JP2006059188A - Traffic information system and information analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic information system and an information analyzer in which traffic information can be efficiently prepared even when information volume necessary for analysis is small. <P>SOLUTION: When a distance on a lane between vehicles loaded with information collection devices is a threshold K and more, the information analyzer sets a virtual vehicle between the vehicles. Then the information analyzer estimates vehicle distribution information obtained from the vehicle information of the virtual vehicle and the virtual vehicle itself. Then the information analyzer prepares traffic information by using the vehicle distribution information including the estimated information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information system and an information analysis device, and more particularly to a traffic information system and an information analysis device that analyze traffic information based on a small amount of vehicle information.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a traffic information system related to vehicle traffic in which information related to vehicle traffic is presented to each vehicle based on information transmitted from an information collection device mounted on a plurality of vehicles. FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional traffic information system.

In FIG. 30, information collection and presentation devices 100 a to 100 n are mounted on each vehicle. The information collection / presentation device 100 includes an information collection unit 101, a transmission unit 102, a reception unit 103, and an information presentation unit 104. Information transmitted from the information collection / presentation device 100 is integrated by the center 200. The information collection / presentation device 100 includes travel information such as the speed, position, direction, and vehicle ID of a vehicle to be mounted, and the position, shape, moving direction, speed, and speed of a detection object that exists in the vicinity of the vehicle. The peripheral information such as the number, the inter-vehicle distance, and the road shape, and the time are transmitted to the center 200 via the transmitter 102, respectively. Then, the center 200 performs an integration process of the information, and transmits the processing result as traffic information to each vehicle. Each information collection and presentation device 100 receives traffic information transmitted from the center 200 via the receiving unit 103, and the traffic information is presented to the user by the information presenting unit 104 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . By using such a traffic information system, the user can acquire traffic information such as a traffic jam ahead in his / her vehicle, so that the user's stress during driving can be reduced, and further, the traffic jam can be reduced. .
JP 2003-346286 A

  However, in the conventional method, when the mounting ratio of the information collection and presentation device 100 is low for each vehicle, the number of pieces of information obtained from the information collection unit 101 via the transmission unit 102 is insufficient, which is necessary for the integration process. As there is less information available, sufficient traffic information cannot be provided.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention relates to a traffic information system and an information analysis device, and more specifically, to provide a traffic information system and an information analysis device that efficiently create traffic information even if the amount of information required for analysis is small. It is to be.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features.
A first invention is a traffic information system including an information collection device mounted on a vehicle and an information analysis device that generates vehicle traffic information based on information obtained from the information collection device.
The information collection device includes own vehicle travel information acquisition means, surrounding vehicle information collection means, first information processing means, and transmission means. The own vehicle travel information acquisition means detects the position, speed, and direction of the own vehicle on which the own vehicle is mounted. The surrounding vehicle information collecting means collects surrounding vehicle information related to other vehicles existing around the host vehicle. The first information processing unit creates transmission information indicating a vehicle distribution around the host vehicle using the host vehicle driving information detected by the host vehicle driving information acquiring unit and the surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting unit. . The transmission means transmits the transmission information created by the first information processing means. The information analyzing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a second information processing unit. The receiving means receives the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device. The second information processing means uses the plurality of transmission information received by the receiving means to create vehicle distribution information indicating the distribution of vehicles within a predetermined range, and for the sections where the vehicle distribution information is insufficient Based on the transmission information respectively transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle across the section, the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the second information processing means interpolates the vehicle distribution information of the section when the distance between the vehicles sandwiching the section is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means is a relative position and a relative speed of another vehicle based on the own vehicle. The transmission information created by the first information processing means is the absolute position and absolute speed of the host vehicle and the absolute position and absolute speed of the other vehicle. Here, the absolute position means the position on the road surface, and the absolute speed means the speed with respect to the road surface.

  In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means is a relative position and a relative speed of another vehicle based on the own vehicle. The transmission information created by the first information processing means includes a representative position representing the position of the own vehicle and other vehicles, a representative speed representing the speed of the own vehicle and other vehicles, and from the own vehicle to other vehicles. The representative inter-vehicle distance that represents the inter-vehicle distance.

  In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the second information processing means is configured such that the representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is transmitted from an information collecting device mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section. Assuming that there is a linear relationship between the inter-vehicle distance and each representative position, the inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the second information processing means is configured such that the representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is transmitted from an information collecting device mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section. It is assumed that there is a relationship that is minimal at the representative inter-vehicle distance at one representative position and approximated by a quadratic function that passes through the representative inter-vehicle distance at the other representative position with respect to the inter-vehicle distance and the representative position. Interpolate the distance between vehicles.

  In a seventh aspect based on any one of the fifth and sixth aspects, the second information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and the virtual vehicle and a vehicle around the virtual vehicle. Is estimated to be the inter-representative inter-vehicle distance.

  In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the second information processing means sets another virtual vehicle at a position before and after the representative inter-vehicle distance interpolated from the virtual vehicle.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that represents and presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing unit causes the presentation unit to express the virtual vehicle on the map data in addition to the vehicle on which the information collection device is mounted and the surrounding vehicles collected by the surrounding vehicle information collection unit of the information collection device.

  In a tenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval and decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the total number of vehicles existing in the lane for each interval. The presentation means is made to express on the map data.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the eighth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that represents and presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and sets a plurality of vehicle character images indicating representative vehicle intervals set for each interval to the intervals of the lane indicated by the map data. It is given every time and the presentation means is made to express it on the map data.

  In a twelfth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the second information processing means is configured so that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. And the respective representative positions are interpolated with the representative speeds at the predetermined positions.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the second information processing means is configured such that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. Assuming that the representative speed is minimal at the representative speed at one representative position and approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative speed at the other representative position, the representative speed at that predetermined position is interpolated. .

  In a fourteenth aspect based on any one of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the second information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and the absolute speed of the virtual vehicle is interpolated. Estimated to be speed.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing means includes map data corresponding to the absolute speed at which each of the vehicle on which the information collecting device is mounted, the surrounding vehicle collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting device, and the virtual vehicle is set. Make the presentation means to move up.

  In a sixteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that represents and presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the absolute speed set for each interval, Let the presentation means express on the map data.

  In a seventeenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the information analysis apparatus further includes a presentation unit that represents and presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data. The second information processing unit divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and sets the vehicle character image that moves according to the representative speed set for each interval between the lanes indicated by the map data. It is given every time and the presentation means is made to express it on the map data.

  In an eighteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the traffic information system detects a mounting ratio of the information collecting device for a vehicle passing through a specific lane, and transmits a detection result. Further prepare. The receiving means further receives the detection result transmitted by the mounting rate detecting device. The second information processing means extracts the mounting ratio detected for the section from the detection result, and based on the transmission information and the mounting ratio respectively transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. , Interpolate the vehicle distribution information of the section.

  In a nineteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the second information processing means is configured such that the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle located in front of the vehicle sandwiching the section indicates the rear vehicle. When the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle located behind among the vehicles sandwiching the section indicates that the preceding vehicle is detected, Interpolate vehicle distribution information.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, vehicle traffic information is obtained based on information obtained from an information collecting device that is mounted on a vehicle and that transmits the transmission information indicating the vehicle distribution around the vehicle and the vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted. This is an information analysis device to be generated. The information analysis apparatus includes a receiving unit and an information processing unit. The receiving means receives the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device. The information processing means creates vehicle distribution information indicating the distribution of vehicles within a predetermined range using a plurality of transmission information received by the receiving means, and sandwiches the section with respect to the sections where the vehicle distribution information is insufficient. Based on the transmission information respectively transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle, the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated.

  In a twenty-first aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the information processing means interpolates the vehicle distribution information of the section when the distance between the vehicles sandwiching the section is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  In a twenty-second aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position representing the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, the host vehicle and the other vehicles. A representative speed representative of the speed and a representative inter-vehicle distance representative of the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to these other vehicles are shown. The information processing means indicates that the representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is in a linear relationship between the representative inter-vehicle distance transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section and each representative position. Assuming that the representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated.

  In a twenty-third aspect based on the first aspect, the transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position representative of the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, and the host vehicle and other vehicles. A representative speed representative of the speed and a representative inter-vehicle distance representative of the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to these other vehicles are shown. The information processing means is configured such that the representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position in the section is the representative inter-vehicle distance at one representative position with respect to the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative position transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. Assuming that the distance is minimized and approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative inter-vehicle distance at the other representative position, the representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated.

  In a twenty-fourth aspect based on any one of the twenty-second and the twenty-third aspects, the information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and the virtual vehicle and a vehicle around the virtual vehicle It is estimated that the inter-vehicle distance is the inter-representative inter-vehicle distance.

  In a twenty-fifth aspect based on the twenty-fourth aspect, the information processing means sets another virtual vehicle at a position before and after the representative inter-vehicle distance interpolated from the virtual vehicle.

  In a twenty-sixth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the present invention further comprises presentation means for presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data. The information processing means causes the presentation means to represent the virtual vehicle on the map data in addition to the vehicle on which the information collecting device is mounted and the surrounding vehicles collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting device.

  In a twenty-seventh aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the present invention further comprises presentation means for presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data. The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the total number of vehicles existing in the lane for each interval, and presenting means To express on the map data.

  In a twenty-eighth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the present invention further comprises presentation means for representing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data. The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and gives a plurality of vehicle character images indicating the representative vehicle interval set for each interval for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. Then, the presentation means is made to express on the map data.

  In a twenty-ninth aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position representing the position of the own vehicle and other vehicles around the own vehicle, and the own vehicle and other vehicles. A representative speed representative of the speed and a representative inter-vehicle distance representative of the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to these other vehicles are shown. The information processing means assumes that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section has a linear relationship between the representative speed transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section and each representative position. Then, the representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated.

  In a thirtieth aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position representative of the position of the own vehicle and other vehicles around the own vehicle, and the own vehicle and other vehicles. A representative speed representative of the speed and a representative inter-vehicle distance representative of the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to these other vehicles are shown. The information processing means is such that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is minimal at the representative speed at one representative position with respect to the representative speed and the representative position transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. Assuming that the relation is approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative speed at the other representative position, the representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated.

  In a thirty-first aspect, in any one of the twenty-ninth and thirtieth aspects, the information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and is a representative speed obtained by interpolating the absolute speed of the virtual vehicle. Estimated.

  According to a thirty-second invention, in the twenty-eighth invention, further provided is presentation means for presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data. The information processing means moves on the map data according to the absolute speed at which each of the vehicles equipped with the information collecting device, the surrounding vehicles collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting devices, and the virtual vehicle are set. And let the presentation means express it.

  According to a thirty-third aspect, in the thirty-first aspect, the information processing means further includes presentation means for representing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated on the map data. The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the absolute speed set for each interval, Express on map data.

  In a thirty-fourth aspect based on the thirty-first aspect, the present invention further comprises presentation means for presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data. The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and provides a vehicle character image that moves according to the representative speed set for each interval for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. Then, the presentation means is made to express on the map data.

  In a thirty-fifth aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the receiving means detects the mounting ratio of the information collecting device with respect to the vehicle passing through the specific lane and transmits the detection result transmitted by the mounting rate detecting device. The detection result is further received. The information processing means extracts the mounting ratio detected for the section from the detection result, and based on the transmission information and the mounting ratio respectively transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section, the section Interpolate vehicle distribution information.

  In a thirty-sixth aspect based on the twentieth aspect, the information processing means detects the vehicle behind the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle located in front of the vehicles sandwiching the section. And when the transmission information transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle located behind among the vehicles sandwiching the section indicates that the preceding vehicle is detected, the vehicle distribution of the section Interpolate information.

  According to the first aspect, since the vehicle distribution information is interpolated for the section where the information amount of the vehicle distribution information is insufficient, appropriate traffic information can be provided to the user.

  According to the second aspect, since the vehicle distribution information is interpolated when the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, it is possible to reliably extract a section in which the information amount is insufficient.

  According to the third invention, vehicle information relating to a plurality of vehicles can be collected and transmitted to the information analysis device with respect to one information collection device, and the amount of information per information collection device increases.

  According to the fourth aspect, since a plurality of pieces of vehicle information are transmitted as representative information, the amount of transmission from the information collection device can be reduced.

  According to the fifth and sixth inventions, the representative inter-vehicle distance of the section to be interpolated can be appropriately estimated using approximation by a linear function or a quadratic function.

  According to the seventh and eighth aspects, by setting a virtual vehicle that is not actually detected in the section to be interpolated, it is possible to easily estimate the information shortage section.

  According to the ninth to eleventh aspects, it is possible to present appropriate traffic information to the user, including a section in which the vehicle distribution information is interpolated.

  According to the twelfth and thirteenth inventions, the representative speed of the section to be interpolated can be appropriately estimated using approximation by a linear function or a quadratic function.

  According to the fourteenth aspect, by setting a virtual vehicle that is not actually detected in the section to be interpolated, it is possible to easily estimate the absolute speed of the information-deficient section.

  According to the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, it is possible to present appropriate speed information as traffic information to the user, including a section in which vehicle distribution information is interpolated.

  According to the eighteenth aspect, the reliability of the vehicle distribution information provided to the user is improved, and the user's sense of security is improved.

  According to the nineteenth aspect, since information interpolation between different vehicle groups is not performed, estimation different from reality, such as estimating a vehicle that should not originally exist, can be avoided.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the traffic information system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic information system.

  In FIG. 1, a traffic information system is mounted on a plurality of vehicles and analyzes traffic information on the basis of the information collection device 1 that collects and transmits vehicle information and surrounding information for the mounted vehicles and the transmitted information. It is comprised by the information analysis apparatus 2 shown to a user. Each vehicle may be equipped with one of the information collection device 1 and the information analysis device 2.

  The information collection device 1 includes a host vehicle travel information acquisition unit 11, a surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12, a first information processing unit 13, and a transmission unit 14. The own vehicle travel information acquisition unit 11 includes a speed detection unit 111 and a position detection unit 112. The surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 includes a front vehicle information acquisition unit 121, a rear vehicle information acquisition unit 122, a left vehicle information acquisition unit 123, and a right vehicle information acquisition unit 124. In addition, the information analysis device 2 includes a reception unit 21, a second information processing unit 22, and a presentation unit 23.

  The speed detection unit 111 includes, for example, a speed sensor and acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle on which the speed detection unit 111 is mounted. The position detection unit 112 is configured by, for example, a GPS, and detects the absolute position of the mounted vehicle. Accordingly, the host vehicle travel information acquisition unit 11 acquires the absolute position, the absolute speed, and the travel direction of the mounted vehicle, and outputs them to the first information processing unit 13. In addition, the own vehicle travel information acquisition part 11 may improve the precision of the obtained travel direction using a geomagnetic sensor etc. as a means to acquire a travel direction. Here, in this specification, the absolute position means the position on the road surface, and the absolute speed means the speed with respect to the road surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the forward vehicle information acquisition unit 121 forms a millimeter wave in the form of a beam from the front of a vehicle C (hereinafter simply referred to as vehicle C) equipped with a traffic information system, for example, toward the front of the vehicle C. A radar device that scans and receives millimeter waves reflected by an object (front vehicle CF) or the like. The rear vehicle information acquisition unit 122 is a radar device that scans a millimeter wave in a beam shape from the rear of the vehicle C toward the rear of the vehicle C and receives the millimeter wave reflected by an object (rear vehicle CB), for example. . The left vehicle information acquisition unit 123, for example, scans a millimeter wave in a beam shape from the left part of the vehicle C toward the left direction of the vehicle C, and receives a millimeter wave reflected by an object (left vehicle CL) or the like. It is. For example, the right vehicle information acquisition unit 124 scans the millimeter wave in a beam shape from the right part of the vehicle C in the right direction of the vehicle C, and receives the millimeter wave reflected by the object (right vehicle CR) or the like. Radar device. These radar devices sequentially measure the distance and relative speed between the surrounding vehicles CF, CB, CL, and CR and the vehicle C from the delay time from the radar wave transmission time and the Doppler shift, respectively. The surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 outputs these measurement results to the first information processing unit 13. The surrounding vehicle information collecting unit 12 measures the relative positions and relative speeds of the surrounding vehicles on the front, rear, left, and right with respect to the vehicle C using radio wave radar. However, more radars are installed and the front right, front left, back right, and left You may measure the vehicle behind you. By comprising in this way, more surrounding vehicle information can be acquired simultaneously.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123 may be installed such that a millimeter wave transmission unit 123a is disposed on the left front side of the vehicle C and a millimeter wave reception unit 123b is disposed on the left rear side. Further, the right vehicle information acquisition unit 124 may be installed with the millimeter wave transmission unit 124a on the right front side of the vehicle C and the millimeter wave reception unit 124b on the right rear side. Further, the front-rear positional relationship between the millimeter wave transmission units 123a and 124a and the millimeter wave reception units 123b and 123b may be switched. Even in this arrangement relationship, a Doppler effect in the traveling direction can be obtained.

  The first information processing unit 13 performs arithmetic processing based on the information output from the host vehicle travel information acquisition unit 11 and the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 and outputs the processing result to the transmission unit 14 as transmission information TI. For example, the first information processing unit 13 obtains the absolute position and the absolute speed of the surrounding vehicle based on information from the own vehicle traveling information acquisition unit 11 and the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12. Specifically, the first information processing unit 13 determines the absolute position of the surrounding vehicle from the inter-vehicle distance (relative position) with the surrounding vehicle and the absolute position and direction of the vehicle C according to the direction with respect to the vehicle C. obtain. Further, the first information processing unit 13 obtains the absolute speed of the surrounding vehicle from the relative speed of the surrounding vehicle and the absolute speed of the vehicle C. At this time, instead of the absolute speed, the traveling direction of the vehicle equipped with the information collecting device and the speed of the traveling direction component may be acquired. And the transmission part 14 transmits the transmission information TI to the exterior from the vehicle mounted. For example, the transmission unit 14 performs CDMA communication using one channel within the band allocated for the traffic information system.

  The reception unit 21 receives the transmission information TI transmitted from the information collection device 1 (including the information collection device 1 of its own device), and outputs it to the second information processing unit 22. The second information processing unit 22 processes the transmission information TI received from the reception unit 21 and creates traffic information used by the presentation unit 23 for presentation. Then, the presentation unit 23 presents the traffic information created by the second information processing unit 22 to the user.

  Next, the operation of the first information processing unit 13 included in the information collection device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first information processing unit 13.

  In FIG. 4, the first information processing unit 13 has obtained information on surrounding vehicles from the front vehicle information acquisition unit 121, the rear vehicle information acquisition unit 122, the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123, and the right vehicle information acquisition unit 124. It is determined whether or not (steps S11 to S14). When the information on the surrounding vehicle is obtained from the forward vehicle information acquisition unit 121 (Yes in Step S11), the first information processing unit 13 determines that the forward vehicle CF is traveling ahead of the vehicle C (Step S11). S15). And the 1st information processing part 13 is the absolute position of the vehicle C, the absolute speed of the vehicle C, the relative distance (inter-vehicle distance) with the front vehicle CF, the relative speed of the front vehicle CF, and the vehicle C and the front vehicle CF. The absolute position and the absolute speed of the forward vehicle CF are obtained based on the length LL in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, since the position of the vehicle is the center position of the vehicle, the distance between the front vehicle CF and the vehicle C measured by radar is strictly (the front vehicle CF measured by the front vehicle information acquisition unit 121). Relative distance) + (distance from the rear end of the front vehicle CF to its center) + (distance from the front end of the vehicle C to its center). Therefore, the length LL in the vertical direction is (distance from the rear end of the forward vehicle CF to its center) + (distance from the front end of the vehicle C to its center). Here, since (the distance from the rear end of the front vehicle CF to the center thereof) may not be known in the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment, the length LL is set to (the distance from the front end to the rear end of the vehicle C). You can calculate as In this case, the first information processing unit 13 uses the absolute position of the front vehicle CF as the center position of the vehicle, and when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle C and the front vehicle CF is Y1, The position where the distance Y1 + LL ahead is the absolute position of the front vehicle CF. Note that the length LL may be manually input arbitrarily by the user. Of course, the length LL may be manually input arbitrarily by the user.

  Moreover, the 1st information processing part 13 judges that the back vehicle CB is drive | working behind the vehicle C, when the information of a surrounding vehicle is obtained from the back vehicle information acquisition part 122 (it is Yes at step S12). (Step S16). Then, the first information processing unit 13 sets the absolute position of the vehicle C, the absolute speed of the vehicle C, the relative distance (inter-vehicle distance) from the rear vehicle CB, the relative speed of the rear vehicle CB, and the length LL in the vertical direction. Based on this, the absolute position and the absolute speed of the rear vehicle CB are obtained. For example, the first information processing unit 13 uses the absolute position of the rear vehicle CB as the center position of the vehicle, and the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle C and the rear vehicle CB is Y2, The position where the distance Y2 + LL is the absolute position of the rear vehicle CB.

  Further, the first information processing unit 13 determines that the left vehicle CL is traveling on the left side of the vehicle C when the information on the surrounding vehicle is obtained from the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123 (Yes in step S13). (Step S17). The first information processing unit 13 relates to the absolute position of the vehicle C, the absolute speed of the vehicle C, the relative distance to the left vehicle CL, the relative speed of the left vehicle CL, and the lateral direction between the vehicle C and the left vehicle CL. Based on the length LW, the absolute position and the absolute speed of the left vehicle CL are obtained. In the present embodiment, since the position of the vehicle is the center position of the vehicle, the distance between the left vehicle CL measured by the radar and the vehicle C is strictly (the left vehicle CL measured by the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123). Relative distance) + (distance from the right end of the left vehicle CL to its center) + (distance from the left end of the vehicle C to its center). Accordingly, the length LW in the lateral direction is (distance from the right end of the left vehicle CL to its center) + (distance from the left end of the vehicle C to its center). Here, since (the distance from the right end of the left vehicle CL to its center) may not be known in the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment, the length LW is calculated as the (distance from the left end to the right end of the vehicle C). It doesn't matter. In this case, the first information processing unit 13 uses the absolute position of the left vehicle CL as the center position of the vehicle, and the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle C and the left vehicle CL is X1, The position where the distance X1 + LW on the left side is the absolute position of the left vehicle CL. Of course, the length LW may be manually input arbitrarily by the user.

  Moreover, the 1st information processing part 13 judges that the right vehicle CR is drive | working on the right side of the vehicle C, when the information of a surrounding vehicle is obtained from the right vehicle information acquisition part 124 (it is Yes at step S14). (Step S18). Then, the first information processing unit 13 determines the right vehicle CR based on the absolute position of the vehicle C, the absolute speed of the vehicle C, the relative distance to the right vehicle CR, the relative speed of the right vehicle CR, and the length LW. Find absolute position and velocity. For example, the first information processing unit 13 sets the absolute position of the right vehicle CR as the center position of the vehicle, and when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle C and the right vehicle CR is X2, the first information processing unit 13 Is the absolute position of the right vehicle CR.

  Note that the information collecting apparatus 1 may detect a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane. The information collecting apparatus 1 detects the case where the direction of the detected relative speed of the vehicle is opposite to the traveling speed of the vehicle C and the magnitude of the relative speed is larger than the magnitude of the absolute speed of the vehicle C. Consider a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane. If the information on the vehicle traveling in the opposite lane is ignored and the information is not transmitted, it is possible to eliminate the problem that in the traffic information generation described later, the information on the opposite lane is incorrectly counted and accurate traffic information cannot be provided. . On the other hand, when the above information is transmitted after clarifying that the vehicle is traveling in the opposite lane, vehicle information used for processing increases in the generation of vehicle distribution information and traffic information described later. The amount of information for creating information increases, and more accurate information can be provided.

  The transmission unit 14 transmits information processed by the first information processing unit 13 as transmission information TI. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmission information TI describes absolute position information and absolute speed information in the own vehicle (vehicle C), and is transmitted periodically from the transmission unit 14. In the transmission information TI, when the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 detects the surrounding vehicle, the front vehicle (CF), the rear vehicle (CB), the left vehicle (CL), and the right vehicle (CL) corresponding to the surrounding vehicle ( The absolute position information and absolute velocity information in (CR) are described. The transmission information TI is transmitted from each of the plurality of information collecting apparatuses 1, but in the following description, in order to distinguish them, the information collecting apparatuses 1a to 1n respectively mounted on the plurality of vehicles Ca to Cn respectively. It is assumed that transmission information TIa to TIn is transmitted. And it is assumed that the information analysis devices 2a to 2n are mounted on the vehicles Ca to Cn, respectively.

  The reception unit 21 included in the information analysis device 2 receives the transmission information TI and outputs it to the second information processing unit 22. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the reception unit 21a included in the information analysis apparatus 2a receives transmission information TIa to TIn transmitted from the information collection apparatuses 1a to 1n. That is, the receiving unit 21a also receives transmission information TIa transmitted from the vehicle Ca on which the own device is mounted together with transmission information TIb to TIn transmitted from the other vehicles Cb to Cn. As described above, the receiving units 21a to 21n included in each of the information analysis apparatuses 2a to 2n receive a plurality of channels (preferably all channels) through communication using a band allocated for the traffic information system. The transmission information TIa to TIn is received.

  The second information processing unit 22 processes the transmission information TI received by the receiving unit 21 to create vehicle distribution information. For example, the second information processing unit 22 creates the vehicle distribution information as shown in FIG. 7 using the transmission information TIa to TIn transmitted by the plurality of information collection devices 1a to 1n. The vehicle distribution information is information in which absolute position information and absolute speed information of each vehicle indicated by the plurality of transmission information TI are written side by side. Typically, the vehicle distribution information expands the absolute position information and absolute speed information of each vehicle indicated by the transmission information TI with respect to a predetermined range based on the absolute position of the vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted, Created for each vehicle included in the range. The vehicle distribution information organizes information on the same vehicle (information having the same absolute position information) into any one.

  The presentation unit 23 includes a display, for example, and visually displays traffic information to the user. Specifically, the presentation unit 23 displays traffic information based on the vehicle distribution information created by the second information processing unit 22. For example, the information analysis device 2 has a recording unit (not shown) for storing map information, and the second information processing unit 22 places each vehicle based on the vehicle distribution information on predetermined map information. Draw and output to the presentation unit 23. Then, the presentation unit 23 displays the map information and expresses the vehicle distribution information including the vehicle C.

  FIG. 8 is a first example in which vehicle distribution information using map information displayed on the presentation unit 23 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 8, in the vehicle distribution information display D1, the vehicle C is arranged substantially at the center to express vehicle distribution information in a desired range. The own vehicle mark Cm indicating the vehicle C is drawn at substantially the center of the vehicle distribution information display D1. Then, a solid triangle mark drawn on the map information path indicates a vehicle on which the information collection device 1 is mounted, and a white triangle mark indicates a vehicle on which the information collection device 1 is not mounted. Each triangle mark indicating another vehicle indicates the absolute position with respect to the map information by its display position, indicates the traveling direction by its apex direction, and expresses the absolute traveling speed by moving and displaying on the map.

  FIG. 9 is a second example in which vehicle distribution information using map information displayed on the presentation unit 23 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, in the vehicle distribution information display D <b> 2, the vehicle C is arranged in the lower center, and vehicle distribution information in a desired range ahead of the vehicle C is expressed. The own vehicle mark Cm indicating the vehicle C is drawn at the lower center of the vehicle distribution information display D2. Then, a solid triangle mark drawn on the map information path indicates a vehicle on which the information collection device 1 is mounted, and a white triangle mark indicates a vehicle on which the information collection device 1 is not mounted. Each triangle mark indicating another vehicle indicates the absolute position with respect to the map information by its display position, indicates the traveling direction by its apex direction, and expresses the absolute traveling speed by moving and displaying on the map.

  FIG. 10 is a third example of displaying vehicle distribution information using map information displayed on the presentation unit 23. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the vehicle distribution information display D3, the vehicle C is arranged in the lower left and expresses the vehicle distribution information in a desired range on the right front side of the vehicle C. The second information processing unit 22 divides the route expressed in the map information into predetermined intervals (for example, 100 m), and sets each as a section Z. And the 2nd information processing part 22 calculates the number of vehicles which exist for every section Z, and the average absolute speed of those vehicles based on vehicle distribution information. In the vehicle distribution information display D3 displayed on the presentation unit 23, the route represented by the map information is divided for each section Z, and is displayed so that the number of vehicles and the average absolute speed in each section Z can be distinguished. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the area AC indicating the section Z is distinguished by a color or a pattern, and the number of vehicles existing in the section Z is expressed. Specifically, if the number of vehicles is five or more, the area AC is expressed in red, and if it is less than five, the area AC is expressed in blue. An arrow V is displayed in the area AC, and the average absolute speed and the traveling direction are expressed by the length and direction of the arrow V. The section Z is set for at least each of the up and down lanes set for the route, and expresses the number of vehicles and the average absolute speed.

  Thus, the user of the traffic information system visually recognizes the vehicle distribution information centered on the own vehicle or the vehicle distribution information ahead of the own vehicle by visually recognizing the vehicle distribution information displayed on the presentation unit 23. I can know. Thereby, the user can know the surrounding traffic situation of the own vehicle and the traffic situation ahead. Also, by drawing each vehicle together with the map information, the user can know the distribution of vehicles on the route, and can know the traffic jam information on the route in advance. Thereby, since the user can acquire information such as traffic jams and accidents in advance, time and mental loss due to traffic jams can be reduced. In addition, since one information collection device 1 can collect information on the host vehicle and surrounding vehicles, a large amount of vehicle information can be collected by the information collection device 1.

  In the vehicle distribution information displays D1 to D3 described above, individual vehicle distribution information is expressed for each traveling direction even at least on the same route, but when the lane of the route is two or more lanes on one side, Vehicle distribution information may be displayed for each lane. Thereby, the user can acquire traffic information for each of a plurality of lanes in the same direction, and can avoid being arranged in an unintended lane congestion line. Moreover, the display mode in the presentation unit 23 may be switched according to an input instruction from the user.

  Further, the first information processing unit 13 may calculate the density of the surrounding vehicle with respect to the vehicle C from the information on the surrounding vehicle output from the surrounding vehicle information collecting unit 12 and the absolute position and absolute speed of the vehicle C. Absent. For example, the first information processing unit 13 calculates a representative inter-vehicle distance in the vicinity of the vehicle C. The representative inter-vehicle distance is a value representatively showing the inter-vehicle distance in the lane in which the vehicle C travels. For example, one of the inter-vehicle distance between the front vehicle CF and the vehicle C and the inter-vehicle distance between the rear vehicle CB and the vehicle C or an average value thereof is selected as the representative inter-vehicle distance.

  Note that the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 cannot always detect the vehicles CF and CB before and after the vehicle C. For example, when the forward vehicle CF is located ahead of the vehicle C by the vehicle detection limit distance of the forward vehicle information acquisition unit 121, the forward vehicle CF cannot be detected. Further, when the rear vehicle CB is located behind the vehicle detection limit distance of the rear vehicle information acquisition unit 122 with respect to the vehicle C, the rear vehicle CB cannot be detected. In this case, the first information processing unit 13 calculates the representative inter-vehicle distance on the assumption that the front vehicle CF and / or the rear vehicle CB that could not be detected exist at a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m) that is equal to or greater than the vehicle detection limit distance. To do.

  Alternatively, when the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 cannot detect one of the vehicles CF and CB before and after the vehicle C, the information collection device 1 uses the distance between the other vehicles as the representative vehicle distance, The transmission information TI may be transmitted with detection information indicating that the detection has failed. By providing such detection information, vehicle distribution information described later can be created with high accuracy.

  Further, the representative inter-vehicle distance for other lanes provided on the left and right sides of the lane in which the vehicle C travels may be calculated. For example, the inter-vehicle distance between the plurality of left vehicles CL can be calculated using the relative speed with respect to the plurality of left vehicles CL obtained from the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123 and the detected time information. One of the inter-vehicle distances and the average value are set as the representative inter-vehicle distance in the left lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle C travels. For the lane in which the vehicle C travels and the lane adjacent to the lane and heading in the same direction, one representative inter-vehicle distance is obtained by selecting or averaging one of the representative inter-vehicle distances set in those lanes. Can be set.

  Further, the first information processing unit 13 calculates a representative speed in the vicinity of the vehicle C. The representative speed is a value indicating a representative traveling speed in the lane in which the vehicle C travels and in the left and right lanes. For example, the absolute traveling speed of the vehicle C and the average value of the entertainment traveling speeds of the vehicle C, the front vehicle CF, and the rear vehicle CB are selected as the representative speed of the lane in which the vehicle C travels. Further, the absolute traveling speed of the left vehicle CL and the absolute traveling speed of the right vehicle CR are set to the representative speeds of the left and right lanes on which the vehicle C travels, respectively. For the lane in which the vehicle C travels and the lane adjacent to the lane and heading in the same direction, one representative speed set for those lanes is selected or averaged to set one representative speed. It doesn't matter.

  Then, the first information processing unit 13 calculates a representative position in the vicinity of the vehicle C. The representative position is information indicating the position where the above-described representative inter-vehicle distance and representative speed are acquired. For example, the absolute position of the vehicle C and the midpoint between the front vehicle CF and the rear vehicle CB are set as representative positions.

  The first information processing unit 13 creates the representative inter-vehicle distance, the representative speed, and the representative position as vehicle density information indicating the density of surrounding vehicles with respect to the vehicle C. The vehicle density information is transmitted from the transmission unit 14 as transmission information TI. Since the information amount is smaller than the information described with reference to FIG. 5, the transmission amount from the transmission unit 14 can be reduced.

  The transmission information TI in which the vehicle density information is described is processed by the second information processing unit 22 via the reception unit 21. The second information processing unit 22 processes the transmission information TI in which the vehicle density information is described, and creates vehicle distribution information. For example, the second information processing unit 22 creates the vehicle distribution information as shown in FIG. 11 using the transmission information TIa to TIn transmitted by the plurality of information collection devices 1a to 1n. In this case, the vehicle distribution information is information in which vehicle density information (representative inter-vehicle distance, representative speed, and representative position) of each lane indicated by the plurality of transmission information TI is written side by side.

  Then, the presentation unit 23 performs vehicle distribution information display based on the vehicle distribution information created by the second information processing unit 22. For example, the vehicle distribution information based on the vehicle density information may be displayed by the vehicle distribution information display D3 described with reference to FIG. In this case, the second information processing unit 22 obtains the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative speed for each section Z based on the vehicle density information corresponding to each lane. In the vehicle distribution information display D3 displayed on the presentation unit 23, the route represented by the map information is displayed for each section Z, and is displayed so that the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative speed in each section Z can be distinguished. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the area AC indicating the section Z is distinguished by a color or a pattern, and the representative inter-vehicle distance in the section Z is expressed. An arrow V is displayed in the area AC, and the representative speed and the traveling direction are expressed by the length and direction of the arrow V.

  Further, as an expression method in the section Z, the motion of the vehicle character image Cim can be used. As shown in FIG. 12, the interval La of the vehicle character image Cim to be expressed is set according to the representative inter-vehicle distance. That is, if the representative inter-vehicle distance is long, the interval La is set longer, and if the representative inter-vehicle distance is short, the interval La is shortened to display a plurality of vehicle character images Cim. Then, the vehicle character images Cim are moved on the route in the Va direction in the figure according to the representative speed and displayed on the presentation unit 23. That is, if the representative speed is fast, the vehicle character image Cim is moved at a high speed, and if the representative speed is slow, the vehicle character image Cim is moved at a low speed and displayed on the presentation unit 23. By displaying in this way, the user can intuitively recognize the traffic information.

  Here, it is conceivable that the vehicle information obtained from the information collection device 1 is insufficient to guide the traffic information. As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that a vehicle Ca is equipped with an information collection device 1a that collects vehicle density information for a region Aa and a vehicle Cb is equipped with an information collection device 1b that collects vehicle density information for a region Ab. The vehicles Ca and Cb are assumed to be traveling in the same lane. If there is no vehicle equipped with the information collection device 1 between the vehicles Ca and Cb on the same lane, and the distance between the vehicle Ca and the vehicle Cb is more than a predetermined distance (threshold value K), Vehicle information (for example, vehicle information for the region Ac) cannot be obtained.

  In this case, in this embodiment, the second information processing unit 22 sets a virtual vehicle Cc equipped with an information collection device 1c that collects vehicle density information for the virtual region Ac between the regions Aa and Ab. The vehicle density information in the area Ac is estimated. Hereinafter, this information estimation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation until the second information processing unit 22 performs information estimation processing and draws traffic information. FIG. 15 is a subroutine showing the detailed operation of the information estimation process in step S23 in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the second information processing unit 22 receives a plurality of transmission information TI from the receiving unit 21 (step S21). The plurality of transmission information TI includes transmission information TIa from the vehicle Ca and transmission information TIb from the vehicle Cb in FIG. And the 2nd information processing part 22 produces vehicle distribution information using the received some transmission information TI (step S22). Since the processes in steps S21 and S22 are the same as those described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the second information processing unit 22 extracts a section where the vehicle information is insufficient based on the vehicle distribution information created in step S22, performs information estimation processing for the section, and interpolates the information ( Step S23). Then, the second information processing unit 22 re-creates the vehicle distribution information in which the information is interpolated in step S23 (step S24), and performs a drawing process on the presentation unit 23 using the re-created vehicle distribution information. (Step S25), the process according to the flowchart ends. Since the process in step S25 is the same as the process described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the information estimation process in step S23 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  13 and 15, the second information processing unit 22 acquires vehicle distribution information for vehicles traveling in the same lane from the vehicle distribution information created in step S22 (step S31). For example, the second information processing unit 22 performs vehicle density information (representative position Xa, representative inter-vehicle distance La, representative speed Va) in the vehicle Ca and vehicle density information (representative position Xb, representative inter-vehicle distance Lb) in the vehicle Cb in FIG. , Representative speed Vb) is acquired.

Next, the second information processing unit 22 calculates a threshold value K for the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S31 (step S32). The threshold value K is calculated to an appropriate value using the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative speed obtained from the preceding and following vehicles, respectively. As an example, in the case of the vehicles Ca and Cb,
K = (La + Lb) × 3
Set with. For example, when the representative inter-vehicle distance La = 40 m and the representative inter-vehicle distance Lb = 60 m, the threshold value K = 300 m. Note that the value of the threshold value K may be determined according to the shape of the lane, the legal speed, the processing time, the distance capability that the surrounding vehicle information collection unit 12 can detect the vehicle, and the information collection device equipped vehicle rate described later. For example, when the number of traveling vehicles is relatively small, there is a method of increasing the threshold value K.

  Next, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance on the lane between the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S31 is greater than or equal to the threshold value K (step S33). Here, the inter-vehicle distance between the front and rear vehicles can be obtained by calculating the distance difference on the lane (route) using the representative position set for each vehicle. And the 2nd information processing part 22 advances a process to the following step S34, when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles to front and back is the threshold value K or more. On the other hand, if the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding and following vehicles is less than the threshold value K, the second information processing unit 22 advances the process to the next step S35.

  In step S34, the second information processing unit 22 sets a virtual vehicle on the lane between the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S31, estimates the vehicle distribution information in the virtual vehicle, and performs the process in the next step S35. Proceed to As an example, the second information processing unit 22 assumes that the vehicle distribution information set on the lanes between the vehicles is in a linear relationship with the vehicle distribution information set on the preceding and following vehicles, The vehicle distribution information of the virtual vehicle is estimated.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the second information processing unit 22 indicates that the representative inter-vehicle distance L on the lane between the vehicle Ca located at the representative position Xa and the vehicle Cb located at the representative position Xb is the representative inter-vehicle distance. Presume that there is a linear relationship through distances La and Lb. Next, the second information processing unit 22 sets the intermediate point on the lane of the representative positions Xa and Xb as the representative position Xc, and sets the virtual vehicle Cc at the representative position Xc. Then, the second information processing unit 22 sets the representative inter-vehicle distance Lc of the virtual vehicle Cc to Lc = (La + Lb) / 2.
Set with. For example, when the representative inter-vehicle distance La = 40 m and the representative inter-vehicle distance Lb = 60 m, the representative inter-vehicle distance Lc = 50 m.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the second information processing unit 22 determines that the representative speed V on the lane between the vehicle Ca located at the representative position Xa and the vehicle Cb located at the representative position Xb is the representative speed Va. And a linear relationship through Vb. Next, the second information processing unit 22 sets the representative speed Vc of the virtual vehicle Cc located at the representative position Xc to Vc = (Va + Vb) / 2.
Set with. For example, when the representative speed Va = 24 m / s and the representative speed Vb = 28 m / s, the representative speed Vc = 26 m / s.

  Note that the vehicle distribution information estimated by the second information processing unit 22 may estimate not only the vehicle density information (representative inter-vehicle distance and representative speed) described above, but also vehicle information for a plurality of virtual vehicles. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the second information processing unit 22 sets three virtual vehicles Cc, Ccf, and Ccb on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb. First, the second information processing unit 22 estimates the representative position Xc, the representative inter-vehicle distance Lc, and the representative speed Vc by the method described above for the virtual vehicle Cc, and sets the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Cc to Xc and the estimated absolute The speed is set to Vc (vehicle information of the virtual vehicle Cc). Then, the second information processing unit 22 sets the virtual vehicle Ccf at a position separated by a distance Lc forward along the lane with respect to the virtual vehicle Cc, and calculates the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccf (see FIG. 18, the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccf is represented as Vc (vehicle information of the vehicle Ccf). Further, the second information processing unit 22 sets the virtual vehicle Ccb at a position separated by a distance Lc rearward along the lane with respect to the virtual vehicle Cc, and calculates an estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccb (see FIG. 18, the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccb is represented as Vc (vehicle information of the vehicle Ccb).

  Returning to FIG. 15, in step S35, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether or not all the vehicles included in the vehicle distribution information created in step S22 have been processed. And when there exists an unprocessed vehicle, the 2nd information processing part 22 returns to the said step S31, and repeats a process. On the other hand, when all the vehicles have been processed, the second information processing unit 22 ends the processing by the subroutine.

  As described above, by repeating the information estimation processing in steps S31 to S35, it is possible to estimate the vehicle distribution information for a section where the amount of information is insufficient, and to acquire appropriate traffic information.

  As an example of the operation of step S34, the second information processing unit 22 sets the intermediate point on the lane of the representative positions Xa and Xb as the representative position Xc, and sets the virtual vehicle Cc at the representative position Xc. The point where the virtual vehicle Cc is set may not be an intermediate point. For example, the point where the virtual vehicle Cc is set may be set according to the ratio of the representative inter-vehicle distances set for the preceding and following vehicles. Specifically, when the inter-vehicle distance La of the vehicle Ca is 40 m, the inter-vehicle distance Lb of the vehicle Cb is 60 m, and the inter-vehicle distance on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb is 500 m, the distance between the vehicles Ca and Cb is 40. A point divided into 60: 2: 3 (that is, a point 200 m behind the lane of the vehicle Ca) becomes the representative point Xc where the virtual vehicle Cc is set. Thereby, the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Cc can be set by reflecting the vehicle density in the vicinity of the preceding and following vehicles.

  Further, as an example of the operation of step S34, the second information processing unit 22 is configured such that vehicle distribution information set on the lane between the vehicles is linear with respect to the vehicle distribution information set for the preceding and following vehicles. Although the vehicle distribution information of the virtual vehicle is estimated on the assumption that there is a relationship, the estimation is not limited to a linear relationship, and may be estimated by another function such as a quadratic function.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when La> Lb, the second information processing unit 22 is represented by a quadratic function that passes through the representative inter-vehicle distances La and Lb and is minimal at the representative inter-vehicle distance Lb at the representative position Xb. A representative inter-vehicle distance L on the lane between the positions Xa and Xb is estimated. Specifically, the second information processing unit 22 calculates a quadratic function as
y = {(La−Lb) / (Xa−Xb) ² } * (x−Xb) ² + Lb
And When the intermediate point on the lane of the representative positions Xa and Xb is the representative position Xc of the virtual vehicle Cc, the representative inter-vehicle distance Lc of the virtual vehicle Cc is
Lc = (La + 3Lb) / 4
It becomes. Needless to say, when La = Lb, Lc = La (= Lb), and when La <Lb, if La and Lb in the above equation are interchanged, Lc is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 20, when Va> Vb, the second information processing unit 22 passes through the representative speeds Va and Vb and is a quadratic function that is minimal at the representative speed Vb at the representative position Xb. And the representative speed L on the lane between Xb is estimated. Specifically, the second information processing unit 22 calculates a quadratic function as
y = {(Va−Vb) / (Xa−Xb) ² } * (x−Xb) ² + Vb
And When the intermediate point on the lane of the representative positions Xa and Xb is the representative position Xc of the virtual vehicle Cc, the representative speed Vc of the virtual vehicle Cc is
Vc = (Va + 3Vb) / 4
It becomes. Needless to say, when Va = Vb, Vc = Va (= Vb), and when Va <Vb, Vc can be obtained by replacing Va and Vb in the above equation.

  By estimating information with such a quadratic function, vehicle distribution information closer to reality can be estimated. For example, when one of the front and rear vehicles is in a stopped state due to traffic jams and the other is traveling normally, the difference between the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative speed set for each vehicle becomes large. For such a situation, the quadratic function can estimate the vehicle distribution situation between the vehicles in a more realistic manner.

  The second information processing unit 22 sets one virtual vehicle Cc on the lanes of the representative positions Xa and Xb as an example of the operation of step S34, but the distance on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb. Depending on the ratio between the threshold value K and the threshold value K, the number of assumed virtual vehicles may be increased. For example, let D be the distance on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb. One virtual vehicle when 1 ≦ D / K <2, 2 virtual vehicles when 2 ≦ D / K <3, 3 virtual vehicles when 3 ≦ D / K <4, and so on. Thus, if the number of virtual vehicles to be set is set according to the ratio between the distance D and the threshold value K, the number of vehicle distribution information to be estimated further increases, and more detailed traffic information can be obtained.

  In addition, the reliability of the information estimation process described above can be further increased by using the ratio of the vehicle on which the information collecting device 1 is mounted (hereinafter referred to as a mounting ratio). Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, an information collection device mounting rate detection device that acquires the mounting rate will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an installation location of the information collection device mounting rate detection device 3. FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information collection device mounting rate detection device 3.

  21 and 22, the information collection device mounting rate detection device 3 is fixedly installed on the side of the road. The information collection device mounting rate detection device 3 includes a passing vehicle detection unit 31, an information collection device detection unit 32, a third information processing unit 33, and a transmission unit 34.

  The passing vehicle detection unit 31 is configured by an optical sensor or the like, detects the vehicle C passing through the road where the information collection device mounting rate detection device 3 is installed, and outputs the detection result to the third information processing unit 33. The information collection device detection unit 32 communicates with the information collection device 1 to detect the vehicle on which the information collection device 1 is mounted and passes the road, and outputs a detection result to the third information processing unit 33. The third information processing unit 33 calculates the mounting rate for the vehicle C passing through the road based on the detection results output from the passing vehicle detection unit 31 and the information collection device detection unit 32, and transmits the transmission unit. The mounting rate information is transmitted as needed together with the position information where the information collecting device mounting rate detecting device 3 is installed via 34.

  The information analysis device 2 (see FIG. 1) receives the position information and the mounting rate information transmitted from the information collection device mounting rate detection device 3. And the 2nd information processing part 22 of the information analyzer 2 gives the loading rate for every installation road to traffic information based on the received positional information and loading rate information, and displays it on the presentation unit 23. Thereby, the reliability of the estimated traffic information can be provided to the user, and the user's sense of security is improved.

  Further, the second information processing section 22 can also perform the information estimation process in step S23 in FIG. 14 using the received position information and mounting rate information. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 23, an information estimation process using the mounting rate information will be described. FIG. 23 is a subroutine of step S23 showing information estimation processing using the mounting rate information performed by the second information processing unit 22.

  In FIG. 23, the second information processing unit 22 acquires vehicle distribution information on vehicles traveling in the same lane from the vehicle distribution information created in step S22 (step S41). For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the second information processing unit 22 includes vehicle density information (representative position Xa, representative inter-vehicle distance La, representative speed Va) in the vehicle Ca and vehicle density information (representative position Xb) in the vehicle Cb. , Representative inter-vehicle distance Lb, representative speed Vb). Since the process in step S41 is the same as that in step S31 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the 2nd information processing part 22 acquires the mounting rate information from the information collection device mounting rate detection apparatus 3 installed in the lane section between the vehicles before and after acquired by said step S41 (step S42).

Next, the second information processing unit 22 calculates a threshold value K for the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S41 (step S43). Here, the second information processing unit 22 calculates the threshold value K based on the prediction coefficient P linked with the mounting rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the mounting rate and the prediction coefficient P are in an inversely proportional relationship.
P = 100 / {2 × mounting rate (%)}. For example, P≈2 when the mounting rate = 16.7%, and P = 3 when the mounting rate = 25.0%. And the 2nd information processing part 22 is the above-mentioned vehicles Ca and Cb.
K = (La + Lb) × P
Set with.

  Next, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance on the lane between the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S31 is greater than or equal to the threshold value K (step S44). Then, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether the mounting rate <16.7% (step S45) and the mounting rate <20% when the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding and following vehicles is equal to or greater than the threshold value K (step S45). Step S46) and whether or not the mounting rate is less than 25% (step S47) is determined. And the 2nd information processing part 22 advances a process as it is to step S51, when the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles to front and back is less than the threshold value K, or when mounting rate> = 25%.

  When the mounting ratio <16.7% (Yes in Step S45), the second information processing unit 22 sets three virtual vehicles on the lane between the preceding and succeeding vehicles extracted in Step S41, and the virtual information Vehicle information on the vehicle is estimated (step S48), and the process proceeds to the next step S51. The setting of the three virtual vehicles and the information estimation process thereof in step S48 are the same as the estimated absolute position and the estimated absolute speed set for the virtual vehicles Cc, Ccf, and Ccb described with reference to FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. In step S48, the second information processing unit 22 sets one virtual vehicle on the lane between the preceding and following vehicles extracted in step S41, and vehicle distribution information (for example, collected by the virtual vehicle) Vehicle density information) may be estimated.

  When 16.7% ≦ mounting rate <20.0% (Yes in Step S46), the second information processing unit 22 sets two virtual vehicles on the lane between the preceding and subsequent vehicles extracted in Step S41. And the vehicle information in the said virtual vehicle is each estimated (step S49), and a process is advanced to following step S51. As shown in FIG. 25, the second information processing unit 22 sets two virtual vehicles Ccf and Ccb on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb. First, the second information processing unit 22 estimates the representative position Xc, the representative inter-vehicle distance Lc, and the representative speed Vc by the method described above. Then, the second information processing unit 22 sets the virtual vehicle Ccf at a position that is a distance Lc / 2 ahead of the representative position Xc along the lane, and calculates the estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccf. (In FIG. 25, the estimated absolute position Xc + Lc / 2 is expressed for convenience), and the estimated absolute speed of the virtual vehicle Ccf is Vc (vehicle information of the vehicle Ccf). Further, the second information processing unit 22 sets the virtual vehicle Ccb at a position separated by a distance Lc / 2 rearward along the lane with respect to the representative position Xc, and calculates an estimated absolute position of the virtual vehicle Ccb. (In FIG. 25, the estimated absolute position Xc−Lc / 2 is expressed for convenience), and the estimated absolute speed of the virtual vehicle Ccb is Vc (vehicle information of the vehicle Ccb).

  When 20.0% ≦ mounting rate <25.0% (Yes in Step S47), the second information processing unit 22 sets one virtual vehicle on the lane between the preceding and following vehicles extracted in Step S41. And the vehicle information in the said virtual vehicle is estimated (step S50), and a process is advanced to following step S51. As shown in FIG. 26, the second information processing unit 22 sets one virtual vehicle Cc on the lane between the vehicles Ca and Cb. The setting of one virtual vehicle and the information estimation process thereof in step S50 are the same as the estimated absolute position and estimated absolute speed set for the virtual vehicle Cc by setting the virtual vehicle Cc described with reference to FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  In step S51, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether all the vehicles included in the vehicle distribution information created in step S22 have been processed. And when there exists an unprocessed vehicle, the 2nd information processing part 22 returns to the said step S41, and repeats a process. On the other hand, when all the vehicles have been processed, the second information processing unit 22 ends the processing by the subroutine.

  In the operation of the second information processing unit 22 described above, an example in which the number of virtual vehicles to be set is changed according to the mounting rate is shown. However, the information acquired by the information collection device 1 is changed according to the mounting rate. You can change the number of transmissions. For example, in the case of a lane with a low mounting rate, information is frequently transmitted from the information collection device 1 mounted on a vehicle traveling in the lane. On the other hand, in the case of a lane with a high loading rate, the number of times information is transmitted from the information collecting device 1 mounted on a vehicle traveling in the lane is reduced. Alternatively, in the case of a lane with a high mounting rate, information is transmitted from a part of the information collection device 1 mounted on a plurality of vehicles traveling in the lane. As a result, it is possible to obtain appropriate traffic information according to the mounting rate and create desired traffic information.

  Further, as described above, when the surrounding vehicle information collecting unit 12 cannot detect one of the front vehicle CF and the rear vehicle CB of the vehicle C, the transmission information TI to which the detection information indicating that is transmitted is transmitted. It doesn't matter. In this case, the second information processing unit 22 performs an information estimation process that estimates that the vehicle C is positioned at the front and rear ends of the vehicle group and is distinguished from other vehicles. Further, in the transmission information TI described with reference to FIG. 5, when one of the front vehicle CF and the rear vehicle CB cannot be detected, the vehicle information of the one vehicle is not described. It can be estimated that Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 27, the operation of the information estimation process in consideration of the vehicle group will be described. FIG. 27 is a subroutine of step S23 showing an information estimation process in consideration of the vehicle group performed by the second information processing unit 22.

  In FIG. 23, the second information processing unit 22 acquires vehicle distribution information and detection information for vehicles traveling in the same lane from the vehicle distribution information created in step S22 (step S51). For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the second information processing unit 22 includes vehicle density information (representative position Xa, representative inter-vehicle distance La, representative speed Va) and detection information in the vehicle Ca, and vehicle density information in the vehicle Cb. (Representative position Xb, representative inter-vehicle distance Lb, representative speed Vb) and detection information are acquired. Hereinafter, in order to make the description more specific, the front vehicle among the front and rear vehicles is referred to as a vehicle Ca, and the rear vehicle is referred to as a vehicle Cb.

  Next, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether or not the information collection device 1 of the vehicle Ca has detected a rear vehicle based on the detection information acquired from the vehicle Ca positioned before acquired in step S51. Is determined (step S52). Then, when the vehicle Ca located in front does not detect the rear vehicle, the second information processing unit 22 estimates that the vehicle Ca is located at the tail end of the vehicle group as shown in FIG. To do. In this case, the vehicle Cb is not included in the vehicle group to which the vehicle Ca belongs, and the information estimation process between different vehicle groups is not accurate. Therefore, the second information processing unit 22 does not perform the information estimation process between the vehicles Ca and Cb, and advances the process to the next step S57. On the other hand, when the vehicle Ca located in front detects the rear vehicle, the second information processing unit 22 advances the processing to the next step S53.

  In step S53, the second information processing unit 22 determines whether or not the information collection device 1 of the vehicle Cb has detected a preceding vehicle based on the detection information acquired from the vehicle Cb located after being acquired in step S51. Judging. And when the vehicle Cb located later has not detected the front vehicle, the 2nd information processing part 22 estimates that the said vehicle Cb is located in the head of a vehicle group, as shown in FIG. In this case, the vehicle Ca is not included in the vehicle group to which the vehicle Cb belongs, and the information estimation process between different vehicle groups is not accurate. Therefore, the second information processing unit 22 does not perform the information estimation process between the vehicles Ca and Cb, and advances the process to the next step S57. On the other hand, the second information processing unit 22 advances the process to the next step S54 when the vehicle Cb located later detects the preceding vehicle.

  Since the process of step S54-S57 is the same as that of said step S32-S35 demonstrated using FIG. 15, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, in the processing of steps S51 to S57, since information estimation between different vehicle groups is not performed, estimation different from the reality such as estimation of a vehicle that should not originally exist can be avoided.

  In addition, when the second information processing unit 22 estimates the vehicle distribution information between the front and rear vehicles, if there is an intersection or the like on the lane between the front and rear vehicles, the estimation of the vehicle distribution information changes. May be difficult. Even when there is a point where the tendency of the vehicle distribution information changes such as an intersection between the vehicles that perform the estimation process, the second information processing unit 22 does not perform the estimation process between the vehicles as described above. It doesn't matter. Since the information estimation between vehicles in which the tendency of vehicle distribution information changes is not performed, estimation different from the reality can be avoided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information analysis apparatus 2 includes the presentation unit 23. However, a display apparatus of another apparatus (for example, a car navigation apparatus) may be used. Moreover, you may implement | achieve part of the function of the information collection apparatus 1 or the information analysis apparatus 2 in other apparatuses, such as a car navigation system, and implement | achieve this invention. For example, the processing in the first information processing unit 13 or the second information processing unit 22 may be performed using an arithmetic device of another device. For example, by adding the function of the present invention to a car navigation system, the user can obtain more detailed traffic information from the car navigation system. Specifically, traffic information for each lane can be obtained, so if you enter an intersection where there is a traffic jam waiting for a right turn, you can know the traffic jam in advance. Appropriate route guidance can be performed so as not to line up. Also, it is possible to avoid in advance traffic jams that do not need to be lined up except for a specific vehicle such as a queue waiting to enter a parking lot. Thereby, the user can avoid a traffic jam without stress.

  Moreover, since the surrounding vehicle information collection part 12 is realizable using the radar apparatus which is prevailing now, it can implement | achieve, suppressing the cost for obtaining surrounding information. In addition, as one of the functions of the software defined radio, by realizing an information collection device and an information analysis device, it can be realized in a small space and at a low cost.

  The traffic information system and the information analysis apparatus according to the present invention are useful for a system that provides traffic information related to vehicles in order to estimate appropriate vehicle information for an area where vehicle information cannot be obtained.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the traffic information system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the front vehicle information acquisition unit 121, the rear vehicle information acquisition unit 122, the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123, and the right vehicle information acquisition unit 124 of FIG. Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the left vehicle information acquisition unit 123 and the right vehicle information acquisition unit 124 of FIG. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the 1st information processing part 13 of FIG. The figure which shows an example of transmission information TI The figure which shows an example of the transmission information TIa-TIn which the information analyzer 2a receives The figure which shows an example of the vehicle distribution information which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 produces The figure which shows the 1st example which displays the vehicle distribution information using the map information displayed on the presentation part 23 of FIG. The figure which shows the 2nd example which displays the vehicle distribution information using the map information displayed on the presentation part 23 of FIG. The figure which shows the 3rd example which displays the vehicle distribution information using the map information displayed on the presentation part 23 of FIG. The figure which shows the other example of the vehicle distribution information which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 produces. The figure which shows an example of the vehicle character image Cim and the space | interval La expressed to the presentation part 23 of FIG. The figure which shows an example in which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 set virtual vehicle Cc between vehicles Ca and Cb. The flowchart which shows operation | movement until the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 performs an information estimation process and draws traffic information. Subroutine showing the detailed operation of the information estimation process in step S23 in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the linear relationship of the distance L between representative vehicles between the representative positions Xa and Xb which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 estimates. The figure for demonstrating the linear relationship of the representative speed V between the representative positions Xa and Xb which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 estimates. The figure which shows an example which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 set three virtual vehicles Cc, Ccf, and Ccb between vehicles Ca and Cb The figure for demonstrating the distance L between representative vehicles between the representative positions Xa and Xb which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 estimates with a quadratic function. The figure for demonstrating the representative speed V between the representative positions Xa and Xb which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 estimates with a quadratic function. The figure for demonstrating the installation location of the information collection apparatus mounting rate detection apparatus 3 The block diagram which shows the structure of the information collection apparatus mounting rate detection apparatus 3 The subroutine of step S23 of FIG. 14 showing the information estimation process using the mounting rate information performed by the second information processing unit 22 The figure which shows the relationship of the inverse proportion of the mounting rate and the prediction coefficient P The figure which shows an example in which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 set two virtual vehicles Ccf and Ccb between vehicles Ca and Cb. The figure which shows an example which the 2nd information processing part 22 of FIG. 1 set one virtual vehicle Cc between vehicles Ca and Cb. The subroutine of step S23 in FIG. 14 showing the information estimation process in consideration of the vehicle group performed by the second information processing unit 22 The figure for demonstrating vehicle Ca located in the tail end of a vehicle group The figure for demonstrating vehicle Cb located in the head of a vehicle group Block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional traffic information system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information collection apparatus 11 ... Own vehicle driving information acquisition part 111 ... Speed detection part 112 ... Position detection part 12 ... Surrounding vehicle information collection part 121 ... Forward vehicle information acquisition part 122 ... Back vehicle information acquisition part 123 ... Left side vehicle information acquisition Unit 124 ... right-side vehicle information acquisition unit 13 ... first information processing unit 14, 34 ... transmission unit 2 ... information analysis device 21 ... reception unit 22 ... second information processing unit 23 ... presentation unit 3 ... information collection device mounting rate Detection device 31 ... passing vehicle detection unit 32 ... information collection device detection unit 33 ... third information processing unit

Claims (36)

A traffic information system including an information collection device mounted on a vehicle and an information analysis device that generates vehicle traffic information based on information obtained from the information collection device,
The information collecting device includes:
Own vehicle running information acquisition means for detecting the position, speed and direction of the own vehicle on which the own aircraft is mounted;
Surrounding vehicle information collecting means for collecting surrounding vehicle information related to other vehicles existing around the own vehicle;
First information processing for creating transmission information indicating a vehicle distribution around the own vehicle using the own vehicle running information detected by the own vehicle running information acquisition unit and the surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting unit Means,
Transmission means for transmitting the transmission information created by the first information processing means,
The information analyzer is
Receiving means for receiving transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device;
Vehicle distribution information indicating the distribution of vehicles in a predetermined range is created using a plurality of transmission information received by the receiving means, and is mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section with respect to a section where the vehicle distribution information is insufficient. And a second information processing means for interpolating the vehicle distribution information of the section based on the transmission information respectively transmitted from the information collection device.   2. The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing unit interpolates the vehicle distribution information of the section when a distance between vehicles sandwiching the section is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means is a relative position and a relative speed of another vehicle based on the own vehicle,
2. The traffic according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information created by the first information processing means is an absolute position and an absolute speed of the host vehicle and an absolute position and an absolute speed of the other vehicle. Information system. The surrounding vehicle information collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means is a relative position and a relative speed of another vehicle based on the own vehicle,
The transmission information created by the first information processing means includes representative positions representative of the positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicles, representative speeds representative of the speeds of the own vehicle and the other vehicles, and the own information. The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information system is a representative inter-vehicle distance representative of an inter-vehicle distance from a vehicle to the other vehicle.   The second information processing means is configured such that the representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is between the representative inter-vehicle distance transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section and the representative position. The traffic information system according to claim 4, wherein the representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that there is a linear relationship.   The second information processing means is configured such that the representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is one for the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative position respectively transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. The representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that the representative inter-vehicle distance at the representative position is minimal and approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative inter-vehicle distance at the other representative position. The traffic information system according to claim 4.   The second information processing unit sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and an inter-vehicle distance between the virtual vehicle and a vehicle around the virtual vehicle is the interpolated representative inter-vehicle distance. The traffic information system according to claim 5, wherein the traffic information system is estimated as follows.   The traffic information system according to claim 7, wherein the second information processing unit sets another virtual vehicle at a position before and after the interpolated representative inter-vehicle distance from the virtual vehicle. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
In addition to the vehicle on which the information collecting device is mounted and the surrounding vehicle collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting unit of the information collecting device, the second information processing unit sends the virtual vehicle to the presenting means as the map data. 9. The traffic information system according to claim 8, wherein the traffic information system is expressed as described above. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data based on the total number of vehicles existing in the lane for each interval. 9. The traffic information system according to claim 8, wherein the traffic information system is decorated and displayed on the map data by the presenting means. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and displays a plurality of vehicle character images indicating representative vehicle intervals set for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. The traffic information system according to claim 8, wherein the traffic information system is provided for each interval, and causes the presenting unit to express the map data.   In the second information processing means, the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is linear between the representative speed transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section and the representative position. The traffic information system according to claim 4, wherein the representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that there is a relationship.   The second information processing means is configured such that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is one representative with respect to the representative speed and the representative position respectively transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. The representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that the relation is approximated by a quadratic function that becomes minimum at the representative speed at the position and passes through the representative speed at the other representative position. The described traffic information system.   The second information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and estimates that the absolute speed of the virtual vehicle is the interpolated representative speed. The traffic information system according to claim 13. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
The second information processing means corresponds to the absolute speed at which the vehicle on which the information collecting device is mounted, the surrounding vehicle collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting device, and the virtual vehicle are respectively set. The traffic information system according to claim 14, wherein the presentation unit is caused to express the map data so as to move on the map data. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
The second information processing unit divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and decorates the lane indicated by the map data based on the absolute speed set for each interval. The traffic information system according to claim 14, wherein the presenting means is represented on the map data. The information analysis device further includes a presentation unit that presents the vehicle distribution information generated by the second information processing unit on map data.
The second information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and displays a vehicle character image that moves according to the representative speed set for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. The traffic information system according to claim 14, wherein the traffic information system is provided for each interval, and causes the presenting unit to express the map data. The traffic information system further includes a mounting rate detection device that detects a mounting ratio of the information collection device with respect to a vehicle passing through a specific lane, and transmits the detection result.
The receiving means further receives the detection result transmitted by the mounting rate detection device,
The second information processing means extracts the mounting ratio detected for the section from the detection result, and transmits the transmission information and the mounting respectively transmitted from the information collection device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated based on the ratio.   The second information processing means indicates that transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on a vehicle located in front of the vehicles sandwiching the section detects a rear vehicle, and When the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle located behind among the vehicles sandwiching the section indicates that the preceding vehicle is detected, the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated. The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein: An information analysis device that generates vehicle traffic information based on information obtained from an information collection device that is mounted on a vehicle and that transmits the transmission information indicating the vehicle distribution around the vehicle and the vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted. There,
Receiving means for receiving transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device;
Vehicle distribution information indicating the distribution of vehicles in a predetermined range is created using a plurality of transmission information received by the receiving means, and is mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section with respect to a section where the vehicle distribution information is insufficient. And an information processing means for interpolating the vehicle distribution information of the section based on the transmission information respectively transmitted from the information collecting apparatus.   21. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the information processing means interpolates vehicle distribution information of the section when a distance between vehicles sandwiching the section is equal to or greater than a threshold. The transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position that represents the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, a representative speed that represents the speed of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, Indicates the representative inter-vehicle distance that represents the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to the other vehicle,
The information processing means has a linear relationship between a representative inter-vehicle distance at each predetermined position in the section and a representative inter-vehicle distance transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section and each representative position. 21. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated under the assumption that The transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position that represents the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, a representative speed that represents the speed of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, Indicates the representative inter-vehicle distance that represents the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to the other vehicle,
The information processing means is configured such that a representative inter-vehicle distance at a predetermined position in the section is one representative position with respect to the representative inter-vehicle distance and the representative position transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. The representative inter-vehicle distance at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that the relation is approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative inter-vehicle distance at the other representative position. 20. The information analysis apparatus according to 20.   The information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and estimates that the inter-vehicle distance between the virtual vehicle and a vehicle around the virtual vehicle is the interpolated representative inter-vehicle distance. 24. The information analyzing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the information analyzing apparatus is characterized in that:   25. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the information processing unit sets another virtual vehicle at a position before and after the interpolated representative inter-vehicle distance from the virtual vehicle. Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means expresses the virtual vehicle on the map data on the presentation means in addition to the vehicle equipped with the information collecting device and the surrounding vehicles collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting device. 26. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 25, wherein Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the total number of vehicles existing in the lane for each interval, 26. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the presenting means is represented on the map data. Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and generates a plurality of vehicle character images indicating representative vehicle intervals set for each interval for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. 26. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the information analysis apparatus causes the presentation means to express the map data on the map data. The transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position that represents the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, a representative speed that represents the speed of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, Indicates the representative inter-vehicle distance that represents the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to the other vehicle,
In the information processing means, the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section has a linear relationship between the representative speed transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section and the representative position. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption. The transmission information transmitted by the information collecting device includes a representative position that represents the position of the host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle, a representative speed that represents the speed of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, Indicates the representative inter-vehicle distance that represents the inter-vehicle distance from the host vehicle to the other vehicle,
The information processing means is configured such that the representative speed at a predetermined position in the section is a representative speed at one representative position with respect to the representative speed and the representative position transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle sandwiching the section. 21. The information according to claim 20, wherein the representative speed at the predetermined position is interpolated on the assumption that the relation is approximated by a quadratic function passing through the representative speed at the other representative position, which is minimal at the speed. Analysis equipment.   The information processing means sets a virtual vehicle at a predetermined position in the section, and estimates that the absolute speed of the virtual vehicle is the interpolated representative speed. An information analysis apparatus according to any one of the above. Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means includes the map according to the absolute speed at which the vehicle equipped with the information collecting device, the surrounding vehicles collected by the surrounding vehicle information collecting means of the information collecting device, and the virtual vehicle are respectively set. 29. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the presenting means is represented so as to move on data. Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, decorates each lane indicated by the map data based on the absolute speed set for each interval, 32. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a presentation unit is made to represent the map data. Presenting means for expressing and presenting the vehicle distribution information generated by the information processing means on map data is further provided,
The information processing means divides the lane indicated by the map data at a predetermined interval, and displays a vehicle character image that moves according to the representative speed set for each interval for each interval of the lane indicated by the map data. 32. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the information analysis apparatus is configured to cause the presentation unit to express the map on the map data. The receiving means detects a mounting ratio of the information collecting device for a vehicle passing through a specific lane, and further receives the detection result transmitted by the mounting rate detecting device that transmits the detection result;
The information processing means extracts a mounting ratio detected for the section from the detection result, and based on transmission information and the mounting ratio respectively transmitted from the information collection device mounted on a vehicle sandwiching the section. 21. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated. The information processing means indicates that transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on a vehicle located in front of the vehicle sandwiching the section detects a rear vehicle, and Among the sandwiched vehicles, when the transmission information transmitted from the information collecting device mounted on the vehicle located behind indicates that the preceding vehicle is detected, the vehicle distribution information of the section is interpolated. The information analysis apparatus according to claim 20.

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