JP2013152646A - Information providing device, information providing system and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make efficient use of a parking space capable of using communication network connection service.SOLUTION: In an in-vehicle device 200, a generation section generates client information including information indicating an executable application. A transmission section transmits the generated client information to a roadside wireless device. A receiving section receives content data from the roadside wireless device after the transmission section transmits the client information. A notification section notifies that a location indicated by identification information cannot be accessed when the identification information indicating a location on a communication network in the received content data is designated and the location indicated by the identification information through the communication network cannot be accessed. Also, the generation section temporarily sets an application for reproducing the content data as an executable application and generates client information when the location indicated by the identification information through the communication network cannot be accessed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing system, and an information providing method.

  In recent years, car navigation systems and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) systems have become widespread. In addition, various researches and developments for realizing ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) capable of integrating these and providing various services all in one are repeated. In ITS, various data is distributed to the vehicle-mounted device via the roadside wireless device.

  Generally, there is push distribution as a method for distributing data to the vehicle-mounted device. In push delivery, data is delivered to the vehicle-mounted device without an explicit transmission request from the vehicle-mounted device. There is also pseudo-push distribution in which data distribution is started in response to a transmission request from the vehicle-mounted device. Patent Document 1 discloses that in pseudo-push distribution, when there is no data to be distributed, the server waits for a response for a predetermined time and does not increase the network load.

  On the other hand, there are various types of in-vehicle devices such as a high-performance in-vehicle device that can be connected to the Internet and a relatively inexpensive on-vehicle device that cannot be connected to the Internet in order to meet various needs of users.

  In ITS, services for distributing various data such as traffic guidance, sightseeing guidance, facility guidance, broadcast programs, and advertisements are provided by push distribution and pseudo push distribution using roadside wireless devices installed along the road. And roadside wireless devices have been installed not only along roads but also in parking lots, service areas, event venues, etc., and the number of installed devices tends to increase year by year. Furthermore, the number of roadside wireless devices that provide services for connecting on-vehicle devices to the Internet is increasing.

JP 2002-342201 A

  By the way, in communication using the DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) method adopted by ITS, the communicable area is at most about several tens of meters, and when a roadside wireless device is installed in a parking lot, In some cases, a parking space where the Internet connection service by DSRC can be used and a parking space where it is not. Therefore, there is a possibility that a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted device of a model that cannot be connected to the Internet may be parked in a parking space where an Internet connection service can be used, and an effective use opportunity of ITS is impaired.

  The present invention solves such problems, and is an information providing apparatus, an information providing system, and an information providing method suitable for guiding a parking space that can use a communication network connection service to be used efficiently. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve this object, an information providing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A generation unit that generates client information including information indicating an application that can be executed;
A transmission unit for transmitting the generated client information to a roadside wireless device;
A receiver that receives content data from the roadside apparatus after the transmitter transmits the client information;
When the identification information indicating the location on the communication network is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information is displayed. A notification section for notifying that access is not possible;
With
When the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the generation unit temporarily sets an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application, and generates the client information It is characterized by that.

The roadside wireless device is installed in a parking lot where there is a parking space within the communication range of the roadside wireless device and a parking space outside the communication range of the roadside wireless device,
When the identification information is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information is inaccessible, the notification unit transmits the vehicle on which the information providing device is mounted to the communication You may notify to move from the parking space in the vicinity to the parking space outside the communication range.

  When the identification information is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information is accessible via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information included in the content data Further, a playback unit that acquires data to be played back and plays back the acquired data may be further provided.

  When the identification information is not specified in the received content data, the reproduction unit may reproduce the received content data.

  When the application that can be executed by the information providing apparatus does not include an application for accessing the location indicated by the identification information via the communication network, the notification unit is provided at the location indicated by the identification information. It may be determined that access is not possible.

  The notification unit may determine that the location indicated by the identification information is inaccessible when the congestion level of the communication network is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

The information providing apparatus is connected to an external device,
You may further provide the identification information transmission part which transmits the information which shows the said identification information to the said external apparatus.

An information providing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information providing system having an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a roadside wireless device installed on a road,
The in-vehicle device is
A generation unit that generates client information including an application that can be executed or a content type that can be played;
A client information transmitter for transmitting the generated client information to the roadside apparatus;
With
The roadside apparatus is
A storage unit that pre-stores content data including identification information representing a location on a communication network;
A client information receiving unit for receiving the client information from the vehicle-mounted device;
Based on the received client information, a determination unit that determines an application that can be executed by the vehicle-mounted device or a content type that can be played back,
When the client information receiving unit receives the client information, a content data transmitting unit that transmits the content data to the vehicle-mounted device;
With
The in-vehicle device is
A content data receiving unit for receiving the content data from the roadside apparatus;
A notification unit for notifying that the in-vehicle device cannot access the location indicated by the identification information when the in-vehicle device cannot access the location indicated by the identification information via the communication network;
Further comprising
When the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the generation unit temporarily sets an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application, and generates the client information It is characterized by that.

An information providing method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
A generating step for generating client information including information indicating an application that can be executed;
A transmitting step of transmitting the generated client information;
A receiving step of receiving content data after transmitting the client information in the transmitting step;
When the identification information indicating the location on the communication network is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information is displayed. A notification step for notifying access;
Including
In the generation step, when the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the client information is generated by temporarily setting an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing apparatus, an information providing system, and an information providing method suitable for guiding a parking space that can use a communication network connection service to be used efficiently.

It is a figure for demonstrating the whole structure of an information provision system. It is another figure for demonstrating the whole structure of an information provision system. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a 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 showing the data structure of a client information notification command. It is a figure showing the example of a structure of an application type list. It is a figure showing the correspondence of an application type, an identifier, and a value. It is a figure showing the example of a structure of a content type list. It is a figure showing the correspondence of a content type, an identifier, and a value. It is a figure showing the data structure of a push delivery command. It is a figure showing the example of a structure of the image displayed while using the internet connection service. It is a figure showing the structural example of the image which notifies that an internet connection service cannot be used. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an information provision process. It is a figure showing the other structural example of the image which notifies that an internet connection service cannot be used.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking ITS as an example.

  First, an outline of the configuration of the ITS will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ITS communicates between a roadside wireless device 100 arranged in the vicinity of a place where a vehicle passes, such as a road or a parking lot, and the roadside wireless device 100 mounted on the vehicle and communicates with a user ( A vehicle-mounted device 200 that provides traffic information to the driver, and a distribution server 300 that generates traffic information and distributes it to the roadside apparatus 100. The roadside apparatus 100 is generally called an ITS spot or the like.

  In the ITS of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a roadside wireless device 100 having a distribution area in a parking lot where a plurality of vehicles can be parked and communicating with the vehicle-mounted device 200 by the DSRC method is installed. In general, the communication range of the roadside apparatus 100 by DSRC is about several meters to several tens of meters. For this reason, the parking lot 510 for ITS which can communicate using the roadside radio | wireless apparatus 100 (for 2 cars shown by the oblique line in FIG. 2) and the roadside radio | wireless apparatus 100 cannot communicate in a parking lot. There is a parking space. The ITS parking space 510 is a distribution area of the roadside apparatus 100 by DSRC.

  The vehicle-mounted device 200 includes a device that supports the Internet connection service and a device that does not support the Internet connection service. An in-vehicle device compatible with the Internet connection service is connected to a roadside wireless device (ITS spot) and accesses a site on the Internet via the roadside wireless device (ITS spot) using an IP (Internet Protocol) address and a web browser. It is a vehicle-mounted device that can. In order to support the Internet connection service, a web browser is installed and hardware with higher specifications is required, which increases manufacturing costs and purchase costs. Therefore, at present, onboard devices that can use the Internet connection service and onboard devices that cannot be used are mixed so that the onboard devices can be selected according to the level requested by the user.

  In the vehicle-mounted device 200 corresponding to the Internet connection service, the user can obtain detailed information using a web browser, but the user having the vehicle-mounted device 200 needs to park the vehicle in the distribution area. is there. However, if a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 that is not compatible with the Internet connection service is parked in the distribution area, even if a parking space that can provide a corner Internet connection service is prepared, the vehicle is compatible with the Internet connection service. The user having the device 200 cannot receive the Internet connection service and is wasted. Therefore, in the ITS of this embodiment, when a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 that is not compatible with the Internet connection service is about to park in the distribution area, the vehicle-mounted device 200 is instructed to the user of the vehicle-mounted device 200 outside the distribution area. The parking space 510 for the ITS is used effectively, and the ITS parking space 510 is used effectively. Details will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the distribution server 300 will be described. The distribution server 300 is an apparatus that generates and distributes traffic information and the like for each roadside apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the distribution server 300 includes an input unit 301, an output unit 302, a first communication control unit 303, and a second communication unit. The communication control unit 304 includes a storage unit 305, a control unit 306, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 307, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 308, and a system bus 309.

  The input unit 301 includes a keyboard, a mouse, an input interface, and the like, and inputs various data and instructions.

  The output unit 302 includes a display device and the like, and displays various images and text messages.

  The first communication control unit 303 transmits / receives various information to / from an external device via a general communication network NW1 such as a telephone line or the Internet.

  The second communication control unit 304 is connected to the plurality of roadside apparatus 100 via the ITS communication network NW2, and transmits traffic information and the like to each roadside apparatus 100. The second communication control unit 304 receives information obtained by the roadside apparatus 100 communicating with the vehicle-mounted device 200 via the ITS communication network NW2.

  The storage unit 305 includes a hard disk device and the like. The storage unit 305 stores in advance, in addition to the position and address of each roadside apparatus 100, geographic information in the vicinity of each roadside apparatus 100 and various content data distributed to each roadside apparatus 100.

  The control unit 306 includes a processor and controls the operation of the distribution server 300 as a whole. In addition, the control unit 306 creates information to be distributed from the roadside wireless device 100 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 based on various information stored in the storage unit 305 for each of the roadside wireless devices 100, and performs second communication control. The unit 304 is controlled and supplied to the roadside apparatus 100 via the ITS communication network NW2.

  The ROM 307 stores an operating system (OS) and various data necessary for controlling the distribution server 300 as a whole.

  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 hardware configuration of the roadside apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the roadside apparatus 100 includes a wireless communication unit 101, a communication control unit 102, a storage unit 103, a control unit 104, a ROM 105, a RAM 106, and a system bus 107.

  Each roadside apparatus 100 is disposed in the vicinity of a road, a parking lot, or the like, and transmits content data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 in the communication area by the DSRC method. The content data includes data such as images, sounds, and texts.

  The wireless communication unit 101 transmits / receives data to / from the vehicle-mounted device 200 installed in a vehicle within a communication range by a wireless signal such as an optical signal. The wireless communication unit 101 transmits traffic information and content data provided from the distribution server 300 to the vehicle-mounted device 200.

  The communication control unit 102 is connected to the distribution server 300 via the ITS communication network NW2, and receives traffic information and the like transmitted from the distribution server 300. Further, the communication control unit 102 transmits traffic information acquired by the own device to the distribution server 300.

  The storage unit 103 stores traffic information received from the distribution server 300, traffic information unique to the own device, and the like. Each roadside apparatus 100 can acquire content data to be transmitted from the distribution server 300 in advance and store it in the storage unit 103.

  The control unit 104 includes a processor and controls the operation of the entire roadside apparatus 100. The control unit 104 transmits the traffic information stored in the storage unit 103 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 by the wireless communication unit 101, and stores the vehicle-mounted device ID and the like acquired by the wireless communication unit 101 in the storage unit 103. In addition, the control unit 104 controls the communication control unit 102 to transmit the traffic information and the like acquired by the own device stored in the storage unit 103 to the distribution server 300 via the ITS communication network NW2, and the distribution server 300 The information acquired by the communication control unit 102 is stored in the storage unit 103.

  The ROM 105 stores an operating system 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 and temporarily stores various data.

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

  Next, the hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, 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) unit 205, a storage unit 206, a control unit 207, a ROM 208, A RAM 209 and a system bus 210 are provided.

  The vehicle-mounted device 200 is installed in a vehicle and is configured integrally with a car navigation device, for example. The vehicle-mounted device 200 has a function of reproducing and notifying traffic information transmitted from the roadside apparatus 100 together with a general car navigation function. Further, the vehicle-mounted device 200 receives and reproduces content data transmitted from the roadside apparatus 100 by DSRC wireless communication.

  The communication unit 201 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 201a, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System; registered trademark) module 201b, and an IC card module 201c. The communication unit 201 transmits / receives data to / from the roadside apparatus 100 using the DSRC method.

  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 controls the GPS module 201a to measure the latitude and longitude of the position where the on-vehicle device 200 exists.

  The VICS module 201b communicates with the roadside apparatus 100 by the DSRC method, and transmits and receives traffic information.

  The IC card module 201c transmits / receives data for settlement of charges with the roadside apparatus 100. The control unit 207 controls the IC card module 201c, communicates with the roadside apparatus 100 installed in a toll booth or commercial facility, and performs a process of making a payment using a credit card inserted in the in-vehicle device 200.

  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 (Digital / Analog) converter (not shown), and outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 222. Also, the audio processing unit 202 converts the audio input from the microphone 223 into a digital audio signal by an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter (not shown), and inputs the digital audio signal to the control unit 207. Thereby, the user can hear voices such as navigation or input voices. Furthermore, the voice processing unit 202 can synthesize and output voice using data created in a TTS (Text-to-Speech) format. The data in the TTS format may be push-distributed from the roadside apparatus 100 or stored in the storage unit 206 in advance.

  The output unit 203 includes a monitor device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays a broadcast image by area one segment, a navigation image acquired by the communication unit 201, or a map image stored in advance in the storage unit 206 or the like. To do.

  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 a user, and inputs the instruction input signal to the control unit 207. Typically, a touch panel is arranged so as to be superimposed on the surface of the LCD, and the user touches a part on the button (software button) image displayed on the screen of the touch panel surface with his / her finger to obtain a desired one. Instructions can be entered.

  The I / O unit 205 includes a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory) drive. The I / O unit 205 reads data from a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM containing map data and inputs the data to the control unit 207. Further, the I / O unit 205 acquires a detection signal from the sensor group 225 such as a speed sensor, a travel distance sensor, and an orientation sensor, and supplies the detection signal to the control unit 207.

  The storage unit 206 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), and includes map data, various setting information such as a vehicle-mounted device ID that is a unique number assigned in advance to the vehicle-mounted device 200, the name and position of a destination candidate used for navigation, A navigation database for storing addresses, telephone numbers, etc. is stored. The storage unit 206 may include other memories such as a flash memory card that can be attached and detached by the user. The control unit 207 may read the map data from a storage medium such as a DVD-ROM storing the map data as needed, or read the map data from the recording medium in advance and write it in the storage unit 206 (installed). You may do it. Alternatively, the map data may be stored in advance in an HDD or a flash memory card.

  The control unit 207 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 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 based on the GPS signal received via the GPS module 201a. The control unit 207 takes in the output of the direction sensor included in the sensor group 225 via the I / O unit 205 and determines the traveling direction of the vehicle. The control unit 207 obtains the travel distance from the output of the distance sensor. The control unit 207 can search for a route from an arbitrary departure point to an arbitrary destination based on the obtained current position and map data, and can guide the user. The control unit 207 also receives and reproduces traffic information from the roadside apparatus 100 via the VICS module 201b. In addition, the control unit 207 performs payment processing for tolls and shopping charges using information on the IC credit card read by the IC card module 201c. The control unit 207 may include a coprocessor or the like.

  The ROM 208 records an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire vehicle-mounted device 200.

  The RAM 209 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and stores 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, an information providing process executed by the ITS of this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the roadside apparatus 100 is installed in a parking lot. By this information providing process, it is determined whether or not the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the vehicle parked in the parking space 510 in the distribution area is compatible with the Internet connection service. The user is notified of this, and the parking space 510 in the distribution area is used effectively.

  When a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 enters the communication range of the roadside apparatus 100, the control unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 performs a predetermined protocol establishment process and then sends a client information notification command together with the vehicle-mounted device ID to the roadside wireless device. Transmit to device 100. The client information notification command is a format of a software application (hereinafter referred to as “application”) that can be played back by the in-vehicle device 200, or a format of content data that can be played back by the on-vehicle device 200. (Hereinafter referred to as “content type”) is a command for notifying the distribution server 300 of the command. The roadside apparatus 100 and the distribution server 300 can determine the type of application and content that can be reproduced by the vehicle-mounted device 200 from the received client information notification command. The roadside apparatus 100 and the distribution server 300 can control whether or not to transmit content data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 based on the determination result.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show examples of the data structure of the packets constituting the client information notification command. The application type list 610 stores application types supported by the vehicle-mounted device 200 in a list format. The list length is the total number of bytes of data constituting the application type list 610. Then, after the list length, a value indicating the first application type, a value indicating the second application type, a value indicating the Nth application type (N is 1 or more) indicating an application executable by the vehicle-mounted device 200 Integer) etc. are stored. The control unit 207 determines applications that can be already installed and executed in the vehicle-mounted device 200, and creates an application type list 610 based on the determination results.

  FIG. 8 shows an application type, an identifier representing the application, and a value associated with the application type. For example, when the vehicle-mounted device 200 can execute two applications: an application for browsing a site on the Internet (identifier “browser”) and an application for reproducing a video (identifier “video-player”). The control unit 207 sets the list length to “0x03” (= 0x02 + 0x01), and arranges a value “0x030104” in which “0x01” representing the first application type and “0x04” representing the second application type are arranged. Are stored in the application type list 610. The symbol “0x” represents a hexadecimal number. 8 is stored in advance in the storage unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200, the storage unit 103 of the roadside apparatus 100, and the storage unit 305 of the distribution server 300.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the content type list 620 stores content types supported by the vehicle-mounted device 200 in a list format. The list length is the total number of bytes of data constituting the content type list 620. Then, after the list length, a value indicating the first content type, a value indicating the second content type, a value indicating the Nth content type (N is an integer of 1 or more), and the like are stored. The control unit 207 determines a content type that can be decoded by the vehicle-mounted device 200, and creates a content type list 620 based on the determination result.

  FIG. 10 shows a content type, an identifier representing the content, and a value associated with the content type. For example, the vehicle-mounted device 200 includes TTS-format audio data (identifier “text / tts”), JPEG-format image data (identifier “image / jpeg”), and pseudo-push distributed content data (identifier “dsrc / smart”). -pull ") can be decoded, the control unit 207 sets the list length to" 0x04 "(= 0x03 + 0x01)," 0x08 "representing the first content type, and the second A value “0x04081181” in which “0x11” representing the content type of “0” and “0x81” representing the third content type are arranged is stored in the content type list 620. The correspondence relationship illustrated in FIG. 10 is stored in advance in the storage unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200, the storage unit 103 of the roadside apparatus 100, and the storage unit 305 of the distribution server 300.

  In push distribution, data is transmitted and received without an explicit transmission request on the receiving side. However, the roadside wireless device 100 according to the present embodiment uses a client information notification command sent from the vehicle-mounted device 200 to generate content. Determine whether to send data or not. For this reason, the term “pseudo” is used in the sense that it is slightly different from complete push delivery.

  And the control part 207 of the onboard equipment 200 transmits the client information notification command which stored the application type list | wrist 610 and the content type list | wrist 620 produced as mentioned above to the roadside apparatus 100. FIG. The control unit 104 of the roadside apparatus 100 receives the client information notification command from the vehicle-mounted device 200 and stores the application type list 610 and the content type list 620 in the storage unit 103 in association with the vehicle-mounted device ID. The roadside apparatus 100 can determine which in-vehicle device 200 can execute what application or what data can be decoded. The control unit 103 of the roadside apparatus 100 transfers the received client information notification command to the distribution server 300, and the control unit 306 of the distribution server 300 stores the application type list 610 and the content type list 620 in the storage unit 305. Also good.

  However, in the present embodiment, the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 browses a site on the Internet in the application type list 610 regardless of whether or not the own device is an in-vehicle device compatible with the Internet connection service. A client information notification command including a value indicating an application (identifier “browser”) and a value indicating pseudo push content data (identifier “dsrc / smart-pull”) in the content type list 620 Send. Details will be described later.

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 corresponding to the Internet connection service sets a value indicating an application (so-called browser, identifier “browser”) for browsing a site on the Internet in the application type list 610. Further, a value indicating content data (identifier “dsrc / smart-pull”) to be pseudo-push distributed is set in the content type list 620, and a client information notification command is transmitted. The roadside apparatus 100 that has received this client information notification command determines that the vehicle-mounted device 200 is compatible with the Internet connection service, and the roadside wireless device 100 sends a push delivery command including content data from the Internet connection service to the vehicle-mounted device. 200. The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 reproduces the received content data and provides an Internet connection service to the user. The user can browse a WEB page that is open on the Internet and specified by a push delivery command.

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 that does not support the Internet connection service temporarily sets a value indicating an application (identifier “browser”) for browsing a site on the Internet in the application type list 610, Also, a value indicating the content data (identifier “dsrc / smart-pull”) to be pseudo-push distributed is temporarily set in the content type list 620, and a client information notification command is transmitted. Therefore, immediately after receiving the client information notification command, the control unit 104 of the roadside apparatus 100 once determines that the vehicle-mounted device 200 is compatible with the Internet connection service and pushes the content data related to the Internet connection service. The distribution command is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 200.

  FIG. 11 shows a data structure of a packet constituting the push delivery command. The push ID is an identification code given to the content data, and in this embodiment, a numerical value (for example, an integer from 0 to 255) that can be expressed by 1 byte is used. The combination of content data to be reproduced at the same time is a combination of several kinds such as moving image data, still image data, audio data, text data, and the number of data to be reproduced at the same time is usually several to several tens. . For this reason, push ID can be expressed by 1 byte by using an identification code cyclically.

  The content size is represented by the total number of packets constituting one content. For example, when certain moving image data is divided into X packets and transmitted / received, the content size is “X”. The length of the push body is the length of the push body, that is, the main body portion of the data to be transmitted. In this push body, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) indicating the location of the linked WEB page on the Internet is stored. The push body may include data in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) format, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format, or the like.

  6 to 11 are merely examples, and other data structures may be employed, or an application type list 610 and a content type list 620 having other configurations may be used. The control unit 207 may create the application type list 610 and the content type list 620 in advance and store them in the storage unit 206, read them out as appropriate, and send a client information notification command.

  When receiving the push delivery command including the URI, the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 corresponding to the Internet connection service starts the browser, accesses the specified URI, and acquires data such as an image and sound. . Then, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the control unit 207 displays the WEB page acquired from the designated URI on the monitor device. If the acquired audio data is included, the control unit 207 reproduces the audio data and outputs the audio from the speaker 222. The user can browse the web content and can obtain various information via the roadside apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 that does not support the Internet connection service receives a push delivery command including a URI, the in-vehicle device 200 does not support the Internet connection service instead of playing the WEB page. Notify the user to that effect. For example, the control unit 207 displays the screen shown in FIG. 13 on the monitor device. The user can easily grasp that the vehicle-mounted device 200 used by the user cannot use the Internet connection service although the place where the user intends to park is the ITS parking space 510 where the Internet connection service can be received. it can. In addition, the ITS can guide the user who has received this notification to move the vehicle to another parking space other than the ITS parking space 510, and the effective use of the ITS parking space 510 is promoted.

  If the in-vehicle device 200 that is not compatible with the Internet connection service when the client information notification command is transmitted / received before the transmission / reception of the push delivery command, the roadside apparatus 100 informs the roadside device 100 that the Internet connection service is not supported. When notified, the roadside apparatus 100 that has received the notification immediately determines that the content data using the Internet connection service is not transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 200 (it is meaningless if transmitted). Then, the vehicle-mounted device 200 cannot determine that there is no content data (reproducible content data) that is push-distributed to itself until the response to the client information notification command times out. For this reason, after the vehicle enters the ITS parking space 510, it takes extra time for the time-out detection to notify the user that the vehicle-mounted device 200 does not support the Internet connection service. End up. If it takes time until the notification, the driver stops the engine before the notification is made, and as a result, the notification is not in time, and a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 that cannot use the Internet connection service in the ITS parking space 510 is installed. There arises a problem that the vehicle is parked as it is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 200 temporarily notifies that the Internet connection service can be used as if the Internet connection service can be used even if it is a model that cannot use the Internet connection service. By receiving the content data, it is possible to determine that there is no reproducible content data without waiting for a timeout. Then, the vehicle-mounted device 200 can promptly notify the user that there is no reproducible content data and that it should move to another general parking space that is not the ITS parking space 510. .

  Note that the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 not compatible with the Internet connection service transmits the client information notification command, as described above, as if the client information notification command has the content as if the Internet connection service can be used. However, after receiving the content data including the URI as a response to the client information notification command, the control unit 104 of the roadside apparatus 100 may request that the transmission of the content data be stopped. When it is requested to cancel the transmission of the content data, it may be controlled not to transmit the content data thereafter. For example, when there is a possibility that content data will be delivered multiple times, such as in real-time updates such as news and traffic information, transmission of content data after this request is canceled by a request from the in-vehicle device 200 side can do.

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 that does not support the Internet connection service is a roadside wireless device that provides the Internet connection service by the roadside wireless device 100 that has established communication when receiving the pseudo push distribution of the content data including the URI. Can be determined. The control unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 that does not support the Internet connection service notifies the user that the vehicle-mounted device 200 cannot use the Internet connection service, or prompts the user to move the vehicle to another parking space. After the notification, the value indicating the application (identifier “browser”) for browsing the site on the Internet is deleted from the application type list 610, and pseudo-push delivery is performed in the content type list 620. The value indicating the content data (identifier “dsrc / smart-pull”) may be deleted, and the client information notification command may be retransmitted.

  Next, the flow of information provision processing executed by the ITS of this embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Although not explicitly described in the flowchart, the vehicle-mounted device 200 always measures the current position in the background.

  First, the control unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 determines whether or not the vehicle-mounted device 200 has entered the communication area of the roadside apparatus 100 (step S1401). For example, the control unit 207 determines that it is within the communication range if the reception intensity of a radio wave having a frequency used for DSRC is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  When it is determined that the vehicle-mounted device 200 is not within the communication area of the roadside apparatus 100 (step S1401; NO), the control unit 207 waits until the vehicle-mounted apparatus 200 enters the communication area of the roadside device 100. When it is determined that the vehicle-mounted device 200 has entered the communication area of the roadside device 100 (step S1401; YES), the roadside device 100 and the vehicle-mounted device 200 perform processing for establishing communication by DSRC (DSRC connection processing) (step). S1402).

  The control unit 207 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 transmits the above-described client information notification command to the roadside apparatus 100 (step S1403). The control unit 104 of the roadside apparatus 100 receives a client information notification command from the vehicle-mounted device 200 (step S1404). The client information notification command transmitted / received here includes an application (identifier “browser”) for browsing a site on the Internet, regardless of whether the vehicle-mounted device 200 can use the Internet connection service. And a value indicating content data (identifier “dsrc / smart-pull”) to be pseudo-push distributed.

  When receiving the client information notification command, the control unit 104 of the roadside apparatus 100 transmits a push delivery command including content data using the Internet connection service in the push body to the vehicle-mounted device 200 (step S1405). The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 receives this push delivery command (step S1406).

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 analyzes the received push delivery command and determines whether or not the content data included in the push body uses the Internet connection service (step S1407). Specifically, the control unit 207 determines whether the application type specified by the push delivery command includes a Web browser (browser) and whether the content type includes a pseudo push (dsrc / smart-pull). Determine. In this case, the content data included in the push body is a URI, which is content data using an Internet connection service.

  When it is determined that the content data uses the Internet connection service (step S1407; YES), the control unit 207 determines whether or not the own device is an in-vehicle device that can use the Internet connection service (step S1408).

  When it is determined that the own device is a vehicle-mounted device that can use the Internet connection service (step S1408; YES), the control unit 207 reproduces the content data (step S1409). In the content data reproduced here, the URI of the reference destination is designated, and the control unit 207 obtains data such as an image and sound from the location designated by the URI, and reproduces the obtained data. The user can view WEB content.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the own device is a vehicle-mounted device that cannot use the Internet connection service (step S1408; NO), the control unit 207 notifies the user that the Internet connection service cannot be used (step S1410). For example, the control unit 207 displays an image for calling attention as shown in FIG. 13 on the monitor device. The user can know that the in-vehicle device 200 owned by the user cannot use the Internet connection service. In addition, the ITS can guide the user who has received the notification to park in another general parking space instead of the ITS parking space 510, and the effective use of the ITS parking space 510 is promoted.

  If it is determined in step S1407 that the content data included in the received push distribution command does not use the Internet connection service (step S1407; NO), the control unit 207 reproduces the content data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ITS can efficiently operate the Internet connection service by the roadside apparatus 100. The ITS can immediately inform the user when a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 200 that cannot use the Internet connection service is parked in the parking space 510 and guide the user to use another parking space. If the communication area is relatively small, such as several meters to several tens of meters, the number of parking spaces 510 that can be used for the Internet connection service is limited. Even if it is not wide, the user can efficiently use the parking space 510 in which the Internet connection service can be used.

  The above-described embodiments are merely for description, and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the in-vehicle device 200 does not have a function that can use the Internet connection service in the first place. However, although the in-vehicle device 200 has a function that can use the Internet connection service, for some reason. The present invention can be similarly applied to cases that are not available.

  For example, when the communication network traffic is congested or there is no response within a predetermined time due to an excessive load applied to the server specified by the URI, the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 displays “ It is possible to determine that the own device is a vehicle-mounted device that cannot use the Internet connection service temporarily, and notify the user. In this case, instead of displaying the image shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 207 may display a message indicating that the Internet connection service cannot be used as shown in FIG. If the location specified by the URI cannot be temporarily accessed, the ITS can notify the user immediately that the access cannot be made by temporarily setting an application for reproducing content data in the client information notification command. it can.

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 may determine the traffic congestion level of the communication network, or the control unit 207 determines the congestion level determined by the roadside apparatus 100 or the distribution server 300 during the DSRC connection process in step S1402. Or you may acquire immediately after completion | finish. As the degree of congestion, for example, the length of time for which a response to an access request is returned or its average value can be used. The control unit 207 may notify the user that access is not possible when the degree of congestion is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (when the communication network is busy).

  When the control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 receives the content data including the URI, instead of acquiring and reproducing the data from the location on the communication network specified by the URI, or in addition to reproducing the URI, the URI An image, a character string, a two-dimensional bar code, and the like representing can be displayed on the monitor device. A user can use a mobile phone, a smartphone, a mobile terminal, a portable game machine, a tablet terminal, an electronic book reader, a personal computer instead of browsing using the on-vehicle device 200 or in addition to browsing using the on-vehicle device 200. The URI can be read using an external device such as the above, and the WEB content can be browsed using the external device. Even if the browser is not installed in the vehicle-mounted device 200, the user can browse the web content using an external device in which the browser is installed.

  The control unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 200 may be connected to an external device in which a browser is installed by radio or a cable. Then, when receiving the content data including the URI, the control unit 207 may transmit information indicating the URI to the external device, and the external device may access the URI and acquire the data. The user can browse WEB content not only with the vehicle-mounted device 200 but with a desired device instead of the vehicle-mounted device 200.

  A computer program for operating the vehicle-mounted device 200 as all or part of the apparatus is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a memory card, CD, DVD, or MO (Magneto Optical Disk) and distributed. May be installed in the 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 embodiment, an information providing apparatus, an information providing system, and an information providing method suitable for guiding a parking space that can use an Internet connection service to be used efficiently are realized. be able to.

100 roadside apparatus 101 wireless communication unit 102 communication control unit 103 storage unit 104 control unit 105 ROM
106 RAM
107 System Bus 200 On-board Device 201 Communication Unit 201a GPS Module 201b VICS Module 201c IC Card Module 202 Audio Processing Unit 203 Output Unit 204 Operation Unit 205 I / O Unit 206 Storage Unit 207 Control Unit 208 ROM
209 RAM
210 System bus 225 Sensor group 300 Distribution server 301 Input unit 302 Output unit 303, 304 Communication control unit 305 Storage unit 306 Control unit 307 ROM
308 RAM
309 System Bus 510 ITS Parking Space 610 Application Type List 620 Content Type List

Claims (9)

A generation unit that generates client information including information indicating an application that can be executed;
A transmission unit for transmitting the generated client information to a roadside wireless device;
A receiver that receives content data from the roadside apparatus after the transmitter transmits the client information;
When the identification information indicating the location on the communication network is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information is displayed. A notification section for notifying that access is not possible;
With
When the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the generation unit temporarily sets an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application, and generates the client information An information providing apparatus characterized by that. The roadside wireless device is installed in a parking lot where there is a parking space within the communication range of the roadside wireless device and a parking space outside the communication range of the roadside wireless device,
When the identification information is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information is inaccessible, the notification unit transmits the vehicle on which the information providing device is mounted to the communication Notify you to move from a parking space in the vicinity to a parking space outside the communication range,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the identification information is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information is accessible via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information included in the content data The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reproducing unit that acquires data to be reproduced and reproduces the acquired data. When the identification information is not specified in the received content data, the playback unit plays back the received content data.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 3. When the application that can be executed by the information providing apparatus does not include an application for accessing the location indicated by the identification information via the communication network, the notification unit is provided at the location indicated by the identification information. Determine that it cannot be accessed,
The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information providing apparatus includes: The notification unit determines that the location indicated by the identification information is not accessible when the congestion level of the communication network is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is an information providing apparatus. The information providing apparatus is connected to an external device,
An identification information transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the identification information to the external device;
The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5, and 6, wherein: An information providing system having an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a roadside wireless device installed on a road,
The in-vehicle device is
A generation unit that generates client information including an application that can be executed or a content type that can be played;
A client information transmitter for transmitting the generated client information to the roadside apparatus;
With
The roadside apparatus is
A storage unit that pre-stores content data including identification information representing a location on a communication network;
A client information receiving unit for receiving the client information from the vehicle-mounted device;
Based on the received client information, a determination unit that determines an application that can be executed by the vehicle-mounted device or a content type that can be played back,
When the client information receiving unit receives the client information, a content data transmitting unit that transmits the content data to the vehicle-mounted device;
With
The in-vehicle device is
A content data receiving unit for receiving the content data from the roadside apparatus;
A notification unit for notifying that the in-vehicle device cannot access the location indicated by the identification information when the in-vehicle device cannot access the location indicated by the identification information via the communication network;
Further comprising
When the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the generation unit temporarily sets an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application, and generates the client information An information providing system characterized by that. A generating step for generating client information including information indicating an application that can be executed;
A transmitting step of transmitting the generated client information;
A receiving step of receiving content data after transmitting the client information in the transmitting step;
When the identification information indicating the location on the communication network is specified in the received content data and the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the location indicated by the identification information is displayed. A notification step for notifying access;
Including
In the generation step, when the location indicated by the identification information cannot be accessed via the communication network, the client information is generated by temporarily setting an application for reproducing the content data as the executable application. An information providing method characterized by the above.

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