JP2007287049A - Traffic information providing device, traffic information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic information providing device, a traffic information providing method, and a program suitable for performing efficient accumulation and deletion of traffic information without taking up a driver's time. <P>SOLUTION: In the traffic information providing system, a road side DSRC transmitter-receiver distributes traffic information. A control part 13 of an onboard machine 10 controls an on-vehicle DSRC transmitter-receiver 15 to acquire traffic information distributed from the road side DSRC transmitter-receiver and to store the traffic information in a storage part 16. The control part 13 holds traffic information of the time within a predetermined range based on the present time when the traffic information is received by a GPS receiver 11, and the traffic information time stored in the storage part 16, and deletes traffic information of the other time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information providing apparatus, a traffic information providing method, and a program.

  Currently, traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations is sent to the traveling vehicle in real time using the Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS), and is used for alerting drivers and searching for detours. ing.

  In addition, research on technology using dedicated short range communication (DSRC) dedicated short-range communication has been actively conducted. DSRC is a system in which a relatively narrow range with a diameter of about 30 m is used as a communication area, and a large amount of data is communicated to vehicles existing within this range. Furthermore, it has the characteristic that the geographical range where traffic information is provided can be simultaneously limited, and traffic information according to the location can be provided to the driver.

  A large amount of traffic information is exchanged between the transmitting terminal and the traveling vehicle. In addition, the traffic situation of the road is changing every moment, and the traffic situation indicated by the traffic information becomes far from the current traffic situation as time passes.

Therefore, it is necessary to efficiently determine a large amount of traffic information exchanged in the system as valid and invalid, and to delete invalid information. Patent Document 1 discloses a car navigation system in which a driver sets an expiration date of information, and stores and deletes information based on the expiration date.
JP 2003-102051 A

  However, according to Patent Document 1, since it is necessary for the user to set an expiration date for all information, it is very troublesome to use the car navigation system, which is a burden on the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a traffic information providing apparatus, a traffic information providing method, and a program suitable for efficiently storing and deleting traffic information without requiring a driver to spend time and effort. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a traffic information providing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, a deletion unit, and an output unit.
The acquisition means acquires traffic information.
The storage means stores the traffic information acquired by the acquisition means.
The discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on the information indicating the expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the acquiring unit.
The deletion unit deletes the traffic information when the determination unit determines that the traffic information is not valid.
The output means outputs the traffic information stored in the storage means.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently delete unnecessary information from the traffic information stored in the storage unit based on the position information of the traffic information or the acquired time.

The determination means may determine that the traffic information is valid when the traffic information acquired by the acquisition means is within the validity period.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently delete unnecessary information from the traffic information stored in the storage unit based on the time when the traffic information is acquired. For example, old traffic information after a predetermined time can be deleted.

In order to achieve the above object, a traffic information providing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, a deletion unit, and an output unit. The first acquisition unit acquires traffic information.
A 2nd acquisition means acquires the information which shows the position of this traffic information provision apparatus.
The storage means stores the traffic information acquired by the first acquisition means.
The determination means determines whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage means is valid based on information indicating the expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the first acquisition means. .
The deletion unit deletes the traffic information when the determination unit determines that the traffic information is not valid.
The output means outputs the traffic information stored in the storage means.
The determining means obtains a determination area around the position indicated by the information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the position indicated by the traffic information stored in the storage means is within the range of the determination area. It is determined that this traffic information is valid.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently delete unnecessary information from the traffic information stored in the storage unit based on the location where the traffic information is acquired. For example, traffic information deviating from a predetermined area can be deleted.

The discriminating unit may calculate the moving speed of the traffic information providing device based on the information acquired by the second acquiring unit, and obtain the determination region based on the calculation result.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently select the traffic information to be deleted based on the moving speed of the automobile or the like in which the apparatus is installed.

The discriminating unit may calculate the moving direction of the traffic information providing device based on the information acquired by the second acquiring unit, and obtain the determination region based on the calculation result.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently select the traffic information to be deleted based on the moving direction of the automobile or the like in which the apparatus is installed.

The traffic information includes the priority of holding this traffic information,
The determination means may determine that the traffic information is valid when the priority is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus can efficiently select the traffic information to be deleted based on the preset priority.

A traffic information providing method according to another aspect of the present invention is a traffic information providing method executed by a traffic information providing apparatus having an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, a deletion unit, and an output unit. A step, a storage step, a determination step, a deletion step, and an output step.
In the acquisition step, the acquisition unit acquires traffic information.
In the storage step, the storage unit stores the traffic information acquired in the acquisition step.
In the determining step, the determining unit determines whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on the information indicating the expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired in the acquiring step. To do.
In the deleting step, when it is determined that the traffic information is not valid by the determining step, the deleting unit deletes the traffic information.
In the output step, the output unit outputs the traffic information stored in the storage step.
As a result, the traffic information providing apparatus using this traffic information providing method efficiently deletes unnecessary information from the traffic information stored in the storage means based on the position information of the traffic information or the acquired time. be able to.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, a deletion unit, and an output unit.
The acquisition means acquires traffic information.
The storage means stores the traffic information acquired by the acquisition means.
The discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on the information indicating the expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the acquiring unit.
The deletion unit deletes the traffic information when the determination unit determines that the traffic information is not valid.
The output means outputs the traffic information stored in the storage means.
As a result, the program serves as a traffic information providing apparatus that can efficiently delete unnecessary information from the traffic information stored in the storage means based on the position information of the traffic information or the acquired time. Can function.

  According to the present invention, in a traffic information providing system, it is possible to efficiently accumulate and delete traffic information without requiring a driver to spend time.

(Embodiment 1)
A traffic information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the traffic information providing system performs communication using the DSRC method, but is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic information system includes an in-vehicle device 10, a roadside DSRC transceiver 20, an information management device 30, and a GPS transmission artificial satellite 40.

  The in-vehicle device 10 is mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road, receives traffic information from the roadside DSRC transceiver 20, accumulates the received data, and deletes traffic information that satisfies a predetermined condition. Here, the distribution of traffic information is a so-called “push distribution” in which information is automatically sent from the information management device 30 to the in-vehicle device 10 even if the user does not operate (pull) instead of pulling out the information. Done. Then, the in-vehicle device 10 notifies the user by displaying the distributed traffic information on the display screen of the in-vehicle device 10 or outputting it by voice. As a result, the user can obtain the latest traffic information. For example, the user can obtain traffic congestion information on the road in advance to avoid the traffic congestion area. In the present embodiment, the traffic information is described as being distributed by push distribution, but the in-vehicle device 10 can also receive the traffic information when a request for receiving the traffic information is received from the user.

  The in-vehicle device 10 receives a GPS signal from the GPS transmission artificial satellite 40, and acquires the position information of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted and the system time of the traffic information providing system. The position information is typically indicated by latitude and longitude.

  The roadside DSRC transceiver 20 transmits the traffic information to the in-vehicle device 10 in the communication area set in the vicinity of the own device. The traffic information transmitted by the roadside DSRC transceiver 20 is information managed and distributed by the information management device 30. Typically, a plurality of roadside DSRC transceivers 20 are arranged beside main roads. The roadside DSRC transceiver 20 push-distributes traffic information and the like distributed from the information processing device 30 into the communication area. When the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device 10 is installed enters the communication area of the roadside DSRC transceiver 20, the vehicle-mounted device 10 receives the traffic information distributed from the information management device 30 from the roadside DSRC transceiver 20.

  The information management device 30 creates traffic information and transmits it to the roadside DSRC transceiver 20. In other words, the information management device 30 generates traffic information such as road traffic congestion generated in the service area by the traffic information providing system or traffic information such as traffic regulations known in advance in a predetermined data format, and transmits and receives roadside DSRC. To the machine 20.

  The GPS transmission artificial satellite 40 transmits a GPS signal to the in-vehicle device 10. The GPS signal includes position information represented by latitude and longitude, the current system time, and the like.

  Next, a detailed description of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 10 will be given. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a GPS receiver 11, a GPS input unit 12, a control unit 13, a communication control unit 14, an in-vehicle DSRC transceiver 15, a storage unit 16, and an output control unit. 17 and an output device 18.

  The GPS receiver 11 receives a GPS signal from the GPS transmission artificial satellite 40 and inputs the received GPS signal to a GPS input unit 12 described later.

  The GPS input unit 12 acquires a GPS signal from the GPS receiver 11 and demodulates the GPS signal. The GPS data obtained by demodulation is input to the control unit 13 and stored in the storage unit 16 under the control of the control unit 13.

The control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads and executes an operating system (OS) and a control program stored in the storage unit 16, and controls the entire in-vehicle device 10. The control unit 13 includes an internal clock and measures the current time.
Specifically, for example, the control unit 13 acquires the current system time from the GPS data acquired from the GPS input unit 12. Further, the control unit 13 determines whether or not to delete the traffic information based on the current system time and traffic information, and deletes the traffic information when it is determined to delete. Details will be described later.

  The communication control unit 14 acquires a DSRC signal from the in-vehicle DSRC transceiver 15, demodulates the DSRC signal, converts it into traffic information data, and inputs the traffic information data to the control unit 13. The traffic information data is stored in the storage unit 16 under the control of the control unit 13.

  The in-vehicle DSRC transmitter / receiver 15 receives a DSRC signal from the roadside DSRC transmitter / receiver 20 using an antenna, and inputs the received DSRC signal to the communication control unit 14.

  The storage unit 16 includes a hard disk device, a flash memory device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory) drive device, and the like. Various data such as programs and received traffic information are stored. The memory | storage part 16 memorize | stores the map database of the service area | region of a traffic information provision system. The map database is stored in a DVD-ROM attached to the DVD-ROM drive device and is appropriately read from the control unit 13. Alternatively, the map database may be previously read from the DVD-ROM and stored (installed) in the hard disk device.

  The output control unit 17 converts the traffic information data into a data format that can be output by the output device 18 under the control of the control unit 13, and inputs the data to the output device 18.

  The output device 18 displays the acquired traffic information and the like. For example, the output device 18 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker, a microphone, and the like.

  Here, FIG. 3 is an example of traffic information displayed on the display of the output device 18. For example, in the traffic information indicated by the DSRC signal transmitted from the roadside DSRC transceiver 20, the “traffic information number (No.)” as identification information, the “coordinate” of the point targeted by the traffic information, and the point The “congestion level”, “no traffic”, “other obstacle level”, “effective range” indicating the geographical range in which this traffic information is valid, and “expiration date” of this traffic information include. In addition, traffic information is not restricted to this, You may include other information. Further, the traffic information may include a part of the information instead of the whole. The control unit 13 controls the communication control unit 14 and the in-vehicle DSRC transceiver 15 to acquire the traffic information by receiving the DSRC signal, and controls the output control unit 17 and the output device 18 to control the traffic as shown in the figure. Display information. The layout of the screen can be set arbitrarily. The control unit 13 may display the traffic information on the display of the output device 18 or may output the information to the speaker by voice. In the present embodiment, the control unit 13 displays the details of the received traffic information on the display, but the image and sound of the traffic information may be received and reproduced. In this case, the information management device 30 distributes image data and voice data including traffic information, the roadside DSRC transceiver 20 pushes these image data and voice data, and the in-vehicle DSRC transceiver 15 transmits these image data and voice data. The audio data is received, and the control unit 13 may reproduce and output these image data and audio data with a predetermined reproduction program stored in the storage unit 16.

  The “traffic information number” is information for identifying traffic information distributed from the information management apparatus 30, and for example, a serial number is used. The traffic information number only needs to identify traffic information, and the setting method is arbitrary.

  “Coordinates” are information for specifying a point or area targeted by the traffic information, and are typically expressed by numerical values representing specific latitude and longitude. Further, instead of specific numerical values, character information such as a place name or a building name indicating the point or area may be used. Alternatively, the information may be relatively or roughly indicated information such as “near the 50 meters ahead of the XX intersection”. Instead of displaying the coordinates using numerical values and characters, the map image around the point / region indicated by the coordinates is read from the map database stored in the storage unit 16, and the map image and the latitude / longitude coordinates You may make it display by matching.

  The “congestion level” is information indicating the degree of traffic jam information that is one of the traffic information. For example, the congestion level is classified into levels such as “1” having a relatively small degree of congestion, “2” having a medium level, and “3” having a large level. The user can determine how much the traffic jam is based on the traffic jam level even with the same traffic jam information. Note that the method for classifying the traffic jam level can be arbitrarily changed.

  “Closed” is information relating to traffic regulation, which is one type of traffic information, and is information for determining whether there is a closed road. “Yes” is set when there is a closed road, and “No” is set when there is no closed road. For example, when a traffic stop “Yes” is associated with certain traffic jam information, the user can know that the traffic jam is a traffic jam due to road closure. In addition, the information regarding this traffic regulation may include not only the presence / absence of traffic closure but also information indicating the cause of the traffic closure. For example, it may be information indicating a traffic accident, road construction, heavy rain, heavy snow, and other accidents.

  The “other obstacle level” is information indicating the degree of information that causes obstacles to pass and information that alerts the driver in addition to traffic jam information. For example, the level is classified into “2” for a large speed restriction due to heavy rain or wind, “1” for a small speed restriction, “0” for no speed restriction, and the like. In addition to numerical information, this obstacle level may include information such as the specific speed of speed regulation, the presence / absence of chain regulation due to snow, and traffic information for each vehicle type, such as prohibition of traffic for large vehicles only. Good. In this case, this item of traffic information may be output as “other fault information” instead of “other fault level”.

  “Effective range” is information for designating an area range in which traffic information is valid. There are many traffic information for various points / regions, and information on points / regions far from the vicinity of a certain roadside DSRC transceiver 20 is also included. Therefore, the information management device 30 sets an effective range in the traffic information to be distributed and transmits it to the roadside DSRC transceiver 20.

  The “expiration date” is information that specifies a temporal range in which the traffic information is valid. An expiration date is set in advance in the traffic information, traffic information within the expiration date is valid, and information after the expiration date is invalid. For example, when the in-vehicle device 10 stays in the effective range for a long time (for example, one day) and the time has passed, the control unit 13 invalidates the traffic information.

(Traffic information output processing)
Next, a process in which the in-vehicle device 10 receives and outputs traffic information (hereinafter referred to as “traffic information output process”) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the control unit 13 controls the in-vehicle DSRC transceiver 15 to receive a DSRC signal (step S11). The received DSRC signal is input to the communication control unit 14. The communication control unit 14 demodulates the DSRC signal, converts it into traffic information data, and inputs it to the control unit 13.

  The control unit 13 obtains the date and time when the traffic information data is acquired (or the date and time when the DSRC signal is acquired) (step S12). This date and time is the time counted by the control unit 13. In addition, when the date and time when the DSRC signal was generated by the information management apparatus 30 is included in the acquired DSRC signal, the generated date and time may be acquired.

  The control part 13 memorize | stores the acquired traffic information in the memory | storage part 16 (step S13).

  And the control part 13 controls the output control part 17, and outputs the acquired traffic information to the output device 18 (step S14).

(Traffic information deletion processing)
Next, a process for deleting the traffic information stored in the storage unit 16 by the in-vehicle device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “traffic information deletion process”) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The traffic information deletion process is a process executed by the control unit 13 at regular predetermined timing (for example, interruption every 1 second). However, the timing for performing the traffic information deletion process is not limited to this.

  First, the control unit 13 controls the GPS receiver 11 to activate the GPS receiver 11 and receive a GPS signal (step S21).

  The control unit 13 determines whether a GPS signal has been received (step S22). Here, if it is determined that the GPS signal has been received (step S22; Yes), the control unit 13 adjusts the time measured by the vehicle-mounted device 10 to the time of the traffic information providing system indicated by the GPS signal (step). S23).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the GPS signal is not received (step S22; No), the process proceeds to step S24. In this case, the control unit 13 does not adjust the time of the in-vehicle device 10 and performs the following processing based on the time currently measured by the in-vehicle device 10.

  The control unit 13 controls the GPS receiver 11 to perform a process of receiving a GPS signal and adjusting the time (a process corresponding to steps S21 to S23) at a regular predetermined timing. May be. In this case, steps S21 to S23 of the traffic information deletion process can be omitted.

  Next, the control unit 13 determines whether traffic information is accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S24). If the traffic information is accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S24; Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. If the traffic information is not accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S24; No), the traffic information deletion process is terminated. .

  Furthermore, the control unit 13 determines whether the traffic information stored in the storage unit 16 is within the expiration date from the expiration date added to the traffic information and the current time of the in-vehicle device 10 ( Step S25). If the traffic information is within the expiration date (step S25; Yes), the control unit 13 ends the traffic information deletion process. On the other hand, if the traffic information is outside the expiration date (step S25; No), the process proceeds to step S26.

  And the control part 13 deletes the traffic information discriminate | determined from the expiration date from the memory | storage part 16 (step S26).

  In addition, the process of step S25-step S26 is performed about all the traffic information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16. FIG. For example, in addition to the traffic information and the time when the traffic information is received, the storage unit 16 determines whether or not the traffic information should be deleted by the traffic information deletion process (whether or not the data is valid data). And a flag indicating this is stored in association with each other. In step S25, the control unit 13 sets a predetermined value (for example, “1” or the like) indicating that the traffic information is not valid in a flag associated with the traffic information determined not to be within the expiration date. A predetermined value (for example, “0”) indicating that the traffic information is valid is set in a flag associated with the traffic information determined to be within the expiration date. Further, in step S26, the control unit 13 deletes the traffic information in which a predetermined value indicating that this flag is not valid is set, and holds the traffic information in which the predetermined value indicating that it is valid is set.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 can hold traffic information within a predetermined expiration date and automatically delete traffic information that has passed the expiration date. That is, even if a large amount of received traffic information exists, it is possible to manage such that old information whose expiration date has passed can be efficiently deleted.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 deletes the traffic information based on the position information of the in-vehicle device 10. In addition, since the other structure of the vehicle equipment 10 of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted about the overlapping structure. Hereinafter, the traffic information deletion process of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Traffic information deletion process, 2)
First, the control unit 13 controls the GPS receiver 11 to activate the GPS receiver 11 and receive a GPS signal (step S31).

  Next, the control unit 13 determines whether a GPS signal has been received (step S32). If it is determined that the GPS signal is received (step S32; Yes), the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if it is determined that the GPS signal is not received (step S32; No), the traffic information deletion process is terminated.

  Furthermore, the control unit 13 determines whether or not traffic information is accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S33). If the traffic information is accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S33; Yes), the process proceeds to step S34. If the traffic information is not accumulated in the storage unit 16 (step S33; No), the traffic information deletion process is terminated. .

  And the control part 13 is the area information (for example, latitude / longitude information of traffic information etc.) which the traffic information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16 shows, and the positional information (for example, the present vehicle equipment 10 of the present vehicle equipment 10). From the latitude / longitude information), it is determined whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit 16 is information within a predetermined setting area (step S34). If the traffic information is within the setting area (step S34; Yes), the control unit 13 ends the traffic information deletion process. On the other hand, if the traffic information is outside the set area (step S34; No), the process proceeds to step S35.

  Here, the predetermined setting area is, for example, an area indicated by a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the current latitude / longitude of the vehicle-mounted device 10. The setting area is stored in advance in a program stored in the storage unit 16 and an initial value is set. However, the setting area may be arbitrarily changed by the user and stored in the storage unit 16. The setting area is not limited to a circle, and may be an arbitrary shape.

  And the control part 13 deletes the traffic information outside a setting area from the memory | storage part 16 (step S35).

  In addition, the process of step S34-step S35 is performed about all the traffic information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16. FIG. For example, in addition to the traffic information, the storage unit 16 stores a flag indicating whether or not the traffic information is to be deleted by the traffic information deletion process (whether or not it is valid data). To do. In step S34, the control unit 13 sets a predetermined value (for example, “1” or the like) indicating that the traffic information is not valid in a flag associated with the traffic information determined not to be within the expiration date. A predetermined value (for example, “0”) indicating that the traffic information is valid is set in a flag associated with the traffic information determined to be within the expiration date. Further, in step S35, the control unit 13 deletes the traffic information in which a predetermined value indicating that this flag is not valid is set, and holds the traffic information in which the predetermined value indicating that it is valid is set.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 can retain traffic information in a predetermined setting area and can automatically delete traffic information that does not correspond to the setting area. That is, even if a large amount of received traffic information exists, it is possible to manage so that old information outside the setting area can be efficiently deleted.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be freely combined.

  As a modification, the control unit 13 stores the history information of the GPS data acquisition time and position information received and acquired by the GPS receiver 11 in the storage unit 16, and the in-vehicle device 10 moves based on the history information. It is also possible to calculate the speed and change the setting area based on the calculation result. For example, if the moving speed of the vehicle-mounted device 10 is less than a threshold value (for example, 80 km / h), the first setting area (for example, a circle with a radius of 10 kilometers) is set. Otherwise, the second setting is set. Set to an area (for example, a circle with a radius of 20 kilometers). In this way, the in-vehicle device 10 can maintain appropriate traffic information based on the magnitude of the moving speed, or delete unnecessary traffic information and efficiently manage the traffic information.

  As another modification, the control unit 13 stores history information of the GPS data acquisition time and position information received and acquired by the GPS receiver 11 in the storage unit 16, and the vehicle-mounted device is based on the history information. It is also possible to calculate 10 moving directions and change the setting area based on the calculation result. For example, if the moving direction of the in-vehicle device 10 is a predetermined direction (for example, within 30 degrees centering on true north), the first setting area (for example, a circle with a radius of 10 kilometers) is set. For example, it is set in the second setting area (for example, a circle with a radius of 10 km obtained by shifting the center of the circle from true north). In this way, the in-vehicle device 10 can maintain appropriate traffic information based on the moving direction, or delete unnecessary traffic information and efficiently manage the traffic information.

  As another modification, the control unit 13 can delete the traffic information stored in the storage unit 16 based on the priority of the information. For example, a traffic information number, a traffic congestion level, a failure level, or the like can be used as the priority. Alternatively, the information management device 30 may add information indicating priority in advance to the traffic information and distribute the information, and the control unit 13 may store the priority in the storage unit 16 in association with the acquired traffic information. . In this case, in step S25 or step S34 of the traffic information deletion process described above, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the priority is equal to or higher than a predetermined priority, and if the priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined priority, holds the traffic information. Otherwise, the traffic information may be deleted.

  As another modification, the in-vehicle device 10 includes an input unit that allows a user to arbitrarily input a priority for each traffic information, and the control unit 13 stores the set priority in association with the traffic information. The above-described traffic information deletion process can also be configured based on this priority. In this case, in step S25 or step S34 of the traffic information deletion process described above, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the priority is equal to or higher than a predetermined priority, and if the priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined priority, holds the traffic information. Otherwise, the traffic information may be deleted. For example, if there is traffic information that the user wants to save even after the expiration date, the input means such as the touch panel and operation keys are operated so as not to delete or hold the traffic information. By setting, traffic information can be efficiently managed as intended by the user.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a traffic information providing apparatus, a traffic information providing method, and a program suitable for efficiently storing and deleting traffic information without requiring a driver to spend time and effort. be able to.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the traffic information provision system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a vehicle equipment. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of traffic information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a traffic information output process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a traffic information deletion process. 10 is a flowchart for explaining traffic information deletion processing according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-vehicle apparatus 11 GPS receiver 12 GPS input part 13 Control part 14 Communication control part 15 In-vehicle DSRC transceiver 16 Storage part 17 Output control part 18 Output device 20 Roadside DSRC transceiver 30 Information management apparatus 40 GPS transmission artificial satellite

Claims (8)

An acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Storage means for storing traffic information acquired by the acquisition means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage means is valid based on information indicating an expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the acquiring means; ,
If the traffic information is determined not to be valid by the determination means, a deletion means for deleting the traffic information;
And an output means for outputting the traffic information stored in the storage means. The traffic information providing apparatus according to claim 1,
The traffic information providing apparatus, wherein the discriminating unit discriminates that the traffic information is valid when the traffic information acquired by the acquiring unit is within the validity period. A traffic information providing device that provides traffic information,
First acquisition means for acquiring the traffic information;
Second acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the position of the traffic information providing device;
Storage means for storing traffic information acquired by the first acquisition means;
It is determined whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on information indicating an expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the first acquisition unit. Discrimination means;
If the traffic information is determined not to be valid by the determination means, a deletion means for deleting the traffic information;
Output means for outputting the traffic information stored in the storage means,
The determination means obtains a determination area around the position indicated by the information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the position indicated by the traffic information stored in the storage means falls within the range of the determination area. In some cases, a traffic information providing apparatus that determines that the traffic information is valid. The traffic information providing apparatus according to claim 3,
The determination means calculates a moving speed of the traffic information providing apparatus based on the information acquired by the second acquisition means, and determines the determination area based on the calculation result. Providing device. The traffic information providing device according to claim 3 or 4,
The determination unit calculates a moving direction of the traffic information providing device based on the information acquired by the second acquisition unit, and obtains the determination area based on the calculation result. Providing device. The traffic information providing device according to claim 1 or 3,
The traffic information includes a priority for holding the traffic information,
The said discriminating means discriminate | determines that the said traffic information is effective when the said priority is more than predetermined value, The traffic information provision apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A traffic information providing method executed by a traffic information providing apparatus having an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, a deletion unit, and an output unit,
The acquisition unit acquires traffic information; and
A storage step in which the storage unit stores the traffic information acquired in the acquisition step;
Whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on information indicating an expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the acquisition step. A determination step to determine;
When it is determined that the traffic information is not valid by the determination step, the deletion unit deletes the traffic information;
The traffic information providing method, wherein the output unit includes an output step of outputting the traffic information stored in the storage step. Computer
An acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Storage means for storing traffic information acquired by the acquisition means;
A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the traffic information stored in the storage unit is valid based on information indicating an expiration date of the traffic information included in the traffic information acquired by the acquiring unit;
A deletion unit that deletes the traffic information when the traffic information is determined to be invalid by the determination unit;
A program that functions as output means for outputting the traffic information stored in the storage means.

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