JP2003187386A - Vics information transmitter-receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a VICS (vehicle information and communication system) information transmitter-receiver capable of obtaining road traffic information even in an area where VICS information provided as the road traffic information can not be directly received and also obtaining detailed information, etc., of a spot at which traffic congestion occurs. <P>SOLUTION: This VICS information transmitter-receiver is provided with a transmitting and receiving unit 1 for transmitting and receiving the VICS information, a received information converting part 2 for converting received VICS information into image data and sound data, an image output terminal 3 for outputting the image data to a monitor 3a, etc., a sound output terminal 4 for outputting the sound data to a car speaker 4a, etc., an image input terminal 5 for receiving an image from a digital camera 5a, etc., a sound input terminal 6 for receiving sound from a microphone 6a, etc., an input information converting part 7 for converting the inputted image and sound into VICS information transmittable from the transmitting and receiving unit 1, and a data managing part 8 for storing the VICS information into a data storing part 9 and transmitting the stored VICS information to the transmitting and receiving unit 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a VICS (Vehicl).
e Information and Communication System) The present invention relates to a VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus for transmitting / receiving information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, VICS information data is VICS.
It is road traffic information collected, edited, and processed by the center. Optical road beacons and radio beacons provide necessary road traffic information on the main trunk roads, and FM multiplex broadcasts in the wide area over the area or Information on road traffic around the area is provided.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is possible to obtain information unless it is a main road where optical beacons and radio wave beacons are installed, or an FM audio broadcasting area where FM multiplex broadcasting can be received. There was a problem that it could not be done.

Further, the conventional VICS information data is displayed on the car navigation in conjunction with the character display type information data for notifying the information only by characters, the simple graphic display type information data for notifying the information on a simple map of the surroundings, and the car navigation. It is difficult to know detailed information on the scene where traffic congestion is occurring and detailed information on traffic accidents, because it is only map display type information data that informs information on the map that is very rough. There was a problem that was.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to obtain road traffic information even in an area where VICS information data provided as road traffic information by optical beacons, radio wave beacons, and FM multiplex broadcasting cannot be directly received, and An object of the present invention is to provide a VICS information transmission / reception device that can obtain detailed information such as a site where traffic congestion occurs.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, a VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus of the present invention is a VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus mountable on a vehicle, and is used as road traffic information by an optical beacon, a radio wave beacon, and FM multiplex broadcasting. While receiving the VICS information data provided, other V
It is characterized by having a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving VICS information data to / from the ICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus.

The VI received by the transmitting / receiving means
Receiving information converting means for converting the CS information data into predetermined image type data or voice type information data, and an image output device, and the image type information data converted by the receiving information converting means is the image output device. And an audio output device connected to the audio output device and outputting the audio type information data converted by the reception information conversion device to the audio output device. Is. The image output means may be connected to a monitor or a car television as the image output device, and the audio output means may be connected to a car speaker as the audio output device. good.

The VICS information data is stored in the data storage means for storing the VICS information data, and the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception means is stored in the data storage means. It further comprises a data management means for controlling the means to transmit.

Further, an image input means connected to the image input device for inputting an image from the image input device; a voice input means connected to the voice input device for inputting a voice from the voice input device; The data management means further includes input information conversion means for converting the image input to the image input means and the sound input to the voice input means into VICS information data that can be transmitted from the transmission / reception means.
The VICS information data converted by the input information converting means is stored in the data storing means, and the VICS information data is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving means. The image input means may be connected to a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a vehicle-mounted camera as the image input device, and the voice input means is
The voice input device may be connected to a microphone or a mobile phone.

Further, the data management means controls the VICS information data converted by the input information conversion means to be converted into predetermined image type information data or voice type information data by the reception information conversion means. It is characterized by that.

The data management means may further include operation means operated by the user, and the data management means may operate based on the instruction content input to the operation means.

(Operation) In the present invention configured as described above, the transmitting / receiving means receives the VICS information data provided as the road traffic information by the optical beacon, the radio wave beacon, and the FM multiplex broadcasting, and the data managing means. Controlling the storage of the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception means in the data storage means, and
The control for transmitting the S information data to the transmitting / receiving means is performed.

Therefore, for example, a vehicle equipped with the device of the present invention receives and stores the road traffic information in an area where the road traffic information can be directly received, and the road traffic is received in another area where the road traffic information cannot be received directly. By transmitting the information, it becomes possible to receive and obtain road traffic information also in the other areas.

Further, the input information converting means converts the image input to the image input means and the voice input to the voice input means into VICS information data which can be transmitted from the transmitting / receiving means, and the data managing means inputs the input information. The control unit stores the VICS information data converted by the conversion unit in the data storage unit and controls the transmission / reception unit to transmit the VICS information data.

Therefore, for example, a vehicle equipped with the device of the present invention stores the traffic jam, the situation of the traffic accident, the situation of the parking lot, the situation of weather, etc., which are inputted as the image or the sound, and the image or the sound is reproduced. By sending
It is possible to receive and obtain detailed information such as traffic congestion, traffic accident site conditions, parking lot conditions, and weather conditions.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a VIC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows an S information transmission / reception apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the VICS of the present embodiment.
The information transmission / reception device includes a transmission / reception unit 1, a reception information conversion unit 2, an image output terminal 3, an audio output terminal 4, an image input terminal 5, an audio input terminal 6, an input information conversion unit 7,
It comprises a data management unit 8, a data storage unit 9, and an operation unit 10. The VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus is mainly installed in a vehicle, but it can be installed not only in the vehicle but also in various stores or anywhere.

The transmitting / receiving unit 1 is a conventional optical beacon,
Receives VICS information data provided as road traffic information by radio beacons and FM multiplex broadcasting, and VICS information with other VICS information transmission / reception devices (not shown).
Send and receive information data.

The reception information conversion unit 2 converts the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception unit 1 into image types such as character display type information data, simple graphic display type information data, map display type information data, image display type information data and the like. Convert to information data and voice type information data.

The image output terminal 3 can be connected to an image output device such as a monitor 3a and a car television 3b, and is a character display type information data converted by the reception information conversion unit 2.
Image type information data such as simple graphic display type information data, map display type information data, and image display type information data is output to the image output device connected to the image output terminal 3.

The audio output terminal 4 can be connected to an audio output device such as a car speaker 4a, and the audio type information data converted by the reception information conversion unit 2 is transferred to the audio output terminal 4
Output to the audio output device connected to.

The image input terminal 5 includes a digital camera 5a,
It can be connected to an image input device such as a digital video camera 5b or an in-vehicle camera 5c, and an image captured by the image input device connected to the image input terminal 5 is input.

The voice input terminal 6 can be connected to a voice input device such as a microphone 6a and a mobile phone 6b, and the voice collected by the voice input device connected to the voice input terminal 6 is input.

The input information conversion unit 7 converts the image input to the image input terminal 5 into image type VICS information data that can be transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 1, and converts the voice input to the voice input terminal 6 into It is converted into voice-type VICS information data that can be transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 1.

The data management unit 8 controls the storage and storage of the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception unit 1 and the VICS information data converted by the input information conversion unit 7 in the data storage unit 9, and also stores the data. The VICS information data accumulated and stored in the unit 9 is read, and the read V
The control for transmitting the ICS information data to the transmission / reception unit 1 is performed. In addition, the data management unit 8 includes an input information conversion unit 7
The VICS information data converted in step S1 is controlled by the reception information converter 2 to be converted into the above-mentioned image type information data and audio type information data.

The data management unit 8 performs the above operation based on the instruction content input to the operation unit 10 operated by the user. Of these, the operation of transmitting the VICS information data accumulated and stored in the data storage unit 9 to the transmission / reception unit 1 is performed only when an instruction to that effect is input to the operation unit 10, but the transmission / reception unit 1 The operation of accumulating and storing the VICS information data received by the VICS information data and the VICS information data converted by the input information conversion unit 7 in the data storage unit 9 and the VICS information data converted by the input information conversion unit 7
Regarding the operation of converting the ICS information data into the reception information conversion unit 2, even if the instruction to that effect is not input into the operation unit 10, when the transmission / reception unit 1 receives the VICS information data, or the input information conversion unit 7 The image and sound are VI
It may be automatically performed when converted into CS information data.

The operation unit 10 may be provided as a remote control system outside the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus.
The above instruction may be given to the data management unit 8 on the screen of the monitor 3a connected to the image output terminal 3.

A method of transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, vehicle A,
It is assumed that B and C are respectively equipped with VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatuses 100a, 100b and 100c similar to those shown in FIG.

First, VI provided as road traffic information by an optical beacon, a radio wave beacon, or FM multiplex broadcasting.
The VICS installed in the vehicle A while the vehicle A is running or stopped in the area 1 where the CS information data can be directly received.
In the information transmitter / receiver 100a, the transmitter / receiver unit 1 receives road traffic information.

In the VICS information transmission / reception device 100a mounted on the vehicle A, the reception information conversion unit 2 converts the road traffic information received by the transmission / reception unit 1 into character display type information data, simple graphic display type information data, and map. It is converted into image type information data such as display type information data, image display type information data, and voice type information data. Of these, the image type information data is output from the image output terminal 3 and displayed on an image output device such as the monitor 3a or the car television 3b connected to the image output terminal 3, and the audio type information data is output by the audio output terminal 4. Is output from the audio output device such as the car speaker 4a connected to the audio output terminal 4.
As a result, it becomes possible to see and hear road traffic information in the vehicle A. On the other hand, the data management unit 8
Stores and saves the road traffic information received by the transmission / reception unit 1 in the data storage unit 9.

Then, when the vehicle A moves to the area 2 where the road traffic information by the optical beacon, the radio wave beacon or the FM multiplex broadcast cannot be directly received, the data is transmitted in the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus 100a mounted on the vehicle A. The management unit 8 reads the road traffic information received in the area 1 from the data storage unit 9 and causes the transmission / reception unit 1 to transmit the same to the vehicles B and C running or near the vehicle A in the area 2. VICS information transmitter / receiver 1
The transmission / reception unit 1 in 00b, 100c is made to receive.

In the VICS information transmission / reception devices 100b and 100c mounted on the vehicles B and C, the reception information conversion unit 2 is provided.
Converts the road traffic information received by the transmitting / receiving unit 1 into the above-mentioned image type information data and voice type information data. Then, the image output terminal 3 outputs the image type information data to an image output device such as the monitor 3a and displays it as an image, and the audio output terminal 4 outputs the audio type information data to an audio output device such as the car speaker 4a. And output as voice. As a result, it becomes possible to see and hear the road traffic information received in the area 1 in the vehicles B and C.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 2, even vehicles B and C located in the area 2 which cannot directly receive road traffic information can receive road traffic information from the vehicle A. Therefore, the area where the road traffic information can be received is expanded, and it is possible to further facilitate traffic and improve safety.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of the method for transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the vehicles A, B, and C are respectively equipped with the same VICS information transmitting / receiving devices 100a, 100b, and 100c as those shown in FIG.

First, image / sound information such as traffic congestion and traffic accident scene conditions, parking lot conditions, weather conditions, etc. are photographed by an image input device such as a digital camera 5a or the microphone 6a.
A sound input device such as the above is used to collect sound, and the image / sound information is input to the image input terminal 5 or the sound input terminal 6 in the VICS information transmission / reception device 100a mounted on the vehicle A.

In the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus 100a mounted on the vehicle A, the input information converting section 7 can transmit the image / audio information input to the image input terminal 5 or the audio input terminal 6 from the transmitting / receiving unit 1. The data management unit 8 converts the VICS information data into the VICS information data, and the data management unit 8 stores the image / sound information converted into the VICS information data by the input information conversion unit 7 in the data storage unit 9. This image / audio information is read by the data management unit 8 and converted into the above-mentioned image type information data and audio type information data by the reception information conversion unit 2. Then, the image type information data is output from the image output terminal 3 to an image output device such as the monitor 3a and displayed as an image, and the audio type information data is output from the audio output terminal 4 to an audio output device such as the car speaker 4a. And output as voice. As a result, in vehicle A, images of traffic congestion and traffic accident scene conditions, parking lot conditions, weather conditions, etc.
It becomes possible to see and hear audio information.

In the VICS information transmission / reception device 100a mounted on the vehicle A, the data management unit 8 reads out the image / audio information stored and stored as VICS information data in the data storage unit 9 and transmits it from the transmission / reception unit 1. And vehicles B and C running or stopped near vehicle A
VICS information transmitter / receiver 100b, 100 installed in
The transmission / reception unit 1 in c receives it.

In the VICS information transmission / reception devices 100b and 100c mounted on the vehicles B and C, the reception information conversion unit 2 is provided.
Converts the image / audio information received by the transmitting / receiving unit 1 into the above-mentioned image-type information data or audio-type information data. Then, the image output terminal 3 outputs the image type information data to an image output device such as the monitor 3a and displays it as an image, and the audio output terminal 4 outputs the audio type information data to an audio output device such as the car speaker 4a. And output as voice. As a result, images of traffic congestion and traffic accident scenes, parking lot conditions, weather conditions, etc. can be displayed in vehicles B and C.
It becomes possible to see and hear audio information.

As described above, in the example of FIG. 3, the vehicles B and C are
But the situation of traffic jams and traffic accidents, the situation of parking lots,
Detailed information such as weather conditions can be received from the vehicle A and can be known by image or voice.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining still another example of the method for transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG.
Vehicles A, B, and C have the same VIC as that shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the S information transmission / reception devices 100a, 100b, 100c are installed, respectively, and that the store D has a VICS information transmission / reception device 100d similar to that shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the store D is a restaurant such as a restaurant.

First, a menu of cooked foods at store D,
Store information such as congestion in store D with digital camera 5a
V is installed in the store D by capturing the image with the image input device such as the image pickup device or collecting the sound with the voice input device such as the microphone 6a.
The image is input to the image input terminal 5 or the voice input terminal 6 in the ICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus 100d.

In the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus 100d installed in the store D, the input information converting unit 7 can transmit the store information input to the image input terminal 5 or the voice input terminal 6 from the transmitting / receiving unit 1 as VICS information data. And the data management unit 8 causes the input information conversion unit 7 to perform VICS conversion.
The store information converted into information data is accumulated and saved in the data storage unit 9.

In the VICS information transmitter / receiver 100d installed in the store D, the data management unit 8 reads the store information of the store D stored and stored as VICS information data in the data storage unit 9, and the transmission / reception unit 1 sends the store information. The transmission / reception unit 1 in the VICS information transmission / reception device 100a mounted on the vehicle A running or stopped in the area 1 where the store information of the store D can be directly received is received.

In the VICS information transmitter / receiver 100a mounted on the vehicle A, the reception information converter 2 converts the store information of the store D received by the transmitter / receiver unit 1 into the above-mentioned image type information data or voice type information data. To do. And
The image output terminal 3 outputs the image type information data to an image output device such as the monitor 3a and displays it as an image, and the audio output terminal 4 outputs the audio type information data to an audio output device such as the car speaker 4a. Output as voice. As a result, in the vehicle A, it becomes possible to see and hear the store information of the store D. On the other hand, the data management unit 8
The store information of the store D received by the transmission / reception unit 1 is accumulated and saved in the data storage unit 9.

Then, when the vehicle A moves to the area 2 where the store information of the store D cannot be directly received, the vehicle A
In the VICS information transmitter / receiver 100a installed in
The data management unit 8 reads out the store information of the store D accumulated and saved as VICS information data in the data storage unit 9 and causes the transmission / reception unit 1 to transmit the information to the vehicle, which is running in the vicinity of the vehicle A in the area 2 or is stopped. V mounted on B and C
The transmission / reception unit 1 in the ICS information transmission / reception devices 100b and 100c is made to receive.

In the VICS information transmitting / receiving devices 100b and 100c mounted on the vehicles B and C, the reception information converting section 2 is provided.
Converts the store information of the store D received by the transmitting / receiving unit 1 into the image type information data or the voice type information data described above. Then, the image output terminal 3 outputs the image type information data to an image output device such as the monitor 3a and displays it as an image, and the audio output terminal 4 outputs the audio type information data to an audio output device such as the car speaker 4a. And output as voice. As a result, it becomes possible to see and hear the store information of the store D in the vehicles B and C.

As described above, in the example of FIG. 4, even the vehicles B and C located in the area 2 where the shop information of the shop D cannot be directly received, the shop information of the shop D can be received from the vehicle A. VICS, which is the store information of store D
It is possible to expand the area where the information data can be received.

[0050]

As described above, in the present invention,
In addition to receiving VICS information data provided as road traffic information by conventional optical beacons, radio beacons, and FM multiplex broadcasting, a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving VICS information data to / from another VICS information transmission / reception device is provided. Therefore, it becomes possible to transmit and receive VICS information data between vehicles equipped with the device of the present invention.

The reception information converting means for converting the VICS information data received by the transmitting / receiving means into predetermined image type information data or voice type information data, and the image type information data converted by the reception information converting means are monitored. Alternatively, there are provided image output means for outputting to an image output device such as a car television, and audio output means for outputting the audio type information data converted by the reception information converting means to an audio output device such as a car speaker. Therefore, the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception means can be displayed on the image output device, and can also be output by the audio output device.

Further, the data storage means for storing the VICS information data and the VIC received by the transmitting / receiving means.
Since the S information data is controlled to be stored in the data storage means and the data management means for controlling the VICS information data to be transmitted to the transmission / reception means is provided, for example, the vehicle equipped with the device of the present invention is By receiving and storing the road traffic information in an area that can directly receive the VICS information data provided as traffic information and transmitting the road traffic information in another area that cannot receive the road traffic information directly, Receives road traffic information in the area
It will be possible to obtain it.

Therefore, the area where the road traffic information can be received is expanded, and it becomes possible to further smooth the traffic and improve the safety.

Image input means for inputting an image from an image input device such as a digital camera, digital video camera or vehicle-mounted camera, and voice input means for inputting a voice from a voice input device such as a microphone or a mobile phone. And the image input to the image input unit and the voice input to the voice input unit can be transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit.
And an input information converting means for converting into CS information data,
The data management means converts the V converted by the input information converting means.
In order to control the storage of the ICS information data in the data storage means and the control of transmitting the VICS information data to the transmission / reception means, the conventional character display type information data,
Not only the simple graphic display type information data and the map display type information data can be received, but also the image input to the image input unit and the voice input to the voice input unit can be transmitted and received as VICS information data.

Therefore, for example, a vehicle equipped with the device of the present invention stores the traffic jam, the situation of the traffic accident, the situation of the parking lot, the weather situation, etc., which are input as images or voice, and the image or voice is displayed. By sending
It is possible to receive and obtain detailed information such as traffic congestion, traffic accident site conditions, parking lot conditions, and weather conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a VICS information transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating still another example of a method of transmitting / receiving VICS information data using the VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 transceiver unit 2 Received information converter 3 image output terminal 3a monitor 3b car tv 4 audio output terminals 4a car speaker 5 Image input terminal 5a digital camera 5b digital video camera 5c Car camera 6 audio input terminals 6a microphone 6b mobile phone 7 Input information converter 8 Data management department 9 Data storage 10 Operation part

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A VICS information transmission / reception device mountable on a vehicle receives VICS information data provided as road traffic information by an optical beacon, a radio wave beacon, and FM multiplex broadcasting, and communicates with another VICS information transmission / reception device. At VIC
A VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus, comprising: a transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving S information data to / from each other. 2. The VICS received by the transmitting / receiving means
Receiving information converting means for converting information data into predetermined image type data or audio type information data, and image output information connected to the image output device, and the image type information data converted by the receiving information converting means is sent to the image output device. The image output means for outputting, and an audio output means connected to an audio output device for outputting the audio type information data converted by the reception information converting means to the audio output device. V
ICS information transmitting / receiving device. 3. The VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image output means is connected to a monitor or a car television as the image output apparatus. 4. The audio output means is connected to a car speaker as the audio output device.
The VICS information transmitter / receiver described in 1 .. 5. A data storage unit for storing the VICS information data, a control for storing the VICS information data received by the transmission / reception unit in the data storage unit,
5. A data management means for controlling to transmit the ICS information data to the transmission / reception means.
5. The VICS information transmitting / receiving device according to any one of 1. 6. An image input device connected to an image input device, to which an image is input from the image input device; a voice input device connected to a voice input device; and a voice input from the voice input device; The data management means further includes input information conversion means for converting an image input to the image input means and a sound input to the voice input means into VICS information data that can be transmitted from the transmission / reception means. 6. The VICS information transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the VICS information data converted by the input information converting means is controlled to be stored in the data storing means, and the VICS information data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmitting / receiving means. . 7. The VICS according to claim 6, wherein the image input unit is connected to a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a vehicle-mounted camera as the image input device.
Information transmitter and receiver. 8. The VICS information transmitting / receiving device according to claim 6, wherein the voice input unit is connected to a microphone or a mobile phone as the voice input device. 9. The data management means controls the VICS information data converted by the input information conversion means to be converted into predetermined image type information data or voice type information data by the reception information conversion means. , Claims 6 to 8
5. The VICS information transmitting / receiving device according to any one of 1. 10. The method according to claim 5, further comprising operation means operated by a user, wherein the data management means operates based on the content of the instruction input to the operation means. The described VICS information transceiver.