JP2005301774A - Vehicle information providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide related information useful for an appropriate circumstantial judgment automatically by making contents of a response objective in a vehicle user's responding to a question from an audience participation program by an on-vehicle machine. <P>SOLUTION: A broadcast signal from a digital broadcast station 6A is separated into a data signal including alternatives of sound and response or a transmitted party address by a control unit 10, the alternatives are displayed to a display part 51 of a navigation part, and a user selects them. In the control unit 10, vehicle information on questions collected via a vehicle LAN 4 is transmitted to a broadcast station server 5 from a radio communication part 20 together with position information of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, a broadcast station makes an inquiry in, for example, a viewer-participation program, and the user of the vehicle who views the program answers the inquiry via an in-vehicle device having a vehicle information collecting function to the broadcast station. The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides vehicle information.

Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which information is collected from a vehicle (probe car) equipped with a sensor that acquires vehicle information and other roads such as traffic jams are notified.
This system detects a traffic jam by analyzing vehicle information such as a required time and the number of stops while the vehicle moves a certain distance, for example.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-150495 proposes a method for transmitting information only under a predetermined condition corresponding to occurrence of traffic jams.
JP 2002-150495 A

However, simply by analyzing the time required and the number of stops, the driving location (city areas, highways, places with a lot of traffic lights, places with few traffic lights), the driver's personality and driving skills, the driving situation (when driving quickly or enjoying driving slowly) For this reason, it is difficult to accurately determine road conditions such as traffic jams.
In addition, in a system that transmits information only under a predetermined condition, it cannot be determined whether information is not sent because there is no traffic jam or whether information is not sent because there is no vehicle traveling on the road.

Therefore, in order to accurately predict traffic jams around sightseeing spots, it is most effective to listen to raw information and opinions on traffic jams and destinations from drivers who are driving nearby. Needs to have the driver report the situation by phone, fax or email.
On the other hand, regarding traffic jams, there are individual differences in the sense of traffic jams, and some people feel the traffic jams even if the situation is the same, and some people do not feel the traffic jams. For this reason, it is difficult to judge a traffic jam only by the driver's opinion, and it is particularly difficult to know the degree of the traffic jam because the driver's opinions vary.

Therefore, it is preferable to listen to the driver's raw information / opinions and obtain vehicle information to make a comprehensive judgment.
However, it is actually difficult to quickly collect necessary information by this method because it takes a lot of time to obtain both pieces of information from the driver.
Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle information providing apparatus that can reduce time and effort required to report a driver, make a driver's opinion more objective, and make an accurate situation determination. And

  In the present invention, for example, in a viewer-participation-type program, a moderator calls for provision of information, and a user of a vehicle who views the program answers a questionnaire through an in-vehicle device having a vehicle information collection function. The vehicle information required by the broadcasting station is returned together with the response to the request and the request request, etc., receiving means for receiving the broadcasted signal, and separating means for separating the received signal into audio and non-audio signals Presenting means for presenting voice, collecting means for collecting vehicle information from devices installed in the vehicle based on signals other than voice, operating means for instructing transmission, and operation of the operating means The vehicle includes an in-vehicle device having transmission means for transmitting a response signal including vehicle information collected based on the vehicle information.

  In the present invention, since the vehicle-mounted device that has received the broadcast signal transmits a response signal including the vehicle information collected based on the operation of the operation means, the information required by the broadcast station can be quickly provided by a simple procedure. As a result, not only the user's response but also vehicle information for objectively judging the situation can be transmitted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle information providing apparatus according to a first embodiment corresponding to digital broadcasting.
The broadcast signal includes a data signal described in a data broadcasting language (BML).
The in-vehicle device 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 2 and a navigation unit.
The transmission / reception unit 2 receives radio waves from the digital broadcasting station 6 </ b> A, inputs a response to an inquiry from a program host (disc jockey, hereinafter referred to as DJ) by a user of the received vehicle, and receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 3. The vehicle position information obtained by receiving the vehicle information and the vehicle information collected from the sensor installed in the vehicle via the vehicle LAN 4 are added and transmitted to the broadcast station server 5 by wireless communication.

The transmission / reception unit 2 includes a control unit 10, a radio communication unit 20, a broadcast reception unit 30, and a vehicle information acquisition unit 40. The broadcast reception unit 30 receives a digital broadcast wave, and there is an inquiry from the DJ in the program. Then, the control unit 10 decodes the broadcast signal, acquires options and transmission destination addresses as candidates for a response to the DJ inquiry, and simultaneously identifies vehicle information related to the inquiry required by the broadcast station.
Next, when the user selects an option and inputs a response, the vehicle information related to the inquiry among the vehicle information held by the vehicle information acquisition unit 40 and the vehicle position information held by the navigation unit 50 are added to the user's response. Then, the wireless communication unit 20 transmits to the broadcast station server 5.

The control unit 10 includes a transmission information acquisition unit 11, a broadcast decoding unit 12, a vehicle information selection unit 13, a vehicle information analysis unit 14, a radio name holding unit 15, an output control unit 16, and a vehicle information storage unit 17.
The transmission information acquisition unit 11 is a part that acquires information to be transmitted to the broadcast station server 5, and serves as a user response, a current position of the vehicle that the navigation unit 50 has, a personal information storage unit, or an in-vehicle device ID storage unit. The radio name or in-vehicle device ID stored in the radio name holding unit 15, the vehicle information related to the DJ inquiry required by the broadcasting station identified by the vehicle information selection unit 13, and the like are acquired. In addition, a timer (not shown) for monitoring time when inputting a user's reply is incorporated.

  The broadcast decoding unit 12 is a part that decodes the digital broadcast signal received by the broadcast receiving unit 30, and the digital broadcast signal includes a voice signal such as a DJ voice or music, a reply option to the DJ inquiry, and a transmission destination address. Separate into data signals.

The vehicle information selection unit 13 determines whether the question from the DJ is included in the audio from the options included in the digital broadcast signal decoded by the broadcast decoding unit 12, and what information the broadcast station needs. Vehicle information related to the information required by the broadcasting station is identified from the response options selected by the user.
The vehicle information analysis unit 14 acquires, from the vehicle information storage unit 17 or the like, vehicle information that needs to be analyzed among the vehicle information that the vehicle information selection unit 13 recognizes as being related to the DJ inquiry.

The radio name holding unit 15 is a storage medium such as a memory and is used to store a radio name as personal information of a user or an in-vehicle device ID for identifying each in-vehicle device 1.
The output control unit 16 uses the input / output (the display unit 51, the audio output unit 54, and the operation unit 56) of the navigation unit 50 to allow the user to select a desired broadcast station or to select a program of the selected broadcast station. Or the options acquired by the vehicle information selection unit 13 are displayed on the screen.
The vehicle information storage unit 17 is a storage medium such as an HD and stores the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 40 for a predetermined time.

The wireless communication unit 20 is a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, PHS, or MCA wireless, and in addition to the user's response acquired by the transmission information acquisition unit 11, the current position of the vehicle, the radio name or the vehicle-mounted device ID, vehicle information Are transmitted to the broadcasting station server 5.
The wireless communication unit 20 can further communicate with the information center 25. The information center 25 includes a communication device 26 that transmits / receives information to / from the wireless communication unit 20 and the broadcast station server 5 of each vehicle, a storage device 28, and a control device 27 that controls them.
The broadcast receiving unit 30 receives digital broadcast waves such as radio and television.
The vehicle information acquisition unit 40 is connected to the vehicle LAN 4, acquires vehicle information obtained from a vehicle speed sensor, a raindrop sensor, and the like at predetermined time intervals and stores the vehicle information in the vehicle information storage unit 17.

The navigation unit 50 includes a display unit 51, a GPS reception unit 52, a storage unit 53, a voice output unit 54, a navigation control unit 55, an operation unit 56, and a power management unit 57, and receives a radio wave from the GPS satellite 3 as a GPS reception unit. 52, the navigation control unit 55 calculates the current position as the current location information based on the information.
The navigation control unit 55 also reads out map data from the storage unit 53, displays a map around the current position on the display unit 51, and has a route search function as route search means to search for a route to the destination. Or Further, not only the GPS but also the vehicle speed sensor and vibration gyro sensor are used to check the amount and direction of movement of the vehicle and correct the position information.
Further, a destination input function and a waypoint input function as a destination input means and a waypoint input means are provided, and a preset destination and waypoint can be stored in the storage unit 53.

The display unit 51 is a monitor such as a liquid crystal screen. The display unit 51 displays a map in accordance with an instruction from the navigation control unit 55, and displays options and character information for a DJ question received by the broadcast receiving unit 30.
The GPS receiver 52 is a receiver that receives radio waves from the GPS satellite 3 via a GPS antenna in order to detect the current position of the vehicle.
The storage unit 53 is a storage medium such as an HD, and stores map data, as well as information on destinations and waypoints input by the user from the operation unit 56 and a route to the destination searched by the navigation control unit 55. . The destination history information is also stored as destination history information storage means.

The voice output unit 54 outputs voice guidance and broadcast audio received by the broadcast receiving unit 30 in accordance with instructions from the navigation control unit 55.
The navigation control unit 55 performs a route search to the destination input from the operation unit 56 and a route guide, and outputs to the display unit 51 and the audio output unit 54 the output of the image and sound requested to be output from the control unit 10. Instruct.
The operation unit 56 is an input device such as a joystick or a remote controller, and is used to set a destination and input a response to a DJ inquiry received by the broadcast receiving unit 30.
The power management unit 57 is connected to a battery power source via an ignition switch of the vehicle, and manages the power source of the entire apparatus in response to the ACC signal. In FIG. 1, only a connection line to the navigation control unit 55 is shown for simplicity. Although not particularly shown, a power switch for stopping operation is also provided.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main flow of processing in the in-vehicle device 1.
First, when the vehicle-mounted device is activated and the user selects a desired broadcast in step 101, the broadcast receiving unit 30 starts receiving a digital broadcast in step 102. The broadcast receiving unit 30 sends the received time division multiplexed broadcast stream (TS packet) to the broadcast decoding unit 12.
In the next step 103, the broadcast decoding unit 12 starts decoding, and separates the TS packet into an audio signal and a data signal.
In step 104, the output control unit 16 sends the separated audio signal to the navigation unit 50, and outputs broadcast audio from the audio output unit 54 via the navigation control unit 55.

In the next step 105, the vehicle information selection unit 13 checks whether the data signal described in the data broadcasting language (BML) has a flag indicating an inquiry from the DJ. The determination is made while the flag is not included, and the processing in step 105 is repeated until the DJ is asked.
When there is an inquiry by the flag, the process proceeds to step 106, and the vehicle information selection unit 13 acquires the ID described in the flag. At the same time, the wireless communication unit 20 acquires the transmission destination address of the broadcast station server 5 included in the data signal.

  In the next step 107, the vehicle information selection unit 13 determines whether the DJ inquiry corresponds to “congestion”, “weather”, or “destination” based on the acquired ID, and broadcasts in relation to the inquiry. Identify vehicle information needed by the station. At the same time, the “option” of the response corresponding to the inquiry is also acquired from the data signal. “Option” is broadcast only when there is an inquiry from DJ.

In step 108, the output control unit 16 sends the answer options to the inquiry identified in step 107 to the navigation unit 50 and displays it on the display unit 51 via the navigation control unit 55.
DJ questions include questions about traffic, such as “National Highway ○, is there traffic?”, Questions about the weather, such as “Is there a raining area?” In addition to the question about the destination such as "Do you want to broadcast?"
Of these questions, except for the request, vehicle information required by the broadcasting station is added when the response is made in order to make the content of the response objective.

  Options include “congested” (congested) or “not congested” if the DJ's question is related to traffic jam, and “raining” (rain) if the question is related to the weather , “Snow is falling” (snow) “rain, not snow”, etc., and there are “amusement park”, “shopping”, “scenic spot”, etc. as questions about the destination.

In the next step 109, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 starts a timer for time monitoring, and in the next step 110, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is determined in the next step 111 whether or not a user's reply has been input from the operation unit 56 via the output control unit 16, and if it has been input, a process corresponding to the input in the next step 112. If it is not input, the process returns to step 110 and waits until a user response is input from the operation unit 56 via the output control unit 16.
When the process of step 112 is completed, the process returns to step 105 and waits until the next DJ is asked.
If a predetermined time has elapsed in step 110, the display on the display unit 51 is erased via the output control unit 16 in step 113, and the process returns to step 105 and waits until there is a DJ inquiry again.

3 to 6 are flowcharts showing details of the processing in step 112.
First, when the transmission information acquisition unit 11 acquires a user response input from the operation unit 56 via the output control unit 16 in step 201, the vehicle information selection unit 13 identified in the previous step 107 in step 202. It is determined whether the inquiry is “traffic jam”. If “traffic jam”, the process proceeds to step 203, and if not “traffic jam”, the process proceeds to step 301.

In the next step 203, it is checked whether the user's response input in the previous step 111 is “congested”. If “congested”, the process proceeds to the next step 204, where the vehicle The information analysis unit 14 calculates the average vehicle speed from the predetermined time before the latest stored in the vehicle information storage unit 17, and in the next step 205, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 acquires the average vehicle speed.
If the user input is not “congested” in the check of step 203, the process of acquiring the average vehicle speed is skipped and the process proceeds to step 206.
In step 206, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 acquires current location information such as the current position of the vehicle calculated by the navigation control unit 55 based on the information of the GPS reception unit 52.

In the next step 207, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 acquires the user's radio name or in-vehicle device ID stored in the radio name holding unit 15.
In the next step 208, the information acquired by the transmission information acquisition unit 11 via the wireless communication unit 20 (the user's response, the average vehicle speed when the user's response is “congested”, the current position of the vehicle) , The user's radio name or in-vehicle device ID) is transmitted to the broadcast station server 5.
The in-vehicle device ID is once transmitted to the information center 25, and a radio name as personal information is added to the information center instead of the in-vehicle device ID, and then transmitted to the broadcast station server 5. The added radio name is stored in the storage device 28 of the information center and is stored in the radio name holding unit 15 on the vehicle side.
After step 208, the process returns to step 105.

Next, in step 301, it is checked whether the question identified by the vehicle information selection unit 13 in step 107 of the main flow is “destination”. If the inquiry is “destination”, the process proceeds to step 302; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 401.
In step 302, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 checks whether destination information or waypoint information is set in the storage unit 53 of the navigation unit 50. If it is set, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 sets it in the storage unit 53 in step 303. The name or latitude / longitude of the destination information or waypoint information being acquired is added to the user's response, and then the process proceeds to step 308. At this time, the route to the destination searched by the navigation control unit 55 stored in the storage unit 53 of the navigation unit 50 is added to the user's response. Thereby, the destination information is input without bothering the user.

If the destination information or waypoint information is not set in the storage unit 53 of the navigation unit 50 in the check in step 302, the process proceeds to step 304, and the purpose in the user response acquired by the transmission information acquisition unit 11 in the previous step 201 is reached. With reference to the place attribute, the destination is estimated in the next step 305.
Here, the destination attribute is the attribute of the destination such as “shopping” or “amusement park” as an answer to the question about the destination such as “Where are you heading today on Sunday” from DJs? It represents. There are other answers, such as “travel” and “drive”, which have no attributes or are unclear.

When the destination attribute is “shopping”, “amusement park” or the like, the history of the destination is stored with reference to the history of the destination information stored in the storage unit 53 of the navigation unit 50 and has the same attribute as that. Estimated destination is the place where there are many.
If the destination can be estimated, in step 306, the estimated destination is used as destination information.
If the destination cannot be estimated, the user's response is “no destination” in step 307.
It is assumed that the destination cannot be estimated if the destination attribute is “travel”, “drive”, or the like, or if there is no place having the same attribute in the destination information history.
As described above, even if no destination or waypoint is set in the navigation, if there is history information, the destination information can be automatically input.

After steps 306 and 307, the process proceeds to step 308.
Steps 308 to 310 are the same as the previous steps 206 to 208.
In step 310, the vehicle information transmitted together with the user's response from the transmission information acquiring unit 11 to the broadcasting station server 5 via the wireless communication unit 20 is the destination or estimated destination, the current position of the vehicle, and the user's radio name. Or it becomes vehicle equipment ID.
After step 310, the process returns to step 105.

Next, in step 401, the vehicle information selection unit 13 checks whether the question identified in step 107 of the main flow is "weather". If it is "weather", the process proceeds to step 402. If it is not "weather" Proceed to step 501.
In step 402, it is checked whether the user's response is “rain” or “snow”. If it is “rain” or “snow”, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 is stored in the vehicle information storage unit 17 in step 403. Get raindrop sensor information.
The raindrop sensor information is acquired from the raindrop sensor by the vehicle information acquisition unit 40 every predetermined time and stored in the vehicle information storage unit 17.
If the response is not “rain” or “snow”, the process of acquiring raindrop sensor information is skipped and the process proceeds to step 404.

Steps 404 to 406 are the same as the previous steps 206 to 208. However, in step 406, the vehicle information transmitted together with the user's response from the transmission information acquiring unit 11 to the broadcast station server 5 via the wireless communication unit 20 is when the user's response is “rain” or “snow”. The raindrop sensor information, the current position of the vehicle, the user's radio name, or the vehicle-mounted device ID.
After step 406, the process returns to step 105.

The inquiry identified in step 107 does not correspond to any of “congestion”, “weather”, and “destination”, and in step 501 branched from step 401, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 stores the information of the GPS reception unit 52. In addition, the current position of the vehicle calculated by the navigation control unit 55 is acquired. Steps 501 to 503 are the same as the previous steps 206 to 208.
In step 503, the vehicle information transmitted from the transmission information acquisition unit 11 to the broadcast station server 5 via the wireless communication unit 20 is only the current position of the vehicle, the radio name of the user, or the in-vehicle device ID.
After step 503, the process returns to step 105.
Through the above processing, the vehicle information required by the broadcasting station is automatically added and transmitted together with the user's reply.

Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of power management of the in-vehicle device 1.
The power management operates in parallel with the processing in the transmission / reception unit 2 and the navigation unit 50, and the power management is performed according to this flow regardless of the processing of each unit.
First, when the vehicle-mounted device 1 is activated in step 601, the power management unit 57 starts supplying power in the next step 602.
In the next step 603, it is determined whether or not the power switch is turned off. If the power switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step 605. Otherwise, it is determined whether or not the ACC signal is turned off in the next step 604. When is turned off, the power supply is stopped in the next step 605 and the process is terminated.
If not turned off, the process returns to step 603 and waits until the power switch is turned off.

In this embodiment, steps 101 and 102 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 constitute the receiving means in the invention, step 103 constitutes the separating means, step 104 constitutes the presenting means, and steps 108 and 111 constitute the operating means. In particular, step 108 constitutes display means, and step 111 constitutes input means.
Also, steps 203 to 206, steps 302 to 308, and steps 402 to 404 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6 constitute collecting means, and steps 208, 310, 406, and 503 constitute transmitting means.
Further, the radio name holding unit serves as both personal information storage means and in-vehicle device ID storage means.

The present embodiment is configured as described above, and the user selects a reply option for the inquiry obtained by decoding the radio wave of the digital broadcasting station and inputs the reply, so that the user can respond without taking time and effort. Become.
Further, since the response is transmitted to the transmission destination address obtained by decoding the radio wave of the digital broadcasting station, it is possible to save the user from checking and inputting the transmission destination of the response.
Since the options and the transmission destination address are included in the broadcast signal, the vehicle-mounted device 1 does not need to have such information, and the response options and the transmission destination address can be easily changed according to the situation, thereby maintaining the system. Also improves.
In addition, since vehicle position information and vehicle information related to the inquiry are added to the response, a more objective situation determination can be made on the collecting side.

Furthermore, since personal information such as a radio name is added to the response, it is possible to make the program friendly to the viewer.
In addition, since the reply is transmitted wirelessly, it becomes possible to reply quickly without being restricted by time and place.
Furthermore, the current position of the vehicle can be easily acquired by using the GPS position recognition function of the navigation unit 50, and the number of parts can be reduced by sharing the voice output function and screen display function of the navigation unit. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the in-vehicle device 1 can be suppressed.

In step 204 in the flow of FIG. 3, the vehicle information analysis unit 14 calculates the average of vehicle speeds from a predetermined time before the latest stored in the vehicle information storage unit 17 to the latest. The maximum speed in time may be obtained, and in the next step 205, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 may acquire the maximum speed and use it as vehicle information for transmission to the broadcast station server 5.
Thereby, when the maximum speed is less than or equal to the predetermined speed, it can be determined that there is a traffic jam, and the level of the traffic jam can be recognized according to the speed.

Alternatively, in step 204, instead of calculating the average vehicle speed, the number of stops within a predetermined time may be counted and used as vehicle information for transmission to the broadcast station server 5.
Thereby, when the number of stops is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it can be determined that there is a traffic jam, and the degree of traffic jam can be recognized according to the number of stops.
By adding a route to the destination, the accuracy of traffic jam prediction is improved.

In step 403 in the flow of FIG. 5, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 acquires the raindrop sensor information stored in the vehicle information storage unit 17, but instead of the wiper operation information (ON / OFF / (Intermittent operation) or the outside air temperature may be acquired.
By transmitting these pieces of information, “rain” or “snow” can be determined from the wiper operation information, and the strength of “rain” or “snow” can be recognized from the wiper operation information. Similarly, the degree of “rain” or “snow” can be determined by the outside air temperature.

Next, a vehicle information providing apparatus corresponding to analog broadcasting will be described as a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG.
The in-vehicle device 1A includes a transmission / reception unit 2A and a navigation unit 50.
The transmission / reception unit 2A includes a control unit 10A, a radio communication unit 20, a broadcast reception unit 30A, and a vehicle information acquisition unit 40.

The broadcast receiving unit 30A receives an analog broadcast radio wave such as a television or radio from the analog broadcast station 6B, and when the user makes a request request, the control unit 10A recognizes the broadcast station received, and the corresponding broadcast station server 5 is acquired, and the type of vehicle information required by the broadcasting station and response options are acquired.
Next, when the user selects an option and responds, the vehicle information held by the vehicle information acquisition unit 40 and the vehicle position information held by the navigation unit 50 are added to the user's response, and the wireless communication unit 20 sends to the broadcast station server 5. Send.

The control unit 10A includes a transmission information acquisition unit 11, an option acquisition unit 61, a broadcast station information storage unit 62, a vehicle information analysis unit 14A, a radio name holding unit 15, an output control unit 16A, and a vehicle information storage unit 17.
When the user makes a request request from the operation unit 56 of the navigation unit 50, the option acquisition unit 61 receives information from the broadcast station information storage unit 62 serving as a broadcast station information storage unit and the position of the vehicle acquired from the navigation unit 50. From the information, the currently received broadcast station is identified, connected to the identified broadcast station server 5 via the wireless communication unit 20, and the vehicle information required by the broadcast station (related to the DJ inquiry) Get an option for something and a DJ question.

The broadcast station information storage unit 62 stores the frequency and reception area of each broadcast station and an address for accessing each broadcast station server 5.
The vehicle information analysis unit 14A acquires vehicle information that needs to be analyzed from the vehicle information storage unit 17 and the navigation unit 50 among the vehicle information required by the broadcasting station acquired by the option acquisition unit 61 in relation to the DJ question. And analyze.
The output control unit 16A uses the input / output (the display unit 51, the audio output unit 54, and the operation unit 56) of the navigation unit 50 to allow the user to select a desired broadcast station or output the selected broadcast. Or the option acquired by the option acquisition unit 61 is displayed.

In response to a request from the option acquisition unit 61, the wireless communication unit 20 acquires, from the broadcast station server 5, a response option for a DJ inquiry based on the user's request request and related necessary vehicle information.
In addition to the user's response acquired by the transmission information acquisition unit 11, the current position of the vehicle, the radio name or the vehicle-mounted device ID, vehicle information, and the like are transmitted to the broadcast station server 5.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main flow of processing in the in-vehicle device 1A of the second embodiment.
When the vehicle-mounted device is activated and the user selects a desired broadcast in step 701, the broadcast receiving unit 80 starts receiving an analog broadcast in step 702. In the next step 703, the output control unit 16 </ b> A sends an audio signal to the navigation unit 50, and outputs broadcast audio from the audio output unit 54 via the navigation control unit 55.
When the user listens to an inquiry from the DJ and responds to the inquiry after starting the audio output, a request request for an answer option is input from the operation unit 56.

In the next step 704, the option acquisition unit 61 checks whether there is a request request input. If there is no input, the processing in step 704 is repeated.
When a request request is input, in step 705, the broadcast station information storage unit 62 is searched using the current position of the vehicle acquired by the GPS receiver 52 and the reception frequency received by the broadcast receiver 30A as keys. The broadcast station is specified and an address for connecting to the broadcast station server 5 is acquired.
As a result, connection to the broadcast station server 5 becomes possible without the user inputting a transmission destination address.

In the next step 706, the wireless communication unit 20 accesses the broadcasting station server 5 and acquires a reply option for the DJ inquiry and what vehicle information is related to the DJ inquiry.
In step 707, the output control unit 16 </ b> A sends the reply option acquired in step 706 to the navigation unit 50 and displays it on the display unit 51 via the navigation control unit 55.

In the next step 708, the transmission information acquisition unit 11 starts a timer for time monitoring, and checks in the next step 709 whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed, in the next step 710, the output control unit 16A checks whether or not a user's reply has been input from the operation unit 56. If it has been input, the process proceeds to step 711. In step 711, the same processing as step 112 in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment is performed. Specifically, the processing shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 is performed in detail. However, the return destination step 105 in the flow of FIGS. 3 to 6 is read as step 704. Returning to step 704, the process waits until the next DJ is asked.
If there is no response input, the process returns to step 709.
If the predetermined time has passed in the check in step 709, the process proceeds to step 712, the display on the display unit 51 is deleted via the output control unit 16A, and the process returns to step 704.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, steps 701 and 702 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 constitute receiving means in the invention, step 703 constitutes presentation means, step 705 constitutes connection destination address obtaining means, and steps 707 and 710 constitute operating means. ing. In particular, step 707 constitutes display means and step 710 constitutes input means.
As in the first embodiment, steps 203 to 206, steps 302 to 308, and steps 402 to 404 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 6 constitute collecting means, and steps 208, 310, 406, and 503 constitute transmitting means. The radio name holding unit also serves as a personal information storage unit and an in-vehicle device ID storage unit.

The second embodiment is configured as described above, obtains the server address of the broadcasting station being received from the broadcasting station information storage unit based on the current position of the vehicle and the receiving frequency, and selects an answer to the inquiry from the broadcasting station server. Therefore, it is easy to obtain options even for analog broadcasting. Similarly, since the response is transmitted to the address obtained from the broadcast station information storage unit, it is possible to save the user from checking and inputting the response transmission destination.
In addition, since vehicle position information and vehicle information related to the inquiry are added to the response, a more objective situation determination can be made on the collecting side.
Furthermore, since personal information such as a radio name is added to the response, the program can be made friendly to viewers.

In the second embodiment, the broadcast station information storage unit 62 is provided in the in-vehicle-side control unit 10A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modification, the broadcast station is stored in the storage device 28 of the information center 25. The function of the information storage unit 62 can also be provided.
In this modification, instead of the process in step 705 of FIG. 9, the following process is performed.
First, the wireless communication unit 20 transmits the current position of the vehicle acquired by the GPS receiving unit 52, the reception frequency received by the broadcast receiving unit 30A, and the vehicle-mounted device ID to the information center 25.
In the information center 25, when the communication device 26 receives the information from the vehicle side, the storage device 28 is searched using the current position and reception frequency of the vehicle received by the control device 27 as a key, and the target broadcast station is specified. Then, an address for accessing the broadcast station server 5 is acquired. The vehicle-mounted device ID included in the information received from the vehicle side is stored in the storage device 28.
The above processing constitutes a connection destination address acquisition unit.

Next, instead of the processing in step 706 of FIG. 9, the communication device 26 of the information center accesses the broadcast station server 5 using the acquired address, and responds to the DJ inquiry as an answer option and the DJ inquiry. Get information about what the relevant vehicle information is. And the control apparatus 27 specifies the transmission destination vehicle which should transmit the information acquired from the broadcast station server 5 based on the onboard equipment ID memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 28. FIG.
The communication device 26 of the information center 25 transmits information from the broadcast station server 5 to the specified vehicle.
On the vehicle side, the information from the information center 25 is received by the wireless communication unit 20 and the process proceeds to the option display in step 707.

Note that the information transmission in steps 208, 310, 406 and 503 (see FIGS. 3 to 6) in step 711 in FIG. 9 is also transmitted from the wireless communication unit 20 to the broadcast station server 5 via the information center 25. The
Also according to this modification, it is possible to save the user from investigating and inputting the reply destination.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Example of this invention. It is a main flowchart of the process in a vehicle equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process after a reply input. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process after a reply input. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process after a reply input. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process after a reply input. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the power management of a vehicle equipment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a 2nd Example. It is a main flowchart in a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A In-vehicle device 2 Transmitter / receiver 3 GPS satellite 4 Vehicle LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Broadcast station server 6A Digital broadcast station 6B Analog broadcast station 10, 10A Control part 11 Transmission information acquisition part 12 Broadcast decoding part 13 Vehicle information selection part 14, 14A Vehicle information analysis part 15 Radio name holding part 16, 16A Output control part 17 Vehicle information storage unit 20 Wireless communication unit 25 Information center 26 Communication device 27 Control device 28 Storage device 30, 30A Broadcast reception unit 40 Vehicle information acquisition unit 50 Navigation unit 51 Display unit 52 GPS reception unit 53 Storage unit 54 Audio output unit 55 Navigation Control unit 56 Operation unit 57 Power management unit 61 Option acquisition unit 62 Broadcast station information storage unit

Claims (15)

Receiving means for receiving the broadcast signal;
Separating means for separating the received signal into an audio signal and a requested data signal;
Voice presentation means for outputting voice based on the voice signal;
A collecting means for collecting vehicle information from equipment installed in the vehicle based on the request data signal;
Operation means for instructing transmission;
Transmitting means for transmitting a response signal including vehicle information collected based on operation of the operating means;
A vehicle information providing apparatus comprising an in-vehicle device having a vehicle. Receiving means for receiving the broadcast signal;
Voice presentation means for outputting voice based on the signal;
Broadcast station information storage means for storing the area and frequency of the broadcast station and the connection destination address of the server;
A connection destination address acquisition means for acquiring the connection destination address of the server from the selected frequency and the current position of the vehicle with reference to the broadcast station information stored in the broadcast station information storage means;
Operation means for instructing transmission;
When a user inputs a request through the operation unit, a signal acquisition unit that connects to the connection destination address of the server acquired by the connection destination address acquisition unit and acquires a request data signal from the server;
A collecting means for collecting vehicle information from equipment installed in the vehicle based on the request data signal;
Transmitting means for transmitting a response signal including vehicle information collected based on the operation of the operating means;
A vehicle information providing apparatus comprising an in-vehicle device provided with a vehicle. The audio signal includes a query;
3. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request data signal designates vehicle information related to the inquiry. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle information includes vehicle current location information. The operation means includes display means for displaying candidate answers to the inquiry, and input means for selecting a candidate displayed by the user and inputting a reply,
5. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an input response is included in the response signal. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the request data signal includes a candidate for a response to the inquiry. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the request data signal includes a transmission destination address of the response signal. Personal information storage means for storing personal information of the user in the in-vehicle device;
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the personal information is included in the response signal. Further comprising an in-vehicle device ID storage means for storing the in-vehicle device ID individually assigned to the in-vehicle device,
9. The vehicle information provision according to claim 1, wherein the response signal includes the vehicle-mounted device ID, and the vehicle-mounted device ID is replaced with personal information of the user in the middle of the transmission path. apparatus. When the question is traffic jam information and the response is “traffic jam”,
The vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of an average vehicle speed from a current time to a predetermined time before, a maximum vehicle speed, and the number of start / stop times. Information providing device. When the question is weather information and the response is "rain" or "snow"
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of raindrop sensor information, wiper operation information, and outside air temperature. The vehicle further comprises destination input means for inputting a destination to the in-vehicle device,
If the question is a destination and the destination is input to the in-vehicle device,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the response signal includes a destination input to the in-vehicle device. The vehicle-mounted device further comprises route search means for searching for a route to the destination,
13. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the response signal includes a route to the destination searched by the route search means. It further comprises a waypoint input means for inputting a waypoint to the in-vehicle device,
When the question is a destination and a transit point is input to the in-vehicle device,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the response signal includes a transit point input to the in-vehicle device. The vehicle-mounted device further includes destination input means for inputting a destination, and destination history information storage means for storing history information of the destination,
If the question is a destination and the destination is not entered in the in-vehicle device,
The response signal includes the destination having the same attribute as the destination acquired by searching the destination history information stored in the destination history information storage means, and having the highest number of destinations. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle information providing device is a vehicle information providing device.

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