JP2002298293A - Road traffic information providing device and road traffic information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the conventional problem that a vehicle cannot precisely measure and display the route search and time required up to a designation avoiding the generating position of a traffic congestion or traffic regulation. SOLUTION: This device comprises an on-vehicle means for measuring the route search and time required up to the designation on the basis of the information received from a satellite, integrating means of information every area for receiving the information from the on-vehicle means through a roadside and newly generating road management base information, and a satellite uplink means for outputting the road management base information transferred from a plurality of integrating means of information every area to the satellite in a prescribed order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a road traffic information providing apparatus and a road traffic information providing method for providing a traveling vehicle with high accuracy road traffic information regardless of the location in Japan.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional navigation device mounted on a vehicle, 101 is first receiving means for receiving radio waves from a satellite, and 102 is a storage for storing map information of all over Japan. Means, 103 is a second receiving means for receiving traffic information from the optical beacon of the roadside means installed on the roadside, 104 is a processing means for performing a route search based on information from each means, and 105 is a processing means 104 Display means 106 for displaying the processing result is an information input means for inputting necessary information.

Next, the operation will be described. When the first receiving means 101 receives radio waves from three or more satellites, the processing means 104 positions the own vehicle position based on the received signals, and stores the self-vehicle position information based on the position information of the positioned self-vehicle. 10
2, the map information is read out, and the own vehicle position is displayed on the display means 105 together with the map. Then, when the destination information is set by the information input means 106 at the position of the own vehicle, the processing means 104 searches for some routes from the own vehicle position to the destination, and also searches for the destination obtained from the searched route. The time required to reach the destination is measured from the distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle and displayed on the display means 105.

On the other hand, when the traveling vehicle receives the traffic information output from the optical beacon of the roadside means installed on the roadside by the second receiving means 103, the traffic information is displayed on a map together with the searched route. . When the driver is informed that there is traffic congestion or traffic regulation, the information input means 10
6. The processing unit 104 issues an instruction to search for an avoidance route according to (6).
Or the processing means 104 automatically searches for a new route and displays it on the display means 105. The traffic information includes traffic congestion, traffic accidents, vacant parking lots, road surface conditions based on weather conditions (rainfall, snowfall, etc.).

[0005]

Since the conventional information provision for a vehicle is configured as described above, the vehicle measures its own vehicle position even if it receives a positioning radio wave from a satellite. The route search from the vehicle to the destination and the time required to reach the destination are measured from the distance and the vehicle speed, but are inaccurate. In addition, even when receiving traffic information given from the optical beacon of the roadside means provided along the roadside during traveling, when the traffic information is given, it is often near the place where traffic jams or traffic regulations occur. Also, the traffic information is simply "crowded in the future", and there is no provision of necessary information on how to reach the destination as soon as possible.

[0006] Even if traffic information is given from an optical beacon, the traffic information is not real-time information.
Since the traffic information provided by broadcasting is about once an hour, it is not possible to obtain traffic information in a timely manner. For this reason, there has been a problem that a route search to a destination is not performed while avoiding a location where traffic congestion or traffic regulation occurs, and a route that can reach the destination at the earliest time cannot be accurately measured and displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is intended for a vehicle traveling on a road.
By providing sequentially updated basic road management information from satellites to vehicles on all roads nationwide at the same time, it is possible to accurately determine the position of the vehicle and the road conditions from this vehicle position to the destination Road traffic information that can be accurately recognized in real time even if the destination is distant, and can accurately measure and display the time required to reach the destination even if the destination is distant It is an object to obtain a device and a method for providing road traffic information.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A road traffic information providing apparatus according to the present invention receives positioning information from a satellite, measures the position of a vehicle, and searches for a route from the position of the measured vehicle to a destination. On-board means for measuring and displaying the time required to reach the destination and outputting own-vehicle position information and own-vehicle information; own-vehicle position information and own vehicle installed along the road and output from the on-vehicle means Roadside means for receiving information and outputting the received information, installed in each area, receiving information output from the roadside means, and inputting this received information and preset past road management basic information and externally Area-based information integration means for generating, updating, and outputting new road management basic information based on traffic information; and the satellite uplink means is provided with road management basic information transmitted from the plurality of area-based information integration means. The at respective outputs to the satellite in a predetermined order.

[0009] The area-by-area information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus according to the present invention determines whether or not the information transmitted from the roadside means includes emergency information, and in accordance with the determined emergency information, notifies the competent authority. It is equipped with emergency reporting means for reporting.

[0010] The area-by-area information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus according to the present invention determines whether the information transmitted from the roadside means includes information relating to a crime, and outputs the information relating to the crime. Vehicle tracking means is provided for tracking a vehicle and reporting the tracking information to a competent authority.

The area-based information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus according to the present invention stores information provided by an external information provider, and outputs the stored contents to the satellite uplink means together with basic road management information. It has a server.

In the road traffic information providing apparatus according to the present invention, the satellites are three or more quasi-zenith satellites.

A road traffic information providing method according to the present invention comprises:
The information output from the plurality of area-by-area information integrating means is transmitted to the satellite from the satellite uplink means in a predetermined order, and the information is transmitted from the satellite to all traveling vehicles on the ground, and the on-vehicle means receiving the information is transmitted. The position of the own vehicle is positioned, and the route search from the own vehicle position to the destination and the required time to the destination are measured and displayed, and the own vehicle position information and the own vehicle information are output. The position information and the own vehicle information are transmitted to the area-by-area information integration means of the corresponding area via the roadside means.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is an area-based information integrating means, 2 is a satellite uplink means, 3 is a satellite, 4 is a vehicle, and 5 is a roadside means, between the area-based information integrating means 1 and the satellite uplink means 2 and area-based information integrating means 1
And the roadside means 5 are connected by wired lines 6 and 7, and the satellite uplink means 2 and the satellite 3, the satellite 3 and the vehicle 4 and the vehicle 4 and the roadside means 5 are connected by the wireless lines 8, 9, and 10. hand,
A traffic information providing system is provided that collects and updates traffic information throughout Japan and provides it to each vehicle.

The area-based information integration means 1 considers geographical conditions, administrative districts, road conditions, the amount of information to be collected, etc. It is divided into areas and provided for each area.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing the area-based information integrating means 1.
Predicted information storage means 11 which stores road management basic information (information quantifying the influence of the degree of road congestion on the vehicle arrival time) in the area generated in the past, and information for inputting necessary information from outside Input means 12, traffic condition tracking means 13 for detecting the traffic condition of a vehicle to which sampling information is added to obtain traffic information, information from the traffic condition tracking device 13, prediction information from the prediction information storage device 11, and A road management basic information automatic generation unit 14 for automatically generating road management basic information based on the information input from the information input unit 12 is provided.

The satellite uplink means 2 receives information from a plurality of area-by-area information integrating means 1 and converts the input information at predetermined times in the order of, for example, Hokkaido, East Japan, West Japan, and the Kyushu area including Okinawa. To be transmitted. The satellite 3 is, for example, a quasi-zenith satellite (a satellite launched in an orbit inclined at a certain angle with respect to the equatorial plane, and has a figure-eight shape when its movement trajectory is viewed from the satellite side on the earth;
If there are three satellites, at least one of them is set to always fly at an elevation angle of 70 degrees or more from anywhere in Japan. Then, it receives the information transmitted from the satellite uplink means 2 and transmits the information to the whole of Japan at a predetermined transmission power in the order of arrival, and transmits a radio wave for positioning the vehicle from each satellite.

The vehicle 4 is equipped with a device for receiving information on road conditions, commercial information, and the like distributed from the satellite 3,
When a radio wave from the satellite 3 cannot be received directly, such as in a tunnel, a device for receiving information from the roadside means 5 is provided. Then, based on the received information, the position of the own vehicle is placed sideways, and the situation where the own vehicle is placed (road condition related to the traveling direction of the own vehicle) is displayed to the driver. Further, based on the received information, the most efficient route for the vehicle to reach the destination and the prospect of the required time are constantly displayed to the driver.
In this display, a plurality of possible routes are presented to suggest an optimal route. In addition, there is provided a device that travels while transmitting the position of the host vehicle and the host vehicle information.

The roadside means 5 are installed at positions and intervals necessary for ensuring good radio wave reception on roadsides of motorways throughout Japan. In addition, it receives information from the satellite 3 and provides information to a vehicle traveling in a place where radio waves cannot be directly received from the satellite 3 such as in a tunnel, and receives information transmitted from the traveling vehicle. The information is transmitted to the area-based information integration means 1 in real time.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the overall configuration. The area-based information integrating means 1 constantly outputs the basic road management information to the satellite uplink device 2 (step ST1). The satellite uplink apparatus 2 processes information from the area-based information integration means 1 installed in each area, and, for example, for each predetermined timing, for example, changes Japan to North Sea, East Japan, West Japan, and Kyushu area including Okinawa. The information from the information integrating means 1 is sequentially transmitted to the satellite 3 as radio waves (step ST2).

When the satellite 3 receives the information from the satellite uplink device 2, the satellite 3 adds information for specifying the satellite 3 itself and transmits the received information to all over Japan at a predetermined transmission power (step ST3).

The vehicle 4 receives the radio wave from the satellite 3 to determine the position of the vehicle, and considers the road management basic information for each area transmitted from the satellite 3 to determine the position of the vehicle. The route search to the destination and the required time to the destination are measured, the searched route and the required time are displayed to the driver, and the vehicle position information and the vehicle information are transmitted (step ST4).

The roadside means 5 receives the information transmitted from all the running vehicles and transmits the information to the area-based information integrating means 1 in real time (step ST5). In addition, satellite 3
And provides the information to a vehicle traveling in a place where radio waves cannot be directly received from the satellite 3 such as in a tunnel (step ST6).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the area-by-area information integrating means 1 according to the first embodiment. The traffic condition tracking means 13 determines whether there is vehicle information having sampling information from the traveling vehicles of the received information. It is determined (step ST11), and if YES, the road management basic information is automatically determined based on the information from the traffic condition tracking unit 13, the prediction information from the prediction information storage unit 11, and the information input from the information input unit 12. The road management basic information is automatically generated by the generation means 14, and the newly generated road management basic information is output to the satellite uplink device 2 (step ST).
The information stored in the prediction information storage means 11 is updated together with 12) (step ST13). As a result, the information stored in the prediction information storage means 11 always corresponds to the actual traffic condition. By automatically generating the road management basic information based on the stored information, the information is stored in all vehicles in Japan. It is possible to provide traffic information that approximates the traffic condition.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the information output from the plurality of area-by-area information integrating means is transmitted from the satellite uplink means to the satellite in a predetermined order, and the satellite receiving the information is transmitted. The information is transmitted to all the vehicles on the ground from the vehicle, and the on-vehicle means that receives this information locates the own vehicle position, searches for a route from the own vehicle position to the destination, and measures and displays the time required for the destination. In addition, the vehicle position information and the vehicle information are output, and the vehicle position information and the vehicle information are transmitted to the area-by-area information integration means of the corresponding area via the side road means. Information that is similar to the traffic conditions in Japan can be simultaneously provided to vehicles throughout Japan.

As a result, vehicles can be found anywhere in Japan,
When a route search from the vehicle position to the destination is performed based on information similar to the actual traffic condition transmitted from the satellite, multiple route searches and destinations are considered in consideration of traffic congestion, construction conditions, etc. The required time can be measured, and the route to the destination at the earliest time can be accurately provided and displayed.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 15 denotes an emergency information collection / notification unit, and reference numeral 16 denotes a responsible organization.

On the other hand, the vehicle 4 encounters an emergency such as an accident according to a standard set in advance in the entire society, and is in a crisis situation in which the driver or passenger cannot act autonomously. In some cases, a function is provided for automatically transmitting an SOS signal and transmitting information that can be determined from outside the vehicle.

When a driver or a passenger determines that an emergency has occurred and needs rescue, the driver or the passenger can transmit an SOS signal at the discretion of the driver or a passenger and emit information that can be determined from outside the vehicle. Is provided.

The roadside means 5 has a device for receiving an SOS signal when the vehicle encounters an emergency, and is installed at a position and at an interval necessary for ensuring a good reception condition of radio waves. .

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the area-based information integrating means 1 according to the second embodiment. The emergency information collecting / notifying means 15 provided in the area-based information integrating means 1 receives information from the roadside means 5. Is determined (step ST21).
If it is ES, the information is analyzed to determine whether or not there is emergency information (step ST22). (Step ST23). The transmission operation of the road management basic information output from the area-by-area information integration means 1 is the same as the operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when an emergency occurs, the nearest jurisdiction can be notified no matter where the vehicle is traveling throughout Japan, and prompt relief can be provided. Obtainable.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 17 denotes a vehicle tracking unit.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the area-based information integrating means 1 according to the third embodiment. The vehicle tracking means 17 provided in the area-based information integrating means 1 determines whether information is transmitted from the roadside means 5. (Step ST31), if YES,
It is determined whether the received information includes information issued from a vehicle suspected of committing a crime or the like (step ST3).
2) If YES, the vehicle issuing the information is automatically tracked, and the tracking information is transferred to the above-mentioned authority 16.
(Step ST33).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, information emitted from a vehicle suspected of committing a crime or the like is tracked, and the tracked information is sequentially notified to the nearest responsible organization. The competent authority can track the vehicle based on the information, and can solve the crime quickly.

Embodiment 4 FIG. FIG. 9 is an entire configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. In FIG. 9, a server 18 stores various service / commercial information provided by the information provider 19 and outputs the various service / commercial information. The information provider is, for example, a tourist association, a local government, a road authority, a restaurant, a convenience store, or the like.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the area-based information integrating means 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The server 17 provided in the area-based information integrating means 1 determines whether information is provided. Outputs various service / commercial information to the satellite uplink device 2 (step ST41). The satellite uplink device 2 processes the road management basic information and various service / commercial information output from the area-by-area information integration means 1 installed in each area, and converts the information into satellite 3
(Step ST42).

When the satellite 3 receives the road management basic information and various service / commercial information from the satellite uplink device 2, the satellite 3 adds information specifying its own satellite 3, and receives the received road management basic information and various information. The service / commercial information is transmitted to all over Japan (step ST43).

The vehicle 4 receives the basic road management information and various service / commercial information transmitted from the satellite 3 to determine the position of the vehicle, and transmits the basic road management information for each area transmitted from the satellite 3. Considering the above, a route search from the measured vehicle position to the destination is performed, and the searched route is presented to the driver. Further, based on various service / commercial information transmitted from the satellite together with the basic information on road management, information other than traffic information on the searched route is presented to the driver (step ST44).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, various services / commercial information other than traffic information on the searched route can be presented to the driver together with the basic road management information, and according to the driver's settings. To receive and search as appropriate.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In each of the above embodiments,
As a satellite, at all points in Japan, at least one of the three aircraft will use a quasi-zenith satellite that is set to always fly at a position with an elevation angle of 70 degrees or more. You can reliably receive radio waves from satellites wherever you are. However, as a satellite, a plurality of conventionally used geostationary satellites for communication may be used, and some geostationary satellites may be able to constantly transmit basic road management information throughout Japan. The effect is obtained. Further, any one or all of the second to fifth embodiments may be used in combination with the first embodiment.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the position of the own vehicle is determined by receiving the information from the satellite, the route search from the measured own vehicle position to the destination and the search for the route to the destination are performed. Vehicle-mounted means for measuring and displaying the required time and outputting own-vehicle position information and own-vehicle information, and receiving the own-vehicle position information and own-vehicle information provided along the road and output from the on-vehicle means. Roadside means for outputting received information, installed in each area, receiving information output from the roadside means, based on this received information and preset past road management basic information and traffic information input from outside Area-based information integration means for newly generating, updating and outputting the road management basic information, and the satellite uplink means includes a predetermined order for the road management basic information transmitted from the plurality of area-based information integration means. Because it is configured to output to the stars, it is possible to always output information that approximates the actual traffic situation, and this information is simultaneously presented to vehicles throughout Japan via satellite uplink devices and satellites Regardless of where the vehicle is located in Japan, when searching for a route from the vehicle position to the destination based on information similar to the actual traffic situation transmitted from this satellite, traffic congestion, construction status, etc. are considered Thus, there is an effect that the time required for searching for a plurality of routes and the destination can be accurately measured and displayed.

According to the present invention, the area-based information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus determines whether or not the information transmitted from the roadside means includes emergency information, and the jurisdiction is determined in accordance with the determined emergency information. No matter where you are traveling in Japan, the system is configured to provide emergency reporting means for reporting to agencies.
When an emergency occurs, it is possible to notify the nearest jurisdiction institution, so that there is an effect that rescue can be promptly obtained.

According to the present invention, the area information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus determines whether the information transmitted from the roadside means includes information relating to a crime and outputs the information to the vehicle. , And configured to include vehicle tracking means for reporting the tracking information to the competent authority, so that information emitted from a vehicle suspected of committing a crime or the like can be tracked,
By notifying the tracking information to the nearest authority in sequence, the authority can track the vehicle based on the information, and can quickly solve the crime.

According to the present invention, the area information integrating means of the road traffic information providing apparatus stores the information provided by the external information provider, and stores the stored contents together with the road management basic information to the satellite uplink means. Since the server is provided with an output server, various services / commercial information other than traffic information on the searched route can be presented to the driver together with basic road management information, and can be appropriately received and searched according to the driver's settings. There is an effect that can be.

According to the present invention, the quasi-zenith satellite which is set so that at least one of the three aircrafts always fly at a position of an elevation angle of 70 degrees or more at any point in Japan is used. With this configuration, there is an effect that traveling vehicles nationwide in Japan can reliably receive radio waves from satellites, that is, road management basic information and various service / commercial information, wherever they are.

The road traffic information providing method according to the present invention comprises:
The information output from the plurality of area-by-area information integrating means is sent to the satellite from the satellite uplink means in a predetermined order, and the information is transmitted from the received satellite to all traveling vehicles on the ground. The position of the own vehicle is located, the route search from the own vehicle position to the destination and the time required to reach the destination are measured and displayed, and the own vehicle position information and the own vehicle information are output. Since the information and the own vehicle information are transmitted to the information integration means for each area of the corresponding area via the side route means, the basic road management information is transmitted between the respective means, and the traffic condition changes every moment. Newly updated accordingly, the vehicle can always provide new basic road management information.

As a result, the vehicle can accurately search for the route and the time required to reach the destination based on the position of the host vehicle. In addition, the traffic congestion on the route can be grasped in real time, and when grasped, the route which can reach the destination earliest is measured and displayed. For this reason, each vehicle on the road can be expected to take an optimal action according to the situation, thereby shortening the driving time, eliminating congestion, and improving the mental stability / convenience of the driver and passengers. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the entire configuration.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an area-by-area information integrating unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an area-based information integrating unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area-by-area information integrating means according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an area-by-area information integrating unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram specifically showing an area information integrating means according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an area-by-area information integrating unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a navigation device mounted on a conventional vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 area information integration means, 2 satellite uplink means, 3 satellites, 4 vehicles, 5 roadside means, 6,7 wire line, 8, 9, 10 radio circuits, 11 prediction information storage means, 12 information input means, 13 traffic Status tracking means, 1
4 road management basic information automatic generation means, 15 emergency information collection / notification means, 16 jurisdiction agencies, 17 vehicle tracking means,
18 server, 19 information provider.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC13 AC19 5H180 AA01 BB02 BB03 BB04 CC12 DD01 FF01 FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13 5K067 AA34 BB03 BB21 EE02 EE10 EE14 FF03 FF23 GG01 GG11 GG11 GG11 GG11 GG11 GG11 H

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Receiving information from a satellite to measure the position of the own vehicle, searching for a route from the measured own vehicle position to a destination, measuring and displaying the time required to reach the destination, An on-vehicle means for outputting vehicle position information and own-vehicle information; a road-side means provided along the road, for receiving the own-vehicle position information and own-vehicle information output from the on-vehicle means and outputting the received information; Installed every time, receives information output from the roadside means, generates new road management basic information based on this received information and preset past road management basic information and information input from the outside. A road traffic information providing means for outputting information for each area, and satellite uplink means for outputting the basic road management information transmitted from the plurality of information integrating means to the satellite in a predetermined order. Equipment. 2. The area-by-area information integrating means includes emergency notification means for determining whether emergency information is included in the information transmitted from the roadside means, and reporting to the responsible agency in accordance with the determined emergency information. The road traffic information providing device according to claim 1. 3. The area-by-area information integration means determines whether information transmitted from the roadside means includes information on a crime, tracks a vehicle that outputs information on the crime, and tracks the tracking information. 2. The road traffic information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle tracking means for notifying the relevant agency of the following. 4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the area-based information integration means stores information provided from an external information provider and outputs the stored contents to the satellite uplink means together with basic road management information. Road traffic information providing device. 5. The road traffic information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the satellite is three or more quasi-zenith satellites. 6. The information output from the plurality of area-specific information integrating means is transmitted from the satellite uplink means to the satellite in a predetermined order, and transmitted from the satellite receiving the information to all traveling vehicles on the ground. The in-vehicle means having received the information locates the vehicle position sideways, searches for a route from the vehicle position to the destination, measures and displays the time required to reach the destination, and displays the vehicle position information and the vehicle information. And outputting the own vehicle position information and the own vehicle information to the area-by-area information integrating means of the corresponding area via a side road means.