JP2013044628A - System, method, and program for displaying traffic information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display highly accurate traffic information without relying on users' decisions.SOLUTION: A traffic information display system includes: traffic information reception means for receiving first traffic information transmitted by a first transmission source and second traffic information, transmitted by a second transmission source other than the first transmission source, which is more accurate than the first traffic information; event number acquisition means for acquiring the first number of events representing the number of events indicated by the first traffic information, and the second number of events representing the number of events indicated by the second traffic information; display information selection means which selects either the first traffic information or the second traffic information as display information and, when the second traffic information is shown on a display section, continues to select the second traffic information as display information as long as the second number of events is equal to or more than a predetermined lower threshold number even if the second number of events becomes smaller than the first number of events; and display control means for showing the display information superimposed on a map on the display section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information display device, method and program for displaying received traffic information.

A navigation device that receives a plurality of traffic information via a plurality of transmission media is known (see Patent Document 1). The navigation device of Patent Literature 1 displays traffic information received through one transmission medium selected in advance by a user from among a plurality of traffic information. In this way, by displaying the traffic information received through one transmission medium selected by the user from among the plurality of transmission media, a plurality of traffic information received through the plurality of transmission media is displayed simultaneously. Can be prevented, and user confusion can be prevented.
On the other hand, there is known a navigation device that receives traffic information by selecting a frequency (transmission medium) of FM multiplex broadcasting that receives traffic information through FM multiplex broadcasting and that has the largest amount of traffic information data that can be received. (See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-218045 JP 2000-285384 A

However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user to determine a transmission medium on which traffic information suitable for display is transmitted. On the other hand, even if traffic information is received by selecting a transmission medium that can receive the largest amount of traffic information data as disclosed in Patent Document 2, high-accuracy traffic information is broadcast on the transmission medium. Not limited to this, there was a problem that low-accuracy traffic information was displayed. Since the accuracy of traffic information transmitted from the transmission source, which is the main entity that transmits traffic information via the transmission media, is originally different, the traffic information received via the transmission media that necessarily maximizes the amount of traffic information that can be received This is because the accuracy of is not necessarily the highest.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for displaying highly accurate traffic information without a user's judgment.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the traffic information receiving means is more than the first traffic information transmitted by the first transmission source and the first traffic information transmitted by a second transmission source different from the first transmission source. High-accuracy second traffic information is received. The event number acquiring means acquires a first event number that is the number of events indicated by the first traffic information and a second event number that is the number of events indicated by the second traffic information. The display information selecting means is configured such that the second event number is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit number even when the second event number is smaller than the first event number in a state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit. If it is, the second traffic information is continuously selected as display information. The display control means superimposes the display information on the map and displays it on the display unit.

  Here, when the number of second events is less than the number of first events, it is possible to display the first traffic information as display information on the display unit rather than selecting the second traffic information as display information. The amount of traffic information increases. However, if the display information is switched from the second traffic information to the first traffic information in a state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit, the accuracy of the display information displayed on the display unit decreases. Therefore, in the state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit, even if the second event number is smaller than the first event number, the second event number is not less than the predetermined lower limit number. 2. Display traffic information continuously. In this way, even when the amount of traffic information that can be displayed on the display unit is larger when the first traffic information is selected as display information, the second traffic information is displayed with high accuracy by continuously displaying the second traffic information. Decrease in accuracy of display information displayed on can be prevented. Further, the user does not have to determine which of the first traffic information and the second traffic information is displayed.

Hereinafter, the first transmission source and the second transmission source are collectively referred to as the transmission source, the first traffic information and the second traffic information are collectively referred to as the traffic information, and the first event number and the second event number are referred to as the event number. In some cases, they are collectively referred to.
The fact that the first transmission source is different from the second transmission source means that the traffic information transmission subject is different. For example, information source (measuring equipment) for generating and transmitting traffic information, information collection amount, information collection frequency, information transmission frequency, information transmission medium (carrier, encoding method, decoding method, modulation method, demodulation method, etc. ), At least one of the transmission devices and the like may be different between the first transmission source and the second transmission source. An event corresponds to an event in an actual traffic situation and forms a comprehensive unit of information indicating the content of the event. That is, an event is set as a comprehensive unit of information indicating the content of an event in the traffic situation (attribute, position, direction, range, etc. of the event).

  The number-of-events acquisition means only needs to acquire the number of events indicated by the traffic information as the number of events. For example, the number-of-events is acquired based on the amount of information indicating the content of the event by acquiring information indicating the content of the event from the traffic information. May be obtained. Further, the event number acquisition means may acquire the number of events indicated by the table of contents information described in a predetermined part (for example, a header) of the traffic information as the number of events. In addition, the data structure may differ between 1st traffic information and 2nd traffic information, and the acquisition method of the 1st event number and the 2nd event number may mutually differ.

  The display information selection means only needs to continuously display the second traffic information as long as the second event number is equal to or greater than the predetermined lower limit number, and the lower limit number of the second event number can display the second traffic information. It is desirable to use the lower limit of the range. For example, if the second traffic number can be displayed if the second event number is 1 or more, the lower limit number of the second event number may be 1. “The display of the second traffic information is possible” may indicate that the display of the second traffic information is technically possible, or in a predetermined display mode (for example, a display mode that does not cause the user to feel uncomfortable). It may indicate that the second traffic information can be displayed. The display control means only has to superimpose the display information on the map and display it on the display unit. Specifically, the display control means images information indicating the contents of the event included in the first traffic information or the second traffic information as the display information. The event image may be superimposed on the map. Since either the event image based on the first traffic information or the event image based on the second traffic information is displayed on the map, the event image based on the traffic information transmitted from different senders is displayed on the map at the same time. It is possible to prevent user confusion caused by being performed.

  Here, the high accuracy of the traffic information may mean that the event content indicated by the traffic information has a high probability of matching the actual traffic situation (the content accuracy is high). Also, the high accuracy of the traffic information means that the time when the traffic information indicating the event corresponding to the event is received with respect to the event occurrence time in the actual traffic situation (or the event occurrence time associated with the event) ) May have a small delay (high time accuracy). Furthermore, the high accuracy of the traffic information may mean that the level of detail of the event content indicated by the traffic information is high. The accuracy of traffic information largely depends on the transmission source that transmits the traffic information. For example, the accuracy of the content of the traffic information transmitted by the transmission source becomes higher as the measuring device serving as the information source is a transmission source with higher accuracy or a transmission source with a larger amount of information collected from the information source. In addition, the shorter the information update cycle is, the higher the time accuracy of the traffic information transmitted by the transmission source is. Furthermore, the higher the reliability of the transmission medium or transmission method used by the transmission source for transmission of traffic information, the higher the content accuracy of the traffic information.

  On the other hand, in the state where the first traffic information is displayed on the display unit, when the second event number becomes equal to or greater than the first event number, the display information is switched from the first traffic information to the second traffic information. However, the accuracy of the display information displayed on the display unit does not decrease. Therefore, the display information selection means selects the second traffic information as the display information when the second traffic number is equal to or greater than the first event number in the state where the first traffic information is displayed on the display unit. It is desirable to increase the amount of information that can be presented to the user. In addition, when the second event number is equal to or greater than the first event number, the same number as the second event number and the first event number is included. Even in this case, it is possible to preferentially select the second traffic information with high accuracy as display information.

  Here, in the state where the first traffic information is displayed on the display unit, the display information selection means is configured such that the second event number is not increased even if the second event number increases from a state lower than the lower limit number to a lower limit number or more. The display information is not switched from the first traffic information to the second traffic information as long as it is less than or equal to the first event number. Therefore, even if the second event number fluctuates by a value close to the lower limit number, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by frequently switching display information. In addition, the display information selection unit is configured so that the second event number is not less than the first event number and the second event number is not less than the lower limit number when the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit. The display information is not switched from the second traffic information to the first traffic information. Therefore, even if the first event number and the second event number fluctuate in a balanced state, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by frequently switching display information.

  The event number acquisition means may acquire the first event number and the second event number for the same type of events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information. Thereby, the information collection status at the transmission source, the reception status of traffic information, and the like can be evaluated fairly based on the first event number and the second event number. The same event type may mean that the event attributes, time range, regional range, and the like are the same. For example, when the event number acquisition means counts the number of events in the temporal range having different lengths between the first event number and the second event number, it is related to the information collection status at the transmission source, the traffic information reception status, and the like. However, the number of events in the longer time range tends to increase. On the other hand, if the time ranges of the events counted by the first event number and the second event number are the same, the information collection status, traffic information reception status, and the like at the transmission source can be evaluated fairly.

  For example, the event number acquisition means may acquire a first event number and a second event number for an event related to the current road condition among events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information. The number of events may change according to changes in the information collection status and traffic information reception status, etc. at the sender, but depending on the number of events corresponding to the current event, the latest information collection status and traffic information at the sender Display information can be selected based on the number of events reflecting the latest reception status. The event related to the current road condition may be an event indicated by traffic information received at a time closest to the current time. Further, the event relating to the current road condition may be an event indicated by traffic information received from a predetermined time in the past to the present, or an event corresponding to an event that has occurred from a predetermined time in the past to the present. May be.

  Further, the event number acquisition means is a first event for an event in an area (for example, a country, a province, a state, a prefecture, etc.) where the traffic information receiving means is located among the events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information. The number and the second event number may be acquired. Here, when the traffic information receiving means is present near the boundary of the area together with the user, not only the traffic information indicating the event in the area where the traffic information receiving means is located, but also the area where the traffic information receiving means is not located. Traffic information indicative of events within may also be received. In addition, an event in an area where the traffic information receiving unit is not located may not be an event that provides useful information for the user. For example, information about an event in a neighboring country may not be useful for a user who lives near the border but whose living sphere remains in the country. Therefore, by acquiring the number of events for only the event in the area where the traffic information receiving means is located, the display information can be selected based on the number of events that are beneficial to the user. In addition, even when the maintenance progress degrees of the first transmission source and the second transmission source differ depending on the area, the number of first events reflecting the maintenance progress degrees of the first transmission source and the second transmission source in each area And display information can be selected based on the second event number.

  The traffic information receiving means may receive first traffic information conforming to the RDS (Radio Data System) standard and second traffic information conforming to the TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group) standard. The first transmission source and the second transmission source are not limited to RDS and TPEG, and may be other traffic information transmission systems. For example, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System (registered trademark of the Road Traffic Information Communication System Center)) may be used, and traffic information obtained by analyzing probe information transmitted from the vehicle is transmitted to the vehicle. It may be a traffic information transmission system for transmission.

  Furthermore, the method of selecting and displaying traffic information as in the present invention can also be applied as a program or method. In addition, the traffic information display system, program, and method as described above may be realized as a single traffic information display device or may be realized by using parts shared with each part of the vehicle. Various embodiments are included. That is, each means constituting the traffic information display system may be distributed and provided in a plurality of substantial devices. When each means is distributed and provided in a plurality of substantive devices, a communication means for transmitting and receiving data necessary to make each means function may be provided. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a navigation device, method, and program that include at least a part of the traffic information display system as described above. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program for controlling the traffic information display system. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

It is a block diagram of a navigation system. It is a flowchart of a traffic information display process. (3A) is a diagram showing a display example, and (3B) is a timing chart showing switching timing of display information. It is a block diagram which shows the transmission source concerning other embodiment.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Outline of sender:
(2) Configuration of navigation system:
(3) Traffic information display processing:
(4) Other embodiments:

(1) Outline of sender:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a traffic information distribution system 1 including a navigation system 10 as a traffic information display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The traffic information distribution system 1 includes a navigation system 10 mounted on a vehicle C, and a first transmission source P1 and a second transmission source P2. The first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2 generate the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2, respectively, and the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 respectively to the navigation system 10. Send. Although not shown in figure, the 1st transmission source P1 and the 2nd transmission source P2 transmit the 1st traffic information D1 and the 2nd traffic information D2 with respect to many navigation systems 10, respectively.

(1-1) Overview of the first transmission source:
In the present embodiment, the first transmission source P1 is an RDS (Radio Data System) established in accordance with a standard established in 1984. The first transmission source P1 is communicably connected to the information source, and collects information for generating the first traffic information D1 from the information source. The information source includes a measuring device that measures the traffic volume of the vehicle on the road, the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the like. Information sources include servers that manage road management information (construction information, traffic control information, etc.) at road management agencies, servers that manage weather information at weather observation agencies, and police agencies and fire fighting agencies. Server for managing emergency information. Further, the information source may include a vehicle traveling on a road. That is, the 1st transmission origin P1 may receive the probe information which shows the vehicle speed, a position, etc. of a vehicle from a vehicle. The first sender P1 is maintained in each of a plurality of countries, but as a general rule, the first sender P1 of each country independently collects information on events occurring in the country from information sources and collects the relevant information. The first traffic information D1 based on the information is transmitted from an antenna installed in the country. Moreover, the maintenance progress degree of the equipment and apparatus which comprise the 1st transmission source P1 changes for every country.

  The first transmission source P1 generates and transmits the first traffic information D1 for each information update period by performing statistics collected from each information source for each predetermined information update period. That is, the 1st transmission source P1 produces | generates the newest 1st traffic information D1 by statistically collecting the information collected between the last information update time and this information update time. The first traffic information D1 is generated according to the RDS-TMC (Traffic Message Channel) standard. However, even if it is information collected between the previous information update time and the current information update time, it is not subject to statistics if the information acquisition time at the information source is past a predetermined period from the present. And

  The 1st transmission origin P1 produces | generates the 1st traffic information D1 which stored the information which shows the content of the event for every event. The first traffic information D1 conforming to the RDS-TMC standard is fixed-length data including an error detection code for error detection by CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check). The first transmission source P1 stores event attribute information, position information, direction information, range information, and the like as information indicating the content of the event in the first transmission source P1.

  The attribute information of the event is information indicating whether the event corresponds to an event “congestion”, “construction”, “accident”, or “weather” in an actual traffic situation based on an actual measurement value. The event position information is information indicating a position on the road where an event corresponding to the event has occurred. The event direction information is information indicating the direction of the lane of the road where the event corresponding to the event has occurred. For example, when an event occurs on a road connected to point A, the event occurred in a lane in which a vehicle approaching point A travels or in a lane in which a vehicle away from point A travels Is stored in the first traffic information D1. The event range information is information indicating to which range the event that occurred at a certain position has spread. The first transmission source P1 generates one first traffic information D1 for each event corresponding to a single phenomenon.

  When the first transmission source P1 generates the latest first traffic information D1 for each information update cycle, the first transmission information D1 is obtained by performing FM (Frequency Modulation) modulation on the first traffic information D1. A single carrier having a predetermined frequency (87.5 to 108 MHz) is carried and transmitted (broadcasted). FM modulation means that a change in frequency according to the first traffic information D1 is given to the carrier.

(1-2) Outline of the second transmission source:
In the present embodiment, the second transmission source P2 is a TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group) established in 1998. The progress of maintenance of equipment and devices constituting the second transmission source P2 varies from country to country. Further, the relative relationship between the maintenance progress of the first transmission source P1 and the maintenance progress of the second transmission source P2 also varies from country to country. The second transmission source P2 generates and transmits the second traffic information D2 according to the TPEG standard. The second transmission source P2 is communicably connected to the information source, and collects information for generating the second traffic information D2 from the information source. The type of the information source of the second transmission source P2 is the same as the type of the information source of the first transmission source P1, but the information source of the TPEG is later developed than the information source of the RDS. The measuring instrument is highly accurate. Therefore, TPEG-TEC has higher information content accuracy than the first traffic information D1. However, some information sources may be shared by the first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2. The second sender P2 is maintained in each of a plurality of countries. As a general rule, the second sender P2 in each country independently collects information on events occurring in the country from information sources and collects the relevant information. The second traffic information D2 based on the information is transmitted from an antenna installed in the country.

  Similar to the first transmission source P1, the second transmission source P2 generates second traffic information D2 that stores information indicating the contents of the event. The second traffic information D2 has a header part and a service data part. A header part is data which prescribes | regulates the data length etc. of 2nd traffic information D2. The service data part is data in which a plurality of TPEG-Messages storing information indicating the contents of the event for each event. Accordingly, a plurality of TPEG-Messages are stored in the single second traffic information D2, and the single second traffic information D2 may indicate a plurality of events. TPEG-Message is data described in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) system and has a variable length. Furthermore, TPEG-Message has a management part and an event information storage part. The management unit stores information indicating the generation time, validity period, importance, and the like of the information stored in the event information storage unit. The event information storage unit stores information indicating the contents of the event.

  In the event information storage unit of TPEG-Message, information declaring the attribute of the event indicated by the information stored in TPEG-Message is stored. As attributes of events indicated by information stored in TPEG-Message, RTM (Road Traffic Messages), PTI (Public Transport Information), TEC (Traffic Event Compact), PKI (Parking Information), TFP (Traffic Flow and Prediction), etc. Is mentioned. The TPEG-Message (hereinafter referred to as TPEG-TEC) in which TEC is declared as an event attribute is similar to the first traffic information D1, and the events “congestion”, “construction”, “accident”, “ This is information indicating the content of an event with an attribute corresponding to “weather”. TPEG-TFP also represents an event corresponding to the event “traffic jam” in the traffic situation, but not an event based on the actual traffic situation based on the actual measurement value, but an event based on the predicted traffic situation. Therefore, the attribute for the event “traffic jam” indicated by TPEG-TEC and the event for the event “traffic jam” indicated by TPEG-TFP are not the same.

  The TPEG-TEC event information storage unit stores information declaring event attributes, and stores event position information, direction information, range information, and the like, similar to the first traffic information D1. Therefore, it can be said that the TPEG-TEC and the traffic information D1 of the second traffic information D2 are data storing information indicating the same contents for events having the same attribute. However, since TPEG-TEC is described in the XML format and the data length is variable, the second transmission source P2 can make the information indicating the contents of the event more detailed than the first traffic information D1. That is, by adding an XML tag, for example, information indicating the degree of traffic jam or the cause of traffic jam can be stored in the TPEG-TEC. Therefore, TPEG-TEC can be more detailed in information than the first traffic information D1 that is fixed-length data, and TPEG-TEC has higher information accuracy than the first traffic information D1. can do.

  The second transmission source P2 generates information indicating the contents of the event by performing statistics collected from each information source for each predetermined information update period, and stores the information in the event information storage unit of the TPEG-TEC. That is, the second transmission source P2 generates the latest TPEG-TEC for each event by statistics of information collected from the previous information update time to the current information update time. However, even if it is information collected between the previous information update time and the current information update time, it is not subject to statistics if the information acquisition time at the information source is past a predetermined period from the present. And Here, since the second transmission source P2, which has been maintained later, has a larger amount of information and a higher information processing capability than the first transmission source P2, the second transmission source P2 has the first traffic information D1. The TPEG-TEC information update cycle is shortened. Therefore, TPEG-TEC has higher information time accuracy than the first traffic information D1.

  When the second transmission source P2 generates the TPEG-Message including the TPEG-TEC, the second transmission source P2 generates a service data part by connecting a plurality of TPEG-Messages, and encrypts the service data part using the encryption key data. . The second transmission source P2 generates the second traffic information D2 by attaching a header part to the encrypted service data part. Therefore, the second traffic information D2 has higher security than the first traffic information D1. The possibility that the TPEG-TEC that performs encryption is falsified is lower than the possibility that the first traffic information D1 that is not encrypted is falsified, and the information of the TPEG-TEC is more information than the first traffic information D1. High content accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the second transmission source P2 transmits the second transmission source P2 by DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting). The second transmission source P2 encodes the second traffic information D2 while adding an error correction code. Then, the second transmission source P2 performs OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation on the encoded second traffic information D2, thereby transmitting the second traffic information D2 to a plurality of carriers (broadcasting). ) Accordingly, the second transmission source P2 can transmit a large amount of the second traffic information D2 at a higher speed than the first transmission source P1. Since the TPEG standard does not particularly define communication means, the second traffic information D2 is a communication method other than DAB (GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), the Internet, etc.). ). As described above, since TPEG-TEC is transmitted by a medium capable of transmitting a large amount of data at a higher speed than the first traffic information D1, TPEG-TEC has more detailed information than the first traffic information D1. While being able to make high, the time accuracy of information can be made higher in TPEG-TEC than in the first traffic information D1.

(2) Configuration of navigation system:
The navigation system 10 is mounted on the vehicle C. The vehicle C includes a GPS receiving unit 41, a user I / F unit 42, a first receiving unit 43a, and a second receiving unit 43b. The GPS receiving unit 41, the user I / F unit 42, the first receiving unit 43a, and the second receiving unit 43b are provided with an interface (not shown) for inputting / outputting various signals to / from the navigation system 10. . The GPS receiver 41 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs a signal for calculating the current position of the vehicle C to the navigation system 10. The user I / F unit 42 includes an output device (display (display unit), speaker, etc.) that outputs an image or sound based on a control signal output from the navigation system 10. Further, the user I / F unit 42 includes an input device (touch sensor, button, etc.) for receiving a user operation, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation received by the input device to the navigation system 10.

  The first receiver 43a and the second receiver 43b are hardware for receiving the first traffic information D1 transmitted by the first transmission source P1 and the second traffic information D2 transmitted by the second transmission source P2, respectively. Including wear. The first receiver 43a receives the carrier carrying the first traffic information D1, and restores the first traffic information D1 by performing FM demodulation and D / A conversion. The first receiving unit 43a performs CRC using the error detection code included in the first traffic information D1, and discards the first traffic information D1 in which an error is detected. The second reception unit 43b receives the plurality of carriers carrying the second traffic information D2, and restores the second traffic information D2 by sequentially performing ODFM demodulation and decoding (error correction). Furthermore, the second receiving unit 43b releases the encryption of the service data part of the second traffic information D2. The recording medium 12 records the encryption key data used by the second transmission source P2 for encrypting the service data part of the second traffic information D2, and the second reception unit 43b uses the encryption key data. Decrypt the service data part of the second traffic information D2.

  The navigation system 10 includes a control unit 11 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like and a recording medium 12, and the control unit 11 executes a program stored in the recording medium 12 and the ROM. The recording medium 12 records map information 12a, first traffic information D1, and second traffic information D2. The map information 12a includes node data indicating the position of a node set on the road on which the vehicle travels, shape interpolation point data for specifying the shape of the road between the nodes, link data indicating the connection between the nodes, And border data indicating the position and shape of the border.

The control unit 11 executes a navigation program 100 as a traffic information display program. The navigation program 100 includes a traffic information reception unit 110, an event number acquisition unit 120, a display information selection unit 130, and a display control unit 140.
The traffic information receiving unit 110 has second traffic information with higher accuracy than the first traffic information D1 transmitted by the first transmission source P1 and the first traffic information D1 transmitted by the second transmission source P2 different from the first transmission source. This is a module for causing the control unit 11 to execute a function of receiving D2. That is, by the function of the traffic information receiving unit 110, the control unit 11 receives the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 by cooperating with the first receiving unit 43a and the second receiving unit 43b, Restore. The control unit 11 records the restored first traffic information D1 and second traffic information D2 on a recording medium.

  The event number acquisition unit 120 controls a function of acquiring a first event number N1 that is the number of events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and a second event number N2 that is the number of events indicated by the second traffic information D2. This module is executed by the unit 11. As described above, since the first traffic information D1 is generated for each event and the TPEG-Message of the second traffic information D2 is generated for each event, the control unit 11 determines the number of events for each first traffic information D1. The number of events for each TPEG-Message may be acquired as the first event number N1 and the second event number N2, respectively. By the function of the event number acquisition unit 120, the control unit 11 causes the first event number N1 and the second event number for the same type of event related to road conditions among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2. And get. The same type of event refers to an event having the same attribute, temporal range, and regional range. As described above, the first traffic information D1 and the TPEG-TEC which is a kind of TPEG-Message of the second traffic information D2 are both events “traffic jam”, “construction”, “accident”, “ This is information indicating the content of an event having an attribute corresponding to “weather”, and is information relating to an event having the same attribute.

  Therefore, the control unit 11 extracts an event having the same temporal range and regional range from the event indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the event indicated by the TPEG-TEC of the second traffic information D2, The number of extracted events is acquired as the first event number N1 and the second event number, respectively. The control unit 11 extracts the current event from the events indicated by the TPEG-TEC of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 as events in the same time range. Here, the current event is an event indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the TPEG-TEC of the second traffic information D2 received from the past predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes before) to the present. On the other hand, the control unit 11 includes position information indicating the domestic position where the vehicle C is located among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the TPEG-TEC of the second traffic information D2 as events in the same regional range. Extract the associated event. Whether or not the position indicated by the position information of the event is in the country can be specified based on the border data of the map information 12a. When a plurality of events indicated by the first traffic information D1 received at a plurality of times correspond to the same event, the first event number N1 may be counted as a single event. Similarly, when a plurality of events indicated by the TPEG-TEC of the second traffic information D2 received at a plurality of times correspond to the same event, the second event number N2 is counted as a single event. Also good.

  And the control part 11 each extracted the event of the mutually same time range and the same regional range from the event which TPEG-TEC of 1st traffic information D1 and 2nd traffic information D2 shows, and extracted The number of events is acquired as the first event number N1 and the second event number, respectively. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 causes the user I / F unit 42 to display a map centered on the current position of the vehicle C based on the map information 12a by the function of the display control unit 140. Therefore, the domestic event including the position on the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42 matches the domestic event where the vehicle C is located.

The display information selection unit 130 selects either the first traffic information D1 or the second traffic information D2 as display information, and the second traffic information D2 is displayed in the user I / F unit 42 in the state where the second traffic information D2 is displayed. The function of continuing to select the second traffic information D2 as display information when the second event number N2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined lower limit number even when the two event number N2 is smaller than the first event number N1. Is a module that causes the control unit 11 to execute In the present embodiment, the lower limit number is a lower limit number in a range where the display of the second traffic information D2 is technically possible, and is 1. However, the lower limit number of the second event number N2 may not be 1, and may be, for example, the lower limit number in a range in which the second traffic information D2 can be displayed to the extent that the user does not feel uncomfortable.
On the other hand, by the function of the display information selection unit 130, the control unit 11 causes the second event number N2 to be equal to or greater than the first event number N1 in a state where the first traffic information D1 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42. In this case, the display information is switched from the first traffic information D1 to the second traffic information D2.

  The display control unit 140 is a module that causes the control unit 11 to execute a function of superimposing display information on a map and displaying the information on the user I / F unit 42. That is, since one of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information by the function of the display information selection unit 130, the selected display information is sent to the user I / F unit 42. Display. When the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information, the control unit 11 generates an event image based on the content of the event indicated by the first traffic information D1, and superimposes the event image on the map. On the other hand, when the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information, the control unit 11 generates an event image based on the content of the event indicated by TPEG-TEC in the second traffic information D2, and maps the event image to the map. Superimpose on top. Based on the function of the display control unit 140, the control unit 11 generates a map image showing a map including the current position of the vehicle C based on the map information 12a, superimposes the event image on the map image, and the user I / F unit Output to 42. Note that, by the function of the display information selection unit 130, the control unit 11 superimposes only the event image based on TPEG-TEC among the TPEG-Message included in the second traffic information D2 on the map, and TPEG-Message other than TPEG-TEC. The event image based on is not displayed.

  As described above, the control unit 11 selects either the first traffic information D1 or the second traffic information D2 as display information based on the first event number N1 and the second event number N2. The user does not have to select traffic information D suitable for display. In addition, the control unit 11 receives the second traffic information D2 with higher accuracy than the first traffic information D1, and in the state where the second traffic information D2 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42, the second event Even when the number N2 is smaller than the first event number N1, if the second event number is 1 or more, the second traffic information is continuously selected as display information. Thus, in the state where the second traffic information D2 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42, the display information is switched from the second traffic information D2 to the first traffic information D1, thereby allowing the user I / F unit 42 to The accuracy of the displayed display information is lowered, and the user can be prevented from being confused.

  On the other hand, in the state where the first traffic information D1 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42, when the second event number N2 is equal to or greater than the first event number N1, the first traffic information D1 to the second traffic Even if the display information is switched to the information D2, the accuracy of the display information displayed on the user I / F unit 42 is not lowered. Accordingly, when the second event number N2 is equal to or greater than the first event number N1, the control unit 11 selects the first traffic information D1 as display information and displays the amount of information displayed on the user I / F unit 42. Do more.

  In the state in which the first traffic information D1 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42, the control unit 11 does not change the second event number N2 even if the second event number N2 increases from 0 to one or more. The display information is not switched from the first traffic information D1 to the second traffic information D2 as long as the first event number N1 or less. Therefore, even if the second event number N2 fluctuates from 0 to 1 or more, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by frequently switching display information. In addition, the control unit 11 is configured such that, in the state where the second traffic information D2 is displayed on the user I / F unit 42, even if the second event number N2 is equal to or less than the first event number N1, the second event number N2 is As long as the number is one or more, the display information is not switched from the second traffic information D2 to the first traffic information D1. Therefore, even if the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 fluctuate in a balanced state, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by frequently switching display information.

  The control unit 11 acquires the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 for the same type of events among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2. As a result, the information collection status and traffic information reception status at the transmission source P (P1, P2) can be evaluated fairly based on the number of events N (N1, N2). Moreover, since the control part 11 acquires 1st event number N1 and 2nd event number N2 about the event regarding the present road condition among the events which 1st traffic information D1 and 2nd traffic information D2 show, it transmits Display information can be selected based on the number of events N reflecting the latest information collection status, the latest reception status of traffic information, and the like at the source P.

  Here, when the vehicle C exists near the border with the user, not only the traffic information D indicating the domestic event where the vehicle C is located but also the traffic information D indicating the domestic event where the vehicle C is not located. Can be received. This is because the carrier of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 can pass through the border. Therefore, the control unit 11 can select display information based on the number N of events beneficial to the user by acquiring the number N of events for only the domestic event in which the vehicle C is located. Further, even when the maintenance progress degrees of the first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2 are different depending on the country, the maintenance progress degrees of the first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2 in each country are reflected. Display information can be selected based on the number of events N1 and the number of second events N2. Further, the control unit 11 includes the first event number N1 for domestic events including the position on the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42 among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2. And the second event number N2. Thereby, display information can be selected based on the number of events corresponding to the amount of information superimposed on the map by the user I / F unit 42.

(3) Traffic information display processing:
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of traffic information display processing executed by the navigation system 10. In step S100, the control unit 11 acquires the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 for the same type of events. That is, the control unit 11 sets the first number of events associated with the position information indicating the domestic position where the vehicle C is present among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 received from the past predetermined time to the present. Acquired as the number of events N1. In addition, the control unit 11 is associated with position information indicating a position in the country where the vehicle C exists in the event indicated by the TPEG-TEC in the second traffic information D1 received from the past predetermined time to the present. The number of events is acquired as the second event number N2.

  Here, before executing the traffic information display process, for example, the control unit 11 displays a predetermined setting screen on the user I / F unit 42 to display the first traffic information D1 fixedly, The selection of whether to switch the display of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 automatically (Auto) is received from the user, and a flag indicating the content of the selection is recorded in the recording medium 12. In step S110, the control unit 11 determines whether the content selected by the user is fixed to the first traffic information D1 or automatic (Auto). Here, when the selection content by the user is fixed to the first traffic information D1, the control unit 11 executes a fixed display process (S210) of the first traffic information D1. In the fixed display process, regardless of the first event number N1 and the second event number N2, the first traffic information D1 is superimposed on the map by the user I / F unit 42 and displayed.

  FIG. 3A shows an image displayed on the user I / F unit 42. 3A shows a map, and a solid line in the map shows a road. 3A is an event image that schematically shows the contents of the event (corresponding to the event “traffic jam”) indicated by the first traffic information D1. The broken line arrow shown in the lower part of FIG. 3A is an event image that schematically shows the content of the event (corresponding to the event “congestion”) indicated by the second traffic information D2. One arrow corresponds to one event (event “traffic jam”). In addition, the control unit 11 determines the position and direction of the arrow indicated by the event image based on the event position information, the direction information, and the range information indicated by the TPEG-TEC of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2. And determine the length. In the fixed display process, an event image based on the first traffic information D1 is displayed superimposed on the map as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 3A.

  If it is determined in step S110 that the user's selection is automatic, the control unit 11 executes step S120. In step S120, the control unit 11 indicates that the display information currently selected by the function of the display information selection unit 130 is the first traffic information D1 or none (first traffic information D1 and second traffic information D2). And both are not selected). The currently selected display information means information that is currently displayed superimposed on the map by the user I / F unit 42.

  In step S120, when it is determined that the currently selected display information is the first traffic information D1 or none, the control unit 11 executes step S130. In step S130, the control unit 11 determines whether or not both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are zero. When both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are 0, the control unit 11 executes Step S140. In step S140, the control unit 11 does not select both the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 as display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until a predetermined execution cycle (for example, 5 minutes) elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S130 that both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are not 0, the control unit 11 executes step S160. In step S160, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the second event number N2 is greater than or equal to the first event number N1. If the second event number N2 is greater than or equal to the first event number N1, the control unit 11 selects the second traffic information D2 as display information in step S170. That is, in a state where the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information, and in a state where neither the first traffic information D1 nor the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information, the second event number N2 is When the number of first events is N1 or more, the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until the execution cycle elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S160 that the second event number N2 is greater than or equal to the first event number N1, the control unit 11 selects the first traffic information D1 as display information in step S180. That is, in a state where the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information, and in a state where neither the first traffic information D1 nor the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information, the second event number N2 is When it is smaller than the first event number N1, the first traffic information D1 is continuously selected as display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until the execution cycle elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S120 that the currently selected display information is the first traffic information D1 or none, the control unit 11 executes step S190. Note that the case where it is determined that the currently selected display information is the first traffic information D1 or none means that the currently selected display information is the second traffic information D2. To do. In step S190, the control unit 11 determines whether or not both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are zero. When both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are 0, the control unit 11 executes Step S140. In step S140, the control unit 11 does not select both the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 as display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until the execution cycle elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S190 that both the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are not 0, the control unit 11 executes step S200. In step S200, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the second event number N2 is 1 or more. When the second event number N2 is 1 or more, in step S170, the control unit 11 selects the second traffic information D2 as display information. That is, in the state where the second traffic information D2 is selected as the display information, when the second event number N2 is 1 or more, the second traffic information D2 is continuously selected as the display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until the execution cycle elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S200 that the second event number N2 is 1 or more, the control unit 11 selects the first traffic information D1 as display information in step S180. That is, in a state where the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information, when the second event number N2 becomes 0, the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information. In the next step S150, the control unit 11 waits until the execution cycle elapses, and returns to step S100 when the execution cycle elapses.

  An operation example of the traffic information display process described above will be described. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the relationship between the first event number N1, the second event number N2, and the selected display information. The vertical axis in the figure indicates the first event number N1 and the second event number N2, and the horizontal axis indicates time. First, it is assumed that the navigation system 10 is powered on at the time of the origin. The first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are both in a period T0 immediately after the navigation system 10 is turned on until reception of at least one of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 is started. Both are 0, and neither the first traffic information D1 nor the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information (S130, S140).

  When reception of at least one of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 is started at the end of the period T0, the one with the larger event number N among the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 Selection is made as display information (S130, S160, S170, S180). When the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are the same number, the second traffic information D2 is given priority as display information. In the example of FIG. 3B, at the end of the period T0, the second event number N2 is larger than the first event number N1, and the period T1 in which the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information starts.

  In a state where the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information in the period T1, when the second event number N2 is 1 or more, the second traffic information D2 is continuously selected as display information (S200, S170). Then, when the first event number N1 is not zero and the second event number N2 is zero, the display information is switched from the second traffic information D2 to the first traffic information D1 (S200, S180). ). That is, at the timing when the second event number N2 becomes zero, the period T1 in which the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information ends, and the period T2 in which the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information starts. To do. As shown in FIG. 3A, even if the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are 221 and 53, respectively, and the first event number N1 is larger than the second event number N2, the period T1 As long as the number of second events N2 is not 0, an event image based on the TPEG-TEC of the second traffic information D2 (broken arrow in the lower diagram of FIG. 3A) is displayed superimposed on the map. For example, when the vehicle C (traveling direction is on the right side of the page) is going to turn right at the next intersection in the period T1, the event image indicating the event “traffic jam” about the road to the right turn is the TPEG of the second traffic information D2. -Switching from an event image based on TEC (dashed line arrow in the lower diagram of FIG. 3A) to an event image based on the first traffic information D1 having a lower accuracy than the second traffic information D2 (dashed line arrow in the upper diagram of FIG. 3A) Can be prevented. Thereby, the misrecognition that the traffic congestion on the road after a right turn is milder than the reality can be prevented.

  In a state in which the first traffic information D1 is selected as display information in the period T2, the display information having the larger number of events among the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 is displayed as in the above-described period T0. (S130, S160, S170, S180). When the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 are the same number, the second traffic information D2 is given priority as display information. In the example of FIG. 3B, at the end of the period T2, the second event number N2 is the same as the first event number N1, and the period T3 in which the second traffic information D2 is selected as display information starts.

(4) Other embodiments:
With the function of the event number acquisition unit 120, the control unit 11 may acquire the number of events indicated by the traffic information D as the event number N, and the table of contents information described in a predetermined location (for example, a header) of the traffic information D is stored. The number N of events to be shown may be acquired. Further, the function of the event number acquisition unit 120 causes the control unit 11 to perform the first event number N1 and the second event number N2 for events in all areas among the events indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2. And may be acquired. For example, when the user arbitrarily scrolls the map, the position of the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42 may be a position unrelated to the position of the vehicle C provided with the traffic information receiving means. It is done. In such a case, the first event number N1 for the event of the event in the area including the position of the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42, not in the area where the vehicle C provided with the traffic information receiving means is located. And the second event number N2 may be acquired. Further, when the traffic information receiving means is provided in a server other than the vehicle C, the area where the traffic information receiving means is located does not match the area including the position on the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42. Can occur. Even in such a case, the first event number for the event of the event in the area including the position of the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42, not in the area where the server having the traffic information receiving unit is located. What is necessary is just to acquire N1 and the 2nd event number N2.

  Further, the function of the event number acquisition unit 120 causes the control unit 11 to count the number of events for events in a range corresponding to the map displayed on the user I / F unit 42 instead of the number N of events for events in a predetermined area. N may be acquired. Thereby, display information can be selected based on the amount of information of traffic information D actually displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first transmission source P1 and a second transmission source P2 according to another embodiment. In the figure, a first transmission source P1 generates first traffic information D1 based on VICS information VD generated based on information from an information source, and transmits the first traffic information D1 by FM broadcasting. On the other hand, the second transmission source P2 acquires the VICS information VD generated by the first transmission source P1, and generates the second traffic information D2 including the TPEG-TEC storing the VICS information VD. In TPEG-TEC, event location information (location information specified by the VICS link) in the VICS information VD can be stored. Further, the second transmission source P2 transmits the second traffic information D2 using DAB or the like, for example, similarly to the TPEG of the embodiment.

  In the above configuration, the event indicated by the first traffic information D1 and the TPEG-TEC included in the second traffic information D2 are both events indicated by the VICS information VD, and are of the same type. The configuration of the navigation system 10 is the same as that in the above embodiment. That is, the navigation system 10 performs the same processing as that of the above embodiment on the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 transmitted by the first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2 described above. Thus, even when the information source is common between the first transmission source P1 and the second transmission source P2, the reception status of the first traffic information D1 and the second traffic information D2 will be different if the communication method is different. It is desirable to select display information based on the first event number N1 and the second event number N2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Traffic information delivery system, 10 ... Navigation system, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Recording medium, 12a ... Map information, 41 ... GPS receiving part, 42 ... User I / F part, 43a ... 1st receiving part, 43b ... Second receiving unit, 100 ... navigation program, 110 ... traffic information receiving unit, 120 ... event number acquisition unit, 130 ... display information selection unit, 140 ... display control unit, ... carrier, C ... vehicle, D (D1, D2) ... traffic information, N (N1, N2) ... number of events, P (P1, P2) ... source.

Claims (9)

Traffic information receiving means for receiving the first traffic information transmitted by the first transmission source and the second traffic information with higher accuracy than the first traffic information transmitted by the second transmission source different from the first transmission source. When,
Event number acquisition means for acquiring a first event number that is the number of events indicated by the first traffic information and a second event number that is the number of events indicated by the second traffic information;
While either the first traffic information or the second traffic information is selected as display information, the second event number is greater than the first event number in a state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit. Display information selection means for continuously selecting the second traffic information as the display information when the second event number is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit number,
Display control means for superimposing the display information on a map and displaying it on the display unit;
A traffic information display system comprising: The display information selection means, when the first traffic information is displayed on the display unit, when the second event number is equal to or greater than the first event number, Switch the display information to 2 traffic information,
The traffic information display system according to claim 1. The event number acquisition means acquires the first event number and the second event number for the same type of events among the events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information.
The traffic information display system according to claim 1. The event number acquisition means, acquiring the first event number and the second event number for an event relating to a current road condition among events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information;
The traffic information display system according to claim 3. The event number obtaining means includes the first event number and the second event number for events in an area where the traffic information receiving means is located among events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information. To get the
The traffic information display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The event number acquisition means includes the first event number for an event in an area including a position on a map displayed on the display unit among events indicated by the first traffic information and the second traffic information, and the Get the second event number,
The traffic information display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The traffic information receiving means receives the first traffic information according to RDS (Radio Data System) standard and the second traffic information according to TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group) standard.
The traffic information display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A traffic information receiving step for receiving first traffic information transmitted by a first transmission source and second traffic information with higher accuracy than the first traffic information transmitted by a second transmission source different from the first transmission source. When,
An event number acquisition step of acquiring a first event number that is the number of events indicated by the first traffic information and a second event number that is the number of events indicated by the second traffic information;
While either the first traffic information or the second traffic information is selected as display information, the second event number is greater than the first event number in a state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit. A display information selection step of continuously selecting the second traffic information as the display information when the second event number is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit number,
A display control step of superimposing the display information on a map and displaying it on the display unit;
Traffic information display method including A traffic information reception function for receiving first traffic information transmitted by a first transmission source and second traffic information with higher accuracy than the first traffic information transmitted by a second transmission source different from the first transmission source. When,
An event number acquisition function for acquiring a first event number that is the number of events indicated by the first traffic information and a second event number that is the number of events indicated by the second traffic information;
While either the first traffic information or the second traffic information is selected as display information, the second event number is greater than the first event number in a state where the second traffic information is displayed on the display unit. A display information selection function for continuously selecting the second traffic information as the display information when the second event number is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit number,
A display control function for superimposing the display information on a map and displaying it on the display unit;
Information display program that causes a computer to execute.

Images