JP2009092608A - Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time required for setting a destination. <P>SOLUTION: In a vehicle-mounted unit 200, when a data acquisition section 251 acquires contents data, a route search section 262 searches for a travel route from an information providing start position indicated by a reproduction condition designated in the contents data to the position of a service providing spot designated in the contents data acquired by the data acquisition section 251. When the present position of the vehicle-mounted unit 200 reaches the information providing start position, a data reproduction section 253 reproduces the contents data and displays a map indicating the route searched for by the route search section 262 and the time required for reaching the service providing spot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a program suitable for shortening the time required for setting a destination.

Services such as car navigation systems that distribute various types of content such as moving images, still images, audio, and character information are widespread. The data distribution side that provides the content has a mechanism that can efficiently and effectively provide the content to the user on the data reception side (car navigation in-vehicle device side), such as a car navigation system as in Patent Document 1. Looking for.
JP 2005-345325 A

  In particular, in the so-called push distribution in which information is automatically sent from the data distribution side to the data reception side without the user pulling (pulling) the information, the various types of content described above are combined. It is important for the data distribution side to let the user who changes his / her position every moment at the intended timing of the data distribution side and to be interested in the service he / she provides. For example, there are many cases where the data distribution side provides a user with a map representing a place such as a store managed by the user and tries to guide as many users as possible to the store.

  However, if the user does not know the travel route to the store, the user may give up going to the store even if he / she wants to view the content and go to the store on the data distribution side. Also, even if the user is driving a vehicle equipped with a car navigation system, if the time taken to start the route guidance by searching for the route to the store that interests him / her is increased, It may be cumbersome to set and go to the store, resulting in giving up going to the store.

  The present invention solves such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a program suitable for reducing the time required for setting a destination.

In order to achieve this object, an information providing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information providing apparatus that reproduces content data and provides information to a user.
Map storage means for storing map information in advance;
Data acquisition means for acquiring the content data from a distribution device that distributes the content data including location information of a service provider and reproduction information that specifies a position of the information providing device that reproduces the content data;
Position measuring means for measuring the current position of the self,
Map information stored in the map storage means, location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, reproduction information included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, A route search means for searching for a travel route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider,
Data reproducing means for reproducing the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measuring means and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displaying the moving route searched by the route searching means When,
It is characterized by providing.

The route search means further calculates the distance that the information providing apparatus moves from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service providing place,
The data reproduction means may further display the distance calculated by the route search means.

The route search means further calculates a time required for the information providing apparatus to move from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service providing place,
The data reproduction means may further display the required time calculated by the route search means.

It further comprises direction acquisition means for acquiring its own moving direction,
The route search means determines, based on the map information stored in the map storage means, whether or not there is an intersection within a predetermined distance range of the moving direction acquired by the direction acquisition means from the position indicated by the reproduction information. If it is determined that there is the intersection, a movement route that goes straight through the intersection and that is from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider may be searched.

An information providing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information providing method for reproducing content data and providing information to a user,
The content data includes location information of the service provider, and reproduction information that specifies a position where the content data is reproduced,
A data acquisition step for acquiring the content data;
A position measurement step for measuring the current position of the self;
Based on the map information stored in advance in the memory, the location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition step, and the reproduction information included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means A route search step for searching for a movement route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider;
A data reproduction step of reproducing the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measurement step and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displaying the movement route searched in the route search step When,
It is characterized by providing.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a computer that reproduces content data and provides information to a user.
Map storage means for storing map information in advance;
Data acquisition means for acquiring the content data from a distribution device that distributes the content data including the location information of the service provider and the reproduction information that specifies the position of the computer that reproduces the content data;
Position measuring means for measuring the current position of the self,
Map information stored in the map storage means, location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, reproduction information included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, A route search means for searching for a movement route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider,
Data reproduction that reproduces the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measurement unit and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displays the movement route searched by the route search unit means,
It is made to function as.

  According to the present invention, the time required for setting the destination can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) as an example.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ITS communicates between a roadside wireless device 100 disposed in the vicinity of a place such as a road or a parking lot where vehicles pass, and the roadside wireless device 100 mounted on the vehicle and communicates with the user. The vehicle-mounted device 200 that provides traffic information and the like to the (vehicle passenger) and the traffic information distribution server 300 that generates various information such as traffic information and supplies the information to the roadside apparatus 100 are provided. A communication method between the vehicle-mounted device 200 and the roadside apparatus 100 is DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) that is generally used in push distribution.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the traffic information distribution server 300 includes an input unit 301, an output unit 302, a first communication control unit 303, a second communication control unit 304, a storage device 305, a control unit 306, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 307, RAM (Random Access Memory) 308, and system bus 309.

  The input unit 301 includes a keyboard, a mouse, an input interface, and the like. The input unit 301 receives an instruction input from the server administrator, an input of various data, and the like and inputs them to the control unit 306.

  The output unit 302 includes a display device and displays image data and message data.

  The first communication control unit 303 communicates with an external device via a general communication network NW1 such as a telephone line or the Internet, and transmits and receives various information.

  The second communication control unit 304 is connected to each roadside apparatus 100 via the ITS communication network NW2, and transmits traffic information and the like to the roadside apparatus 100. In addition, the second communication control unit 304 receives information obtained by each roadside apparatus 100 through communication with the vehicle-mounted device 200 via the ITS communication network NW2. For example, information received from the vehicle-mounted device 200 is used to generate traffic information.

  The storage device 305 includes a hard disk device or the like, and stores image data, audio data, text data, and the like indicating traffic information and advertisements. Further, the storage device 305 stores geographical information of the vicinity of each roadside apparatus 100 in addition to the position and address of each roadside apparatus 100.

  The control unit 306 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the operation of the traffic information distribution server 300 as a whole. Further, the control unit 306 creates content data to be distributed to each roadside apparatus 100 based on various information stored in the storage device 305, and controls the second communication control unit 304 to set up the ITS communication network NW2. To each roadside apparatus 100. The configuration of content data generated and transmitted by the control unit 306 will be described later.

  The ROM 307 stores an operating system (OS), a program, and the like necessary for operation control of the entire traffic information distribution server 300.

  The RAM 308 functions as a work area for the control unit 306.

  A system bus 309 is a transmission path for transferring commands and data between the above-described units.

  Next, the configuration of the roadside apparatus 100 will be described. The roadside apparatus 100 typically includes a transceiver such as a beacon (radiowave beacon, optical beacon, etc.) installed on a road or in a parking lot. The roadside apparatus 100 transmits content data such as traffic information and advertisements from the beacon to the surroundings. The roadside apparatus 100 does not pull out (pull) information from the user, but distributes information by so-called push distribution in which information is automatically sent from the content providing side to the client without the user's operation. The roadside apparatus 100 receives the content data to be transmitted from the traffic information distribution server 300, stores it, and wirelessly transmits it. The vehicle-mounted device 200 of the vehicle passing near the roadside apparatus 100 receives content data from the roadside apparatus 100.

  Here, the content data includes data for instructing a reproduction condition for reproducing the content data (for example, a geographical position where the reproduction of the content data is started). Details will be described later.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the roadside apparatus 100 includes a wireless communication unit 101, a communication control unit 102, a storage device 103, a control unit 104, a ROM 105, a RAM 106, and a system bus 107.

  The wireless communication unit 101 communicates information with the vehicle-mounted device 200 installed in a vehicle that passes in the vicinity of the roadside apparatus 100 by a radio signal such as a radio wave signal or an optical signal. For example, the wireless communication unit 101 transmits the traffic information provided from the traffic information distribution server 300 to the vehicle-mounted device 200. In addition, the wireless communication unit 101 receives information such as a vehicle ID transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 200.

  The communication control unit 102 is connected to the traffic information distribution server 300 via the ITS communication network NW2, receives content data such as traffic information and advertisements transmitted from the traffic information distribution server 300, and stores them in the storage device 103. In addition, the information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 200 is transmitted to the traffic information distribution server 300.

  The storage device 103 stores traffic information and advertisements received from the traffic information distribution server 300.

  The control unit 104 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the operation of the entire roadside apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 104 pushes and distributes traffic information and advertisements stored in the storage device 103 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 by controlling the wireless communication unit 101. The control unit 104 stores information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 200 by the wireless communication unit 101 in the storage device 103. In addition, the control unit 104 generates traffic information around the roadside apparatus 100 using a traffic counter (not shown), stores the traffic information in the storage device 103, and stores the traffic information in the traffic information distribution server 300 via the ITS communication network NW2. It can also be sent.

  The ROM 105 stores an operating system (OS), programs, and various data necessary for operation control of the entire roadside apparatus 100.

  The RAM 106 functions as a work area for the control unit 104.

  The system bus 107 is a transmission path for transferring commands and data between the above-described units.

  Next, the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 200 will be described. The vehicle-mounted device 200 is installed in an automobile. In the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device 200 is configured integrally with a general car navigation device, and includes a car navigation function and a function of reproducing content data pushed and distributed from the roadside apparatus 100. However, an embodiment without a car navigation function may be employed.

  The vehicle-mounted device 200 determines its own position and receives content data that is push-distributed from the roadside apparatus 100. For example, the vehicle-mounted device 200 reproduces the content data when the measured position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 matches the geographical position for reproduction (hereinafter referred to as “reproduction position”) included in the received content data. To do. This will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle-mounted device 200 includes a communication unit 201, an audio processing unit 202, an output unit 203, an operation unit 204, an I / O (Input / Output) device 205, a storage device 206, a control unit 207, a ROM 208, A RAM 209 and a system bus 210 are provided.

  The communication unit 201 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 201a and a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) module 201b.

  The GPS module 201 a receives GPS radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and supplies them to the control unit 207. The control unit 207 can acquire the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 by controlling the GPS module 201a.

  The DSRC module 201b communicates with the roadside apparatus 100 using the DSRC method.

  The audio processing unit 202 converts the digital audio signal input from the control unit 207 into an analog audio signal using a D / A converter (not shown), and outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 222. Also, the voice processing unit 202 converts the voice input from the microphone 223 into a digital audio signal by an A / D converter (not shown), and inputs the digital audio signal to the control unit 207. The digital audio signal input to the control unit 207 is subjected to voice recognition processing by a known voice recognition technique. Thereby, the user can listen to the navigation voice or can give a predetermined instruction by inputting the voice to the navigation.

  The output unit 203 includes a monitor, and displays content data such as navigation images acquired by the communication unit 201, a television image, a map image stored in advance in the storage device 206, and the like.

  The operation unit 204 includes a touch panel type input device and the like, generates an instruction input signal based on an instruction input by the user, and inputs the instruction input signal to the control unit 207.

  The I / O device 205 includes a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory) drive, reads data from a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM storing predetermined map information (map data), and the like, and controls the control unit 207. To enter. Further, the I / O device 205 acquires a detection signal of a sensor group 225 such as a speed sensor, a travel distance sensor, a direction sensor, and a brake sensor, and supplies the detection signal to the control unit 207.

  The storage device 206 includes a hard disk drive (HDD) and stores predetermined map information and various setting information. Note that the storage device 206 may include another memory such as a memory card. The control unit 207 may read the map information from a storage medium such as a DVD-ROM storing the map information as needed, or read the map information from the recording medium in advance and write it in the storage device 206 (installed). You may do it.

  The control unit 207 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the operation of the on-vehicle device 200 as a whole. For example, the control unit 207 determines the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 (own vehicle) based on the GPS signal received via the GPS module 201a. In addition, the control unit 207 takes in the output of the direction sensor included in the sensor group 225 via the I / O device 205 and determines the current traveling direction of the host vehicle. In addition, the control unit 207 obtains the travel distance of the own vehicle from the output of the distance sensor. In addition, the control unit 207 receives content data such as traffic information from the roadside apparatus 100 via the VICS module 201b, and reproduces it based on data designating reproduction conditions included in the received content data. Note that the control unit 207 may include a coprocessor or the like.

  The ROM 208 stores an operating system (OS), programs, and various data necessary for operation control of the entire vehicle-mounted device 200.

  The RAM 209 temporarily stores data and programs, and holds content data acquired by the communication unit 201, data read from a DVD-ROM, and the like. The control unit 207 uses the RAM 209 as a work memory.

  The system bus 210 is a transmission path for interconnecting the above-described units and transferring commands and data.

  Next, a functional configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle-mounted device 200 includes a data acquisition unit 251, a data reproduction unit 253, a self-position detection unit 254, a position matching determination unit 255, a traveling direction detection unit 256, a direction matching determination unit 257, and a road type detection unit. 258 and a road type determination unit 259.

  The data acquisition unit 251 receives and acquires one or more pieces of content data to be reproduced from the roadside apparatus 100. The control unit 207, the communication unit 201, and the storage device 206 cooperate to function as the data acquisition unit 251.

  The content data is, for example, moving image data such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format, still image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, audio data in TTS (Text-to-Speech) format, text information, etc. Contains text data. One content data is composed of one or more of these data. Details will be described later.

  These data are not only specified to be reproduced alone, but also specified to be reproduced simultaneously with or in parallel with other data. For example, it is a combination of map image data of a certain area and sound data explaining sightseeing information of the area. Here, “simultaneous” does not require that the times coincide completely, and it is only necessary that the reproduction timings partially overlap.

  In general, a content providing side (data distribution side) composed of an image and audio produces image data and audio data on the assumption that these are reproduced simultaneously. In the present embodiment, when there is content data to be reproduced at the same time, the roadside apparatus 100 stores information specifying them and distributes the content data. The in-vehicle device 200 can simultaneously reproduce the content according to this information. As a result, the content can be reproduced as intended by the content provider.

  The data reproduction unit 253 reproduces the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251. More specifically, the data reproduction unit 253 includes a position determination result by a position match determination unit 255 described later, a determination result of a traveling direction of the vehicle-mounted device 200 (own vehicle) by a direction match determination unit 257, and a road type determination unit. 259 based on the determination result of the type of road on which the vehicle is currently traveling, it is determined whether or not a predetermined reproduction condition designated for each content data is satisfied, and if the reproduction condition is satisfied Play content data. The control unit 207, the storage device 206, the voice processing unit 202, and the output unit 203 cooperate to function as the data acquisition unit 251.

  The self-position detecting unit 254 processes the GPS signal acquired by the GPS module 201a and detects the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200. The communication unit 201 and the control unit 207 cooperate to function as a self-position detection unit 254.

  The position coincidence determination unit 255 collates the reproduction position included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251 with the self position detected by the self position detection unit 254, and when they match, the data reproduction unit 253 performs data reproduction. Give permission. Here, the term “match” refers to being within a predetermined error, and does not necessarily indicate complete match. The control unit 207 functions as the position match determination unit 255.

  The traveling direction detection unit 256 detects the traveling direction of the vehicle-mounted device 200 (own vehicle). The control unit 207, the I / O device 205, and the direction sensor cooperate to function as the traveling direction detection unit 256.

  The direction coincidence determination unit 257 compares the reproduction direction included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251 with the traveling direction of the vehicle-mounted device 200 (own vehicle), and when they match (when they are within a predetermined error) ), The data reproduction unit 253 is permitted to reproduce data. The control unit 207 functions as the direction coincidence determination unit 257.

  The road type detection unit 258 detects the type of road on which the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device 200 is mounted is currently traveling based on the map information of the navigation device and the current position detected by the self-position detection unit 254. The control unit 207 functions as the road type detection unit 258.

  The road type discriminating unit 259 compares the road type specified in the content data reproduction condition with the road type detected by the road type detecting unit 258, and if the two match, the data reproduction unit 253 is permitted to reproduce the data. put out. For example, if it is determined that the host vehicle is traveling on a road classified as a road type specified in the reproduction condition, the data reproduction unit 253 reproduces content data. The control unit 207 functions as the road type determination unit 259.

Next, the configuration of content data will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of content data push-distributed from the roadside apparatus 100. In the content data, in addition to still image data, moving image data, audio data, text data, and the like constituting the content, reproduction conditions for these data, information attached to the content data, and the like are recorded. This will be described in detail below.

  As shown in the figure, the content data includes provider information 401, information provider information 402, target point information 403, actual data portion 404, and priority designation information 405.

  First, the provider information 401 includes a provider code for specifying a service provider, monitor display text data designated in advance for each service provider, and the like.

  Next, the information provider information 402 includes an information provider code for identifying the information provider (typically a service provider managed by the advertiser), and a monitor display text designated in advance for each information provider. Data, an information code for identifying the content, an expiration date of the content data, an identifier for designating whether the content data received by the vehicle-mounted device 200 is to be reproduced or stored promptly.

  The information provider code is information for specifying the content data provider, that is, the data distribution side. For example, the control unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 can permit or disallow the reception of content data provided from a specific provider based on the information provider code. For example, when a minor is in a car on which the vehicle-mounted device 200 is mounted, the driver does not display on the monitor the content delivered from the data distribution side that handles content that is not appropriate for the minor. Etc. can be set. Based on the provider code of the content data acquired by push distribution and the information provider code list (not shown) stored in advance in the storage device 206, the control unit 207 transfers the content data to a monitor or speaker. It can be determined whether or not to output.

  The information code for identifying the content is, for example, an advertising company ID for specifying an advertising company (sponsor) on the data providing side, or the data distribution side intends to guide a user (mainly a driver in this embodiment). The material ID indicates the material of the product handled at the service provider, the product ID of the product handled at the service provider, and the like. As with the information provider code, the user can use the information code for content selection (filtering). For example, when the driver is looking for a canteen that provides noodles, the vehicle-mounted device 200 excludes stores that provide bread and rice based on the information code, and monitors only the data distributed by the canteen that provides noodles. It can be displayed on the screen.

  A category ID having a tree structure can be used as the information code. For example, “living information”, “shop information”, “roadside service”, etc. are prepared as items, and a category ID is assigned to each item. In addition, “medical / hospital” and “news from the government” are prepared as sub-items of “living information”, and a category ID is assigned to each. In addition, items such as “Today's on-duty doctor” and “Notice of medical expenses” are prepared as sub-items of “Medical / Hospital”, and a category ID is assigned to each item.

  In addition, the information code is used to notify customers of discount sales limited to a specified time period at service providers, and to distribute coupons, discount coupons, special coupons, various tickets, etc. for products or services. It may be used. In this case, the information code stores a code indicating that discount sales are performed, and a code indicating that a coupon is attached. In addition to those described here, various information can be included in the classification code.

  Next, the target spot information 403 includes target spot coordinates 411, provision time information 412, reproduction detailed setting information 413, target spot icon information 414, and information provision start information 415, as shown in FIG.

  The target point coordinates 411 are coordinates designated in advance by the information provider, and are expressed using latitude / longitude. The vehicle-mounted device 200 according to the present embodiment receives an instruction input from the user indicating whether or not the position designated by the target point coordinates 411 is designated as the destination or waypoint of the route guidance by the car navigation system when reproducing the content data. It can be set as a reception, destination or waypoint.

  The provision time information 412 designates the time for reproducing the content data and providing it to the user. For example, the business hours of a service provider managed by the information provider side are specified. The data reproduction unit 253 of the in-vehicle device 200 reproduces content data when the current time is included in the time zone indicated by the provision time information 412 of the received content data.

  For example, the provision time information includes an information valid period start time and an information valid period end time. The information valid period is a period during which content data is provided to the user, such as a period in which a limited-time discount campaign is continued. If the content data is played back only during the information validity period, the driver who arrives at the service provider for the purpose of the discount campaign will be disappointed without receiving the benefit because the campaign has already ended. Such a trouble can be eliminated, and the disadvantage of image down on the data distribution side can be prevented. The start and end times of the information valid period are expressed using the date, time, day of the week, or a combination thereof. Further, only when the information validity period starts or when the information validity period ends may be provided. For example, “after XX month and XX day” or “until XX month and XX day” may be used.

  The reproduction detailed setting information 413 satisfies the reproduction condition when the reproduction condition cannot be reproduced for some reason when the reproduction condition is satisfied (for example, the vehicle-mounted device 200 is reproducing the route guidance by the car navigation system and cannot reproduce it). This is information for setting whether or not the content data is to be reproduced when it becomes reproducible.

  The target point icon information 414 is information such as an image displayed at a position corresponding to the target point coordinates 411 on the map displayed on the monitor.

  The information provision start information 415 includes reproduction conditions for starting provision of information to the user by reproducing content data that is distributed by push, and data that is reproduced when the reproduction conditions are met (reproduction data). And including. The reproduction data includes still image data, moving image data, audio data, and audio data in TTS (text-to-speech) format. It is preferable. The reproduction data included in the information provision start information 415 can be broadly classified into “individual data” and “common data”, and details will be described later.

  The reproduction condition is set using the information provision start position. The information provision start position is a geographical position (point) set by the data distribution side, and is specified by, for example, a combination of latitude and longitude. A predetermined distance (for example, 10 m) may be set following the latitude / longitude information. In this case, an area included in a circle centered on latitude / longitude and having a radius of a predetermined distance is the information provision start position. For example, it is preferable that the data distribution side sets an information provision start position between a position where the service provider exists and a parking lot in the vicinity where the roadside apparatus 100 is installed. After the push distribution is performed to the vehicle-mounted device 200 mounted on the car that has entered the parking lot for the driver's break and the content data is stored in the storage device 206, the driver happens to be in the direction of the service provider. When a car is advanced, if the advertisement of the service provider is displayed on the monitor when the car approaches the information start position, the driver is likely to stop by the service provider before going to the original destination. Because it is.

  The information provision start position is not limited to one. For example, a plurality of information provision positions may be set so as to surround the service provision place. In this way, the driver can be guided to the service provider from all directions.

  The reproduction condition may be set using the information provision start distance. This is to make it possible to reproduce data when the automobile travels the information provision start distance after receiving push distribution from the roadside apparatus 100. In the above example, if, for example, half of the road between the parking lot where the roadside apparatus 100 is installed and the service provider is set as the information provision start distance, the content can be viewed by the driver at an advantageous timing for the data distribution side. There is a possibility that you can be asked. When a car travels in the opposite direction from the service provider after leaving the parking lot, the service provider side has less merit than using the above information provision start position as a data reproduction start trigger. However, there is an advantage that the data size is smaller than that of specifying coordinates.

  The reproduction condition may be set using the information provision direction. When the data distribution side sets only the information provision start position so as to surround the service provider as described above, for example, the service provider has already received the service and is away from the service provider (that is, away from the service provider). Even when the car moves in the direction, the reproduction of the content data by the vehicle-mounted device 200 may be started. The same applies when the driver is not willing to receive service and moves away from the service provider. In such a case, if the reproduction of the content data starts, the driver may feel annoyed and may have an unpleasant impression on the data distribution side. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the information provision start position, the information provision direction can be designated. The information providing direction may be a direction expressed using latitude, longitude, or the like, or may be rough information of about east, west, south, or north, or about 16 directions. The data distribution side preferably specifies the direction from the information provision start point to the service provider as the information provision direction. The vehicle-mounted device 200 does not give permission for data reproduction to the data reproduction unit 253 only by determining that the position match determination unit 255 matches its own position with the information provision start position. Furthermore, it is preferable that the data reproduction unit 253 start data reproduction after obtaining a determination result that the self-traveling direction matches the information providing direction. In addition to the above, the information providing direction may be, for example, a direction expressed by going up and down, a direction in which the road extends (for example, a rough direction using a place name or proper noun such as “Shibuya”), and the like.

  The reproduction condition may be set using a road type. There are many ways to use this information. For example, if information about a one-way road is described, if the information provision start position is set to a road that can only travel in a direction away from the service provider, the data reproduction unit 253 The content data can be prevented from being reproduced even if the information provision start position is reached. Even if the content data is reproduced in a car that is away from the service provider, it may not be profitable for the data distribution side. In addition to the above, the road type may be, for example, a general road, an expressway, a toll road, a bypass, a national / prefectural / municipal road, a tunnel, a bridge, and the like. In addition, the number of lanes (for example, two lanes on one side), width, traffic restrictions (for example, speed, lane, time, season, vehicle type, width, height, weight, etc.), pavement, traffic (for example, It is also possible to distinguish between roads that are statistically prone to traffic jams), uphill / downhill / flatness, and the frequency of traffic accidents. Furthermore, the road may be a rough road, a road with many curves, a road closest to the coastline, etc., and the data distribution side (content data providing side) can also set it freely.

  The reproduction condition may be set using the target point position. The target point position is typically the geographical position (point) of the service provider. The target point position is represented by a combination of latitude and longitude, for example. For example, if the distance is continuously recorded, data is reproduced at the timing when the vehicle-mounted device 200 reaches the circumference of a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the position of the service provider (the target point position). Can be. The position coincidence determining unit 255 may determine whether or not the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 is a place away from the target point position by the distance indicated by this radius. Thereby, the trouble of determining the above-mentioned information provision start position one by one can be saved. For example, instead of individually specifying a plurality of information provision start positions, it can be specified as “positions that are X meters away from the target point position”, and a large number of reproduction start positions can be specified with a small amount of data. In other words, if a single target point position is designated, a plurality of information provision start positions can be substantially designated. As described above, if the target point position is used, the amount of data necessary for describing the reproduction condition can be reduced, and the effect becomes larger when it is desired to provide more reproduction start positions. If the radius length is set to a fixed value, there is no need to provide a data area for designating the radius length, so that the playback start position can be designated more efficiently.

  As an application example, a change amount of the position per unit time (threshold change amount) can be further stored as a reproduction condition. That is, the position matching determination unit 255 calculates the amount of change in the position detected by the self-position detection unit 254 (the position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 at the first time and the position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 at the second time). Further, the position matching determination unit 255 is a place where the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 is separated from the target point position by the distance indicated by the radius, and the calculated change amount of the position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold change amount. Whether or not (or below). If the calculated position change amount is equal to or greater than (or less than) the threshold change amount, the data reproduction unit 253 starts reproduction of the content data. In this way, it is possible to control the content data to be reproduced (not made) depending not only on whether the positions coincide with each other but also on how fast the reproduction start position is reached. For example, an automobile equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 is reaching a place away from the shopping center located at the target point coordinates 411 by the radius (that is, a position where reproduction should be started), but unfortunately gets stuck in traffic. If the driver arrives with “slow driving”, the content data that guides the “passage” in consideration of traffic jams is provided to the in-vehicle device 200, or the content data such as music and video that relaxes the driver is provided. can do. In this way, by using the threshold change amount, it is possible to reproduce content data suitable for the situation where the user is placed.

  There are various variations in how to define the playback conditions as exemplified below.

  (1) Using the information provision start position. That is, the reproduction condition “the current position of the vehicle matches (does not match) the information provision start position”. For example, “pass the XX intersection”.

  (2) Using information provision start distance. That is, the playback condition “the vehicle travels the information provision start distance after receiving the content data (does not travel)” or “the vehicle travels the information provision start distance from the location where the content data was received. while". For example, “the vehicle travels X meters after passing the XX intersection”, “until the vehicle travels X meters from the XX intersection”, and the like. The unit of distance is arbitrary.

  (3) Using information provision direction. That is, the reproduction condition “the moving direction of the own vehicle matches (does not match) the information providing direction”. For example, “Your vehicle is heading in the direction of the XX department store” or “Your vehicle is moving away from the city center”. The direction may be an accurate azimuth or a rough direction such as east, west, south, and north. However, in this embodiment, the azimuth is 16 azimuths as in the general specification of VICS. If the moving direction of the own vehicle is included in a direction within a predetermined angle range centered on the information providing direction, these may be regarded as matching.

  (4) A road type is used. That is, the regeneration condition “the road on which the vehicle is traveling is a road designated by the road type (not a road)”. For example, “the vehicle is traveling on a general road”, “the vehicle is not traveling on a highway”, etc.

  (5) Using the target location. That is, the reproduction condition “the current position of the host vehicle is a predetermined distance away from the target point position (not separated)” or “the position of the host vehicle is closer to the target point position by a predetermined distance (moves away)”. For example, “the vehicle is at least X meters away from the XX department store”, “the vehicle is approaching the XX service area at a speed of more than X kilometers”, and so on.

  (6) Using the information effective period start and / or information effective period end. In other words, the reproduction condition “current date and time is (not) within the information validity period”. For example, “Today is the year, month, and month of the year when the department store is newly opened”, “Today is the first day of the three-day holiday”, “Currently late night discount hours (○ hours ○ minutes to × hours × minutes) Etc. "

  (7) Using business days and / or business hours. That is, the reproduction condition “current date and time is (not) a business day and / or business time”. For example, “Today is a holiday of XX department store”, “Currently X minutes before the opening time of XX department store”. A date may be used instead of the day of the week.

  Any of these may be adopted as the reproduction condition, or any combination thereof may be defined.

  As described above, the reproduction data included in the information provision start information 415 includes “individual data” that is reproduced only when a condition using the information provision start position or the like is met, and a plurality of information provision start positions. It can be roughly divided into “common data” that is reproduced in common. Both the individual data and the common data are data for the data reproduction unit 253 to pop up on the monitor when the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 reaches the information provision start position.

  The common data is data when a plurality of information provision start positions are set and the data reproduced at the plurality of information provision start positions is the same. The individual data is data set to be reproduced for each information provision start position. For example, it is assumed that three points P1, P2, and P3 are set as information provision start position information for certain service target point information. The data reproduced at P1 is D1, the data reproduced at P2 is D2, and when the data reproduced at P3 is D2, D1 is called individual data, and D2 is the same data at P2 and P3. This is called common data. As for the common data, the data may be individually stored at each point of the information provision start information 415, or the data is stored at a certain point (for example, P2) and at another point (for example, P3). Data stored at a certain point may be referred to.

  The information provision start information 415 stores at least one of text data, still image data, audio data, and TTS data. Information that specifies which of the common data and individual data is to be reproduced when the reproduction condition is satisfied, or which data is to be reproduced when a plurality of common data or a plurality of individual data is included Are stored in advance in the information provision start information 415, and the data reproducing unit 253 selects data to be reproduced according to this information. Note that the reproduction data included in the information provision start information 415 is mainly used for pop-up display, and is assumed to be output while the host vehicle is running (that is, during driving). The moving image data that needs to be watched is not included.

  The display time information 416 is information indicating a time for displaying the content data reproduction screen on the output unit 203. For example, an integer of 0 to 255 is set in the display time information 416, and the unit is “seconds”. Display time = “0” is reserved for future use reservation. Display time = “255” indicates that the display is continued until the next push distribution or until an operation instruction is input to the operation unit 204.

  As a method for specifying the display time information 416, the display time itself may be specified. Moreover, the instruction | indication which leaves to the specification of the onboard equipment 200 may be sufficient. Alternatively, for example, when the content data is text and at the same time the audio content data is intended to be played back, the playback time of the other content data is set so that the text is displayed until the end of the voice utterance. The display time may be determined as the predetermined function used.

  Here, it is assumed that the content data is image data or text data. However, in the case of audio data, it may be used as a playback time instead of a display time.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the actual data portion 404 includes display text information 421, display still image information 422, display moving image information 423, playback audio file information 424, and speech TTS file information 425. Including. The reproduction data stored in the actual data portion 404 is mainly data that is reproduced after the user is requested to reproduce more detailed information after pop-up display.

  The display text information 421 is character data to be displayed on the monitor. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of characters of the character data specified by the display text information 421 is 31 full-width characters when the vehicle is running. However, the upper limit number of characters can be changed as appropriate. The display text information 421 further includes information for designating data to be displayed during traveling or data to be displayed while the vehicle is stopped, and the data reproduction unit 253 displays during traveling when the host vehicle is traveling. Only the data designated to be played may be reproduced, and if the vehicle is stopped, only the data designated to be displayed while the vehicle is stopped may be reproduced.

  The display still image information 422 is still image data to be displayed on the monitor, and for example, a data format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is used.

  The display moving image information 423 is moving image data to be displayed on the monitor, and a data format such as MPEG-4 (Joint Photographic Experts Group-Layer 4) is used.

  The reproduction audio file information 424 is audio data to be output from the speaker, and a data format such as AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is used, for example.

  The TTS file information for utterance 425 is audio data output from a speaker and is TTS format data. The data reproducing unit 253 converts the text into sound and reproduces it.

  The actual data portion 404 stores data having a larger amount of information than the reproduction data stored in the information provision start information 415. This is because the reproduction data included in the information provision start information 415 is data having a relatively small capacity on the assumption that the reproduction data is reproduced during traveling, but is stored in the actual data portion 404. This is because the reproduction data is assumed to be reproduced when the vehicle is stopped, such as a parking lot.

  Next, the priority designation information 405 is information for classifying the content data according to the importance level of the content, and is set in advance by the data distribution side. For example, the content data is classified into (1) top priority information (2) priority information (3) selectable information in the order of priority reproduction.

  The highest priority information is content data that is displayed and uttered immediately after the processing is interrupted even when the route guidance by the car navigation system is being reproduced. For example, it is desirable that the data reproduction unit 253 displays and utters a dedicated alarm sound within one second after completion of reception. The highest priority information needs to be interrupted and reproduced promptly even when priority information and selectable information having a lower priority than this are being displayed / spoken. When other top-priority information is being reproduced, the data reproduction unit 253 displays and speaks in the order of reception in principle. For example, the highest priority information includes an emergency message and safe driving support information.

  The priority information is content data that is always displayed and uttered, although it is not specified whether or not the processing is interrupted when the route guidance by the car navigation system is being reproduced. When other priority information or selectable information is being displayed / speaked, whether or not the process is interrupted is not defined, but is always guided to the user. That is, the data reproducing unit 253 reproduces as soon as it becomes reproducible if it cannot be reproduced immediately after the reception is satisfied when the reproduction condition is satisfied.

  The selectable information is reproduced after the end of the display / utterance without interrupting the process when the route guidance by the car navigation system is being reproduced or when other selectable information is being displayed / uttered. If the content data classified as selectable information is set not to be automatically played back, the user may not be aware that the content data has been received. It is desirable to display a screen.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the reproduction operation of the vehicle-mounted device 200 according to the present embodiment, push delivery by the data delivery side, and service provision at the service provider serving as the base.

  For example, it is assumed that the driver puts the automobile 501 in a parking lot (indicated by white P) where the roadside wireless device 511 is installed for rest or the like. Then, content data is push-distributed from the roadside apparatus 511 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 mounted on the automobile 501. The content that is distributed by push is typically advertising content that is created with the intention that the data distribution side guides the automobile 501 to the service provider 521 and receives the service provided by the service provider 523 of the service provider. is there.

  Even if the car 501 leaves the parking lot, the content data that has been push-distributed is not immediately reproduced. For the data distribution side, it is desirable that the advertisement content be viewed at the timing that is most likely to guide the driver. Therefore, the data distribution side presets a point A indicated by a star between the parking lot where the roadside wireless device 511 is installed and the service provider 521 as an information provision start point. Then, if the car 501 turns left after leaving the parking lot, it will soon reach point A. And the onboard equipment 200 starts reproduction | regeneration of content data at the timing when the motor vehicle 501 approached A point. This is an opportunity to make the driver recognize that the service provider 521 exists in the direction of his / her own travel and to come to the service provider even if he was originally driving for another purpose. It is very effective. That is, it can be said that data reproduction is performed in accordance with the intention of the data distribution side.

  Note that, as described above, the data delivery side may indicate the information provision start distance instead of the information provision start position so that the vehicle-mounted device 200 reproduces the content data at a suitable timing. In this figure, the distance from the parking lot where the roadside apparatus 511 is installed to the point A is measured in advance, and the distance is set as the information provision start distance. This is simpler than determining the information provision start position by a coordinate axis or the like. On the other hand, if the car 501 turns right after it leaves the parking lot, data reproduction starts at point B which is the same distance as point A. Even if the data reproduction is started at the point B and the advertisement of the service provider 521 is provided to the driver, the driver has to turn back the car in order to go to the service provider 521. Therefore, the guidance force to the service provider 521 is reduced compared to the case where the reproduction is started at the point A. That is, the effect as an advertisement may be reduced.

  For example, it is assumed that the car 503 enters the parking lot of the service provider 521 that is the advertiser as a result of the driver being guided by the advertisement. Here, the driver receives the service provided by the service providing device 523 and pays the price. In other words, it brings benefits to the data distribution side. A roadside wireless device 513 is also provided in the parking lot of the service provider 521. When the content data is pushed and delivered from the roadside apparatus 513 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 mounted on the automobile 503, a predetermined flag is set in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 206 of the vehicle-mounted device 200. The predetermined flag is used to indicate that the same content data need not be reproduced because the automobile 503 has already stopped at the service provider 521. When the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device 200 with such a predetermined flag is mounted is left at the point A after leaving the service provider 521, the same content data can be prevented from being reproduced again. If playback is repeated, the driver may have an unpleasant impression of “persistent”, and it may happen that the service provider never stops again. It can be said that

  Note that content data can be reproduced at a more suitable timing by using the information provision direction as the reproduction condition. For example, after a car 501 passes through a road where the information provision start position is not set and reaches the vicinity of the service providing place 521, the road where the point A in the figure is set is moved in a direction from the point A to the point B. When it has advanced (that is, when it has moved away from the service provider 521), the content data is not reproduced. If replayed, the driver feels forced to make a U-turn and may have an unpleasant impression on the service provider 521, which may not benefit the data distribution side. The information provision direction makes it possible to reproduce data in accordance with the intention of the data distribution side in terms of preventing such a situation.

  The specifications of the service providing device 523 (for example, the types of services that can be provided, the benefits of being discounted for a specific period, and the operating date and time) are determined by the commercial data creation device 525 managed by the data distribution side as needed. Be investigated. The commercial data creation device 525 creates content data based on the result of the investigation and transmits the content data to the roadside wireless devices 511 and 513 so that the optimum and latest information is push-distributed.

  The information provision start position need not be limited to one point A. As already described, it is more advantageous to install a large number so as to surround the service providing place 521 because the driver can be guided to the service providing place 521 from all directions.

  If it is cumbersome to specify a large number of information provision start positions one by one, draw a circle with a predetermined radius (2000 m in this example) centering on the service provider 521. It is also possible to regard the intersection as the information provision start position. As described above, the information provision start distance can be recorded in association with the target point position (the position of the service provider 521), for example.

  However, with this method, for example, if the intersection happens to be near the intersection (point C in the figure), inconvenience may occur for the data distribution side. In the vicinity of the intersection, there is a high probability that non-commercial content data (typically, route guidance) to be reproduced with the highest priority by the vehicle-mounted device 200 equipped with the car navigation function is reproduced. For example, when the non-commercial data creation device 531 created content data indicating traffic safety precautions at an intersection is pushed and delivered to the vehicle-mounted device 200 by the roadside wireless device 515, the attention is given when the vehicle approaches the intersection. The matter content data is preferentially reproduced. As a result, the advertisement content of the service provider 521 remains unplayed.

  Therefore, the commercial data creation device 525 checks the specifications of the non-commercial data creation device 531 and creates commercial data based on the result. Specifically, for example, if it is known that the non-commercial data creation device 531 creates non-commercial data with the vicinity of the C point where the intersection is located as the information provision start position, the commercial data creation device 525 What is necessary is just to produce commercial data which makes the point D away from the information provision start position.

  The service providing device 523, the commercial data creation device 525, and the non-commercial data creation device 531 have been described as devices that automatically create and distribute content data. However, some or all of these are tasks performed by humans. May be.

(Reproduction processing)
Next, an embodiment of content data reproduction processing by the vehicle-mounted device 200 will be described. In many cases, the content creator side (typically, the advertiser) creates content in order to guide the user to a service provider (a store owned by the advertiser). The creator side provides the user with contents including a map for guiding the location of the service provider. If the user who has viewed the content is interested in the content, he or she will search for a service provider by using a map. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the route to the service provider is searched in advance between the time when the distribution of content data is received and the playback condition is satisfied, so that the route to the service provider can be immediately provided. Yes. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the present embodiment. The vehicle-mounted device 200 further includes a data storage unit 260, a map storage unit 261, a route search unit 262, and an input reception unit 263.

  The data storage unit 260 stores the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251 by push delivery. In the present embodiment, the data storage unit 260 temporarily stores all the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251. The storage device 206 functions as the data storage unit 260.

  The map storage unit 261 stores in advance map information (map data) used by the route search unit 262 to search for a route. The map information includes the position and shape of roads, buildings, etc., topography, place names, and the like. The storage device 206 functions as the map storage unit 261.

  The route search unit 262 sequentially reads the map information stored in the map storage unit 261 and searches for a movement route from the departure point to the destination / intermediate point (stop-by place). Since the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the present embodiment is equipped with a car navigation system, the user sets arbitrary locations (points / regions) on the map as departure points, destinations, and waypoints, and provides directions to the vehicle-mounted device 200. Can be made. The control unit 207 and the storage device 206 cooperate to function as the route search unit 262.

  The input receiving unit 263 receives various instruction inputs such as an instruction input for reproducing the content data acquired by the data acquisition unit 251 and an instruction input for causing the route search unit 262 to search for a movement route. The control unit 207 and the operation unit 204 cooperate to function as the input reception unit 263.

  The data reproduction unit 253 is based on the determination result of the position and direction of the vehicle-mounted device 200 and the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling by the position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259. Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined reproduction condition is satisfied. If the reproduction condition is satisfied, the content data is reproduced. In addition to the information provision start position and the information provision direction described above, the reproduction condition may include a condition such as “the vehicle is not currently near a predetermined traffic point such as an intersection”. Will be described later. In addition, when the input receiving unit 263 receives an instruction input for playing back the content data stored in the data storage unit 260 from the user, the data playback unit 253 reads the content data from the data storage unit 260 and plays it back. In addition, the data reproduction unit 253 displays the travel route searched by the route search unit 262 together with the map.

  Next, content data reproduction processing performed by each unit of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the vehicle-mounted device 200 has already received push distribution of content data from the roadside apparatus 100.

  First, the data acquisition unit 251 reads content data from the data storage unit 260 (step S201). Then, the data acquisition unit 251 reads the target point coordinates 311 included in the content data, and acquires the position of the service provider (step S202).

  The route search unit 262 uses the map information stored in the map storage unit 260, and the position indicated by the target point coordinates 411 acquired in step S202 from the information provision start position specified in the information provision start information 415 of the content data. And the estimated time required to reach the position indicated by the target point coordinates 411 from the information provision start position is obtained (step S203).

  For example, the route search unit 262 first calculates the required distance of the searched route. Then, the route search unit 262 divides the calculated required distance by the moving speed (the speed of the host vehicle) of the vehicle-mounted device 200 obtained by the speed sensor (not shown) included in the sensor group 225. The time required from the information provision start position to the service provider is calculated.

  Alternatively, the route search unit 262 calculates the distance between the position (latitude / longitude) at time T1 and the position at time T2 (≠ T1). Then, the route search unit 262 calculates the moving speed of the vehicle-mounted device 200 by dividing the calculated distance by the time difference (T2−T1). Further, the route search unit 262 divides the calculated required distance by the calculated moving speed, and calculates the required time from the information provision start position to the service provider. The times T1 and T2 are preferably close to the current time.

  The position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259 respectively determine whether or not the reproduction condition specified in the content data is satisfied (step S204). The position matching determination unit 255 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 acquired by the self-position detection unit 254 matches the information provision start position indicated in the reproduction condition. As described above, when the information provision start position is expressed using the latitude / longitude of the center of the circle and the distance from the center of the circle (the radius of the circle), the position matching determination unit 255 When the current position of the vehicle-mounted device 200 is included in this circle, it is determined that the current position matches the information provision start position. The direction coincidence determining unit 257 determines whether or not the moving direction of the vehicle-mounted device 200 acquired by the traveling direction detecting unit 256 matches the information provision start direction indicated in the reproduction condition. The road type determination unit 259 determines whether or not the type of the road on which the current vehicle travels acquired by the road type detection unit 258 matches the road type indicated in the reproduction condition. That is, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed the information provision start position of the target road toward the target point position. This process is repeated until the determination result of step S204 becomes YES.

  When it is determined that the reproduction condition is not satisfied (step S204; NO), the route search unit 262 determines whether to recalculate the route and the required time (step S205). Since the speed of the vehicle-mounted device 200 may change from when the data acquisition unit 251 acquires the content data until the playback condition is satisfied, the route search unit 262 repeatedly performs the process of step S203.

  For example, when the input receiving unit 263 receives an instruction input to recalculate from the user, the route search unit 262 determines to recalculate the route and the required time. If the input receiving unit 263 has not received an instruction input for recalculation from the user, it is determined that the route and the required time are not recalculated.

  When it is determined that the reproduction condition is satisfied (step S204; YES), the data reproduction unit 253 reproduces the content data (step S206).

  The data reproduction unit 253 displays the route and the required time calculated by the route search unit 262 in step S203 (step S207).

  FIG. 12A shows an example of a screen displayed on the monitor by the data reproducing unit 253. When the current position of the vehicle reaches the information provision start position 601, the data reproduction unit 253 reproduces the content data. In this figure, the data reproduction unit 253 displays a pop-up image 700. Further, the data reproduction unit 253 displays a map representing a travel route 604 from the information provision start position 601 to the point 603 on the road that the service provider 602 faces. In addition, the data reproduction unit 253 displays the required time estimated to be required to move from the information provision start position 601 to the point 603 in the display area 650.

  In step S203, when there is an intersection in the immediate vicinity of the direction in which the host vehicle travels, the route search unit 262 searches for a route that goes straight without turning right or left at the intersection. That is, when there is an intersection within a predetermined distance from the information provision start position 601, the route search unit 262 searches for a route that travels straight through the intersection and reaches the position of the service provider from the information provision start position 601. To do.

  FIG. 12B is another example of a screen displayed on the monitor by the data reproducing unit 253. When the distance D1 from the information provision start position 601 to the next intersection 606 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the route search unit 262 goes straight through the next intersection 606 and reaches a point 603 on the road facing the service provider 602. Search for a route. Then, the data reproduction unit 253 displays the estimated required time from the information provision start position 601 to the destination 603 in the display area 650.

  Next, the route search unit 262 determines whether or not the searched route is set as a destination for route guidance by the navigation system (step S208). For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the data reproduction unit 253 displays input buttons 660A and 660B that receive from the user whether or not to set the point 603 as the destination. When the input button 660A is pressed by the user, the input reception unit 261 determines that there is an instruction input for setting the point 603 as the destination, and notifies the route search unit 262 of the input. Further, when the input button 660B is pressed by the user, the input receiving unit 263 determines that there is an instruction input that does not set the point 603 as a destination, and notifies the route search unit 262 of it. The route search unit 262 makes a determination according to the notification from the input reception unit 263.

  When it is determined that the destination is not set (step S208; NO), the reproduction process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the destination is set (step S208; YES), the route search unit 262 determines the searched route as the guide route from the information provision start position to the destination, and the data reproduction unit 253 determines The route guidance according to the guided route is reproduced (step S209). That is, the route guidance from the information provision start position to the service provision place by the car navigation system is started.

  Next, the route search unit 262 determines whether or not to change the guide route that is being reproduced, that is, whether or not to recalculate the guide route (step S210). The driver is driving the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200, and depending on the situation, the driver may deviate from the guidance route and enter a different road. Therefore, the route search unit 262 determines whether the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling is on the guidance route to the set destination (whether the vehicle is moving along the guidance route). By determining, it is determined whether or not to change the guide route.

  For example, FIG. 13 is an example of a screen displaying the guidance route after re-searching. After the travel route 604 shown in FIG. 12A is displayed, when the vehicle travels away from the travel route 604, the route search unit 262 recalculates the route and the required time, from the current position 608 to the point 603. The new route 607 is displayed.

  When it is determined that the guide route is to be recalculated (step S210; YES), the route search unit 262 recalculates the route from the current position to the position of the service provider and the required time, and the data reproducing unit 253 re-calculates. The calculated route and the recalculated required time are displayed (step S211). Also in this step, when there is an intersection in the immediate vicinity of the direction in which the host vehicle travels, the route search unit 262 searches for a route that goes straight without turning right or left at the intersection. Then, the process returns to step S210.

  On the other hand, when it is determined not to recalculate the guide route (step S210; NO), the route search unit 262 determines whether or not to continue the route guidance using the set guide route (step S212). For example, when the input receiving unit 263 receives an instruction input for canceling the route guidance from the user, the data reproducing unit 253 ends the route guidance. For example, when the host vehicle reaches the destination (the latitude / longitude of the destination matches the latitude / longitude of the current position), the data reproducing unit 253 ends the route guidance. That is, the reproduction process is terminated. Here, the term “match” includes the case where the latitude / longitude of the destination and the latitude / longitude of the current position fall within a predetermined error range.

  When it is determined that the route guidance is continued (step S212; YES), the process returns to step S210. On the other hand, when it is determined that the route guidance is not continued (step S212; NO), the reproduction process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 200 receives the content data and then travels from the information provision start position to the service provider that provides the content data before the reproduction condition is satisfied. Therefore, when the reproduction condition is satisfied, the position of the service providing place can be immediately set as the destination and the route guidance by the car navigation system can be started. That is, the destination can be set without causing the user to wait after reproducing the content data.

  In the present embodiment, the data reproduction unit 253 displays the required time from the information provision start position (or current position) to the service provision place, but the service provision place from the information provision start position (or current position). The distance to the position may be displayed. Further, the input receiving unit 263 receives an instruction input for designating whether to display the required time or distance on the monitor, and the data reproducing unit 253 displays either the required time or the distance specified by the instruction input. It may be displayed. Moreover, you may display both required time and distance.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device 200 sets the target point coordinates 411 of the content data as the destination of the route guidance, but may be set as a waypoint or a stopover. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, it is assumed that the user has already set the route guidance from the departure place (not shown) to the destination 608. The route search unit 262 does not change the destination 608 but searches for a new travel route 610 using a position 609 on the road facing the service provider 602 as shown in FIG. 14B. To do. In this case, in the reproduction process described above, the destination may be read as a stopover (stop-in place).

(Embodiment 2)
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. The reproduction process of the present embodiment assumes a case where the vehicle-mounted device 200 is performing route guidance using the car navigation system.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the reproduction processing of the present embodiment.

  The route search unit 262 assumes that the vehicle travels according to the current guidance route, and selects the information provision start position included in all the content data stored in the data storage unit 251 on the guidance route. A certain information provision start position is searched (step S301).

  The route search unit 262 excludes information that does not match the current guide route from the information provision start position searched in step S301 (step S302).

  The information provision start position that does not match the current guide route is, for example, one that is not on the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling. Alternatively, for example, the route search unit 262 calculates the time to pass the designated information provision start position based on the current traveling speed of the host vehicle and the distance from the current position to the information provision start position, It is assumed that the information provision start position where it is determined that the calculated time does not match the reproduction condition (more specifically, the provision time information 312) does not match the current guidance route.

  Further, the route search unit 262 sequentially searches for a route from the one closest to the current location, and stores the search result in the data storage unit 251 (step S303). The route search algorithm is not limited by the present invention, and an algorithm adopted by the car navigation function of the vehicle-mounted device 200 may be applied.

  Here, when the route search unit 262 searches for a route, the starting point of the search may be not the information provision start position but the point where the vehicle-mounted device 200 starts reproduction.

  That is, the information provision start position can be a circle represented by the coordinates and radius of the center point, and if the guide route passes through a part of the circle without passing through the center point of this circle, The point (the point where the guide route and the circle intersect) becomes the point where the vehicle-mounted device 200 starts reproduction.

  In addition, when it is predicted that the reproduction of the pop-up will be started after the reproduction of other contents with high priority such as traffic information and route guidance by the car navigation system, the vehicle-mounted device 200 determines the predicted point as the predicted point. This is the point where playback starts.

  Further, a point that has traveled a certain distance along the guide route from the point where the vehicle-mounted device 200 starts reproduction may be set as the search starting point.

  For example, there is an intersection slightly ahead of the point where the vehicle-mounted device 200 starts reproduction, and it is necessary to go straight at this intersection to go to the original destination, and to turn right at this intersection to go to the service provider Suppose there is. In a car navigation system, when performing a route search, it is common not to select a route that must turn left or right at an intersection in the immediate vicinity of the current location. This is because it may not be possible to enter the lane for turning right or left. If it is more than a predetermined distance from the current location to this intersection, the route search unit 262 searches for a route that makes a right turn at this intersection starting from the point where reproduction starts. In such a case, if it takes a long time for the user to decide to go to the service provider displayed in the pop-up after the pop-up is displayed, the destination is changed or the stop-by location is set. When an operation is performed, there is a possibility that the vehicle has not entered the right turn lane or has passed the intersection. Therefore, it is better to use a point where the vehicle is predicted to arrive after a certain time (for example, the pop-up display time specified in the display time information 416) has elapsed since the pop-up is displayed. .

  Further, two or more search starting points may be used. For example, a route may be searched starting from a plurality of locations such as a predicted arrival point 30 seconds after the pop-up is displayed and a predicted arrival point 3 minutes later.

  When the travel route of the host vehicle deviates from the guide route, the route search unit 262 re-searches the guide route according to a predetermined algorithm. The route search unit 262 searches again for the information provision start position on the new guidance route (re-executes steps S301 to S303).

  The route search unit 262 does not perform a route search at a time, but only the information provision start position within the range expected to reach within a certain time from the current location based on the current location of the vehicle and the map data. You may make it search. When the driver travels on a road different from the guide route, the route search unit 262 re-searches the route to the original destination, and the search result of the search route to the service provider searched by the processing of steps S301 to S303 is obtained. This is because there is a possibility of being wasted, and when the estimated required time from the information provision start position to the service provider is displayed, the traffic situation may change and the estimated time may be significantly different. Further, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the data storage unit 251 necessary for storing the search result.

  Next, when searching for a route in step S303, the position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259 respectively determine whether or not the reproduction condition specified in the content data is satisfied (step S304). ). For example, the position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259 determine whether or not the host vehicle has reached the information provision start position specified in the reproduction condition.

  When it is determined that the reproduction condition is satisfied (step S304; YES), the data reproduction unit 253 displays a pop-up, and further displays the route from the information provision start position to the service provider searched in step S303 ( Step S305). Since the route displayed here is a route already searched in step S303, the vehicle-mounted device 200 can display the route without causing the user to wait. That is, since the route to the service provider is searched in advance before the own vehicle reaches the information provision start position, the route can be immediately provided to the user when the information provision start position is reached. Furthermore, it is possible to quickly set the immediately displayed route to the destination or stopover point for route guidance.

  It should be noted that the data storage unit 251 has a route corresponding to the information provision start position of the content data that has been erased from the screen by the data reproduction unit 253 after the time specified in the display time information 316 has elapsed since the start of pop-up display. Search results may be discarded. In addition, the data storage unit 251 may discard the search result corresponding to the information provision start position that has deviated from the searched route as a result of the route re-search.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. The reproduction process of the present embodiment assumes a case where the vehicle-mounted device 200 is not in route guidance by the car navigation system.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the reproduction processing of this embodiment.

  The route search unit 262 starts providing information in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle detected by the self-position detecting unit 254 from the information providing start positions included in all content data stored in the data storage unit 251. The position is searched (step S401).

  Here, the range of “near the current position of the vehicle” is defined as follows, for example.

  (1) In a region surrounded by a circle having a predetermined radius R1 centered on the current position 701 of the host vehicle 702 as shown in FIG.

  (2) As shown in FIG. 17B, the current position 701 is centered, and is surrounded by a rectangle within latitude ± ○ degrees ○ minutes (latitude range L1) and within longitude ± ○ degrees ○ minutes (longitude range L2). In the region. This is mainly used for facilitating the route search for the information provision start position specified by the latitude and longitude.

(3) As shown in FIG. 17C, in a region surrounded by a sector having a left-right angle θ and a radius R2 from the traveling direction V1 of the host vehicle 702 with the current position 701 as the center.
However, when the traveling direction V1 is within a predetermined angle (typically ± 15 degrees) from the north-south direction, as shown in FIG. 17 (d), the distance R3 in the traveling direction V1 and the distance R4 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction V1. In a region surrounded by a rectangle having a distance R5 in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction V1. The same applies when the traveling direction V1 is within a predetermined angle (typically ± 15 degrees) from the east-west direction, as shown in FIG.
Further, when traveling in the other direction, as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the shape and each distance of the range illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 17F may be changed depending on factors such as whether the current position is an urban area or a suburb.

  Next, the route search unit 262 selects an information provision start position to be a target for route search from the information provision start positions searched in step S401 (step S402).

  Here, the route search unit 262 determines that the playback condition is not clearly satisfied based on the provision time information 412 when, for example, the playback condition includes a day of the week and the current date and time are not displayed. For the information provision start position excluding the information provision start position to be searched and the information provision start position that has already been searched, the priority of search is determined, and the search is performed in descending order of priority.

There are the following methods for assigning priorities.
For example, the route search unit 262 increases the priority of the information provision start position located in front of the host vehicle, and lowers the priority of the information provision start position located behind. However, depending on how the above-mentioned “neighboring” range is set, there is a case where there is no object located behind.

  For example, the route search unit 262 increases the priority of the information provision start position close to the current position and decreases the priority of the distant information provision start position.

  For example, when the traveling direction of the own vehicle is defined in the reproduction condition, the route search unit 262 is close to the current traveling direction of the own vehicle (within the first predetermined angle range). The priority of the information provision start position is increased, and the priority of the information provision start position close to the direction opposite to the traveling direction (within the second predetermined angle range) is decreased.

  For example, the route search unit 262 increases the priority of the information provision start position that is located on the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling, and determines the priority of the information provision start position that is located after the branch at an intersection or a branch point. make low.

  For example, the route search unit 262 increases the priority of the information provision start position where the road type is a trunk road, and lowers the priority of the information provision start position of other road types.

  In addition, the route search unit 262 divides the information provision start position having a plurality of reproduction conditions including the traveling direction of the own vehicle according to the conditions and sets the information provision start position as a target of priority evaluation.

  For example, an information provision start position that is on a straight road that is not one-way and has no specified direction of travel can be regarded as two information provision start positions that are substantially 180 degrees opposite in direction of travel. , Priority can be determined for each condition.

  Next, the route search unit 262 searches for a route from the information provision start position selected in step S402 to the service provider, and stores the route in the data storage unit 251 (step S403).

  The position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259 respectively determine whether or not the reproduction condition specified in the content data is satisfied (step S404). For example, the position match determination unit 255, the direction match determination unit 257, and the road type determination unit 259 determine whether or not the host vehicle has reached the information provision start position specified in the reproduction condition.

  If it is determined that the reproduction condition is satisfied (step S404; YES), the data reproduction unit 253 displays a pop-up, and further displays the route from the information provision start position to the service provider searched in step S403 ( Step S405). Since the route displayed here is a route already searched in step S403, the vehicle-mounted device 200 can display the route without causing the user to wait. That is, since the route to the service provider is searched in advance before the own vehicle reaches the information provision start position, the route can be immediately provided to the user when the information provision start position is reached. Furthermore, it is possible to quickly set the immediately displayed route to the destination or stopover point for route guidance.

  Also in this embodiment, the data storage unit 251 provides information on content data that has been erased from the screen by the data playback unit 253 after the time specified in the display time information 316 has elapsed since the start of pop-up display. The route search result corresponding to the start position may be discarded. Although the search result holding period is arbitrary, it is desirable to hold the information provision start position as long as the information provision start position is in the “near the current position of the host vehicle” described above. The data storage unit 251 may discard the search result when the information provision start position deviates from “near the current position of the host vehicle”.

  The storage capacity for holding search results is limited, and new search results cannot be stored unless the search results related to the information provision start position that are still in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle are deleted. In such a case, it is desirable to re-evaluate the priority order including the information provision start position that has already been searched, and to delete the priority order determined to be low. If the storage capacity is sufficient, it may be held until the storage capacity is full. However, popups that have expired will be deleted.

  Further, the data storage unit 251 may define a range wider than “near the current position of the host vehicle” as the search result holding range, and discard the search result when the range is out of the range.

  Among the reproduction processes of the present embodiment, the processes of steps S401 to S403 may be performed repeatedly at predetermined time intervals, or may be performed every time the vehicle-mounted device 200 moves a certain distance. Moreover, you may perform when the advancing direction changes greatly, such as turning an intersection (when the advancing direction changes more than a predetermined angle).

  Each of the above-described embodiments is merely for description, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, a computer program for operating the vehicle-mounted device 200 as all or part of the apparatus is stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, or MO (Magneto Optical Disk). This may be installed in another computer and operated as the vehicle-mounted device 200, or a process performed by the vehicle-mounted device 200 may be executed. Furthermore, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a server device on the Internet, and may be downloaded onto a computer by being superimposed on a carrier wave, for example.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a program suitable for reducing the time required for setting a destination.

It is a figure for demonstrating the whole structure of an information provision system. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a traffic information delivery server. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a roadside radio | wireless apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of onboard equipment. It is a figure for demonstrating the functional structure of onboard equipment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline structure of content data. It is a figure for demonstrating the target point information of content data. It is a figure for demonstrating the real data part of content data. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between onboard equipment and the various apparatuses etc. which were installed by the roadside etc. It is a figure for demonstrating the functional structure of onboard equipment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating reproduction | regeneration processing. (A) And (b) is an example of the screen which the data reproduction part 253 displays on a monitor. It is an example of the screen which the data reproduction part 253 displays on a monitor after re-searching. (A) is an example of the screen which shows the path | route to the destination which the data reproduction part 253 displays on a monitor. (B) is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor by the data reproduction unit 253 when the service provider is set as a transit point. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a reproduction process in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a reproduction process in the third embodiment. (A)-(f) is a figure for demonstrating the definition of the vicinity of the present position of the own vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

100 Roadside Device 101 Wireless Communication Unit 102 Communication Control Unit 103 Storage Device 104 Control Unit 105 ROM
106 RAM
107 System Bus 200 On-board Unit 201 Communication Unit 201a GPS Module 201b DSRC Module 202 Audio Processing Unit 203 Output Unit 204 Operation Unit 205 I / O Device 206 Storage Device 207 Control Unit 208 ROM
209 RAM
210 System bus 225 Sensor group 251 Data acquisition unit 253 Data reproduction unit 254 Self-position detection unit 255 Position match determination unit 256 Travel direction detection unit 257 Direction match determination unit 258 Road type detection unit 259 Road type determination unit 260 Data storage unit 261 Map Storage unit 262 Route search unit 263 Input reception unit 300 Traffic information distribution server 301 Input unit 302 Output unit 303 First communication control unit 304 Second communication control unit 305 Storage device 306 Control unit 307 ROM
308 RAM
401 Provider information 402 Information provider information 403 Target point information 404 Actual data part 405 Priority designation information 411 Target point coordinates 412 Provided time information 413 Detailed reproduction setting information 414 Target point icon information 415 Information provision start information 416 Display time information 421 Display text information 422 Display still image information 423 Display moving image information 424 Playback audio file information 425 Speech TTS file information

Claims (6)

An information providing apparatus that reproduces content data and provides information to a user,
Map storage means for storing map information in advance;
Data acquisition means for acquiring the content data from a distribution device that distributes the content data including location information of a service provider and reproduction information that specifies a position of the information providing device that reproduces the content data;
Position measuring means for measuring the current position of the self,
Map information stored in the map storage means, location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, reproduction information included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, A route search means for searching for a travel route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider,
Data reproducing means for reproducing the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measuring means and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displaying the moving route searched by the route searching means When,
An information providing apparatus comprising: The route search means further calculates the distance that the information providing apparatus moves from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service providing place,
The data reproduction means further displays the distance calculated by the route search means.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1. The route search means further calculates a time required for the information providing apparatus to move from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service providing place,
The data reproduction means further displays the required time calculated by the route search means.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus. It further comprises direction acquisition means for acquiring its own moving direction,
The route search means determines, based on the map information stored in the map storage means, whether or not there is an intersection within a predetermined distance range of the moving direction acquired by the direction acquisition means from the position indicated by the reproduction information. If it is determined that the intersection is present, the vehicle travels straight through the intersection and searches for a travel route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus. An information providing method for reproducing content data and providing information to a user,
The content data includes location information of the service provider, and reproduction information that specifies a position where the content data is reproduced,
A data acquisition step for acquiring the content data;
A position measurement step for measuring the current position of the self;
Based on the map information stored in advance in the memory, the location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired in the data acquisition step, and the reproduction information included in the content data acquired in the data acquisition step A route search step for searching for a movement route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider;
A data reproduction step of reproducing the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measurement step and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displaying the movement route searched in the route search step When,
An information providing method comprising: A computer that reproduces content data and provides information to the user.
Map storage means for storing map information in advance;
Data acquisition means for acquiring the content data from a distribution device that distributes the content data including the location information of the service provider and the reproduction information that specifies the position of the computer that reproduces the content data;
Position measuring means for measuring the current position of the self,
Map information stored in the map storage means, location information of the service provider included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, reproduction information included in the content data acquired by the data acquisition means, A route search means for searching for a movement route from the position indicated by the reproduction information to the service provider,
Data reproduction that reproduces the content data when the distance between the current position measured by the position measurement unit and the position indicated by the reproduction information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and displays the movement route searched by the route search unit means,
A program characterized by functioning as

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