receiving device 23 transmits the information content addressed to the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 on the other vehicle sent from the information inventory management device 24 via the ad hoc communication device 21.

  The information list holding device 25 stores, stores, and provides an information list in accordance with a request from the information list management device 24. The information content holding device 26 stores, stores, and provides information content according to a request from the information inventory management device 24. The vehicle ID holding device 27 is a device that stores and provides an identifier (vehicle ID) that can uniquely identify a vehicle in an ad hoc network in accordance with a request from the information inventory management device 24.

  The information inventory management device 24 is realized by a control unit such as a microprocessor operating according to a control program stored in a storage unit (not shown) such as a memory.

  The external device 3 is a device other than the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 mounted on the vehicle. For example, a vehicle control device, a car navigation device, a probe vehicle-mounted device, and the like correspond to this. The external device 3 requests information content from the information inventory management device 24 in response to a user operation or automatically. Also, the external device 3 itself generates information content or acquires information content (acquires information content by a user input operation or acquires information content by communication such as GPS), and generates such information. Alternatively, the acquired information content is output to the information inventory management device 24.

  Next, the operation during standby of the inter-vehicle information exchange device will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation during standby in the inter-vehicle information exchange device of the present invention.

  During standby, the information list management device 24 checks the expiration date of the information list of other vehicles stored in the information list character device 25 (step S001). When the expiration date has expired (Yes in step S002), the information list management device 24 deletes the information list whose expiration date has expired (step S003). Further, the information inventory management device 24 checks the expiration date of the information inventory of the host vehicle stored in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S004). If the expiration date has expired (Yes in step S005), the information list management device 24 generates a new information list with the updated expiration date (step S006). Then, the information inventory management device 24 stores the generated information inventory in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S007).

  Note that the information inventory management device 24 may automatically delete the information inventory when it is confirmed that the information inventory of the host vehicle has expired. Further, only the information list for which “request information” is set may be deleted, or only the information list for which “holding information” is set may be deleted. Further, the information inventory management device 24 may notify the external device 3 that the expiration date of the information inventory has expired. In this case, the external device 3 is configured to display on the display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that the expiration date of the information list has expired and to allow the user to select whether or not to update the expiration date. It is preferable.

  When the ad hoc communication device 21 of the own vehicle has established an ad hoc communication link with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 (ad hoc communication device 21) of the other vehicle and can communicate with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of the other vehicle ( In step S008, Yes), the information list management device 24 instructs the information list transmission / reception device 22 to transmit the newly generated information list. When receiving an instruction to transmit a new information list from the information list management device 24, the information list transmission / reception device 22 sends a new information list to the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of the other vehicle via the ad hoc communication device 21. Transmit (step S009). At this time, the destination of the information list transmitted from the information list transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 is all vehicles (that is, the destination vehicle is not specified). Therefore, the transmitted information list is repeatedly relayed and delivered to the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of all the vehicles constituting the ad hoc network. On the other hand, if communication with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of the other vehicle is not possible (No in step S008), the information catalog transmission is waited until communication is possible. Thereafter, when transmission becomes possible, an information list waiting for transmission is transmitted (see FIG. 7). This operation is repeated during standby.

  Next, the operation at the time of information content request from the external device 3 in the inter-vehicle information exchange device will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of information content request from an external device in the inter-vehicle information exchange device of the present invention.

  When the user desires to acquire predetermined information, the user operates a key or button on the external device 3 to set the desired information in the external device 3. The external device 3 outputs the set information request to the information inventory management device 24 of the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2. At this time, the requested information content is classified into a predetermined category. However, it is not always necessary to specify a small subdivided category, and only a moderate category may be specified.

  When a request for information content is made from the external device 3 to the information inventory management device 24 (step S101), the information inventory management device 24 first determines whether the requested information content exists in the information content holding device 26. Search is performed (step S102). Here, the search of the information content is performed to determine whether there is an information content of a category that matches the category of the requested information content.

  When the requested information content exists in the information content holding device 26 (Yes in step S103), the information inventory management device 24 extracts the information content from the information content holding device 26, and displays the retrieved user desired information content. The data is output to the external device 3 (step S104). When the external device 3 receives the information content output from the information inventory management device 24, the external device 3 displays the received information content on a display unit such as an LCD (liquid crystal display).

  If the requested information content does not exist in the information content holding device 26 (No in step S103), the information inventory management device 24 indicates that the “retention information” that matches the category of the requested information content is the information inventory holding device 25. It is searched whether it exists in the information catalog of the other vehicle stored in (step S105). Specifically, when the identifier corresponding to the category of the requested information content is “200502 **” (* is a wild card), the “holding information” in the information list of the other vehicle is, for example, an identifier “200505014”. If so, it is determined that “holding information” that matches the category of the requested information content exists in the information list of the other vehicle. On the other hand, if the “holding information” in the information list of the other vehicle is an identifier “2005050301”, for example, it is determined that the “holding information” that matches the category of the requested information content does not exist in the information list of the other vehicle.

  When the requested information content exists in the information inventory of the other vehicle (Yes in step S106), the information inventory management device 24 attempts to acquire the information content for the vehicle that seems to hold the information content. (Step S107). Specifically, the information inventory management device 24 acquires the “vehicle ID” set in the information inventory of other vehicles, and identifies the vehicle holding the information content from the acquired “vehicle ID”. Then, it is confirmed whether or not an ad hoc communication link is currently established with another vehicle (not limited to the vehicle specified from the “vehicle ID”). When the ad hoc communication link is established, the information inventory management device 24 instructs the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 to obtain an information content request for the vehicle identified from the “vehicle ID”. The information content transmitting / receiving device 23 establishes an ad hoc communication link via the ad hoc communication device 21 for an acquisition request for information content addressed to the instructed vehicle (“information inventory” in which “request information” is set). Send to other vehicles. When the information content is transmitted in response to the acquisition request from the vehicle that has requested acquisition of the information content, the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 receives the information content via the ad hoc communication device 21, and the received information content is an information inventory. The data is output to the management device 24. The information inventory management device 24 receives the information content from the information content transmitting / receiving device 23. As a result, the acquisition of the information content is successful.

  If acquisition of the information content is successful (Yes in step S108), the information inventory management device 24 stores the acquired information content in the information content holding device 26 (step S109) and outputs it to the external device 3 (step S104). ). When the external device 3 receives the information content output from the information inventory management device 24, the external device 3 displays the received information content on a display unit such as an LCD (liquid crystal display).

  If the requested information content does not exist in the “retained information” in the information inventory of other vehicles stored in the information inventory holding device 25 (No in step S106), and if the requested information content is retained If acquisition of the information content for the likely vehicle fails (No in step S108), the information inventory management device 24 saves (stores) the identifier corresponding to the requested category of information content in the information inventory holding device 25. ) Is added to the item “request information” of the information list of the own vehicle, and the information list of the own vehicle is regenerated (step S110).

  The information inventory management device 24 stores the generated information inventory in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S111). Further, when the ad hoc communication device 21 of the own vehicle has established an ad hoc communication link with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 (ad hoc communication device 21) of the other vehicle and can communicate with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of the other vehicle. (Yes in step S112), the information list management device 24 instructs the information list transmission / reception device 22 to transmit the generated information list. The information inventory transmitting / receiving device 22 transmits the information inventory to other vehicles that have established a link in response to an instruction from the information inventory managing device 24 (step S113). At this time, the destination of the information list transmitted from the information list transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 is all vehicles (that is, the destination vehicle is not specified). Therefore, the transmitted information list is repeatedly relayed and delivered to all vehicles constituting the ad hoc network.

  Next, an operation at the time of inputting information contents from the external device 3 in the inter-vehicle information exchange device will be described. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the information content input from the external device in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention.

  When the user wants to provide predetermined information, the user operates a key or button on the external device 3 to input the predetermined information to the external device 3. The external device 3 outputs the input information to the information inventory management device 24 of the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2. Further, when the external device 3 acquires information by itself (for example, when information such as traffic jam information is acquired by a function such as GPS), the external device 3 outputs the acquired information to the information inventory management device 24. At this time, the information content output to the information inventory management device 24 is classified into a predetermined category. However, it is not always necessary to specify a small subdivided category, and only a moderate category may be specified.

  When input of information content from the external device 3 is performed in the information inventory management device 24 (step S201), the information inventory management device 24 first stores the input information content in the information content holding device 26 (step S202). . Next, the information inventory management device 24 searches whether the “request information” that matches the category of the input information content exists in the information inventory of other vehicles stored in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S203). ). Specifically, when the identifier corresponding to the input information content category is “200502 **” (* is a wild card), the “request information” in the information list of the other vehicle is, for example, an identifier “200505014”. If so, it is determined that “request information” that matches the category of the input information content exists in the information list of the other vehicle. On the other hand, if the “request information” in the information list of the other vehicle is an identifier “2005050301”, for example, it is determined that “request information” that matches the category of the input information content does not exist in the information list of the other vehicle.

  When the input information content exists in the information inventory of the other vehicle (Yes in step S204), the information inventory management device 24 attempts to transmit the information content to the vehicle that seems to be requesting the information content ( Step S205). Specifically, the information inventory management device 24 acquires the “vehicle ID” set in the information inventory of the other vehicle, and identifies the vehicle requesting the information content from the acquired “vehicle ID”. Then, it is confirmed whether or not an ad hoc communication link is currently established with another vehicle (not limited to the vehicle specified from the “vehicle ID”). When the ad hoc communication link is established, the information inventory management device 24 instructs the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 to transmit the information content to the vehicle specified from the “vehicle ID”. The information content transmitting / receiving device 23 transmits the information content to the instructed vehicle to other vehicles that have established an ad hoc communication link. Note that the information content may not reach the destination vehicle. In this case, the information content is retained or discarded in any vehicle.

  Thereafter, the information inventory management device 24 regenerates the information catalog of the own vehicle after adding the identifier of the input information content to the item “retained information” of the information inventory of the own vehicle stored in the information inventory holding device 25. (Step S206). Here, the identifier of “holding information” is an identifier corresponding to the category of the input information content. In the “vehicle ID”, a preset identifier of the host vehicle is set.

  The information inventory management device 24 stores the generated information inventory in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S207). Further, when the ad hoc communication device 21 of the own vehicle has established an ad hoc communication link with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 (ad hoc communication device 21) of the other vehicle and can communicate with the inter-vehicle information exchange device 2 of the other vehicle. (Yes in step S208), the information inventory management device 24 instructs the information inventory transmitting / receiving device 22 to transmit the generated information inventory. The information inventory transmission / reception device 22 transmits the information inventory to other vehicles that have established a link in response to an instruction from the information inventory management device 24 (step S209). At this time, the destination of the information list transmitted from the information list transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 is all vehicles (that is, the destination vehicle is not specified). Therefore, the transmitted information list is repeatedly relayed and delivered to all vehicles constituting the ad hoc network.

  Next, the operation of the inter-vehicle information exchange apparatus when communication with another vehicle becomes possible will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation when communication with another vehicle becomes possible in the inter-vehicle information exchange apparatus of the present invention.

  Each time the ad hoc communication device 21 becomes communicable with another vehicle (step S301), the information inventory management device 24 sets the information inventory ("request information") of the host vehicle stored in the information inventory holding device 25. The information list transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 is instructed to transmit the information list and the “information list in which“ holding information ”is set”. In response to the instruction from the information inventory management device 24, the information inventory transmitting / receiving device 22 transmits the information inventory of the host vehicle to other vehicles (step S302). At this time, the destination of the information list transmitted from the information list transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 is all vehicles (that is, the destination vehicle is not specified). Therefore, the transmitted information list is repeatedly relayed and delivered to all vehicles constituting the ad hoc network.

  Next, the operation when an information list is received from another vehicle in the inter-vehicle information exchange device will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when an information list is received from another vehicle in the inter-vehicle information exchange device of the present invention.

  When the information inventory transmission / reception device 22 receives an information inventory of another vehicle via the ad hoc communication device 21 (step S401), the information inventory management device 24 stores the received information inventory in the information inventory holding device 25 (step S401). S402). Next, the information inventory management device 24 refers to the information inventory of the own vehicle stored in the information inventory holding device 25, and the information content held by the other vehicles included in the received information inventory is that of the own vehicle. It is checked whether it is included in the requested information content (step S403). In other words, the “retention information” in the information list received from the other vehicle is compared with the “request information” in the stored information list of the own vehicle, and it is confirmed whether there is a match.

  When the match between the “holding information” and the “request information” is confirmed (Yes in step S404), the information inventory management device 24 acquires the information content for the vehicle that seems to hold the information content. An attempt is made (step S405). Specifically, the information inventory management device 24 acquires the “vehicle ID” set in the information inventory of other vehicles, and identifies the vehicle holding the information content from the acquired “vehicle ID”. Then, the information inventory management device 24 instructs the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 to obtain an information content acquisition request for the vehicle identified from the “vehicle ID”. The information content transmitting / receiving device 23 transmits an acquisition request for information content addressed to the instructed vehicle to another vehicle that has established an ad hoc communication link via the ad hoc communication device 21. When the information content is transmitted in response to the acquisition request from the vehicle that has requested acquisition of the information content, the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 receives the information content via the ad hoc communication device 21, and the received information content is an information inventory. The data is output to the management device 24. The information inventory management device 24 receives the information content from the information content transmitting / receiving device 23. As a result, the acquisition of the information content is successful.

  Next, the information inventory management device 24 refers to the information inventory of the own vehicle stored in the information inventory holding device 25, and the information content requested by the other vehicles included in the received information inventory is that of the own vehicle. It is checked whether it is included in the held information content (step S406). That is, the “request information” of the received information list from the other vehicle is compared with the “retained information” of the stored information list of the own vehicle to confirm whether there is a match.

  When the match between the “request information” and the “holding information” is confirmed (Yes in step S407), the information inventory management device 24 transmits the information content to the vehicle that seems to be requesting the information content. An attempt is made (step S408). Specifically, the information inventory management device 24 acquires the “vehicle ID” set in the information inventory of the other vehicle, and identifies the vehicle requesting the information content from the acquired “vehicle ID”. Then, the information inventory management device 24 instructs the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 to transmit the information content to the vehicle identified from the “vehicle ID”. The information content transmitting / receiving device 23 transmits the information content to the instructed vehicle to other vehicles that have established an ad hoc communication link. Note that the information content may not reach the destination vehicle. In this case, the information content is retained or discarded in any vehicle.

  When the information inventory transmitting / receiving apparatus 22 receives an information inventory transmitted from another vehicle, the destination of the received information inventory is confirmed. When the destination is addressed to itself, the received information inventory is stored in the information inventory management apparatus 24. Output to. When the destination of the received information list is addressed to another vehicle, the information list transmission / reception device 22 transmits the information list to another vehicle without outputting the information list to the information list management device 24. When the destination of the received information list is addressed to all the vehicles, the information list transmission / reception device 22 outputs the information list to the information list management device 24 and transmits the information list to other vehicles. With such a configuration, the information list is relayed, and the information list is delivered to all the vehicles constituting the network.

  Similarly, when the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 receives the information content transmitted from another vehicle, the destination of the received information content is confirmed, and when the destination is addressed to itself, the received information content is recorded in the information list. The data is output to the management device 24. When the destination of the received information content is addressed to another vehicle, the information content transmission / reception device 23 transmits the information content to another vehicle without outputting the information content to the information inventory management device 24. When the destination of the received information content is addressed to all vehicles, the information content transmitting / receiving device 23 outputs the information content to the information inventory management device 24 and transmits the information content to other vehicles. With such a configuration, the information content is relayed, and the information content is delivered to all the vehicles constituting the network.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when acquisition of information content is requested, the information inventory management device 24 sets request information that can identify the type of the requested information content, and An information list is generated, and the generated information list is stored in the information list holding device 25. When the information content is input, the information inventory management device 24 stores the input information content in the information content holding device 26, and the holding information that can identify the type of information content stored and held in the information content holding device 26 Is set to generate an information list of the own vehicle, and the generated information list is stored in the information list holding device 25. Then, when wireless communication is possible with a device mounted on another vehicle, the information list of the host vehicle is transmitted to the devices mounted on all the vehicles constituting the network at a predetermined timing. When the information inventory of the other vehicle transmitted from the device mounted on the other vehicle is received, the information inventory management device 24 indicates the information content of the type indicated by the received request information in the information inventory of the other vehicle. It is confirmed whether or not it is stored in the content holding device 26, and when it is stored, the information content is read from the information content holding device 26, and the device mounted on the vehicle that requested this information content is Send. When the requested information content is transmitted from a predetermined vehicle according to the request information in the information list of the own vehicle transmitted from the own vehicle, the transmitted information content is received. According to such a configuration, by transmitting and receiving an information list between vehicles, the information is only found when a vehicle holding a specific type of information content and a vehicle requesting the information content are found. You can send and receive content. As a result, the amount of information transmitted and received between a plurality of vehicles can be reduced, and user-desired information can be exchanged between the plurality of vehicles at high speed and efficiently.

  Further, the information inventory management device 24 stores the information inventory of the own vehicle in which the request information indicating the type that matches the type indicated by the retention information in the received information inventory of the other vehicle is stored in the information inventory holding device 25. When the information is stored, the information list of the own vehicle is read from the information list holding device 25, and the information list of the own vehicle is transmitted to other vehicles. Therefore, even when the vehicle and the network holding the information content are not configured when the acquisition of the information content is requested, the vehicle and the network holding the user-desired information content are subsequently configured. Can acquire information content desired by the user from the vehicle.

  In addition, since a vehicle ID that can uniquely identify the vehicle is set in the information list and the vehicle is specified based on the vehicle ID, the vehicle holding a specific type of information content and the information content are requested. The vehicle can be reliably recognized and specified.

  In addition, an expiration date is set in the information list, and the information list management device 24 checks whether the information list of the other vehicle has expired during standby, and if it has expired, the expiration date has expired. Since it is configured to delete the vehicle information list, it is possible to prevent transmission and reception of old information contents that the user does not want to acquire.

  The present invention is applied to an apparatus equipped with a communication unit mounted on a vehicle and capable of wireless communication without using an access point or a base station.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the ad hoc network of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the information transmitted / received between vehicles. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of standby in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the information content request | requirement from the external device in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the information content input from the external device in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when it becomes communicable with the other vehicle in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement at the time of receiving the information inventory from the other vehicle in the information exchange apparatus between vehicles of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 to 1-4 Vehicle 2-1 to 2-4 Inter-Vehicle Information Exchange Device 3 External Device 21 Ad-hoc Communication Device 22 Information Inventory Transmission / Reception Device 23 Information Contents Transmission / Reception Device 24 Information Inventory Management Device 25 Information Inventory Holding Device 26 Information Content Holding device 27 Vehicle ID holding device

Claims (7)

Establishing a communication link with a device installed in another vehicle to form a network, and exchanging information with the device directly or via another device to exchange information A vehicle-to-vehicle information exchange device,
Data storage means for storing various data;
Own vehicle request data generating means for generating request data of the own vehicle indicating the type of content of the requested information when acquisition of information content is requested from an external device of the own vehicle;
Own vehicle request data storage control means for storing the request data of the own vehicle generated by the own vehicle request data generation means in the data storage means;
When the content of information is input from the external device of the host vehicle, the host vehicle content storage control means for storing the input information content in the data storage means;
Own vehicle holding data generating means for generating holding data of the own vehicle indicating the type of content of information stored and held in the data storage means;
Own vehicle holding data storage control means for storing the holding data of the own vehicle generated by the own vehicle holding data generation means in the data storage means;
When a communication link is established with an apparatus mounted on the other vehicle and wireless communication with the apparatus is possible, the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle are configured at a predetermined timing. Own vehicle data transmission means for transmitting to devices mounted in all vehicles
The request data of the other vehicle transmitted from the device mounted on the other vehicle and indicating the type of information content requested in the other vehicle, and the content type of information held in the other vehicle. Other vehicle data receiving means for receiving the holding data of the other vehicle shown,
It is confirmed whether or not the content of the type of information indicated by the request data of the other vehicle received by the other vehicle data receiving means is stored in the data storage means. The vehicle content transmission control means for reading the content from and transmitting the content to the device mounted on the vehicle that requested the content;
In response to the request data of the own vehicle transmitted by the own vehicle data transmitting means, the content of the type of information indicated by the request data of the own vehicle transmitted from a predetermined vehicle among the vehicles constituting the network is received. An inter-vehicle information exchanging device comprising: other vehicle content receiving means. Check whether or not the request data of the host vehicle indicating the type that matches the type indicated by the data held by the other vehicle received by the other vehicle data receiving means is stored in the data storage means, The vehicle request data transmission control means for reading the request data of the own vehicle from the data storage means and transmitting the request data of the own vehicle to a vehicle that has transmitted the holding data of the other vehicle. The vehicle-to-vehicle information exchange device described. The own vehicle request data generating means sets the vehicle identification information capable of uniquely identifying the own vehicle in the request data of the own vehicle when generating the request data of the own vehicle,
The own vehicle holding data generating means sets the vehicle identification information to the holding data of the own vehicle when generating the holding data of the own vehicle,
The own vehicle content transmission control means identifies the vehicle that requested the content based on the vehicle identification information set in the request data of the other vehicle,
The inter-vehicle information exchanging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the own vehicle request data transmission control unit specifies the vehicle that has transmitted the holding data of the other vehicle based on the vehicle identification information set in the holding data of the other vehicle. When generating the request data of the own vehicle, the own vehicle request data generating means sets an expiration date in which the request data of the own vehicle is valid to the request data of the own vehicle,
The own vehicle holding data generating means sets the expiration date in which the holding data of the own vehicle is valid to the holding data of the own vehicle when generating the holding data of the own vehicle,
Other vehicle data storage control means for storing in the data storage means the request data of the other vehicle received by the other vehicle data receiving means and the retained data of the other vehicle;
It is confirmed whether or not the expiration date set in the request data of the other vehicle stored in the data storage means and the retained data of the other vehicle has been exceeded. The inter-vehicle information exchanging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: other vehicle data deleting means for deleting request data of other vehicles exceeding the vehicle and retained data of the other vehicles. Check whether the expiration date set in the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle has been exceeded, and if the expiration date has been exceeded, the request data of the own vehicle exceeding the expiration date and the own vehicle The inter-vehicle information exchange device according to claim 4, further comprising own vehicle data update means for updating an expiration date of the stored data. The inter-vehicle information exchange device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the request data, the retained data, and the vehicle identification information are identifiers composed of numerals or symbols. A vehicle that establishes a communication link with a device mounted on another vehicle, forms a network, and performs wireless communication with the device directly or via another device to exchange information between the vehicles Information exchange method,
According to the control program stored in the storage unit, the control unit mounted on the device of the host vehicle,
When acquisition of information content is requested from an external device of the own vehicle, request data of the own vehicle indicating the type of content of the requested information is generated,
Storing the generated request data of the own vehicle in a data storage means;
When the content of information is input from the external device of the host vehicle, the content of the input information is stored in the data storage means,
Generating retained data of the own vehicle indicating the content type of information stored and retained in the data storage means;
Storing the generated retention data of the host vehicle in the data storage means;
When a communication link is established with an apparatus mounted on the other vehicle and wireless communication with the apparatus is possible, the request data of the own vehicle and the retained data of the own vehicle are configured at a predetermined timing. To all devices on the vehicle
The request data of the other vehicle transmitted from the device mounted on the other vehicle and indicating the type of information content requested in the other vehicle, and the content type of information held in the other vehicle. Receive the holding data of other vehicles shown,
It is confirmed whether or not the content of the type of information indicated by the received request data of the other vehicle is stored in the data storage means, and when it is stored, the content is read from the data storage means, To the device on the vehicle that requested
According to the transmitted request data of the own vehicle, the content of the type of information indicated by the request data of the own vehicle transmitted from a predetermined vehicle among the vehicles constituting the network is received. Information exchange method.

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