JP2005352649A - Notification system of congestion information and car navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily recognize occurrence cause of anomalous congestion different from congestion which steadily occurs. <P>SOLUTION: A notification system 1 of congestion information comprises a congestion information collecting means 6 for collecting the congestion information, a storage means 6 for storing the congestion information collected by the collecting means 6, an input means 6 for inputting information about event possible to occur congestion, a memory means 6 for storing the event information, an anomalous congestion information detection means 6 for detecting anomalous congestion information different from congestion which steadily occurs by checking congestion information with the stored congestion information, an event information detection means 6 for detecting event information related to the anomalous congestion information by checking the anomalous congestion information with the event information stored in the memory means 6, and a transmitting means 6 for transmitting the anomalous congestion information and the event information related to the anomalous congestion information to an information terminal 5 mounted on a specific vehicle 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic congestion information notification system and a car navigation device configured to notify a vehicle driver of road traffic congestion information.

As an example of a system for informing road congestion information, there are configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the convenience of driving by the driver is improved by displaying the traffic information that is usually generated at a point where the traffic is difficult to occur, that is, the specific traffic information. Further, in the system of Patent Document 2, a database for accumulating and storing traffic jam information at regular intervals is provided in the traffic control center. Is displayed on a display board on a road or transmitted to an in-vehicle receiver.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-250598 JP 2001-093078 A

  In the case of the two prior arts described above, information on the suddenly generated traffic jam is displayed, so that the driver can recognize the traffic jam information. However, in the case of each of the prior arts described above, the driver is not informed of any information about the cause (reason) of the traffic jam. For this reason, since the reason for the traffic jam is unknown, it has not been possible to determine whether it is better to avoid the traffic congestion point or how much to avoid it.

  In the conventional configuration, when the driver wants to know the reason for the traffic jam, it is necessary to see the reason for the traffic jam displayed on the display board near the site of the traffic jam. And if you come near the site, you can't avoid it anymore. In the case of an automobile equipped with a receiving device capable of receiving VICS information, the user receives VICS information and recognizes road construction information, road regulation information, etc. included in this VICS information. However, it is possible to some extent to estimate the reason for the traffic jam from these information and the traffic jam information. However, if the reason for the traffic jam is an event (such as a fireworks display or a new large store opening), the event information is not included in the VICS information, so the driver did not know the reason for the traffic jam at all.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic jam information notification system and a car navigation device that can easily recognize the reason for the occurrence of a specific traffic jam that is different from a regularly occurring traffic jam.

  The traffic jam information notification system according to the present invention includes a traffic jam information collecting unit that collects traffic jam information of a vehicle traveling on a road, a storage unit that accumulates traffic jam information collected by the traffic jam information collecting unit, and a traffic jam can occur. Specific traffic information that is different from traffic jams that occur on a regular basis by comparing the traffic jam information with the stored traffic jam information and an input means for inputting event information having a characteristic, a memory means for storing the event information Specific traffic jam information detecting means, event information detection means for collating the specific traffic jam information with event information stored in the storage means to detect event information related to the specific traffic jam information, the specific traffic jam information, Transmission means for transmitting event information related to the specific traffic jam information to an information terminal mounted on a specific vehicle or an information terminal of a specific user Characterized by the Rutokoro. According to this system, the user can know the specific traffic jam information and the event information related to the specific traffic jam information, so the user can easily recognize the reason for the specific traffic jam that is different from the regular traffic jam. can do.

  In the system, it is preferable that the specific vehicle is a vehicle that is expected to be affected by the specific traffic jam. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the information terminal of the vehicle is constituted by a car navigation device. Furthermore, it is preferable that the specific vehicle is configured to be extracted based on route data. Moreover, it is preferable that the said transmission means is comprised so that the event information relevant to the said specific traffic information and this specific traffic information may be transmitted with respect to the information terminal which requests | requires the said specific traffic information.

  Further, a plurality of information terminals can be registered as the user information terminal, and the transmission means transmits the specific traffic information and event information related to the specific traffic information to the plurality of information terminals of the user. Is a good configuration. It is even more preferable that the specific vehicle is extracted based on travel history data.

  Further, the car navigation device of the present invention has a function of displaying a map and displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map, and transmitting from the transmission means of the traffic jam information notification system according to claim 1. And a means for receiving event information related to the specific traffic jam information and the specific traffic jam information. In the case of this configuration, it is preferable to include means for requesting the transmission means of the traffic congestion information notification system according to claim 1 to transmit the specific traffic congestion information and event information related to the specific traffic congestion information.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a traffic jam information notification system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic jam information notification system 1 includes a traffic control center 2, an information center 3, and an information terminal 5 mounted on an automobile (vehicle) 4. The traffic control center 2 has a well-known configuration and includes a database that accumulates and stores traffic jam information (that is, traffic information) of vehicles traveling on the road at regular intervals.

  The information center 3 includes a traffic information processing device 6 having a communication function, and the traffic information processing device 6 is configured by, for example, a personal computer or WS. The traffic information processing device 6 is configured to receive traffic information from the traffic control center 2 via the communication network 7 and to accumulate and store the received traffic information. That is, the traffic information processing apparatus 6 has a function as a traffic information collecting unit that collects traffic information of vehicles traveling on the road and a function as an accumulating unit that accumulates traffic information collected by the traffic information collecting unit. Have.

  The traffic information processing device 6 also functions as an input means for inputting event information that may cause traffic jams, such as information on a fireworks display, opening a large store, a sporting game, and the like, and the event information. It has a function as storage means for storing. In this case, the plurality of event information is configured to be stored as an event table in a storage unit (memory, hard disk, or the like) in the traffic jam information processing apparatus 6.

  Furthermore, the traffic information processing device 6 collates the collected current traffic information with the accumulated traffic information and functions as a specific traffic information detection unit that detects specific traffic information that is different from traffic that occurs regularly. And a function as an event information detecting unit for detecting event information related to the specific traffic jam information by comparing the specific traffic jam information with the event information stored in the storage unit.

  On the other hand, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 is a terminal registered as a user (member) in the traffic jam information processing device 6 of the information center 3, and only one is shown in FIG. (Many) exist. The information terminal 5 is composed of, for example, a car navigation device having a wireless communication function. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 8, the position detector 9, the map data input device 10, and the operation switch group 11 are used. And an external memory 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and the like.

  In the above configuration, the control device 8 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the information terminal (that is, the car navigation device) 5, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and a bus connecting them (all of them). (Not shown). The position detector 9 includes a geomagnetic sensor 15, a gyroscope 16, a vehicle speed sensor 17, and a GPS receiver 18.

  The position detector 9 is configured to detect the current position of the vehicle while interpolating with the four sensors 15 to 18, and has a highly accurate position detection function. In addition, when position detection accuracy is not so required, the position detector 9 may be configured by any one of the four sensors 15 to 18 (or a combination of a plurality of sensors). Further, the position detector 9 may be configured by combining a vehicle rotation sensor, a wheel sensor, and the like.

  The map data input device 10 is composed of a reading device capable of reading a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or the like, and inputs various data such as map data, map matching data, landmark data, and voice recognition dictionary data. It is a device for. The operation switch group 11 includes a touch switch (touch panel) provided on the upper surface of the display screen of the display device 14 and a mechanical push switch (not shown) provided on the periphery of the display device 14. .

  The external memory 12 includes a reading device such as a memory stick, a memory card, and a magnetic tape, and is a device for inputting map data, music data, video data, and the like. The communication device 13 has functions of, for example, a mobile phone (a dedicated mobile phone terminal or a general-purpose mobile phone) and a VICS communication device. The control device 8 transmits / receives data to / from an external information center 3 or a VICS center (not shown) via the communication device 13 and a communication network 19 (see FIG. 1) including a wireless communication network and a wired communication network. It is configured to be able to. That is, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 is configured to be able to transmit and receive data via the information center 3 and the communication network 19.

The display device 14 is composed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display for displaying a map screen, and overlays map data (road data, character data, background data, etc.), own vehicle position mark, additional data such as a guidance route, and the like. It is configured so that it can be displayed.
The control device 8 has a function (route calculation function) for automatically calculating and setting the optimum route (guidance route) from the current position to the destination, and as a method for automatically setting the optimum route. For example, the Dijkstra method is used.

  The destination is configured so that the user can set the destination by operating the operation switch group 5 or a remote controller (not shown). The control device 8 then superimposes and displays the optimum route (guidance route) to the destination on the map displayed on the display device 14, that is, a function for displaying a road emphasis line, and a current position. A function for executing map matching processing positioned on the map is provided.

  Next, the operation of the traffic jam information notification system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1 of FIG. 3, the traffic information processing device 6 of the information center 3 accesses the traffic control center 2 to receive (input) the traffic jam information, and accumulate (store) the received traffic jam information in the storage unit. To do. Then, it progresses to step S2, and the traffic jam information processing apparatus 6 collates the received traffic jam information with the past traffic jam information (accumulated traffic jam information).

  Here, it is determined (detected) whether or not the received traffic jam information is specific traffic jam information different from the traffic jam that occurs regularly. Further, in the case of the specific traffic jam information, the event information related to the specific traffic jam information, in other words, the specific traffic jam information is collated with the stored event information (that is, the event table). It is configured to extract (detect) event information that can be predicted as the cause of the traffic jam indicated by the traffic jam information.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the specific traffic jam information (traffic traffic information different from the regularly generated traffic jam) has been detected. The process returns to step S1 (congestion information reception process). On the other hand, when the specific traffic jam information is detected in step S3, the process proceeds to “YES”, and it is determined whether or not there is a user related to the detected specific traffic jam information (step S4).

  Here, the user related to the specific traffic jam information is, for example, an area within a radius nkm centered on the traffic jam point indicated by the specific traffic jam information among the users registered in the traffic jam information processing device 6. It is assumed that the user exists, that is, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4. In addition, the automobile 4 that is scheduled to pass through the traffic jam area indicated by the specific traffic jam information and the vicinity thereof, that is, the guidance route (route data) from the departure point to the destination passes through the traffic jam area and the vicinity thereof. Such a car 4 is also a user related to the specific traffic jam information. In this case, the user related to the specific traffic jam information is extracted based on the route data.

In addition, since the traffic information processing device 6 makes the above determination (determining whether there is a user related to the specific traffic information), it is possible to grasp the position of the user's automobile 4 (information terminal 5) in real time. It is configured as follows.
In the case of this configuration, for example, when the engine of the automobile 4 is turned on, the information terminal 5 detects the current position of the automobile 4 (vehicle) at each set time, and the information on the detected current position is stored in the information center 3. It is configured to transmit to the traffic jam information processing device 6. At the same time, the traffic jam information processing device 6 is configured to receive the position information of the automobile 4 transmitted from the information terminal 5 and accumulate it in the storage unit. As a result, the traffic jam information processing device 6 can grasp the current position of the user (automobile 4) and the travel route and thus the travel history (travel history data).

  Further, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 is configured to transmit the information of the departure place and the destination to the traffic jam information processing apparatus 6. As a result, the traffic jam information processing device 6 calculates the guidance route based on the received information of the departure place and the destination (with almost the same algorithm as the route calculation algorithm of the information terminal 5), thereby guiding the automobile 4 It is configured to grasp the route (route data). In addition, you may comprise so that the information of a guidance route (route data) may also be transmitted from the information terminal 5 to the traffic jam information processing device 6.

  When it is determined in step S5 that there is a user related to the specific traffic jam information, the process proceeds to “YES”, and the user related to the specific traffic jam information, that is, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 is compared with the specific traffic information. It is configured to transmit (distribute) traffic information and event information related to this specific traffic information (step S5). In the case of this configuration, the traffic information processing apparatus 6 constitutes a transmission means. The information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 has a function (means) for receiving the specific traffic information transmitted from the traffic information processing apparatus 6 and event information related to the specific traffic information.

In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of users related to the specific traffic jam information, the specific traffic information and the event information related to the specific traffic jam information are respectively sent to the plurality of users (information terminals 5). It is configured to transmit.
The information terminal 5 that has received the specific traffic information and the event information related to the specific traffic information is configured to display these information on the display device 14. As a result, the driver of the automobile 4 can recognize the area where the unusual traffic jam (unsteady traffic jam) occurs and the event related to the unusual traffic jam. You can almost know.

  In addition, in the said Example, although applied to the information terminal 5 of the motor vehicle 4 (vehicle) as a user's information terminal, it is not restricted to this, The communication function and the position detection function (what is called communication navigation function) were provided. You may apply to PDA, a portable personal computer, and the mobile telephone provided with the position detection function (what is called a navigation function). The user registered as a member in the traffic information processing apparatus 6 of the information center 3 may be either an individual or a corporation.

Furthermore, a configuration may be made so that a plurality of information terminals can be registered for one user. In this configuration, when there is a user related to the specific traffic jam information, the user is specific to the plurality of information terminals of the user. It is preferable that the traffic information and the event information related to the specific traffic information are transmitted.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the information processing device 6 of the information center 3 is configured to extract and select the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 that transmits the specific traffic information and the event information related to the specific traffic information. However, in addition to this, when a request command for requesting the specific traffic jam information is transmitted from the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 to the traffic jam information processing device 6, the specific traffic jam information and the event related to the specific traffic jam information are transmitted. Information may be transmitted to the requesting information terminal 5. In the case of this configuration, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 has a function (means) for requesting the traffic information processing device 6 to transmit the specific traffic information and the event information related to the specific traffic information.

  Further, in the traffic jam information processing device 6, when extracting a user related to the specific traffic jam information, that is, a specific car 4 (vehicle), the travel history data of the car 4 (data stored in the traffic jam information processing device 6). You may comprise so that it may extract based on. In this case, for example, since the travel history data of the automobile 4 indicates the usual travel route (commuting route, etc.) that the vehicle 4 normally travels, the traffic route that the normally traveled route is indicated by the specific traffic jam information. When the vehicle passes through the area and the vicinity thereof, the information terminal 5 of the automobile 4 is preferably extracted as a user related to the specific traffic jam information.

Block diagram of traffic information reporting system Information terminal block diagram flowchart

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a traffic jam information notification system, 2 is a traffic control center, 3 is an information center, 4 is an automobile (vehicle), 5 is an information terminal (car navigation device), and 6 is a traffic jam information processing device (traffic traffic information collecting means). Storage means, input means, storage means, specific traffic information detection means, event information detection means, transmission means), 7 is a communication network, 8 is a control device, 9 is a position detector, 13 is a communication device, and 14 is a display device , 19 indicates a communication network.

Claims (9)

A traffic information collecting means for collecting traffic information of vehicles traveling on the road;
Storage means for storing traffic information collected by the traffic information collection means;
Input means for entering event information that may cause traffic jams,
Storage means for storing the event information;
Specific traffic jam information detecting means for detecting the traffic jam information different from the traffic jam that occurs regularly by comparing the traffic jam information with the accumulated traffic jam information;
Event information detection means for detecting event information related to the specific traffic jam information by collating the specific traffic jam information with the event information stored in the storage means;
A traffic congestion information notification system comprising: transmission means for transmitting the specific traffic congestion information and event information related to the specific traffic congestion information to an information terminal mounted on a specific vehicle or an information terminal of a specific user.   The traffic information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the specific vehicle is predicted to be affected by the specific traffic jam.   The traffic information notification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information terminal of the vehicle is a car navigation device.   The traffic jam information notification system according to claim 2, wherein the specific vehicle is configured to be extracted based on route data.   The said transmission means is comprised so that the event information relevant to the said specific traffic information and this specific traffic information may be transmitted with respect to the information terminal which requests | requires the said specific traffic information. Traffic information notification system. A plurality of information terminals can be registered as the user information terminal,
The traffic jam according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means is configured to transmit the specific traffic jam information and event information related to the specific traffic jam information to a plurality of information terminals of the user. Information notification system.   The traffic jam information notification system according to claim 2, wherein the specific vehicle is configured to be extracted based on travel history data. In a car navigation device having a function of displaying a map and displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map,
A car navigation apparatus comprising means for receiving specific traffic information transmitted from a transmission means of the traffic information notification system according to claim 1 and event information related to the specific traffic information. 9. The traffic information notification system according to claim 1, further comprising means for requesting the transmission means of the traffic information to transmit the specific traffic information and event information related to the traffic information. Car navigation device.

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