JP2007041751A - Group traveling support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a group traveling support device for properly making each vehicle belong to a group. <P>SOLUTION: This group traveling support device is provided with a receiving part 11 for receiving vehicle group information, a self-automobile information detecting part 13 for detecting the self-vehicle information of its own vehicle, a vehicle group selecting part 173 for selecting a vehicle group suitable for its own vehicle based on the vehicle group information received by a receiving part 11 and the self-vehicle information detected by the self-vehicle information detecting part 13, an information generating part 172 for generating information showing that its own vehicle is belonging to the vehicle group selected by the vehicle group selecting part 173 and a transmission part 12 for transmitting the vehicle group information generated by the information generating part 172. The vehicle group suitable for its own vehicle is easily selected by the vehicle group selecting part 173, and the information of the selected vehicle group is generated by the information generating part 172, and transmitted through a transmission part 12. Thus, it is possible to easily support the group traveling by using the above mentioned information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a group travel support apparatus for causing a vehicle to travel while belonging to an appropriate group.

  Conventionally, in a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device, when direct wireless communication is not possible between a vehicle that transmits information and a vehicle that receives the information, another vehicle existing between these vehicles can relay the information. Has been done. By the way, when information is relayed by another vehicle in this way, each vehicle attempts to relay (receive, transmit) information within a communicable range, so that the communication load in each vehicle is significantly increased. Sometimes.

  Therefore, in this type of inter-vehicle communication device, when a plurality of vehicles are traveling as a group, the first vehicle and the last vehicle of these groups are set as relay vehicles of the group, and information between groups is It is known that each of these leading vehicles and the last vehicle bears the exchange (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this way, the communication load of each vehicle can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire inter-vehicle communication device can be improved.
JP 2001-358541 A

  However, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication device described in Patent Document 1 is such that when the vehicle is traveling as a group, the first vehicle and the last vehicle included in the group are used as relay vehicles for communication between the groups. However, it is not clear what exactly a plurality of vehicles are captured as a group.

  The present invention has been made in response to such a problem, and provides a group driving support device capable of appropriately making a vehicle belong to a group.

  The group travel support device of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives vehicle group information, a host vehicle information detecting unit that detects host vehicle information of the host vehicle, and a vehicle group information and host vehicle information detecting unit that are received by the receiving unit. A vehicle group selection unit that selects a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle based on the detected host vehicle information, an information generation unit that generates information indicating that the vehicle belongs to the vehicle group selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and an information generation unit And a transmission unit that transmits the vehicle group information generated in (1).

  With this configuration, it is possible to select a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle, generate information on the selected vehicle group, and transmit the information via the transmission unit. Therefore, the group travel is supported using the information. It is possible.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention includes means for generating vehicle group information including one vehicle when the information generation unit cannot select a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle in the vehicle group selection unit. Have a configuration.

  With this configuration, when a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle cannot be selected, a group of one host vehicle is generated, which can be later integrated with another group of vehicles and is suitable for the host vehicle. A group can be selected.

  In the group travel support device of the present invention, only when the host vehicle is the main vehicle, the information generation unit generates the vehicle group information including information indicating that the host vehicle is the main vehicle. It has a configuration.

  With this configuration, when the host vehicle is not the main vehicle, it is not necessary to generate vehicle group information including information indicating that the host vehicle is the main vehicle, and the information generation load can be reduced accordingly. .

  Further, the group travel support device of the present invention includes a host vehicle information detection unit that detects host vehicle information of the host vehicle at predetermined intervals, and a group of vehicles stored in the storage unit each time the host vehicle information is detected. Check if there is vehicle group information that has not been updated for a predetermined period of time in the information, and if there is vehicle group information that has not been updated for a predetermined period of time, delete the vehicle group information When the vehicle group information confirmation means and the host vehicle are the main vehicles, vehicle group information suitable for integration into the remaining vehicle group information excluding the vehicle group information deleted by the vehicle group information confirmation means A determination unit for determining whether there is a vehicle group information suitable for integration, and a unit for generating and transmitting vehicle group integration information when it is determined that there is vehicle group information suitable for integration by the determination unit. When it is determined that there is no Generating a vehicle group information based on it, and has a configuration in which the means for transmitting.

  With this configuration, so-called old vehicle group information that has not been updated for a certain period of time is excluded, and it is determined whether there is vehicle group information suitable for integration in the remaining new vehicle group information. Therefore, a vehicle group suitable for oneself is selected from newer information.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention, when the own vehicle is not the main vehicle, the vehicle group suitable for the own vehicle in the remaining vehicle group information excluding the vehicle group information deleted by the vehicle group information confirmation unit When there is a suitable vehicle group, there is a determination means for determining whether the current vehicle group is the most suitable, and when the current vehicle group is the most suitable Means for generating and transmitting confirmation information to be shown and means for generating and transmitting vehicle group departure information for leaving the current vehicle group when the current vehicle group is not suitable, and suitable for the host vehicle And a means for generating a vehicle group including one vehicle when there is no vehicle group.

  With this configuration, when the host vehicle is not the main vehicle, it is determined whether or not the current vehicle group is most suitable. If it is suitable, confirmation information indicating that is appropriate. Vehicle group departure information for leaving is generated and transmitted, respectively, and it is instructed correctly whether to continue the current vehicle group or leave.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention is stored in the storage unit, a receiving unit that receives the transmitted vehicle group information, a determination unit that determines whether or not the received vehicle group information is stored in the storage unit. Storage means for storing and updating the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit to the received vehicle group information and, if not stored in the storage unit, newly storing the received vehicle group information in the storage unit And further comprising.

  With this configuration, the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit can always be stored and updated with new vehicle group information, and a vehicle group can be selected based on newer information.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention has a configuration further comprising means for deleting the integration-source vehicle group information and integrating it into the integration-destination vehicle group when the transmitted vehicle group integration information is received.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle group integration information is received, the integration source vehicle group information can be deleted and easily integrated into the integration destination vehicle group.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention receives the confirmation information if the own vehicle is the main vehicle when the transmitted confirmation information is received, and the received confirmation information belongs to the own vehicle group. Is further provided with means for adding and changing the vehicle group information.

  With this configuration, if the host vehicle is the main vehicle, the received confirmation information can be added as vehicle group information of the host vehicle or updated (changed) and registered, so that it is always a new vehicle group. Can be updated with information.

  Further, when the group driving support device of the present invention receives the transmitted vehicle group departure information, the host vehicle is the main vehicle, and the received vehicle group departure information is the departure information from the host vehicle group. In this case, there is provided a configuration further comprising means for deleting the information on the vehicle group to be removed from the own vehicle group information based on the received vehicle group departure information.

  With this configuration, when the host vehicle is the main vehicle, the information on the vehicle group that the user wants to leave can be deleted from the host vehicle group information based on the received vehicle group departure information.

  In addition, the group travel support apparatus of the present invention further includes a base station that receives vehicle group information from a vehicle and transmits the received vehicle group information to the vehicle.

  With this configuration, information can be exchanged not only between vehicles but also through a base station, and a wider range of vehicles can be managed.

  In addition, the group travel support apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which a plurality of base stations are provided, and vehicle group information received from vehicles can be transmitted and received between the base stations.

  With this configuration, information can be exchanged through a plurality of base stations, and a wider range of vehicles can be managed.

  The group travel support apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which a vehicle group information maintenance management means for maintaining and managing vehicle group information received from a vehicle is provided in a base station.

  With this configuration, the vehicle group information can be maintained and managed by the vehicle group information maintenance and management means provided in the base station, and it is not necessary to manage them in each vehicle.

  In addition, the group travel support device of the present invention includes a host vehicle information detection unit that detects host vehicle information of the host vehicle, and vehicle group information stored in the storage unit for a predetermined time or more each time the host vehicle information is detected. If there is vehicle group information that has not been updated, it is determined whether there is a vehicle group that is suitable for integration in the means for deleting the vehicle group information and the remaining vehicle group information that is not deleted. Judgment means that decides whether or not there is a suitable vehicle group for the vehicle, and generates vehicle group integration information, confirmation information, vehicle group departure information, and vehicle group information according to these determination results, respectively And means for transmitting and receiving such information, and adding or updating the information stored in the storage unit according to the type of the received information, or deleting the integration source vehicle group information and integrating the vehicle group Or add or change to your vehicle group information, or from your vehicle group information At least one or dividing, and has a configuration in which the means for belong the vehicle in the vehicle group suitable for the vehicle.

  With this configuration, the host vehicle can be accurately assigned to a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle, and the group traveling can be accurately supported.

  The group travel support device of the present invention is detected by a receiving unit that receives vehicle group information, a host vehicle information detecting unit that detects information of the host vehicle, and a vehicle group information and host vehicle information detecting unit that are received by the receiving unit. Generated by a vehicle group selection unit that selects a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle based on the host vehicle information, an information generation unit that generates information indicating that the vehicle belongs to the vehicle group selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and an information generation unit A transmission unit that transmits the selected vehicle group information, a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle is selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and the vehicle group information of the selected vehicle group is generated by the information generation unit and transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily and accurately select a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle and accurately support group traveling.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the group travel support apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the group travel support apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a receiving unit 11 that receives information from another vehicle, a transmitting unit 12 that transmits information to the other vehicle, and the own vehicle. A host vehicle information detection unit 13 that detects host vehicle information such as position, speed, and route, a storage unit 14 that stores information received by the reception unit 11, information newly generated for transmission by the transmission unit 12, and the like. A display unit 15 for displaying various information, an operation unit 16 for inputting various information and instructions, and a control unit 17 for controlling them.

  The control unit 17 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and includes an information confirmation unit 171 for confirming information received by the reception unit 11 and information stored in the storage unit 14, and a new information to be transmitted by the transmission unit 12. An information generation unit 172 that generates information and a vehicle group selection unit 173 that selects a vehicle group when the host vehicle has an appropriate vehicle group when generating information are provided.

  Next, the operation of the group travel support apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when the reception unit 11 receives information from another vehicle in the group travel support apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the reception unit 11 receives information from another vehicle, the information confirmation unit 171 determines what kind of information the received information is. When determining the type, as shown in FIG. 2, it is first determined whether or not the vehicle group information (S201). If it is not the vehicle group information, it is determined whether or not the vehicle group integrated information (S202). If it is not information, it is determined whether it is confirmation information (S203). If it is not confirmation information, it is confirmed whether it is vehicle group departure information (S204).

  Here, the vehicle group information, the vehicle group integration information, the confirmation information, and the vehicle group departure information are configured as shown in FIGS.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle group information includes an information type 401 indicating vehicle group information, an ID 402 of the own vehicle group, and a main vehicle of the vehicle group (for example, the head vehicle). ID 403 of the leader vehicle, vehicle information 404 of the main vehicle (for example, information such as position 4041, speed 4042, route 4043 to the destination), and vehicle group information 405 as a vehicle group. (For example, information such as the number of vehicles 4051 constituting the vehicle group, the position 4052 of the leading vehicle, the position 4053 of the last vehicle), and the vehicle group integration information is as shown in FIG. An information type 501 indicating vehicle group integration information, an integration source vehicle group ID 502, an integration destination vehicle group ID 503, and an integration destination vehicle group leader vehicle ID 504 are included.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the confirmation information includes an information type 601 indicating confirmation information, a vehicle group ID 602, a vehicle ID 603, and vehicle information 604 of the vehicle (for example, the position 6041 of the vehicle, the speed). As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle group leaving information includes an information type 701 indicating vehicle group leaving information, an ID 702 of the vehicle group to leave, and a leaving information, as shown in FIG. ID 703 of the vehicle to be included.

  In addition, here, when determining what kind of information the received information is, the vehicle group information, vehicle group integration information, confirmation information, and vehicle group departure information are determined in this order. The order may be any other order. In short, it is sufficient to first determine these types.

  Next, when the information received by the receiving unit 11 is vehicle group information (Yes in S201), it is determined whether or not the vehicle group information is information on the vehicle group already stored in the storage unit 14. Judgment is made (S205). If not stored in the storage unit 14 (No in S205), the received vehicle group information is additionally stored as new vehicle group information in the storage unit 14 (S206), and has already been stored in the storage unit 14 In the case (Yes in S205), the stored vehicle group information is stored and updated to the received vehicle group information (S207).

  When the information received by the receiving unit 11 is the vehicle group integration information (Yes in S202), the information of the integration source vehicle group is deleted (S208).

  If the information received by the receiving unit 11 is confirmation information (Yes in S203), it is determined whether or not the host vehicle is a leader vehicle (S209), and if it is a leader vehicle (Yes in S209). Further determines whether the vehicle group ID of the received information is its own vehicle group ID (S210). When the vehicle group ID of the received confirmation information is the own vehicle group ID (Yes in S210), the vehicle information of the received confirmation information is added to or changed from the own vehicle group information (S211).

  If the information received by the receiving unit 11 is departure information (Yes in S204), it is determined whether the host vehicle is a leader vehicle as in the case of confirmation information (Yes in S203). (S212) If the vehicle is a leader vehicle (Yes in S212), it is further determined whether or not the vehicle group ID of the received information is its own vehicle group ID (S213). If the vehicle group ID of the received information is the own vehicle group ID (Yes in S213), the vehicle information indicated by the own vehicle ID is obtained from the own vehicle group information that manages the own vehicle group information. It is deleted (S214).

  If it is determined in S204 that the information received by the receiving unit 11 is not departure information (No in S204), if it is determined in S209 and S212 that the host vehicle is not a leader vehicle (No in S209, No in S212). In S210 and S213, when it is determined that the vehicle group ID of the received information is not the own vehicle group ID (No in S210, No in S213), the operation ends.

  Next, an operation when the vehicle information detection unit 13 detects vehicle information such as the position and speed of the vehicle will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the own vehicle information detection unit 13 detects own vehicle information such as the position and speed of the own vehicle.

  The own vehicle information detection unit 13 includes a GPS receiver, a positioning unit based on self-contained navigation, a speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and other sensors. The GPS receiver, the positioning unit, the sensor, etc. The vehicle information such as the position, speed, and temperature of the vehicle is detected periodically (for example, every 5 seconds or every second).

  When the host vehicle information detection unit 13 detects host vehicle information such as the position, speed, and temperature of the host vehicle (S301), the control unit 17 includes a certain period of time in the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14. As described above, it is confirmed whether there is any vehicle group information that has not updated the vehicle group information during that time, such as going out of the communication area (S302). If there is vehicle group information whose vehicle group information has not been updated, the vehicle group information is deleted.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the host vehicle is a leader (S303), and if it is a leader (Yes in S303), the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 is integrated. It is confirmed whether there is a vehicle group suitable for (S304).

  A vehicle group suitable for integration is another vehicle group or front vehicle when it joins another vehicle group at a road junction or when it catches up with the previous vehicle group on an expressway or other road. It is confirmed whether or not there is such a vehicle group such as the other vehicle group or the previous vehicle group that is considered to be better integrated with the other vehicle group. When confirming, it may be automatically confirmed with reference to the travel route, travel speed, etc. of other vehicle groups or the previous vehicle group, but the travel routes of other vehicle groups, the previous vehicle group, etc. The traveling speed or the like may be displayed on the display unit 15 and manually checked.

  When there is a vehicle group suitable for integration and the vehicle group is integrated (Yes in S304), the ID of the integration source vehicle group and the ID of the integration destination vehicle group are clarified, and the information generation unit 172 determines the vehicle group. The integrated information is generated, and the vehicle group integrated information generated through the transmitting unit 12 is transmitted to the outside (S305).

  Here, the fact that the vehicle group integration information generated through the transmission unit 12 has been transmitted to the outside means that the vehicle is no longer a leader at that time, and therefore the vehicle group information of the host vehicle is deleted at that time ( S306). Then, the vehicle group of the host vehicle is changed to the integration destination vehicle group (S307), and then the information generation unit 172 generates confirmation information and transmits it from the transmission unit 12 (S308).

  If there is no vehicle group to be integrated in S304 or it is not necessary to integrate (No in S304), the information confirmation unit 171 confirms information on the vehicle group to which the host vehicle currently belongs (S309). . Also in this case, if vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 is confirmed (S302), if there is vehicle information that has not been updated for a certain time, it is deleted.

  And based on the confirmed information, vehicle information is newly produced | generated in the information production | generation part 172, The vehicle group information is transmitted from the transmission part 12 (S316).

  Next, if the host vehicle is not the leader in S303 (No in S303), the vehicle group selection unit 173 is a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle belonging to the vehicle group stored in the storage unit 14. If there is a search, it is selected (S310).

  For example, when selecting a group of vehicles that are nearby on the same route from the position, speed, route, etc. of the vehicle, and there are multiple groups of vehicles nearby on the same route, the one with the closest leader vehicle is selected. Or the average speed is close or the vehicle is close in size. These selections may be made automatically based on the above conditions, but all the vehicle groups stored in advance in the storage unit 14 are displayed on the display unit 15 and the operation unit 16 is used based on the display. You may select manually. In short, if there is a suitable vehicle group, select it.

  If there is a suitable vehicle group to which the own vehicle belongs in the selected vehicle group (Yes in S311), it is determined whether the currently belonging vehicle group is the most suitable vehicle group ( S312).

  If the vehicle group to which the vehicle currently belongs is most suitable (Yes in S312), the information generation unit 172 generates confirmation information as it is and transmits it to the leader vehicle via the transmission unit 12 (S308).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the confirmation information includes the position, speed, route, etc. of the own vehicle, and the leader vehicle generates and updates vehicle group information based on this information (S211 in FIG. 2). ).

  When it is determined in S312 that the other vehicle group is more suitable (No in S312), in order to leave the currently belonging vehicle group, new departure information is generated and transmitted from the transmission unit 12 (S313). As shown in FIG. 7, the departure information includes the vehicle group ID and vehicle ID of the vehicle group to leave.

  After the departure information is transmitted, the vehicle group to which the vehicle belongs is changed (S307), confirmation information of the changed vehicle group is generated and transmitted from the transmission unit 12 (S308).

  When there is no suitable vehicle group in S311 (No in S311), in order to leave the currently belonging vehicle group, new departure information is generated and transmitted from the transmission unit 12 (S314). After that, a new vehicle group consisting only of the host vehicle is generated (S315), vehicle group information of the vehicle group is newly generated, and transmitted from the transmission unit 12 (S316).

  When generating vehicle group information consisting only of the own vehicle, it is necessary to assign the vehicle group ID appropriately so that the vehicle group ID does not become the same as other vehicle group IDs.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, in each vehicle, the own vehicle information is detected (S301), and each time the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 is updated for a certain time or more. It is confirmed whether there is no vehicle group information (S302), and if there is vehicle group information that has not been updated for a certain period of time, it is deleted, and a vehicle suitable for integration from the remaining vehicle group information It is determined whether there is a group, whether there is a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle (S304, S311), and depending on the situation, the vehicle group integration information, confirmation information, departure information, only the host vehicle Alternatively, vehicle group information including other vehicles is generated and transmitted (S305, S308, S313, S315, S316), and when these information are transmitted, depending on the type of these information Stored in the storage unit 14 Added / updated information (S206, S207), deleted the original vehicle group information and integrated the vehicle group (S208), added or changed the own vehicle group information (S211), It can be deleted from the vehicle group information (S214), and the host vehicle can finally belong to the most suitable vehicle group, and the confirmation information including the most suitable vehicle group ID can be used as the confirmation information of the host vehicle. can do.

  Therefore, if this confirmation information is used, information such as the ID, position, and speed of other vehicles can be easily obtained, and where and where other vehicles exist, the display unit 15 and the like It is possible to easily confirm it.

  When the vehicle is stopped for a long time and the engine is started again, the vehicle information is first detected immediately after the engine is started (S301). Then, at the time, the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 is confirmed (S302). Since the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 has not been updated for a long time exceeding a predetermined time, even if the vehicle group information is stored, all the vehicle group information is They are deleted in the step of confirming them (S302). If all the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit 14 is deleted, it is not determined that there is a suitable vehicle group even if it is not a leader vehicle, or even if it is determined whether there is a suitable vehicle group (S311), Therefore, at that time, a new vehicle group including only the own vehicle is generated (S315). Then, based on the generated vehicle group, vehicle group information of only a new host vehicle is generated and transmitted (S316). Therefore, after that, surrounding vehicle group information is obtained from other vehicles, and when the own vehicle information is periodically detected, it is integrated with other vehicle groups.

  When stopping the engine, if the information is not sent, the vehicle group information is deleted when it is confirmed (S302). However, the departure information may be transmitted in advance. In the case of a leader vehicle, vehicle group integration information having a special ID such as “0” as the vehicle ID of the integration destination may be transmitted.

  As described above, by transmitting and receiving vehicle group information in each vehicle, it is possible to capture the surrounding situation as a vehicle group. Further, by selecting a vehicle group from the vehicle group information and transmitting confirmation information to the leader vehicle, it is possible to generate the vehicle group, and it becomes possible to maintain and manage the vehicle group and the vehicle group information.

  The confirmation information includes vehicle information. If this information is used, the situation of surrounding vehicles can be displayed on the display unit and provided to the driver.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, information is exchanged directly between vehicles. However, a base station may be provided on a road or the like, and information may be exchanged via this base station.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a base station used in such a case.

  As shown in FIG. 8, as a base station, a receiving unit 81 that receives information from a vehicle, a transmitting unit 82 that transmits information, a retransmitting unit 83 that transmits received information to the transmitting unit 82, and an adjacent base station An adjacent base station transmission unit 84 that transmits information received to the station and an adjacent base station reception unit 85 that receives information from the adjacent base station and transmits the information to the transmission unit 82 are used.

  If it does in this way, transmission of information from vehicles can be made via a base station like the case of a cellular phone (cellular). That is, if information is generated in each vehicle, the information is transmitted to a nearby base station as in the case of a cellular phone (cellular). The base station receives the information at the receiving unit 81 and transmits the received information to the retransmitting unit 83. The retransmitting unit 83 confirms the type of information, and transmits the confirmation information and the leaving information to the leader vehicle via the transmitting unit 82. Therefore, the ID of the leader vehicle is added to each information after the vehicle group ID.

  In the case of vehicle group information or vehicle group integration information, the transmission unit 82 transmits the vehicle information to the vehicle, and simultaneously transmits the information to a predetermined adjacent base station using the adjacent base station transmission unit 84. As a transmission method to the vehicle, for example, broadcasting is performed using cell broadcast. Thereby, the vehicle in the communication area can receive information. The transmission method to the adjacent base station is, for example, connected to the adjacent base station by an optical fiber or the like, and performs pass-through transmission by orthogonal wave frequency division multiplexing (OMDF). The adjacent base station receives the information at the adjacent base station reception unit 85 and transmits the information to the outside via the transmission unit 82. Thereby, it is possible to prevent necessary information from being lost due to antenna switching (handover) or the like.

  As described above, the vehicle group information can be transmitted and received even using an existing infrastructure such as a cellular phone (cellular). In addition, it becomes possible to share the information of the vehicle which belongs to the own vehicle group by transmitting the own vehicle group information which the leader vehicle manages to the vehicle which belongs to the own vehicle group. For example, if a vehicle group is formed by adjacent vehicles, surrounding vehicle information can be acquired.

(Embodiment 3)
In Embodiment 2, each vehicle group information is managed in each vehicle. However, a vehicle group information management unit is provided in the base station, and each vehicle group information is stored in the vehicle group information management unit. You may make it manage centrally.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a base station according to Embodiment 3 including a vehicle group information management unit that centrally manages vehicle group information.

  As shown in FIG. 9, as a base station, a reception unit 91 that receives information from a vehicle, a transmission unit 92 that transmits information, and a vehicle that manages the received information and transmits it to the transmission unit 82 as necessary. A group information management unit 93, an adjacent base station transmission unit 94 that transmits information received to the adjacent base station, an adjacent base station reception unit 95 that receives information from the adjacent base station and transmits the information to the transmission unit 92, Use one with

  If it does in this way, vehicle group information will be memorize | stored centrally in the vehicle group information management part 93, and it will become possible to update and manage. That is, when confirmation information or departure information is received, it is transmitted as it is through the transmission unit 92 and the adjacent base station transmission unit 94, but when the vehicle group integration information is received, the accumulated information is deleted. Then, the data is transmitted to the adjacent base station through the adjacent base station transmission unit 94. And, as shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle group information that has been periodically accumulated is a group of the vehicle group information 101, 102, and 10 n that are combined into a single transmission unit 92 and an adjacent base station transmission unit 94. Via the vehicle and adjacent base stations.

  When the adjacent base station receives the vehicle group information, the adjacent base station takes a match and stores it again. Thereby, each vehicle can receive the vehicle group information collectively at regular intervals, and it is not necessary to manage the vehicle group information in the vehicle.

  In addition, although the adjacent base station is described in a method of transmitting to a predetermined base station, a base station to be transmitted may be arbitrarily selected from position information included in the vehicle group information.

  The group travel support device of the present invention is detected by a receiving unit that receives vehicle group information, a host vehicle information detecting unit that detects information of the host vehicle, and a vehicle group information and host vehicle information detecting unit that are received by the receiving unit. A vehicle group selection unit that selects a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle to belong to based on the host vehicle information, an information generation unit that generates information indicating that the vehicle group belongs to the vehicle group selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and information generation The vehicle group information generated by the vehicle unit is selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and the vehicle group information of the selected vehicle group is selected by the information generation unit. It can be generated and transmitted, a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle can be selected relatively easily, group driving can be accurately supported, and used in combination with a car navigation device etc. Is more useful.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The group driving assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention WHEREIN: The flowchart which shows operation | movement when a receiving part receives information from another vehicle. The group driving assistance device in Embodiment 1 of this invention WHEREIN: The flowchart which shows operation | movement when the own vehicle information detection part detects own vehicle information. The figure which shows the data structure of the vehicle group information produced | generated in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the data structure of the vehicle group integrated information produced | generated in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the data structure of the confirmation information produced | generated in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the data structure of the vehicle group leaving information produced | generated in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the base station used in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the base station used in the group travel assistance apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the data structure of the vehicle group information maintained in the base station in Embodiment 3 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Reception part 12 Transmission part 13 Own vehicle information detection part 14 Storage part 15 Display part 16 Operation part 17 Control part 171 Information confirmation part 172 Information generation part 173 Vehicle group selection part

Claims (13)

Based on a receiving unit that receives vehicle group information, an own vehicle information detecting unit that detects own vehicle information of the own vehicle, vehicle group information received by the receiving unit, and own vehicle information detected by the own vehicle information detecting unit A vehicle group selection unit that selects a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle, an information generation unit that generates information indicating that the vehicle belongs to the vehicle group selected by the vehicle group selection unit, and a vehicle generated by the information generation unit A group travel support apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits group information. The information generation unit includes means for generating the vehicle group information including the single vehicle when the vehicle group selection unit cannot select a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle. The group travel support device according to claim 1. The information generation unit generates the vehicle group information including information indicating that the host vehicle is the main vehicle only when the host vehicle is a main vehicle. Item 3. The group travel support device according to Item 1 or 2. Self-vehicle information detecting means for detecting own-vehicle information of the own vehicle every predetermined time, and vehicle group information stored in the storage unit every time the own-vehicle information is detected for a predetermined time or more Confirming whether there is the vehicle group information that has not been updated, and if there is the vehicle group information that has not been updated for the predetermined time or more, vehicle group information confirmation means for deleting the vehicle group information, If the host vehicle is the main vehicle, whether there is vehicle group information suitable for integration in the remaining vehicle group information excluding the vehicle group information deleted by the vehicle group information confirmation unit. When it is determined that there is a judgment unit for judging, and the vehicle group information suitable for integration by the judgment unit, means for generating and transmitting vehicle group integration information, and the vehicle group information suitable for integration include When it is determined that the vehicle belongs, Check the group information, it generates the vehicle group information based on it, the group travel support device and means for transmitting. If the host vehicle is not the main vehicle, it is determined whether there is a vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle in the remaining vehicle group information excluding the vehicle group information deleted by the vehicle group information confirmation unit. And determining information for determining whether the current vehicle group is most suitable when there is the suitable vehicle group, and confirmation information indicating that when the current vehicle group is most suitable And means for generating and transmitting vehicle group departure information for leaving the current vehicle group when the current vehicle group is not suitable and suitable for the host vehicle. The group travel support device according to claim 4, further comprising means for generating a vehicle group composed of one vehicle when there is no vehicle group. Receiving means for receiving the transmitted vehicle group information, determination means for determining whether or not the received vehicle group information is stored in the storage unit, and, if stored in the storage unit, stored in the storage unit Storage means for storing and updating the received vehicle group information in the received vehicle group information, and additionally storing the received vehicle group information in the storage unit when not stored in the storage unit. The group travel support device according to claim 4 or 5. The group travel support device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising means for deleting the integration-source vehicle group information and integrating it into the integration-destination vehicle group when the transmitted vehicle group integration information is received. When the transmitted confirmation information is received, if the own vehicle is a main vehicle, and the received confirmation information belongs to the own vehicle group, the received confirmation information is stored in the own vehicle group. The group travel support apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising means for adding or changing as information. When the transmitted vehicle group departure information is received, if the host vehicle is the main vehicle, and the received vehicle group departure information is departure information from the host vehicle group, the received vehicle group 6. The group travel support apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for deleting information on the vehicle group desired to leave based on the departure information from the own vehicle group information. The group travel support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base station that receives the vehicle group information from a vehicle and transmits the received vehicle group information toward the vehicle. The group travel support apparatus according to claim 10, comprising a plurality of the base stations, and configured to be able to transmit and receive vehicle group information received from vehicles between the base stations. The group travel support device according to claim 10, wherein vehicle group information maintenance management means for maintaining and managing the vehicle group information received from the vehicle is provided in the base station. The vehicle information detection means for detecting the vehicle information of the vehicle and the vehicle group information that has not been updated for a certain time or more in the vehicle group information stored in the storage unit every time the vehicle information is detected. If there is a vehicle group suitable for integration in the vehicle group information and means for deleting the vehicle group information and the remaining vehicle group information not to be deleted, or the vehicle group suitable for the host vehicle Determination means for determining whether or not there is, means for generating and transmitting vehicle group integration information, confirmation information, vehicle group departure information, vehicle group information, respectively, according to the determination results; Depending on the type of the received information, the information stored in the storage unit is added or updated, or the vehicle group information of the integration source is deleted and the vehicle group is integrated. Add, change, or delete from the vehicle group information Luke at least one, the group travel support and means for belonging to the vehicle in the vehicle group suitable for the vehicle.

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