JP2018018129A - Information providing method and information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing method and an information providing device, which can reduce a driver's anxiety caused by a vehicle passing on a narrow road.SOLUTION: An information providing method is to collect a plurality of pieces of probe information including location information of a vehicle and output information which is based on analysis results of the plurality of the pieces of probe information of the vehicle. The information providing method is also to estimate a retreat position to which the vehicle is retreated based on the plurality of the pieces of probe information, identify a position to which the vehicle tends to be retreated based on information on retreat positions of the plurality of the vehicles, as a recommended retreat position, and output information on the recommended retreat position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  Conventionally, a technique for searching for a planned travel route in consideration of the width of a road is known (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-174485

  However, since road information such as width is not maintained for all roads, the conventional technology guides a narrow road as a planned travel route when information on the road width cannot be obtained. May end up. Therefore, it is necessary for the vehicle to pass through a narrow road according to the route guidance. At this time, there is a problem that the driver is anxious about passing with the oncoming vehicle and overtaking by the following vehicle.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information providing method and an information providing apparatus capable of reducing driver anxiety when a vehicle needs to pass through a narrow road.

  The present invention estimates a retreat position where a vehicle has retreated based on a plurality of probe information collected from a plurality of vehicles, and a place where the vehicle tends to retreat based on information on a plurality of retreat positions of the plurality of vehicles Is identified as a recommended shelter location, and information on the recommended shelter location is output, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

  According to the present invention, it is possible for the driver to grasp an appropriate evacuation place by outputting information of a recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate, so the vehicle needs to pass through a narrow road. Even at times, it is possible to reduce the driver's anxiety caused by vehicles passing on narrow roads.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the clustering process based on a running pattern. It is the figure which illustrated the scene where two cars pass along a narrow road. It is the figure which illustrated the scene where two cars pass along a narrow road. It is a figure for demonstrating the identification method of a recommended save place. It is a flowchart which shows the probe information transmission process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the probe information analysis process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information provision process which concerns on this embodiment.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of in-vehicle devices 100 mounted on a plurality of vehicles, and an information providing device 200 installed outside the vehicles. The plurality of in-vehicle devices 100 and the information providing device 200 can exchange various information via a communication line. Examples of the communication line include a mobile phone network, a wireless LAN network, a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) network, and a power line communication network. The in-vehicle device 100 may record various information on a removable storage medium such as a flash memory, and the recorded various information may be transmitted / received via a terminal (for example, a mobile phone) having a communication function. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, only one in-vehicle device 100 mounted on one vehicle is illustrated, but the information providing system can be configured to include a plurality of in-vehicle devices 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 100 includes a sensor group 110, an operation device group 120, an in-vehicle communication device 130, an in-vehicle control device 140, and a presentation device 150. These devices are connected by a CAN (Controller Area Network) or other in-vehicle LAN in order to exchange information with each other.

  The sensor group 110 includes at least a GPS device that detects the position of the host vehicle. The GPS device detects radio waves transmitted from a plurality of satellite communications, periodically acquires the position information of the own vehicle, and acquires the acquired position information of the own vehicle, the angle change information acquired from the gyro sensor, The current position of the host vehicle is detected based on the vehicle speed acquired from the vehicle speed sensor. The GPS device also acquires current time information. In addition, the sensor group 110 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering, an accelerator opening sensor that detects the accelerator opening, and a brake opening that detects the brake opening. Sensors can also be included.

  The operation device group 120 is an operation member that can be operated by a driver, a navigation device for setting a travel route of a vehicle, a turn signal switch for blinking left and right turn signal lamps (direction indicators), and a hazard for blinking a hazard lamp. Including at least a switch. The operation information of the operation device group 120 operated by the driver is transmitted to the in-vehicle control device 140.

  The in-vehicle communication device 130 can communicate with the server communication device 210 of the information providing device 200 via a telephone line network or the like. The in-vehicle communication device 130 transmits the probe information acquired from the in-vehicle control device 140 to the information providing device 200 and also receives information (hereinafter referred to as “evacuation location guidance information”) from the information providing device 200 for guiding a recommended shelter location. The received evacuation place guidance information is output to the in-vehicle control device 140. Details of the probe information and the retreat location guidance information will be described later.

  The presentation device 150 is a device such as a display or a speaker, and can display the information provided from the information providing device 200 on the screen of the display or output the sound from the speaker to present it to the driver.

  The in-vehicle control device 140 is accessible to a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program for presenting the place guidance information to the driver, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the program stored in the ROM. It is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a storage device. As an operation circuit, instead of or in addition to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Can be used.

  The in-vehicle control device 140 executes a program stored in the ROM by the CPU, thereby obtaining a probe information obtaining function for obtaining probe information, a probe information sending function for sending the obtained probe information to the information providing device 200, and information. And an information presentation function for presenting information received from the providing apparatus 200 to the driver. Below, each function with which the vehicle-mounted control apparatus 140 is provided is demonstrated.

  The probe information acquisition function of the in-vehicle control device 140 acquires the detection result of each sensor from the sensor group 110 as probe information. For example, the probe information acquisition function can acquire the position information and current time information of the host vehicle from the GPS device, and the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor as probe information. Furthermore, the probe information acquisition function acquires the steering angle information (steering operation amount information) from the steering angle sensor, the brake opening information from the brake opening sensor, and the accelerator opening information from the accelerator opening sensor, Average value of steering angle during a certain period (hereinafter referred to as average steering angle), average value of brake opening during a certain period (hereinafter referred to as average braking opening), and average value of accelerator opening during a certain period (hereinafter referred to as average steering angle) , Referred to as average accelerator opening) can be acquired as probe information.

  The probe information acquisition function acquires operation information of each operation device from the operation device group 120 as probe information. For example, the probe information acquisition function acquires the usage status of the blinker lamp from the turn signal switch and the usage status of the hazard lamp from the hazard switch as probe information. Furthermore, the probe information acquisition function can also acquire information on the planned travel route from the navigation device as probe information. The probe information acquisition function temporarily accumulates the probe information acquired from the sensor group 110 and the operation device group 120 in the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140.

  The probe information transmission function of the in-vehicle control device 140 is acquired by the probe information acquisition function, and the probe information temporarily stored in the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140 is transferred to the information providing device 200 via the in-vehicle communication device 130. Send. For example, in the present embodiment, the probe information transmission function is information on the probe information stored in the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140 when the ignition is turned off or the ignition is turned on, every predetermined time, or whenever the vehicle travels a certain distance. It can be transmitted to the providing device 200. In the present embodiment, the probe information is described as being transmitted to the information providing apparatus 200 at regular time intervals. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle type information of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 100 is mounted and the vehicle ID information are stored in advance in the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140, and the probe information transmission function performs the vehicle type information of the vehicle and the vehicle ID. Information can be acquired from the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140 and transmitted to the information providing device 200 as probe information.

  The information presentation function of the in-vehicle control device 140 receives retreat location guidance information (details will be described later) from the information providing device 200 via the in-vehicle communication device 130, and the received retreat location guide information is sent to the presentation device 150. To present to the driver. Although the details will be described later, the evacuation place guidance information is information for guiding the recommended evacuation place to the driver, and by presenting such evacuation place guidance information to the driver, an appropriate evacuation place for the driver can be obtained. Even when the vehicle passes on a narrow road, the driver's anxiety due to passing with the oncoming vehicle or passing by the following vehicle can be reduced.

  Next, the information providing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. The information providing apparatus 200 is a server installed outside the vehicle, and includes a server communication apparatus 210, a server processing apparatus 220, and a database 230 as shown in FIG.

  The server communication device 210 can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device 130 of the in-vehicle device 100 through a telephone line network or the like. The server communication device 210 receives a plurality of probe information from a plurality of in-vehicle devices 100 respectively mounted on a plurality of vehicles, outputs the received plurality of probe information to the server processing device 220, and acquires from the server processing device 220. The transmitted information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100.

  The database 230 stores a plurality of probe information acquired from a plurality of vehicles. Such probe information includes information such as the vehicle position, date and time, outside air temperature, average steering angle, average accelerator opening, and average brake opening when the probe information is acquired. The database 230 also stores vehicle type information, map information, and road information. The vehicle type information includes vehicle type (for example, large vehicle, ordinary vehicle, small vehicle, etc.), vehicle dimensions (for example, full length, full width, full height, tread width, vehicle weight, total vehicle weight, etc.), vehicle engine displacement information, etc. Is included. The road information includes information on the type of road (for example, whether the road is a general road, a car road, a bridge, or a tunnel), and positions such as intersections, stop lines, traffic lights, and road signs. .

  The server processing device 220 includes a ROM that stores a program for providing the in-vehicle device 100 with retreat location guidance information, a CPU that executes the program stored in the ROM, and a RAM that functions as an accessible storage device. Composed. The server processing device 220 executes a program stored in the ROM by the CPU, so that the vehicle evacuates based on the probe information storage function for storing the probe information received from the in-vehicle device 100 in the database 230 and the probe information. It has a probe information analysis function for identifying recommended retreat places with a tendency, and an information providing function for providing retreat place guidance information. Below, each function with which the server processing apparatus 220 is provided is demonstrated.

  The probe information storage function of the server processing device 220 stores the probe information received from the in-vehicle device 100 in the database 230. The probe information storage function refers to the vehicle type information stored in the database 230, and the type of vehicle (for example, large vehicle, ordinary vehicle, small vehicle, etc.) that acquired the probe information from the vehicle ID included in the probe information, vehicle Dimension information (for example, total length, full width, total height, tread width, vehicle weight, total vehicle weight, etc.), information on the engine displacement of the vehicle, information on the identified vehicle type information, vehicle dimension information, information on the engine displacement of the vehicle Is stored in the database 230 in association with the probe information. Further, the probe information storage function refers to the road information stored in the database 230, and from the vehicle position included in the probe information, the type of road on which the vehicle that acquired the probe information travels (for example, the road on which the vehicle travels). Is a general road, an automobile-only road, a bridge, or a tunnel), and the identified road type information is stored in the database 230 in association with the probe information.

  The probe information analysis function of the server processing device 220 identifies a place where the vehicle tends to save as a recommended saving place based on a plurality of pieces of probe information collected from the plurality of in-vehicle devices 100. The probe information analysis function first acquires a plurality of probe information accumulated in the database 230. And a probe information analysis function groups the acquired several probe information for every vehicle type based on the vehicle type information linked | related with probe information.

  For example, the probe information analysis function is based on one or more of vehicle displacement, vehicle dimensions (full length, full width, full height, etc.) and type (large vehicle, ordinary vehicle, small vehicle) included in the vehicle type information. It is possible to group a plurality of pieces of probe information collected from vehicles. For example, in the probe information analysis function, based on the vehicle type information, a plurality of probe information obtained from a plurality of vehicles, probe information obtained from a small vehicle, probe information obtained from a normal vehicle, and a large vehicle The obtained probe information can be grouped. Alternatively, the probe information analysis function may group a plurality of probe information from a plurality of vehicles for each displacement of the vehicle, or group a plurality of probe information from a plurality of vehicles for each vehicle dimension. May be.

  Next, the probe information analysis function performs a clustering process that identifies a traveling pattern of the vehicle based on the grouped probe information and classifies the identified traveling pattern of each vehicle into a plurality of classes.

  Specifically, the probe information analysis function first identifies the travel pattern of each vehicle based on the probe information. In the present embodiment, the probe information analysis function classifies the grouped probe information for each vehicle based on the vehicle ID included in the probe information, and based on the plurality of probe information classified for each vehicle, The vehicle running frequency for each time zone, the vehicle running frequency for each region, the occurrence frequency of the sudden handle, and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and deceleration are specified for each vehicle as the vehicle running pattern. Here, the plurality of pieces of probe information classified for each vehicle are probe information of the same vehicle obtained at different times, and are information indicating a traveling history of the vehicle. Therefore, the probe information analysis function is based on the plurality of probe information classified for each vehicle, and the driving pattern for each vehicle (for example, the driving frequency for each day and / or time zone, the driving frequency for each region, Frequency of occurrence, frequency of occurrence of sudden start and deceleration, etc.) can be specified.

  More specifically, the probe information analysis function can specify the traveling frequency for each day of the week and / or time zone based on the position information and time information included in the probe information classified for each vehicle. Further, the probe information analysis function can specify the traveling frequency for each region based on the position information and time information included in the probe information classified for each vehicle. Furthermore, the probe information analysis function can specify the frequency of occurrence of a sharp steering wheel based on the average steering angle information included in the probe information classified for each vehicle. In addition, the probe information analysis function can specify the frequency of occurrence of sudden start and sudden deceleration based on the vehicle speed, average accelerator opening, and average brake opening information included in the probe information classified for each vehicle. . As described above, the probe information analysis function specifies the traveling pattern of each vehicle based on the probe information of each vehicle.

  The probe information analysis function performs a clustering process for classifying the identified traveling pattern of the vehicle into a plurality of classes. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a clustering process of travel patterns. In the following, as shown in FIG. 2, clustering processing is performed by exemplifying the vehicle driving frequency for each day of the week and / or time zone and the vehicle driving frequency for each region, as shown in FIG. explain.

  For example, the probe information analysis function can classify the traveling patterns of the vehicles into a plurality of classes as shown in FIG. 2 by performing statistical processing such as the k-average method. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the probe information analysis function divides the traveling pattern of each vehicle into three classes C1 to C3 based on the traveling frequency in the day and / or time zone and the traveling frequency in the region. Clustering is possible. Although not shown, the probe information analysis function can further cluster the running patterns of the respective vehicles based on the occurrence frequency of sudden steering and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and sudden deceleration.

  In addition, although mentioned later for details, in this embodiment, the clustering process of the driving | running | working pattern of a vehicle is performed for every area, every day, and / or a time slot | zone. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the clustering process is performed using the region R1, the day of the week, and / or the time zone as the target region, and the target day of the week and / or time zone. The vehicle driving frequency when the region is R1 and the driving frequency of the vehicle when the day and / or time zone is T1 are plotted on the graph, and the vehicle driving frequency when the region is R1 and the day and / or time zone is T1. Patterns will be clustered. Similarly, by clustering vehicle travel patterns in other regions, other days of the week and / or time zones, the vehicle travel pattern clustering process is performed for each region, day of the week and / or time zone. Become. Note that the clustering method is not limited to the k-average method, and a known method such as the Ward method can be used.

  Further, the probe information analysis function identifies a class to which a vehicle having a high driving skill level belongs from among a plurality of clustered classes. And a probe information analysis function acquires the probe information of the vehicle which belongs to the specified class as object probe information. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C1 has a higher traveling frequency in the target day of the week and / or time zone than the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C2. Further, the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C1 has a higher traveling frequency in the target region than the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C3. Therefore, the traveling pattern of the vehicle included in the class C1 can be determined as a traveling pattern of a vehicle that travels relatively frequently in the target day and / or time zone and the target region. In other words, the driving pattern of the vehicle included in the class C1 is determined to be a driving pattern of a driver with a high driving skill who drives at a high frequency in the target day and / or time zone and the target region. Can do. Therefore, the probe information analysis function can determine that class C1 is a class to which a vehicle with a high driving skill level belongs. Thereby, the probe information analysis function can acquire, as target probe information, probe information of vehicles belonging to the class C1 that is determined to have high driving proficiency among a plurality of clustered classes.

  In the above-described example, the configuration in which the clustering process is performed based on the driving frequency in the day and / or time zone and the driving frequency in the region to determine the driving skill of the driver of each vehicle is illustrated. The clustering process is performed by adding the occurrence frequency of the vehicle and the occurrence frequency of the sudden start and the rapid deceleration to determine the driving skill level of the driver of each vehicle.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the probe information analysis function groups the probe information stored in the database 230 for each vehicle type, and from each of the grouped probe information, for each region, day of the week, and time zone. Each time, probe information of a vehicle belonging to a class having a high driving skill is acquired as target probe information. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the target probe information is acquired for each vehicle type, each region, each day of the week, and each time zone.

  Next, the probe information analysis function identifies a place where the vehicle tends to escape based on the target probe information as a recommended saving place. Specifically, the probe information analysis function first determines the position where the vehicle slows or stops based on the vehicle position information, vehicle speed information, turn signal operation information, and hazard lamp operation information included in the target probe information. Estimated as a save position candidate. For example, in the probe information analysis function, the position where the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined speed (including zero), the position where the turn signal is turned on when the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed, or the position where the hazard lamp is turned on Can be estimated as The probe information analysis function determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped by determining whether or not the position of the vehicle has changed based on the probe information of the same vehicle obtained continuously in time. It can also be determined whether or not.

  Furthermore, the probe information analysis function excludes such a save position candidate from the save position when the save position candidate includes a position where the vehicle needs to slow down or stop according to traffic rules. Specifically, the probe information analysis function requires the vehicle to slow down or stop according to traffic rules based on location information such as intersections, stop lines, traffic lights, and road signs stored in the database 230. It is determined whether or not the position is a certain position. Then, the probe information analysis function specifies such a save position candidate as a save position when the save position candidate is not a position where the vehicle needs to slow down or stop according to traffic rules.

  And a probe information analysis function specifies the place where a vehicle tends to evacuate as a recommended evacuation place based on a plurality of evacuation positions of a plurality of vehicles estimated. Specifically, the probe information analysis function plots a plurality of estimated save positions on a map. And the probe information analysis function can specify this range as a recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate when a predetermined number or more of evacuation positions are plotted within a predetermined size range. In addition, the magnitude | size of this range is not specifically limited, It can set suitably.

  Here, FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are diagrams for explaining a method for specifying a recommended shelter. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vehicle V1 traveling on the road B1 is directed toward the road B2, and the vehicle V2 traveling on the road B2 is directed toward the road B1, so that the vehicle V1 and the vehicle V2 are It shows a passing scene. In the example shown in FIG. 3, since the driver of the vehicle V1 passes the oncoming vehicle V2, the vehicle V1 is moved to the position P1 and stopped (retracted) at the position P1. In this case, the probe information analysis function estimates, based on the target probe information of the vehicle V1, the position P1 where the vehicle speed of the vehicle V1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed and is not required to stop due to traffic rules or the like as a retracted position. can do. Then, the probe information analysis function plots the estimated save position P1 on the map. In the example shown in FIG. 4, since the driver of the vehicle V2 passes the oncoming vehicle V1, the vehicle V2 is moved to the position P2 and stopped (retracted) at the position P2. In this case, the probe information analysis function estimates, based on the target probe information of the vehicle V2, the position P2 where the vehicle speed of the vehicle V2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed and is not required to stop due to traffic rules or the like as a retracted position. can do. Then, the probe information analysis function plots the estimated save position P2 on a map.

  Similarly, the probe information analysis function estimates the retreat positions of a plurality of vehicles based on the target probe information of the plurality of vehicles and plots them on a map. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the probe information analysis function further estimates the retreat positions P3 to P6 based on the target probe information of a plurality of vehicles and plots them on the map. In this case, the probe information analysis function performs a predetermined number (for example, 3 in the example shown in FIG. 5) or more of the retreat positions within a predetermined size range TP1 based on the retreat positions P1 to P6 plotted on the map. It is determined that P1, P3, and P4 are included, and the range TP1 can be specified as a recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate. Similarly, the probe information analysis function determines that a predetermined number or more of the retreat positions P2, P5, and P6 are included in a predetermined size range TP2, and the vehicle tends to retreat the range TP2. It can be specified as a shelter.

  Then, the probe information analysis function stores in the database 230 information on recommended saving places where the vehicle tends to save. In addition, the probe information analysis function extracts the latest target probe information at regular intervals and specifies the recommended save location where the vehicle tends to save, so that information on the recommended save location stored in the database 230 is obtained. Can be updated sequentially.

  As described above, the probe information analysis function acquires the target probe information for each vehicle type, each region, each day of the week, and / or each time zone. Then, the probe information analysis function performs the recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate based on the target probe information for each vehicle type, region, day of the week and / or time zone, for each vehicle type, day of the week and Specify each time period. As a result, information on the recommended shelter location for each vehicle type, day of the week and / or time zone is stored in the database 230.

  The information providing function of the server processing device 220 provides the save location guide information to the in-vehicle device 100. Specifically, the information providing function provides the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle with the save location guide information suitable for the target vehicle based on the probe information of the vehicle that provides the save location guide information (hereinafter referred to as the target vehicle). Output to.

  More specifically, the information providing function first determines the vehicle type of the target vehicle, the day of the week and / or the time zone in which the target vehicle travels based on the latest probe information of the target vehicle acquired from the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. Identify. Then, the information providing function acquires from the database 230 information on recommended evacuation places where vehicles of the same vehicle type as the target vehicle tend to evacuate on the day of the week and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels. Note that, as described above, in the present embodiment, the recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate is specified for each vehicle type, day of the week, and / or time zone. Information on the recommended evacuation place where a vehicle of the same vehicle type as the target vehicle tends to evacuate can be acquired from the database 230 on the day of the week and / or the time zone when the vehicle travels.

  Then, when the information on the planned travel route is included in the probe information of the target vehicle, the information providing function identifies a recommended evacuation place on the planned travel route of the target vehicle and transmits it to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. . In addition, the information providing function exists in the vicinity of the target vehicle based on the position information of the target vehicle included in the probe information of the target vehicle when the probe information of the target vehicle does not include information on the planned travel route. The recommended evacuation place to be identified is specified and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle.

  Further, the information providing function determines the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle, and when the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is high, the information providing function is configured not to output the shelter location guidance information to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. be able to. For example, the information providing function extracts the target vehicle probe information acquired from the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle from the database 230. Furthermore, the information providing function is based on the probe information of the target vehicle extracted from the database 230, and the traveling frequency of the target vehicle in the region where the target vehicle travels and the target vehicle in the day of the week and / or the time zone in which the target vehicle travels. The travel frequency and, further, the occurrence frequency of a sudden handle in the target vehicle and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and sudden deceleration in the target vehicle are calculated. In the information providing function, the traveling frequency of the target vehicle in the area where the target vehicle travels is a predetermined value or more, or the traveling frequency of the target vehicle in the day and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels is a predetermined value or more. Or by determining whether the frequency of occurrence of a sudden handle in the target vehicle is less than a predetermined value, whether the frequency of occurrence of sudden start and sudden deceleration in the target vehicle is less than a predetermined value, It is possible to estimate the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle on the day of the week and / or the time zone.

  When the information providing function determines that the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value in the region, day of the week, and / or time zone in which the target vehicle travels, Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration that does not output the shelter information. This is because, when the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is high, if the save location guidance information is presented to the driver, the driver of the target vehicle may be bothered.

  Then, with reference to FIGS. 6-8, operation | movement of the information provision system which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. 6 is a flowchart showing probe information transmission processing according to the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing probe information analysis processing according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is information according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a provision process.

  First, a probe information transmission process for transmitting vehicle probe information from the in-vehicle device 100 to the information providing device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The probe information transmission process shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the in-vehicle device 100 mounted on each vehicle.

  First, in step S101, the probe information acquisition function of the in-vehicle control device 140 determines whether or not the ignition is turned on. While the ignition is off, the process waits in step S101, and when the ignition is on, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, probe information is acquired by the probe information acquisition function of the in-vehicle control device 140. The probe information acquisition function can acquire the detection result of each sensor from the sensor group 110 and the operation information of each operation device from the operation device group 120 as probe information. In step S103, the probe information acquired in step S102 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the in-vehicle control device 140 by the probe information acquisition function of the in-vehicle control device 140.

  In step S104, the probe information transmission function of the in-vehicle controller 140 determines whether or not a certain period has elapsed since the last time probe information was transmitted. When the fixed period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S105, and the probe information accumulated in step S103 is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 to the information providing device 200 by the probe information transmission function of the in-vehicle control device 140. On the other hand, if the certain period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S102, and acquisition and accumulation of probe information are repeated.

  In step S106, the probe information transmission function of the in-vehicle control device 140 determines whether or not the ignition is turned off. If the ignition is on, the process returns to step S102, and probe information acquisition and temporary storage are repeated. When the ignition is turned off, the probe information transmission function shown in FIG. 6 is terminated by the probe information transmission function.

  Subsequently, a probe information analysis process for analyzing the probe information received from the in-vehicle device 100 in the information providing device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the probe information analysis process shown in FIG. 7 is repeatedly performed at regular time intervals by the server processing apparatus 220 of the information providing apparatus 200.

  In step S201, the probe information storage function of the server processing device 220 receives a plurality of probe information transmitted from the plurality of in-vehicle devices 100, and stores the received probe information in the database 230. The probe information storage function refers to the vehicle type information stored in the database 230, and the type of vehicle (for example, large vehicle, ordinary vehicle, small vehicle, etc.) that acquired the probe information from the vehicle ID included in the probe information, vehicle Information on dimensions (for example, total length, full width, total height, tread width, vehicle weight, total vehicle weight, etc.) and engine engine displacement is specified. Further, the probe information storage function refers to the road information stored in the database 230, and from the vehicle position included in the probe information, the type of road on which the vehicle that acquired the probe information travels (for example, the road on which the vehicle travels). Is a general road, a motorway, a bridge, or a tunnel). Thus, the probe information stored in the database 230 is associated with the vehicle type, road type, and the like of the vehicle when the probe information is acquired. Note that the process of step S201 is sequentially executed every time probe information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100.

  In step S202, the probe information analysis function determines whether or not a certain period has elapsed since the start of probe information accumulation. Until the predetermined period elapses, the accumulation of probe information in step S201 is repeated. When the predetermined period elapses, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, processing for grouping a plurality of pieces of probe information is performed by the probe information analysis function. Specifically, the probe information analysis function acquires a plurality of probe information accumulated in the database 230, and based on the vehicle type information associated with the probe information, acquires the acquired probe information for each vehicle type. Group.

  In step S204, the traveling pattern of each vehicle is specified by the probe information analysis function. Specifically, the probe information analysis function classifies the probe information grouped in step S203 for each vehicle based on the vehicle ID included in the probe information, and based on a plurality of probe information classified for each vehicle. The vehicle driving frequency for each day of the week and / or time zone, the vehicle driving frequency for each region, the occurrence frequency of the sudden handle, and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and deceleration are specified for each vehicle as the vehicle driving pattern. .

  In step S205, clustering processing for classifying the traveling pattern of the vehicle identified in step S204 into a plurality of classes is executed by the probe information analysis function. For example, the probe information analysis function performs statistical processing such as the k-average method, so that, as shown in FIG. 2, the frequency of vehicle travel on the target day and / or time zone, and the vehicle travel in the target region. Based on the frequency, the occurrence frequency of the sudden steering wheel, and the occurrence frequency of the sudden start and the rapid deceleration, the traveling pattern of the vehicle specified for each vehicle can be clustered into a plurality of classes.

  In step S206, the target probe information is acquired by the probe information analysis function. For example, the probe information analysis function specifies a class to which a traveling pattern of a vehicle with a high driving skill level belongs from among a plurality of classes clustered in step S205. Then, the probe information analysis function can acquire the probe information of the vehicle having the traveling pattern belonging to the specified class as the target probe information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C1 has a higher traveling frequency on the target day of the week and / or time zone than the traveling pattern of the vehicle in class C2, and the traveling of the vehicle in class C3. Compared with the pattern, the driving frequency in the target area is high. Therefore, the probe information analysis function determines that the class C1 is a class to which a vehicle having a high driving skill level belongs, and acquires probe information of a vehicle belonging to the class C1 that is determined to have a high driving skill level as target probe information. be able to.

  In step S207, the retreat position of each vehicle is specified based on the target probe information acquired in step S206 by the probe information analysis function. Specifically, the probe information analysis function is based on the vehicle position information, the vehicle speed information, the turn signal operation information, and the hazard lamp operation information included in the target probe information. Estimate as a candidate. Furthermore, the probe information analysis function excludes such a save position candidate from the save position when the estimated save position candidate includes a position where the vehicle needs to slow down or stop according to traffic rules. In this way, the retracted position of the vehicle is specified.

  In step S208, the probe information analysis function identifies a place where the vehicle tends to be evacuated as a recommended evacuation place based on the evacuation positions of the plurality of vehicles identified in step S207. Specifically, the probe information analysis function plots a plurality of escape positions estimated in step S207 on a map. And the probe information analysis function can specify this range as a recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate when a predetermined number or more of evacuation positions are plotted within a predetermined size range. Thereby, the probe information analysis function can identify a recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate.

  In step S209, information on the recommended shelter specified in step S208 is accumulated in the database 230 by the probe information analysis function.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an information providing process for providing the driver with save place guidance information for guiding the recommended save place will be described. In the information providing process illustrated in FIG. 8, steps S301 to S307 are executed by the information providing apparatus 200, and steps S308 to S310 are executed by the in-vehicle apparatus 100. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the vehicle to which the save place guidance information is provided will be described as the target vehicle.

  In step S301, the probe information of the target vehicle transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle is received by the information providing function of the server processing device 220.

  In step S302, it is determined by the information providing function of the server processing device 220 whether or not the target location guidance information is to be provided to the target vehicle. Specifically, the information providing function determines whether or not to provide the shelter location guidance information to the target vehicle by determining the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle. For example, the information providing function is based on the probe information of the target vehicle, the target vehicle travel frequency in the region where the target vehicle travels, the target vehicle travel frequency in the day of the week and / or the time zone in which the target vehicle travels, The occurrence frequency of the sudden handle in the target vehicle and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and sudden deceleration in the target vehicle are calculated. In the information providing function, the traveling frequency of the target vehicle in the area where the target vehicle travels is a predetermined value or more, or the traveling frequency of the target vehicle in the day and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels is a predetermined value or more. Or by determining whether the frequency of occurrence of a sudden handle in the target vehicle is less than a predetermined value, whether the frequency of occurrence of sudden start and sudden deceleration in the target vehicle is less than a predetermined value, It is possible to estimate the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle on the day of the week and / or the time zone. When the information providing function determines that the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined value in the region, day of the week and / or time zone in which the target vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to step S303, When it is determined that the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle is less than the predetermined value, the information providing process shown in FIG. 8 is terminated.

  In step S <b> 303, the information providing function of the server processing device 220 acquires information on a recommended shelter location corresponding to the vehicle type of the target vehicle from the database 230 on the day of the week and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels. Specifically, the information providing function specifies the vehicle type of the target vehicle and the day of the week and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels based on the probe information of the target vehicle received in step S301. In the present embodiment, the probe information analysis function shown in FIG. 7 causes the recommended saving place information that the vehicle tends to save to be stored in the database 230 for each vehicle type, for each day of the week and / or for the time zone in which the vehicle travels. It is remembered. For this reason, the information providing function can acquire information on recommended evacuation places where a vehicle of the same vehicle type as the vehicle type of the target vehicle tends to evacuate on the day of the week and / or time zone when the target vehicle travels from the database 230. .

  In step S304, it is determined by the information providing function of the server processing device 220 whether or not a scheduled travel route is set for the target vehicle. For example, the information providing function can determine that the planned travel route is set when the probe information of the target vehicle includes information on the planned travel route. If it is determined that the planned travel route is set for the target vehicle, the process proceeds to step S305. If it is determined that the planned travel route is not set for the target vehicle, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S305, the information providing function of the server processing device 220 identifies the recommended save location on the planned travel route of the target vehicle from the recommended save location information acquired in step S303. Specifically, the information providing function specifies information on the recommended evacuation place on the planned travel route of the target vehicle based on the planned travel route information included in the probe information of the target vehicle received in step S301.

  In step S306, the information providing function of the server processing device 220 identifies the recommended save location existing around the current target vehicle from the information of the recommended save location acquired in step S303. For example, the information providing function identifies the position of the target vehicle based on the probe information of the target vehicle received in step S301, and is within a predetermined range from the position of the target vehicle among the recommended shelters acquired in step S303. The included recommended shelter location can be identified as a recommended shelter location around the target vehicle.

  In step S307, the information providing function of the server processing device 220 transmits the save location guidance information for guiding the recommended save location specified in step S306 or step S305 to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle.

  Steps S308 to S310 are executed by the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. First, in step S <b> 308, the save location guide information transmitted from the information providing apparatus 200 is received by the information presentation function of the in-vehicle control apparatus 140.

  In step S309, the information presentation function of the in-vehicle control device 140 determines whether or not there is another vehicle to be passed or overtaken around the target vehicle. For example, if vehicle-to-vehicle communication is possible between the target vehicle and a surrounding vehicle that travels around the target vehicle, the in-vehicle control device 140 obtains information such as the position, traveling direction, and vehicle speed of the surrounding vehicle from the surrounding vehicle. By receiving, it can be determined whether or not there is another vehicle to be passed or overtaken around the target vehicle. In addition, when other vehicles that pass the target vehicle or other vehicles that pass the target vehicle are detected by sensors such as a camera, radar, or sonar, it is determined that there are other vehicles that are subject to passing or passing the target vehicle. It is good also as composition to do. If there is another vehicle that is a target of passing or passing around the target vehicle, the process proceeds to step S310, and if there is no other vehicle that is a target of passing or passing around the target vehicle, FIG. The information providing process shown in FIG.

  In step S310, by using the information presenting function of the in-vehicle control device 140, the save location guidance information for guiding the recommended save location is presented to the driver. For example, the information presentation function can present the save location guidance information to the driver by superimposing an image indicating the recommended save location on the map displayed on the display of the presentation device 150.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the retreat positions where a plurality of vehicles have retreated are estimated based on a plurality of probe information, and the vehicles tend to retreat based on the information on the plurality of retreat positions of the plurality of vehicles. A certain place is identified as a recommended shelter, and information on the recommended shelter is output. Thereby, even when the vehicle needs to pass through a narrow road, the driver's anxiety due to the vehicle passing through the narrow road can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, information including the position information of the target vehicle is acquired from the target vehicle, and information on a recommended shelter location based on the position of the target vehicle is output based on the position information of the target vehicle. Thereby, the information of the recommended save place suitable for the save of the target vehicle can be presented to the driver of the target vehicle.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the driving skill level of the driver of the target vehicle is estimated in the region where the target vehicle travels, the day of the week and / or the time zone when the target vehicle travels, and the driving skill level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The shelter location guidance information is not provided to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. Thus, if the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is high in the area where the target vehicle is traveling, the day of the week and / or the time zone in which the target vehicle is traveling, the troublesomeness caused by providing the shelter location guidance information is rejected. It is possible to effectively prevent giving to the driver of the target vehicle.

  In addition, in this embodiment, by acquiring information related to the planned travel route of the target vehicle from the target vehicle, it is possible to provide the driver of the target vehicle with information on the recommended save location on the planned travel route of the target vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the probe information includes the vehicle type information and time information of the vehicle, and the recommended evacuation place is specified for each vehicle type, day of the week, and / or time zone based on the plurality of probe information. Further, the vehicle type information and time information of the target vehicle are acquired from the target vehicle, and the vehicle type of the target vehicle and the day of the week and / or the time zone in which the target vehicle travels are specified. Then, on the day of the week and / or the time zone when the target vehicle travels, information on the recommended save location where the same type of vehicle as the target vehicle tends to save is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle. Thereby, the information of the recommended evacuation place suitable for the target vehicle can be provided to the driver of the target vehicle.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the probe information includes information on the steering angle, the vehicle speed, the acceleration / deceleration, the accelerator opening, and the brake opening, and based on such probe information, the vehicle running frequency, day of the week, And / or classifying vehicle driving patterns such as driving frequency for each time zone, occurrence frequency of sudden steering, or occurrence frequency of sudden start and deceleration. Then, the driving patterns of a plurality of vehicles are clustered and classified into a plurality of classes, and a class having a high driving skill level to which a driving pattern having a high driving skill level belongs is specified. Then, the recommended evacuation place is specified based on the probe information of the vehicle whose vehicle driving pattern belongs to the class having a high driving skill. As a result, a place where a driver with a high driving skill tends to evacuate can be identified as a recommended evacuation place.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the position where the vehicle slows down or stops and / or the position where the vehicle turns on the blinker or the hazard lamp is estimated as the retreat position. Thereby, the retracted position where the vehicle has retracted can be estimated with high accuracy. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recommended evacuation place where the vehicle tends to evacuate can be specified with high accuracy by not estimating the place where the vehicle needs to slow down or stop according to the traffic rules as the evacuation position.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information providing apparatus 200 specifies the recommended traveling place around the target travel route or the target vehicle of the target vehicle, and the information on the recommended traveling location around the planned travel route or the target vehicle. Although the configuration of transmitting to the in-vehicle device 100 as the save location guide information has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the information providing device 200 sends the recommended save location information stored in the database 230 to the in-vehicle device 100. And in the in-vehicle device 100, the recommended travel location around the target vehicle or the target vehicle is identified in the in-vehicle device 100, and information on the recommended travel location around the planned travel route or the target vehicle is used as the save location guidance information. It may be configured to be presented to the driver.

  In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle exemplifies the configuration of acquiring the save location guide information from the information providing device 200 by transmitting the probe information of the target vehicle to the information providing device 200. For example, the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle may be configured to acquire the retreat location guidance information from the information providing device 200 by transmitting request information different from the probe information to the information providing device 200. Good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the in-vehicle device 100 of the target vehicle, the configuration for determining whether or not there is another vehicle to be passed or overtaken around the target vehicle is illustrated, but the configuration is limited to this configuration. For example, the information providing apparatus 200 may be configured to determine whether or not there is another vehicle to be passed or overtaken around the target vehicle. For example, the information providing apparatus 200 becomes a target of passing or passing around the target vehicle based on information such as the position, traveling direction, and vehicle speed of the vehicle included in the plurality of probe information collected from the plurality of vehicles. It is determined whether or not a vehicle exists. In this case, when the information providing apparatus 200 determines that there is another vehicle to be passed or overtaken around the target vehicle, the information providing apparatus 200 provides the shelter location guidance information to the in-vehicle apparatus 100 of the target vehicle.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the traveling patterns of a plurality of vehicles are clustered into a plurality of classes, and the probe information of the vehicles belonging to the class in which the traveling pattern of the vehicle is determined to have a high driving skill level is obtained as target probe information. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the probe information of the vehicle belonging to the class in which the driving pattern of the vehicle is determined to have the same driving skill level as the driver of the target vehicle is used as the target probe information. It can be set as the structure acquired. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the information providing apparatus 200 specifies the driving skill level of the target vehicle based on the probe information of the target vehicle, and if the travel pattern of the target vehicle belongs to class C2, the information providing apparatus 200 The class C2 to which the traveling pattern belongs is determined to be a class determined to have a driving skill level comparable to that of the driver of the target vehicle. And the information provision apparatus 200 can acquire the probe information of the vehicle in which the traveling pattern of the vehicle belongs to the class C2 as the target probe information. Thereby, the information of the recommended evacuation place suitable for the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle can be presented to the driver of the target vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, based on the traveling frequency of the vehicle for each region, the traveling frequency of the vehicle for each day of the week, and / or the time zone, for each region where the target vehicle travels, the day of the week and / or the time for which the target vehicle travels. Although the configuration for estimating the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle for each belt is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is simply estimated based on the driving frequency of the vehicle. It is good also as composition to do.

  Note that the server processing device 220 of the information providing device 200 according to the above-described embodiment corresponds to a controller of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... In-vehicle apparatus 110 ... Sensor group 120 ... Operation apparatus group 130 ... In-vehicle communication apparatus 140 ... In-vehicle control apparatus 150 ... Presentation apparatus 200 ... Information providing apparatus 210 ... Server communication apparatus 220 ... Server processing apparatus 230 ... Database

Claims (10)

An information providing method for collecting a plurality of probe information including vehicle position information from a plurality of vehicles and outputting information based on an analysis result of the plurality of probe information,
Based on the plurality of probe information, the vehicle is retracted, the retreat position is estimated, and on the basis of the retreat position information of the plurality of vehicles, a place where the vehicle tends to retreat is identified as a recommended retreat location, An information provision method that outputs information on recommended shelters. The information providing method according to claim 1,
Obtaining information including position information of the target vehicle from the target vehicle;
An information providing method for outputting information on the recommended shelter based on the position of the target vehicle based on the position information of the target vehicle. The information providing method according to claim 2,
Based on the information including the position information of the target vehicle, estimating the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle,
An information providing method that does not output the recommended shelter information when the driving skill of the driver of the target vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The information providing method according to claim 2, wherein:
Detecting an oncoming vehicle or a following vehicle existing around the target vehicle,
An information providing method for outputting information on the recommended shelter location when the target vehicle or the following vehicle is present around the target vehicle. It is the information provision method in any one of Claims 2-4,
Obtaining information on the planned travel route of the target vehicle from the target vehicle;
An information providing method for outputting information of the recommended evacuation place on the planned travel route of the target vehicle. An information providing method according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The probe information further includes vehicle type information or time information of the vehicle,
Based on the plurality of probe information, for each vehicle type of the vehicle, for each day of the week, or for each time zone, to identify the recommended shelter location,
Further acquiring vehicle type information or time information of the target vehicle from the target vehicle,
An information providing method for outputting information of the recommended evacuation place in a vehicle type of the target vehicle, a day of the week or a time zone in which the target vehicle travels. It is the information provision method in any one of Claims 1-6,
The probe information further includes at least one information among information on steering angle, vehicle speed, acceleration / deceleration, accelerator opening, and brake opening,
Based on the probe information, specify the vehicle running pattern including at least one of the running frequency of the vehicle, the occurrence frequency of the sudden handle, and the occurrence frequency of sudden start and sudden deceleration,
Classify the driving pattern of the vehicle into a plurality of classes according to driving proficiency;
An information providing method for outputting information of the recommended shelter location based on probe information of a vehicle whose vehicle driving pattern belongs to a class corresponding to a predetermined driving skill level among the plurality of classes. It is the information provision method in any one of Claims 1-7,
An information providing method for estimating a position where the vehicle slows down or stops and / or a position where the vehicle lights a blinker or a hazard lamp as the retracted position. It is the information provision method in any one of Claims 1-8,
A method of providing information in which a place where a vehicle needs to slow down or stop according to traffic rules is not estimated as the retreat position. An information providing apparatus including a controller that collects a plurality of probe information including vehicle position information from a plurality of vehicles and outputs information based on an analysis result of the plurality of probe information,
The controller estimates a retreat position where the vehicle has retreated based on the plurality of probe information, specifies a place where the vehicle tends to retreat from the retreat position of the plurality of vehicles as a recommended retreat location, An information providing device that outputs information on recommended shelters.

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