JP2005227181A - Mobile communication navigation system, mobile route searching method, and moving object - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow communication with a specified terminal while preventing communication with an optional terminal, when executing the direct communication between the terminals using radio communication, and to increase the possibility and chances of the direct communication between the terminals provided with radio communication functions to search the mating side terminal in the interterminal communication. <P>SOLUTION: A user registers user information for executing the radio communication using an on-vehicle radio LAN device to an intervehicular communication group controlled in a center server 1, using the on-vehicle terminal or fixed terminal 3. The center server 1 imparts an identifier ESSID in the every intervehicular communication group to the radio LAN device of the user. When a vehicle 5 travels, the center server 1 totalizes GPS information collected from the vehicle to be distributed to the each vehicle 5, and the user is able to confirm a mating vehicle position allowing the communication having the same identifier. The center server 1 searches the route to concentrate the fellow vehicles allowing the communication in a traveling route, so as to be distributed to the each vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication navigation system, a mobile route search method, and a mobile body, and is particularly suitable for application to a communication method using an ad hoc communication device that can be mounted on a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, so-called ad hoc vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology has been developed in which wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication is used without using an access point to perform communication between vehicles equipped with wireless LAN devices.

In Patent Document 1, when the leading vehicle starts to travel, it is intended to provide an automatic following traveling system that improves the following accuracy and allows the leading vehicle to automatically follow a plurality of following vehicles. A technique is described in which the lateral position is continuously calculated by the ECU at a predetermined calculation interval, and this is output to the communication ECU of the host vehicle as travel locus information. In this technology, travel locus information is transmitted sequentially or simultaneously from the communication ECU of the leading vehicle to the communication ECU of the following vehicle via the front-to-back communication device, the in-vehicle communication device, and the beacon. The ECU calculates the deviation between the current lateral position of the host vehicle and the lateral position of the leading vehicle at the time of passing the current travel point of the host vehicle, and the steering amount of the steering is controlled so as to make this zero. Is done.
JP-A-8-282326

  However, the conventional inter-vehicle communication has the following problems. That is, in order to realize ad-hoc vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicles equipped with transmission / reception terminals and capable of wireless LAN communication must be brought close to each other. However, in order to bring vehicles capable of ad hoc communication with each other close to each other, users of these vehicles need to communicate with each other and approach each other close to each other.

  In particular, when a transmission / reception terminal mounted on a traveling vehicle is used to transmit / receive information to / from other vehicles using wireless LAN communication, these vehicles are brought close to each other. Although necessary, this was extremely difficult.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of vehicles capable of transmitting and receiving information by wireless LAN communication are present at a short distance, if communication with an arbitrary vehicle having a transmission / reception function or a session can be established, security weakening Will lead to. Therefore, it is necessary to take security measures by wireless LAN communication.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable communication between specific terminals while preventing communication with an arbitrary terminal when performing direct communication between terminals using wireless communication, Mobile communication navigation system and route search method capable of increasing possibility and opportunity of direct communication and multi-hop communication between terminals having communication function and efficiently searching for partner terminal of terminal-to-terminal communication Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile body including a navigation device that can use this navigation system.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present invention provides:
A server capable of storing information including an identifier;
A plurality of mobile terminals each having a transmission / reception means and having an identifier assigned and stored;
The navigation system is configured to be able to identify the current positions of a plurality of mobile terminals, and configured to be able to search for the movement routes of the plurality of mobile terminals, and configured to be able to communicate with each other.
Based on the identifier information stored in the server, the navigation system searches for a movement route so that at least two of the plurality of mobile terminals that can communicate with each other are in proximity to each other. This is a mobile communication navigation system characterized by the above.

The second invention of this invention is:
A server storing information including an identifier;
A plurality of mobile terminals each having a transmission / reception means and having an identifier assigned and stored;
A navigation system configured to be able to identify the current positions of a plurality of mobile terminals and capable of searching for a movement route of the plurality of mobile terminals is capable of communicating with each other.
Based on the identifier information stored in the server, the navigation system searches for a movement route so that at least two of the plurality of mobile terminals that can communicate with each other are in proximity to each other. This is a mobile route search method characterized by the above.

The third invention of the present invention is:
A first communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information data;
It is possible to identify the current positions of a plurality of mobile terminals, search for a movement route of the plurality of mobile terminals, and be configured to be able to communicate with a server capable of storing information including identifiers, and stored identifiers. Is transmitted from a server capable of searching for a movement route so as to be close to at least one mobile terminal among other mobile terminals capable of communication by the first communication means. And a second communication means configured to be able to receive route information.

  In the present invention, typically, communication is configured to be executable between mobile terminals having the same identifier. In the present invention, the identifier is typically an ESSID (Extended Service Set IDentifier), but other identifiers (for example, SSID and BSSID) may be employed.

  According to this invention, at least two mobile terminals out of a plurality of mobile terminals that can communicate with each other by the navigation system based on the identifier information stored in the server are arranged close to each other. By performing the search of the movement route, when performing direct communication or multi-hop communication between terminals using wireless communication, communication with any terminal is prevented to prevent communication with a specific terminal. Communication, and the possibility and opportunity of communication with a terminal equipped with a wireless communication function can be increased, and a partner terminal for inter-terminal communication can be searched efficiently.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a wireless LAN device is used as a wireless communication device and a vehicle is adopted as a moving body, vehicles capable of wireless LAN communication with each other are collected in a route search for vehicle navigation. It is possible to perform a route search so as to maintain a state in which communication is possible for a long time, and further, based on the identifier, by setting so that communication is possible only between wireless LAN devices having the same identifier, Vulnerability can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings of the following embodiment, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  First, in the mobile communication navigation system according to this embodiment, a navigation system and a wireless LAN device are used. First, a navigation system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of this navigation system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the navigation system system according to this embodiment, traffic information (running GPS information) such as traffic jams, road closures, and the like on each road is distributed to each vehicle 5. A center server 1 including a function of an information center and a function as a communication group management apparatus that manages registered user information, and traffic information that is mounted on the vehicle 5 and distributed from the center server 1 to a vehicle occupant A navigation device (not shown in FIG. 1) for display is included. The traffic information center and the communication group management device can be configured separately from each other. In this case, by enabling communication with each other, the configuration similar to that of the center server 1 according to this embodiment is provided. Can be obtained.

  The center server 1 collects traffic information such as traffic congestion on each road, construction, and closed roads by using, for example, a camera or a sensor, or by manually operating the center server 1. The center server 1 is connected to a wide area network 2.

  That is, the wide area network 2 includes an exchange, a network connecting the exchanges, a plurality of antennas and infrastructure facilities that transmit and receive signals to and from mobile terminals that are connected to the network and exist in a predetermined area. As an FM base station (not shown) provided for each region. These FM base stations have FM broadcast antennas, and are configured to provide traffic information of roads existing in a specific area that is predetermined within the transmission possible area by the FM broadcast antenna. The collected road traffic information in the area is transmitted from the FM broadcast antenna for each FM base station at regular time intervals.

  In addition, the wide area network 2 is set so that the center server 1 and other terminals can communicate with each other by using a relay device 4 (relay devices 4a, 4b, 4c,...) Provided at appropriate positions near the road as an interface. Yes. Any of the infrastructure facilities related to the network can be adopted as these interfaces. These repeaters 4 are such that the repeater 4 is attached to a support tower for the repeater, and that so-called road-related structures such as traffic lights, lampposts, pedestrian bridges, and overpasses are used. It is installed in equipment. If necessary, the road traffic information system may include a display board (not shown) such as an electric bulletin board, and is installed in the same manner as the repeater 4 or the like.

Thus, since the center server 1 is connected to the wide area network 2, the center server 1 can use the wide area network 2 to connect to a mobile terminal and perform two-way wireless communication. Become. In addition, when the center server 1 receives a signal requesting transmission of road traffic information of a desired area from the mobile terminal side via the wide area network 2, the center server 1 obtains the road traffic information of the requested desired area. And can be distributed to the corresponding mobile terminal via the wide area network 2. Furthermore, the center server 1 is configured to be able to collect so-called traveling GPS information such as current position information, speed information, and destination information at the mobile terminal via the wide area network 2 from these mobile terminals. At the same time, the traveling GPS information can be distributed to each vehicle 5 connectable to the wide area network 2.

  In addition, since the mobile terminal and the center server 1 are capable of two-way communication in this way, in this center server 1, information data supplied from a navigation device to be described later or a fixed terminal 3 such as a PC or a PDA. Are stored as data in a recording area of a predetermined database such as a user information database, or grouping can be executed based on user information.

  Next, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 will be described. The in-vehicle navigation device according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 according to this embodiment includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 30, a vehicle speed sensor 31, a recording medium playback device 32, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 34, and a GPS antenna 36. , A display unit 38, a display monitor 40, an input unit 42, an input switch 44, an FM receiver 46, an FM antenna 48, and a storage unit 49.

  The vehicle speed sensor 31 connected to the ECU 30 is composed of a speed sensor provided as a standard in the vehicle. A recording medium playback device 32 that plays back a recording medium using optics or magnetism such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or hard disk (HD) is connected to the ECU 30. On the recording medium loaded in the recording medium reproducing device 32, map information is recorded and a program corresponding to a control routine described later is recorded. When a program or the like is recorded on the recording medium, the program is loaded into a rewritable memory (RAM) built in the ECU 30 and executed by the ECU 30.

  A GPS antenna 36 is connected to the GPS receiver 34. The GPS receiver 34 is configured to receive a signal output from a GPS satellite (not shown) via the GPS antenna 36. The signal received by the GPS receiver 34 is converted into a signal of a predetermined format and supplied to the ECU 30. Based on the signal supplied from the GPS receiver 34, the ECU 30 calculates a position corresponding to the current position of the vehicle.

  The display unit 38 is connected to a display monitor 40 disposed at a position where the vehicle occupant can visually recognize the vehicle interior. The display unit 38 is supplied with image data including the current position of the vehicle and map information around the ECU 30 by the ECU 30. Then, on the display monitor 40 of the display unit 38, map information centered on the current position of the vehicle 5 is displayed in a size corresponding to the scale based on the image data supplied from the ECU 30.

  An input switch 44 that can be operated by a vehicle occupant provided in the passenger compartment is connected to the input unit 42. The input switch 44 is, for example, a variety of switches for realizing the functions of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 such as a switch for scrolling the map displayed on the display monitor 40 and a switch for changing the scale of the map. It is configured. The input unit 42 is connected to the ECU 30, and signals corresponding to various states of the input switches 44 are supplied to the ECU 30.

Further, the FM receiver 46 has an FM antenna 48. Traffic information related to traffic congestion and traffic restrictions, such as average speed for each predetermined section of the road, transmitted from the center server 1 via the wide area network 2 including the FM broadcast antenna via the FM antenna 48 Is received. The FM receiver 46 converts the received traffic information into a signal of a predetermined format and supplies it to the ECU 30.

  The received traffic information is stored in the storage unit 49 in association with the road when the ECU 30 completes the reception of the traffic information by FM broadcasting. Then, the ECU 30 supplies image data corresponding to the signal supplied from the FM receiver 46 to the display unit 38. In the display unit 38 to which the image data is supplied, this image data is displayed so as to be superimposed on the road when the road map information of the road is displayed. Specifically, for example, when a traffic jam situation is displayed, a color-coded line is displayed over the road on the display monitor 40, and when the traffic stop information is displayed, the traffic stop is indicated. A mark is displayed so as to overlap the road on the display monitor 40.

  In the navigation system according to this embodiment, a transmission / reception unit 50 that can be mounted on the vehicle 5 and includes a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA or a vehicle-mounted fixed terminal is provided. The transmitter / receiver 50 is provided with a transmitter 54 and a receiver 55. These transmitter 54 and receiver 55 are configured to be able to perform bidirectional communication with the center server 1 using the wide area network 2 described above via antennas 56 and 57, respectively. In this embodiment, the transmitter 54 and the receiver 55 are described as separate bodies. However, a so-called transmitter / receiver in which the transmitter 54 and the receiver 55 are integrated can also be used. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 50 sends a signal requesting distribution of road traffic information in a region desired by the user specified in accordance with the operation by the user to the center server 1 via the wide area network 2. In addition to being transmitted, the center server 1 has a function of receiving road traffic information in an area related to a request transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit 50 via the wide area network 2.

  The in-vehicle navigation device 10 is configured to be able to input and output signals with the transmission / reception unit 50. The transmission / reception unit 50 is configured to be able to execute input / output of signals through the information processing device 53 with the ECU 30 of the in-vehicle navigation device 10.

  And in the situation where this transmission / reception unit 50 is connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and connected to the center server 1 via the wide area network 2 by the transmission / reception unit 50, in the predetermined area, as in the FM communication described above. When road traffic information is received, this signal is converted into a signal of a predetermined format and supplied to the ECU 30. In the ECU 30, the road traffic information in the predetermined area received by the transmission / reception unit 50 is displayed superimposed on the display monitor 40 on which the map information of the road is displayed.

  As described above, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 mounted on each vehicle 5 used in the mobile communication system according to this embodiment is configured.

  Next, a wireless LAN device that works in conjunction with the navigation device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a wireless LAN device 60 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless LAN device 60 according to this embodiment includes a wireless LAN transmitter 62 and a wireless LAN receiver 64 with an information processing device 61 as a center. Antennas 63 and 65 are connected to the wireless LAN transmitter 62 and the wireless LAN receiver 64, respectively. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN transmitter 62 and the wireless LAN receiver 64 are described as separate bodies, but the wireless LAN transmitter 62 and the wireless LAN receiver 64 are integrated, A so-called wireless LAN transceiver can also be used.

Here, a configuration of a wireless LAN connection using the wireless LAN device according to the embodiment will be described. That is, IEEE802.11 is adopted as a wireless LAN standard. This standard is a wireless LAN standard that has been standardized by the 802.11 committee of IEEE (American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Recently, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, and the like have been established as wireless LAN standards, and products compliant with these standards are provided on the market. These standards are different in frequency and communication speed used for communication, but are similar in basic access control mechanism.

  Details of communication control are defined in these standards. That is, when data is exchanged, a technique called CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance) is adopted. In addition, in a vehicle-mounted wireless LAN device or a wireless LAN device installed in a facility, a unique identifier called a MAC address is set for each device. In this regard, a 3-byte vendor code managed by IEEE and a 6-byte number managed by a 3-byte code managed by each vendor are set. At the time of communication, transmission is performed by setting the destination MAC address and the source MAC address in a packet.

  On the other hand, the receiving side constantly monitors whether or not there is data having its own address set in the received signal. By this monitoring, when there is data set in its own address, the packet is received. The receiving side that has received the packet returns an ACK (ACKnowledge) packet, and reports that the packet has been normally received from the receiving side to the transmitting side.

  On the transmitting side, if a response by an ACK packet is not received from the receiving side even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the packet is transmitted, it is determined that transmission has not been possible to the receiving side, and the same packet is transmitted again. In this way, information data is transmitted between a plurality of wireless LAN devices. And regarding these transmission / reception, when the vehicle-mounted wireless LAN device is used, transmission / reception of information data can be executed even between the traveling vehicles 5. In order to execute communication between the wireless LAN devices described above, an ESSID or SSID that is an identifier assigned to a wireless network is required, and only devices that have registered the same ESSID can communicate with each other. In the wireless LAN device 60, it is necessary to set this identifier.

  In this way, communication is possible between the wireless LAN devices 60, and so-called inter-vehicle communication is possible between the vehicle 5 equipped with the wireless LAN device 60 and the vehicle 5 equipped with another wireless LAN device. .

  Next, a route search method by the mobile communication navigation system according to this embodiment using the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the wireless LAN device 60 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a communication sequence between the center server 1 and the terminal.

  That is, first, registration information is transmitted to the center server 1 via the wide area network 2 from the in-vehicle navigation device 10 as a terminal of the vehicle 5 or the fixed terminal 3 fixed at home or office shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the user operates the input switch 44 and the input unit 42 or the fixed terminal 3 in the vehicle 5 to access the center server 1 through the wide area network 2. After the access, when the registration screen is displayed on the display monitor 40, the user manually operates the input switch 44 to select the vehicle-to-vehicle communication group desired by the user himself / herself and, for example, user information such as a user name and a password. input. The user information and the information on the selected vehicle-to-vehicle communication group are sent to the center server 1 as registration information information data and vehicle-to-vehicle communication group selection data via the wide area network 2 by the communication function of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 as a mobile terminal. To be supplied.

  In the center server 1, the received registration information data and inter-vehicle group selection information data are stored in the user registration database. Thereafter, in the center server 1, for example, an identifier such as ESSID or SSID is selected based on the inter-vehicle communication group selection information data. After the identifier is selected, the center server 1 transmits information on the identifier (for example, ESSID) based on the vehicle-to-vehicle communication group selected by the user via the wide area network 2 to the terminal of the user who performed the registration operation.

  As described above, the registration process by the user and the process of assigning an identifier such as ESSID are executed. In selecting an identifier, it is possible to select an identifier that matches the group selected by the user, or to select an identifier based on the area in which the user resides. Can be selected. Moreover, although these processes demonstrated the case where it was manual, it is also possible to perform a series of operation regarding user registration automatically.

  Thereafter, the identifier is set in the wireless LAN device 60 manually by the user or automatically in conjunction with the in-vehicle navigation device 10. Thereby, it will be in the state which can communicate between the wireless LAN apparatuses 60 to which the same ESSID was set. Note that this identifier can be held by the user depending on the application, etc., and by setting the identifier held in the wireless LAN device 60 depending on the case, the user can be identified from a plurality of inter-vehicle communication groups. Can select the desired group.

  Next, a route search method by the in-vehicle navigation device 10 based on the identifier by this user registration will be described.

  That is, first, the user gets on the vehicle 5 and turns on the on-vehicle navigation device 10. Thereafter, when the user operates the input switch 44 to input a predetermined destination, an inquiry screen as to whether or not the vehicle-to-vehicle communication using the wireless LAN device 60 is desired is displayed on the display monitor 40. Here, when the user does not desire inter-vehicle communication using the wireless LAN device and the input switch 44 is pressed or clicked on an undesired side, a route search is executed in the same manner as a normal navigation device. Note that the route search in this case is the same as that in a conventionally known navigation system, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the user desires inter-vehicle communication and presses or clicks on the desired side, information is transmitted to the center server 1, and the vehicle 5 (hereinafter referred to as the wireless LAN device 60) on which the same identifier is set is installed. , A compatible vehicle) is searched. The route search method in this case will be described below. In the following description, it is assumed that wireless LAN communication is desired and identifier information (for example, ESSID) has already been registered. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a route search method by the center server 1 according to this embodiment.

  That is, each vehicle 5 (vehicles 5a, 5b, 5c,...) Shown in FIG. 1 includes the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the wireless LAN device 60 configured as described above. In these vehicles 5, when the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the wireless LAN device 60 are activated, the activation information is supplied to the center server 1 through the transmission / reception unit 50 of the in-vehicle navigation device 10. In the center server 1, in step ST1 shown in FIG. 4, when the activation information is received, the center server 1 proceeds to step ST2.

  In step ST2, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 receives the traveling GPS information data such as the current position information by the GPS receiver 34, and further the destination information is input by the user through the input unit 42. Is supplied to the ECU 30. These destination information data and travel GPS information data are transmitted to the center server 1 via the wide area network 2. Similarly, identifier information such as ESSID in the wireless LAN device 60 is transmitted to the center server 1. After that, the center server 1 associates the identifier information, travel GPS information data, and destination information transmitted from each vehicle 5 with each other and stores them in a predetermined storage unit 1a of the center server 1, and then step ST3. Migrate to

  In step ST3, the center server 1 searches the predetermined storage unit 1a for a compatible vehicle 5 ′ that can communicate with the wireless LAN device 60 provided in the vehicle 5. And in step ST4, when applicable vehicle 5 'is not searched, after moving to step ST10 and performing the conventional route search process, it transfers to step ST11 and results of this route search process Is transmitted to the vehicle 5 and the route search process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step ST4, when the suitable vehicle 5 'in which the communicable identifier was set was searched, it transfers to step ST5. In step ST5, the destination information data of each conforming vehicle 5 'stored in the storage unit 1a of the center server 1 is extracted for the retrieved conforming vehicle 5'. And the perspective relationship between those mutual destinations is calculated regarding the destination information data of the extracted conforming vehicle 5 '. Here, as an example of the perspective relationship of the destination in this case, for example, a case where two destinations are within a circle having a linear distance and a radius of about 3 km is defined as “near distance”, and is farther than this It is possible to define the case as “far”. The definitions of “near distance” and “far distance” are not necessarily based on a circle with a radius of about 3 km, but may be based on a circle with a radius of 5 km. It is also possible to set up other definitions based on parcels. Specifically, for example, when the center server 1 can calculate the actual travel distance and required time between two destinations by performing route search, it is based on the actual travel distance and required time. Thus, “short distance” and “far distance” may be defined. In other words, the terms “far” and “near” are defined in such a way that the one defined as “near distance” is farther in both distance and time than the one defined as “far”. As long as there is no obvious contradiction, any definition can be established.

  Then, the process proceeds to step ST6, where it is determined whether or not the destinations of the extracted adapted vehicles 5 ′ are close to each other. If the destination extracted for the conforming vehicle 5 ′ is a short distance, the process moves to step ST7, and a search for a communicable route between conforming vehicles according to this embodiment regarding these conforming vehicles 5 ′ is performed. Processing is executed. Details regarding step ST7 will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the destinations are far from each other, in step ST8, a normal route search process is performed for each of the compatible vehicles 5 ', and then the process proceeds to step ST9. In this step ST9, with respect to each compatible vehicle 5 'searched for a route in step ST8, there is a case where a common route or a short-distance route exists in the middle of those routes. A search is performed. When the state where the traveling routes are close to each other occurs, the process proceeds to step ST7 and the communicable route search process is executed, then the process proceeds to step ST11 and the route search result is transmitted to the vehicle 5. . On the other hand, when the state where the travel route becomes close does not occur, the process directly proceeds to step ST11, and the route search processing result at this stage is transmitted to the vehicle 5. Thus, the route search process ends.

  When the route search process is completed and the transmission process of the route search result in step ST11 is completed, in each applicable vehicle 5 ′, the current position information of the other compatible vehicle 5 ′ and the travel route of the searched own vehicle Information is received. The current position information data of the other compatible vehicle 5 ′ and the travel route data of the own vehicle are superimposed on the map data stored in the recording medium playback device 32 or the storage unit 49 and displayed on the display unit 38. It is displayed on the monitor 40.

  Next, a communicable route search process according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a communicable route search process according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the process moves to step ST7 and the communicable route search process starts, first, in step S1, with respect to each conforming vehicle 5 ′, from the destination information and the traveling GPS information, the current position to the destination position The route search process up to is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2, and the mutual predicted positions of the respective conforming vehicles 5 ′ are calculated from the current position information and the speed information as a result of the route search process after a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute or 3 minutes later. Is done. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

  Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the distance and the required time between the respective conforming vehicles 5 ′ have increased as a result of the normal route search process. As a result, if the mutual predicted position in each vehicle does not increase in terms of time and distance, the process proceeds to step S5, and the searched route is determined. On the other hand, if the predicted positions after a predetermined time of each other increase in time and distance, the route search is executed in a direction that decreases in time or distance. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2, and the mutual predicted position in the adapted vehicle 5 'after a predetermined time is calculated again. This route search process is executed until the mutual distances of the respective conforming vehicles 5 ′ come closer to each other. In addition, when a route in which the compatible vehicles 5 ′ are inevitably separated after a predetermined time due to road configuration is searched, these situations are also included in the route search processing, and the mutual distance decreases in time. A route search is performed.

  Then, at the stage where the route search is executed so that the respective conforming vehicles 5 ′ approach each other in terms of time or distance, the process proceeds to step S <b> 3 and step S <b> 5 sequentially, and the route search process ends. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST11 shown in FIG. 4 as described above, and the route search result is transmitted to each suitable vehicle 5 ′, and the display monitor 40 in the in-vehicle navigation device 10 mounted on each suitable vehicle 5 ′. In addition, the current position of the other compatible vehicle 5 ′ and the travel route of the own vehicle are displayed superimposed on the map display.

  And if each suitable vehicle 5 'drive | works along the searched driving | running route, it will drive | work to the direction where the compatible vehicles 5' mutually approach as much as possible. Therefore, the possibility that each compatible vehicle 5 ′ approaches the communicable distance of the wireless LAN device 60 can be greatly improved. Then, at the stage where the communication using the wireless LAN device 60 is possible, the mutual communication by the in-vehicle wireless LAN device 60, that is, the ad hoc vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be executed.

  Furthermore, since communication is performed only with the wireless LAN device 60 that has the same identifier such as ESSID or set as a communicable identifier, communication with the vehicle 5 that is not desired can be avoided. Security in LAN communication can also be maintained.

As described above, according to the mobile communication navigation system and the route search processing method according to this embodiment, it is possible to recognize the current positions of specific opponents that can communicate with each other. It is possible to effectively and efficiently search for a communication partner that can be executed easily. Furthermore, since route search is always performed in the direction in which the compatible vehicles approach each other, vehicles belonging to a group capable of wireless LAN communication with each other can travel together and the communication route can be extended for a long time. It is possible to secure across.

  In addition, since it is possible to avoid communication with an undesired partner by deciding whether or not a communication partner is allowed based on an identifier registered in advance, the user can safely perform a wireless LAN communication session with the communication partner. It becomes possible to connect. Furthermore, by performing user registration with the center server 1 which is a communication group management device in advance, user management of wireless LAN communication by the center server 1 is facilitated, so that a large load is not imposed on the center server 1, A lot of user management can be executed, and the billing process can be easily executed even when the billing process is executed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention are possible.

  For example, the numerical values given in the above embodiment are merely examples, and different numerical values may be used as necessary.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, navigation of the vehicle is executed, but any form of navigation system can be employed without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the route search is executed and the registration information such as the identifier is managed in the same center server 1. However, the route search is executed and the registration information is managed. Can be performed by another center. In this case, a configuration similar to that of the above-described mobile communication system according to this embodiment is achieved by enabling communication of information between these centers using, for example, the wide area network 2 or a dedicated line. Can be obtained.

  The present invention is preferably applied to a vehicle equipped with a navigation device and a wireless LAN device, but is applied to a portable mobile terminal such as a mobile terminal or a PDA capable of performing map display and communication between terminals. It is also possible to do.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the navigation apparatus and wireless LAN apparatus which are mounted in the moving body by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a communication sequence diagram for demonstrating the registration method by the center server by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the search of a suitable vehicle by the mobile communication navigation system by one Embodiment of this invention, and a route search process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the mobile communication route search process by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Center server 1a, 49 Memory | storage part 2 Wide area network 3 Fixed terminal 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Relay machine 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, Vehicle 5 'Applicable vehicle 10 In-vehicle navigation apparatus 31 Vehicle speed sensor 32 Recording medium reproducing apparatus 34 GPS receiver 36 GPS antenna 38 Display unit 40 Display monitor 42 Input unit 44 Input switch 46 FM receiver 48 FM antenna 50 Transceiver unit 53 Information processing device 54 Transmitter 55 Receiver 56, 57, 63, 65 Antenna 60 Wireless LAN Device 61 Information processing device 62 Wireless LAN transmitter 64 Wireless LAN receiver

Claims (7)

A server capable of storing information including an identifier;
A plurality of mobile terminals each having a transmission / reception means and assigned with the identifier and stored;
The navigation system configured to be able to identify the current positions of the plurality of mobile terminals, and configured to be able to search for the movement routes of the plurality of mobile terminals is configured to be able to communicate with each other,
Based on the identifier information stored in the server, the navigation system searches for a movement route so that at least two of the mobile terminals that can communicate with each other are close to each other. A mobile communication navigation system characterized in that is executed. The mobile communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the communication is configured to be executable between mobile terminals having the same identifier. The mobile communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is an ESSID. A server storing information including an identifier;
A plurality of mobile terminals each having a transmission / reception means and assigned with the identifier and stored;
The navigation system is configured to be able to identify the current positions of the plurality of mobile terminals, and configured to be able to search for the movement routes of the plurality of mobile terminals, and can communicate with each other.
Based on the identifier information stored in the server, the navigation system searches for a movement route so that at least two of the plurality of mobile terminals that can communicate with each other are close to each other. A mobile route search method characterized by being executed. The mobile route search method according to claim 4, wherein the communication can be executed between mobile terminals having the same identifier. The mobile route search method according to claim 4, wherein the identifier is an ESSID. A first communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information data;
It is possible to identify the current positions of a plurality of mobile terminals, search the movement routes of the plurality of mobile terminals, and be configured to be able to communicate with a server capable of storing information including identifiers, and stored. Based on the information of the identifier, from the other mobile terminals capable of communication by the first communication means, transmitted from a server capable of searching for a movement route so as to be close to at least one mobile terminal And a second communication means configured to be able to receive route information to be transmitted.

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