JP3702843B2 - In-vehicle information playback device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus that reproduces information with a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As means for using information, broadcasting means such as radio and television, packaging means such as tapes and disks on which information is recorded, and on-demand methods for obtaining specific information requested through communication means are known. It has been. Since the broadcasting means is provided with information in a group of programs, the user cannot adjust the information usage time (information amount) on the user side. Further, since the package means has a different information amount for each pre-recorded information, the user cannot adjust the information use time (information amount) on the user side. Furthermore, since the requested information is also provided in a lump in the on-demand method, the user cannot adjust the information use time (information amount). When providing such information, a method of adjusting the amount of information and providing it to the user has been devised.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-99441 discloses an information presentation apparatus that adjusts the amount of information according to the situation of an information user and presents the adjusted information to the user. According to this apparatus, the information amount is adjusted according to the time preset by the information user or the average time the information user has used the information in the past. Therefore, when information is used in the vehicle, the amount of information can be adjusted according to the time spent in the vehicle if the time spent in the vehicle differs by the difference in travel distance to the destination or due to road congestion. could not.
[0005]
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus that adjusts information reproduction time according to time spent in a vehicle, and is a list of information to be reproduced in a vehicle, which is a standard reproduction time (standard mode) and a reproduction time shorter than standard. (Abbreviated mode) and the time required for the vehicle to arrive at the destination based on the travel information of the vehicle while reproducing the information according to the information list each including data indicating the reproduction time (extended mode) longer than the standard For each piece of information to be played back from the standard mode, the shortened mode, and the extended mode so that the calculated playback time corresponds to the estimated required time. If you change the information list by selecting and select playback time in shortened mode or extended mode, the time difference from the playback time in standard mode It is obtained so as to select from a small information.
[0006]
【The invention's effect】
  In the in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, when changing the information list including the information to be reproduced, when selecting the reproduction time in the shortened mode or the extended mode, the information is selected from information having a small time difference from the reproduction time in the standard mode. Therefore, the information reproduction time after the information list is changed is prevented from changing greatly, and the reproduction time can be appropriately adjusted according to the estimated required time.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle information providing system having a vehicle information providing apparatus (information providing center) and an in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus (in-vehicle system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle information providing system includes an information providing center 10 and an in-vehicle system 20 mounted on a customer's vehicle. The information providing center 10 communicates with the in-vehicle system 20 to provide information to the customer. Here, the information provided to the in-vehicle system 20 is referred to as content information.
[0008]
The information providing center 10 includes an information providing server 1, a usage time estimation device 2, a user database 3, a program guide creation device 4, and a content database 5. The information providing server 1 is connected to the Internet, transmits and receives information to and from other Web site servers on the Internet, and performs bidirectional communication, and acquires information that is not stored in the content database 5 as necessary. The information providing server 1 further performs bidirectional communication by transmitting and receiving information to and from the in-vehicle system 20. A communication medium in which the information providing server 1 performs two-way communication with the in-vehicle system 20 is configured by, for example, a communication device 9 represented by a mobile phone.
[0009]
The content database 5 stores content information distributed from the information providing center 10 to the in-vehicle system 20. The user database 3 stores user information such as user attributes and past usage history. The utilization time estimation device 2 calculates the estimated required time until the vehicle arrives at the destination using travel information such as the vehicle speed sent from the vehicle. The program guide creation device 4 determines content information to be provided to the in-vehicle system 20 and creates a program guide.
[0010]
The content information provided by the in-vehicle system 20 includes the following.
(a) Content information distributed from the information providing center 10 to the vehicle (for example, music, past news, information from a website)
(b) Content information that the vehicle-mounted system 20 of the vehicle has (for example, music recorded on a CD mounted on the vehicle)
(c) Content information (for example, radio broadcast program) acquired by the in-vehicle system 20 of the vehicle without going through the information providing center 10
[0011]
The in-vehicle system 20 includes an in-vehicle information providing device 6, a sensor system 7, and a storage device 8. The in-vehicle information providing device 6 includes, for example, a navigation system (not shown), an audio device, and a radio receiver. The in-vehicle system 20 performs two-way communication with the information providing center 10 via the communication device 9 (for example, a mobile telephone line). The content information provided by the in-vehicle system 20 is reproduced from a speaker by a reproduction device (not shown) in the vehicle. At this time, the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6 reproduces the content information in the order of the numbers in the program guide distributed from the information providing center 10. The sensor system 7 detects vehicle travel information such as the vehicle travel speed and acceleration status. The storage device 8 stores a program guide and content information distributed from the information providing center 10.
[0012]
The present invention calculates the estimated required time until the vehicle arrives at the destination using the travel information sent from the vehicle by the information providing center 10 and determines the content information to be provided to the customer vehicle according to the calculated time. To do. In that case, it has the characteristic in preparing the some candidate from which reproduction time differs for every content information. In the case where the information providing center 10 changes the determined content information, the order in which each piece of content information is reproduced, the respective reproduction times of a plurality of candidates prepared for each piece of content information, and the candidates (change the reproduction time). Is created and distributed to the user's vehicle, including a program guide including media information indicating how to obtain each piece of content information.
[0013]
On the other hand, the in-vehicle system 20 acquires and reproduces content information according to the distributed program guide. At that time, every time one piece of content information is played, the expected travel time is calculated using the latest travel information, and the content information candidates that have not been played are changed (the playback time is changed) according to the calculated time. It is characterized by reproducing information.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed in the vehicle information providing system described above. The left side of FIG. 2 is a process performed in the information providing center 10, and the right side of FIG. 2 is a process performed in the in-vehicle system 20. The process according to FIG. 2 is activated when the start of the process is instructed by a vehicle occupant. In step S100, the vehicle occupant inputs the destination of the vehicle into a navigation system (not shown). The occupant further sets the purpose of using the content information in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6. The purpose of use is, for example,
(1) Obtain weather information.
(2) Obtain traffic information.
(3) Listen to the news.
(4) Listen to music.
Thus, a plurality of purposes can be set.
[0015]
The in-vehicle system 20 transmits a request including information indicating the input destination, purpose of use, and the like to the information providing center 10 and proceeds to step S200. At this time, if the user wishes to have content information in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6, information indicating the storage location of the content information is transmitted to the information providing center 10. For example, in order to listen to a song recorded on a CD set in a CD player of an audio device (not shown), information indicating the disc number and track number of the CD is transmitted. In addition, when it is desired to listen to a song based on music data recorded in the storage device 8 in the in-vehicle information providing device 6, path information indicating the recording location of the music data is transmitted. The in-vehicle system 20 further transmits information indicating the current location of the vehicle detected by a position detection device of a navigation system (not shown) and route information searched by the navigation system to the information providing center 10. The vehicle starts to travel at this point.
[0016]
In step S200, the information providing center 10 estimates the information use time on the in-vehicle system 20 side using the information transmitted from the in-vehicle system 20, and proceeds to step S300. The estimation of the usage time is the estimated required time until the vehicle arrives at the destination. The estimated required time is obtained, for example, by dividing the travel distance based on the route information by a preset average travel speed. In step S300, the information providing center 10 extracts content information that matches the purpose of use from the content database 5 and distributes the content information program so that the total reproduction time of the content information to be provided falls within the estimated usage time. Create a table. If the content information in the in-vehicle information providing device 6 is designated, the content information is also selected from the in-vehicle information providing device 6.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a program table created by the information providing center 10. In FIG. 3, the order of content information to be played back by the vehicle is written in the program number column. In the type column, the title of the content information that matches the purpose of use is written. In the standard column, the standard reproduction time of each content information is written. Here, the total of the standard playback times (3000 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) is set so that playback ends within the usage time corresponding to the usage time estimated in step S200. In the column of shortening (mode) 1 to shortening (mode) 3, the reproduction time of content information in the shortening mode is written in units of seconds for each content information. The reproduction time of shortening (mode) 2 is shorter than that of shortening (mode) 1, and the reproduction time of shortening (mode) 3 is shorter than that of shortening (mode) 2. 0 indicates that playback is stopped. For example, in the case of music (song), the content information in the abbreviated mode is shortened by making the number 1 only or performing a fade-out process. In the case of news, priorities are assigned to news items in advance so that only the top items are given or only headlines are shortened. Except for the case where the music is faded out, the content information is adjusted in accordance with the reproduction time, so that the content information is shortened so as not to be interrupted during the reproduction.
[0018]
In the abbreviated order column, the priority order when the content information is set to the abbreviated mode is described. In order to shorten the total reproduction time of the content information, the shortening mode is selected from the ones with the highest priority (reducing the reproduction time). In the example of FIG. 3, the weather forecast for program number 2 is shortened first, and the news in general for program number 3 is shortened last.
[0019]
In the column of extension (mode) 1 to extension (mode) 3, the reproduction time of the content information in the extension mode is written in units of seconds for each content information. The reproduction time of extension (mode) 2 is longer than that of extension (mode) 1, and the reproduction time of extension (mode) 3 is set longer than that of extension (mode) 2. For example, in the case of news, the content information in the extension mode is extended by adding detailed content or by adding related news. In the case of music (song), it is extended by adding number 2 in the case of playback of only number 1 or adding other songs of the same genre.
[0020]
In the column of the extension order, the priority order when the content information is set to the extension mode is described. When extending the total playback time of content information, select the extension mode from the one with the highest priority (extend the playback time). In the example of FIG. 3, contrary to the shortening order, the general news of program number 3 is extended first, and the weather forecast of program number 2 is extended last.
[0021]
The playback time in the shortening mode and the extension mode is set by a statistical method. In general, it is known that the use time of an automobile, that is, the variation in the time required to arrive at a destination, takes a normal distribution when statistically calculated for each area and purpose of use of the automobile. For example, the usage hours of automobiles in commuting use by city and region investigated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are distributed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents usage time (running time), and the vertical axis represents frequency. The center of the distribution curve is the average value of usage time, and the standard deviation is represented by σ.
[0022]
The total reproduction time (2555 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) of each piece of content information corresponding to the shortening mode 1 of FIG. 3 is set corresponding to −σ of FIG. The total reproduction time (1475 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) of each piece of content information corresponding to the shortening mode 2 is set corresponding to −2σ in FIG. The total reproduction time (520 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) of each piece of content information corresponding to the shortening mode 3 is set corresponding to −3σ in FIG. Similarly, the total reproduction time of each piece of content information corresponding to the extension mode 1 (3495 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) corresponds to + σ in FIG. 4 and the total reproduction time of each piece of content information corresponding to the extension mode 2 ( 4235 corresponds to + 2σ in FIG. 4, and the total playback time of each content information corresponding to extension mode 3 (6335 seconds in the example in FIG. 3) corresponds to + 3σ in FIG. Is set.
[0023]
As described above, the reproduction time according to the program table in FIG. 3 corresponds to the average reproduction time corresponding to the average reproduction time (travel time), and the time required to reach the destination changes depending on traffic conditions such as road congestion. However, when the usage time follows the distribution of FIG. 4, it is set so that the reproduction time of the content information can be adjusted in response to almost all changes in the usage time. In order to consider all cases included in the normal distribution, the reproduction time may be set within a range of ± 3.3σ with respect to the average value.
[0024]
In step S400, the information providing center 10 transmits the program table created as described above to the in-vehicle system 20. At this time, media information indicating how to acquire each piece of content information is also delivered. The media information indicates whether content information is downloaded from the information providing center 10 to the in-vehicle system 20 or stored in the storage device 8 in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6.
[0025]
In step S500, the in-vehicle system 20 acquires the program guide distributed from the information providing center 10, and proceeds to step S510. In step S <b> 510, the in-vehicle system 20 determines whether each piece of content information in the program guide is in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6. The in-vehicle system 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S510 when the content information is in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6 such as the storage device 8, and proceeds to step S600. If the content information is not in the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6, the in-vehicle system 20 performs step S510. Make a negative decision. If the determination in step S510 is negative, the in-vehicle system 20 requests the information providing center 10 to transmit the content information, and the process proceeds to step S610.
[0026]
In step S <b> 610, the information providing center 10 receives the content information transmission request, reads the content information from the content database 5, and distributes the content information to the in-vehicle system 20. When the information providing center 10 distributes the content information, the information providing center 10 proceeds to step S600.
[0027]
In step S600, the in-vehicle system 20 acquires the content information by reading the content information from the storage device 8 or receiving it from the information providing center 10, and proceeds to step S700. In step S700, the in-vehicle system 20 reproduces the acquired content information from a speaker by a reproduction device (not shown) in the vehicle, and proceeds to step S800. At the time of reproduction, if the content information is composed of an audio signal, the audio is reproduced as it is, and if the content information is composed of text data, it is converted into audio data by a well-known TTS and reproduced.
[0028]
In step S800, the in-vehicle system 20 performs a program change process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the program change process. In step S810, the in-vehicle system 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time before (for example, 10 seconds before) the end of reproduction of the content information being reproduced. The in-vehicle system 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S810 when the remaining reproduction time reaches a predetermined time (in this case, 10 seconds), and proceeds to step S820. If the remaining reproduction time does not reach the predetermined time (in this case, 10 seconds), the step is performed. S810 is negatively determined and the determination process is repeated.
[0029]
In step S820, the in-vehicle system 20 calculates the time when reproduction of all content information in the program guide ends based on the program guide, and proceeds to step S830. When the program guide is not changed in order to change the playback time, the remaining time is the total of the remaining time of the content information currently being played back and the standard playback time of each piece of content information that has not been played back. If the program has been changed to change the playback time, the remaining time of the content information currently being played back and the playback time of each content information that has not been played back in the changed program table is the remaining time. It is. The playback end time is calculated by adding the remaining time to the current time.
[0030]
In step S830, the in-vehicle system 20 calculates the total reproduction time of each piece of unreproduced content information (remaining program) after the currently reproduced content information for the case where the total reproduction time is shortened from the current program table and the case where it is extended. The process proceeds to step S840. Details of the calculation contents will be described later. The calculation result is stored in the storage device 8. In step S840, the in-vehicle system 20 predicts the time when the vehicle arrives at the destination and proceeds to step S850. The arrival time is predicted in the same manner as in step S200 described above. That is, using the information indicating the current location of the vehicle detected by the position detection device of the navigation system (not shown) and the route information searched by the navigation system, the remaining travel distance based on the route information is set in advance. Divide by speed to get the estimated required time. The estimated arrival time is calculated by adding the estimated required time to the current time.
[0031]
In step S850, the in-vehicle system 20 calculates the difference between the reproduction end time and the scheduled arrival time, and proceeds to step S860. In step S860, the in-vehicle system 20 determines whether the calculated difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. If the difference is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the in-vehicle system 20 makes an affirmative determination in step S860 and proceeds to step S870. If the difference is less than the predetermined time, a negative determination is made in step S860 and the process proceeds to step S880. When the process proceeds to step S870, the current program guide is changed to change the total playback time of the remaining programs, and when the process proceeds to step S880, the current program guide is not changed.
[0032]
The threshold value for determination in step S860 will be described. There are the following three examples of threshold setting methods.
(1) A predetermined time set in advance is set as a threshold value.
(2) The minimum value of the time difference between the standard playback time and the playback time after changing the playback time is set as a threshold value.
{Circle around (3)} A time obtained by multiplying the total reproduction time of each piece of unreproduced content information (remaining program) by a predetermined multiplier is set as a threshold.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the threshold value is set by the method (2). The threshold in this case will be described with reference to the program guide in FIG. 3 as an example in which the playback time is shortened. The time difference between the standard reproduction time and the reproduction time after the change in the case of shortening in the shortening (mode) 1 is calculated for each content information, and the content information that minimizes the time difference is selected. In the example of FIG. 3, 115−100 = 15 (seconds) is calculated as the minimum value for the weather forecast of program number 2. Therefore, the weather forecast shortened by the mode (mode) 1 is defined as the first shortening, and the time difference 15 (seconds) is defined as the first determination threshold.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reproduction time and the determination threshold when the reproduction time is shortened with respect to the standard reproduction time of the program guide. The table in FIG. 6 is generated by the in-vehicle system 20 calculating in step S830 using the program table in FIG. 3 distributed from the information providing center 10. In FIG. 6, the program number is written in the first line. In the second line, the title of the content information is written. The standard reproduction time of each content information is written in the 3rd line. In the fourth line, the reproduction time of the shortened (mode) 1 is written in units of seconds for each content information. In the fifth line, for each content information, the shortening time by the shortening (mode) 1 with respect to the standard reproduction time is written in seconds. On the sixth line, the ranks are given in order from the one with the shortest shortening time.
[0035]
In the seventh line, the reproduction time of the shortened (mode) 2 is written in units of seconds for each content information. In the 8th line, the shortening time by the shortening (mode) 2 with respect to the standard reproduction time is described for each content information in seconds. In the ninth line, a ranking is given in descending order of the shortening time. In the tenth line, the reproduction time of the shortened (mode) 3 is written in units of seconds for each content information. 0 represents stop of playback. In the eleventh line, the shortening time by the shortening (mode) 3 with respect to the standard reproduction time is described for each content information in seconds. On the 12th line, the order given in order from the smallest shortening time is written. The 13th line indicates the priority order when the content information is shortened. Among these, the 1st to 4th lines, the 7th line, the 10th line and the 13th line are the same as those described in FIG.
[0036]
From the 14th line onward, the reproduction time and determination threshold value at the time of shortening are described. On the 15th line, the reproduction time of each content information by the first shortening described above is written in seconds. In the sixteenth line, the shortening time due to the first shortening described above is written in seconds. The shortened time 15 (seconds) in this case is set as the first determination threshold.
[0037]
On the 17th line, the reproduction time of each content information by the second shortening is written in seconds. The second shortening further shortens the content information with the second rank difference ranking in the sixth row. If there are a plurality of pieces of content information at the second place, the content information with the high shortening priority in the 13th row (Song 1 with program number 5 in the example of FIG. 6) is selected. On the 18th line, the shortening time by the second shortening is written in seconds. The shortened time 35 (seconds) is set as the second determination threshold value. Here, 35 (seconds) is the sum of the shortened time 15 (seconds) related to the weather forecast of the program number 2 by the first shortening and the shortened time 20 (seconds) related to the song 1 of the program number 5.
[0038]
On the 19th line, the reproduction time of each piece of content information by the third shortening is written in seconds. In the third shortening, although the difference ranking in the sixth line is second, content information (traffic information of program number 1 in the example of FIG. 6) having a shortening priority in the thirteenth line lower than program number 5 is further added. Shortened. On the 20th line, the shortening time by the third shortening is written in seconds. The shortened time 55 (seconds) is set as the third determination threshold. Here, 55 (seconds) is the sum of the shortened time 35 (seconds) due to the second shortening and the shortened time 20 (seconds) related to the traffic information of program number 1.
[0039]
On the 21st line, the reproduction time of each piece of content information by the fourth shortening is written in seconds. In the fourth shortening, the content information (shopping information of program number 8 in the example of FIG. 6) having the highest shortening priority in the 13th row is further shortened in the difference ranking of the 6th row. In the 22nd line, the shortening time by the fourth shortening is written in seconds. The shortening time 80 (seconds) is set as the fourth determination threshold. Here, 80 (seconds) is the sum of the shortened time 55 (seconds) due to the third shortening and the shortened time 25 (seconds) related to the shopping information of the program number 8.
[0040]
On the 23rd line, the reproduction time of each content information by the fifth shortening is written in seconds. The fifth abbreviation is the fourth place where the difference ranking in the sixth row is the same, and the content information whose the shortening priority in the thirteenth row is the next higher than the program number 8 (song 3 of the program number 9 in the example of FIG. 6). Is further shortened. In the 24th line, the shortening time by the fifth shortening is written in seconds. The shortening time 105 (seconds) is set as the fifth determination threshold. Here, 105 (seconds) is the sum of the shortened time 80 (seconds) due to the fourth shortening and the shortened time 25 (seconds) related to the song 3 of the program number 9.
[0041]
Since it is the same thereafter, description in the middle will be omitted. In the 33rd and 34th lines, the reproduction time and the shortening time (determination threshold) of each content information by the 10th shortening are respectively described. By the tenth shortening, all content information of program numbers 1 to 10 is shortened by the shortening (mode) 1. Here, the 33rd line of FIG. 6 is the same as the shortened (mode) 1 column of FIG. That is, the first shortening to the ninth shortening are steps for shortening the total playback time step by step between the total playback time in the standard column and the total playback time in the shortened (mode) 1 column of FIG.
[0042]
Similarly to the first shortening to the tenth shortening in the shortening (mode) 1 and the first determination threshold to the tenth determination threshold described above, the eleventh shortening to the twentieth shortening in the shortening (mode) 2 are performed. , And the eleventh determination threshold to the twentieth determination threshold are also calculated. At that time, the rank of the time difference between the reproduction time after the change in the shortening (mode) 2 and the standard reproduction time (the ninth line in FIG. 6) is high, and the shortening priority in the thirteenth line in FIG. Calculated from the highest ranking. Here, the twentieth shortening is the same as the shortening (mode) column 2 in FIG. That is, the eleventh shortening to the nineteenth shortening shorten the total playback time stepwise between the total playback time in the shortened (mode) column 1 and the total playback time in the shortened (mode) column 2 of FIG. Is.
[0043]
Furthermore, the 21st shortening to the 30th shortening and the 21st determination threshold value to the 30th determination threshold value in the shortening (mode) 3 are also calculated. At that time, the ranking of the time difference between the playback time after the change in the shortening (mode) 3 and the standard playback time (line 12 in FIG. 6) is high, and the shortening priority in the line 13 in FIG. Calculated from the highest ranking. Here, the 30th shortening is the same as the shortening (mode) 3 column in FIG. That is, the 21st to 29th reductions reduce the total playback time stepwise between the total playback time in the shortened (mode) 2 column and the total playback time in the shortened (mode) 3 column of FIG. Is.
[0044]
In the above description, the shortening mode has been described as an example, but the extension mode is similarly calculated. The first extension to the tenth extension in the extension (mode) 1 and the first determination threshold value to the tenth determination threshold, and the eleventh extension to the twentieth extension and the eleventh extension in the extension (mode) 2. A determination threshold value to a twentieth determination threshold value, a twenty-first extension to a thirtieth extension in the extension (mode) 3, and a twenty-first determination threshold value to a thirtieth determination threshold value are calculated. That is, the first extension to the 29th extension are obtained in which the total playback time is extended stepwise between the total playback time in the standard column of FIG. 3 and the total playback time in the extension (mode) 3 column.
[0045]
In step S870 of FIG. 5, the in-vehicle system 20 changes the program guide according to the difference between the reproduction end time and the scheduled arrival time. The program change is changed to any one of the first to 30th shortenings and the first to 30th extensions described above. For example, if the scheduled arrival time is 40 seconds earlier than the reproduction end time, the second threshold value 35 (seconds) is exceeded. Therefore, the in-vehicle system 20 selects the third shortening and advances the reproduction end time by 55 seconds. As a result, it is possible to expect the end of reproduction of the remaining program before the scheduled arrival time. If the in-vehicle system 20 changes the program guide, the in-vehicle system 20 proceeds to step S880.
[0046]
In step S880, when the in-vehicle system 20 finishes the reproduction of the content information that is currently being reproduced, whether the content information that has been reproduced is the last content information in the program guide (song 4 of program number 10 in this embodiment) or not. Determine. The in-vehicle system 20 makes an affirmative decision in step S880 in the case of the last content information, and terminates the processing of FIGS. On the other hand, if it is not the last content information, the in-vehicle system 20 makes a negative determination in step S880, starts playback of the next content information in the program guide after the playback ends, and returns to step S810. As a result, the processing from step S810 to step S880 is repeated each time one piece of content information reproduction is completed.
[0047]
The reason for the difference between the reproduction end time of the content information and the scheduled arrival time will be described. If the newly predicted arrival time is earlier than the original scheduled arrival time, the road is full and the travel time is shortened. At this time, the scheduled arrival time becomes earlier than the reproduction end time of the content information. In addition, when the mobile phone receives an incoming call while the content information is being reproduced and the vehicle occupant interrupts the reproduction of the content information, the reproduction end time is delayed according to the time when the reproduction is interrupted. Also in this case, the scheduled arrival time is earlier than the reproduction end time of the content information. The in-vehicle system 20 shortens the total reproduction time and changes the program guide so that the total reproduction time of the unreproduced content information is within the new expected required time to the destination.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the newly predicted arrival time is later than the original scheduled arrival time, it may be assumed that the arrival is delayed due to traffic congestion due to road congestion, or the occupant rests on the way. In this case, the scheduled arrival time is delayed with respect to the reproduction end time of the content information. The in-vehicle system 20 changes the program table by extending the total reproduction time so long as the total reproduction time of the unreproduced content information does not exceed the new estimated required time for the destination.
[0049]
In the above description, an example in which the information providing center 10 provides information to one vehicle has been described, but there may be a plurality of vehicles. In this case, the information providing center 10 performs the above processing in parallel on each of the in-vehicle systems 20 mounted on a plurality of vehicles.
[0050]
According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The information providing center 10 selects content information according to the purpose of use of the vehicle occupant (for example, obtaining weather information, obtaining traffic information, listening to news, listening to music), and Since the program guide is distributed from the information providing center 10 to the in-vehicle system 20, the in-vehicle system 20 can reproduce the content information that matches the passenger's wishes according to the program guide.
(2) When the content information is information on the in-vehicle system 20 side of the vehicle (for example, music recorded on a CD), the information on the in-vehicle system 20 side is used, and the in-vehicle system 20 passes through the information providing center 10. Information acquired by the in-vehicle system 20 (for example, a radio broadcast program), the information acquired by the in-vehicle system 20 itself is used. In the case of information registered on the site and information registered in the information providing center 10), the information distributed from the information providing center 10 to the in-vehicle system 20 is used. Therefore, the in-vehicle system 20 can reproduce information selected from a wide range of genres.
(3) When the information providing center 10 selects content information, an estimated required time to the destination is calculated from the destination and current location information transmitted from the vehicle, and all content information is reproduced within the estimated required time. Choose to exit. The information providing center 10 associates the estimated required time with the center of the normal distribution curve of FIG. 4 obtained in advance from the statistics of the travel time of the car, and uses the center (average) of the normal distribution curve as the total standard reproduction time of the content information. And Extension (mode) 1, extension (mode) 2 and extension (mode) 3 corresponding to + σ, + 2σ and + 3σ, and shortening corresponding to −σ, −2σ and −3σ, respectively, with respect to the total standard reproduction time Reproduction times of (mode) 1, shortened (mode) 2 and shortened (mode) 3 are calculated, and are distributed to the in-vehicle system 20 together with the total standard reproduction time in the program table. Therefore, even when the arrival at the destination differs from the estimated required time due to traffic conditions such as traffic congestion on the way to the destination, the change in the estimated required time in almost all areas of the distribution in FIG. Thus, information necessary for adjusting the reproduction time of the content information is distributed from the information providing center 10 to the in-vehicle system 20.
(4) Each time the in-vehicle system 20 reproduces the content information, if the predetermined time before the end of the reproduction of the content information (affirmative determination in step S810), the in-vehicle system 20 determines the destination from the information on the destination of the vehicle and the current location. The scheduled arrival time is calculated, and the playback end time of the remaining program is calculated from the program guide. If the difference between the scheduled arrival time and the playback end time exceeds the determination threshold shown in FIG. 6 (affirmative determination in step S860), the program table is changed so that the remaining program playback ends before the scheduled arrival time. The playback time of the playback content information is adjusted (step S870). As a result, it is possible to prevent the content information of the program guide from being reproduced before reaching the destination, or the reproduction of the content information from ending before the arrival at the destination is left, and the amount of information is reduced. Adjusted appropriately. In addition, even if the estimated required time changes due to traffic congestion due to road congestion on the driving route or because passengers rest on the way, the scheduled arrival time and playback end time are calculated sequentially each time content information is played back. The content information can be reproduced by effectively using the travel time of the vehicle.
(5) When changing the program guide (reducing or extending the playback time), shortening or extending in steps to minimize the time difference between the standard playback time and the playback time after changing the playback time As a result, it is possible to prevent the playback time from changing greatly due to a program change. Furthermore, when there are multiple pieces of content information that have the same time difference after changing the playback time, the playback time of one of the content information is changed according to the priority of shortening or extension, so that, for example, the crew member When it is determined that the news is high, by reducing the news shortening priority, it is possible to shorten the news playback time later than other content information.
(6) The information indicating the current location of the vehicle, the information indicating the destination, and the route information searched on the in-vehicle system 20 side are transmitted from the in-vehicle system 20 to the information providing center 10. The information providing center 10 can calculate the estimated required time to the destination using the route information. In particular, when there are multiple routes, the estimated travel time can be calculated more accurately by clarifying the travel route, so content information can be reproduced by effectively using the travel time of the vehicle. Can do.
[0051]
In the above description, a navigation system (not shown) is included in the configuration of the in-vehicle information providing device 6, and the current position of the vehicle is detected by the position detection device of the navigation system. Instead of this, a position detection device may be included in the sensor system 7, and the current location of the vehicle may be detected by this position detection device.
[0052]
In step S200 described above, the information providing center 10 calculates the estimated required time until the vehicle arrives at the destination using the route information searched by the navigation system on the in-vehicle system 20 side, and obtains the estimated arrival time. I did it. At this time, the credibility of the scheduled arrival time may be enhanced using VICS information.
[0053]
To calculate the estimated travel time to reach the destination, instead of using route information, calculate the estimated travel distance by multiplying the linear distance between the current location of the vehicle and the destination by a predetermined multiplier, and calculate the expected travel distance. The distance may be obtained by dividing by a preset average traveling speed. In this case, the estimated required time can be calculated without route information from the navigation system.
[0054]
In step S100 described above, the vehicle occupant inputs the destination of the vehicle and the purpose of use of the content information. However, the in-vehicle information providing device 6 uses the current location of the vehicle, the current time, information input in the past, and You may make it set automatically based on the past driving | running history. In this case, the occupant of the vehicle confirms the set contents.
[0055]
Instead of inputting the destination, for example, the purpose of going out such as work (commuting), shopping, and so on may be input. In this case, the distribution data of the car usage time as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage device 8 for each purpose such as work (commuting) and shopping. The in-vehicle information providing device 6 reads the distribution data according to the input purpose from the storage device 8 and sets the center time (average time) of the distribution curve as the estimated required time.
[0056]
The content information possessed by the in-vehicle system 20 may be music information or audio information recorded in the memory in the in-vehicle information providing device 6 or the storage device 8 in addition to the music information recorded in the CD. Good.
[0057]
In the above description, the case where the program number indicating the order in which the content information is reproduced and the shortened priority order, and the program number and the extended priority order are different from each other has been described as an example. In this case, when the total reproduction time is shortened (or extended), the content information of program number 1 is shortened (or extended) step by step. For example, when performing the first shortening, the content information of program number 1 on the first line in FIG. Similarly, the content information of program number 2 may be further shortened when performing the second shortening, and the content information of program number 3 may be further shortened when performing the third shortening.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, when calculating the determination threshold value of FIG. 6, the minimum value of the time difference between (2), that is, the playback time after changing the playback time, is set as the threshold value. I made it. Instead of this, the determination threshold value may be set according to (1) or (3). For example, in the case of (3) above, that is, when the time obtained by multiplying the total reproduction time of each piece of unreproduced content information (remaining program) by a predetermined multiplier is used as a threshold value, the reproduction of the program proceeds and the remaining programs are reduced. Then, by changing the multiplication factor, it becomes possible to increase the degree of freedom when changing the program.
[0059]
Each time the in-vehicle system 20 reproduces the content information, if it is a predetermined time before the end of the reproduction of the content information (affirmative determination in step S810), the in-vehicle system 20 schedules the information from the vehicle destination and current location information to the destination. The arrival time was calculated, and the playback end time of the remaining program was calculated from the program guide. Instead of this, for example, the scheduled arrival time and the playback end time of the remaining program may be calculated according to the number of incoming calls to the mobile telephone.
[0060]
The reproduction of the content information has been described by taking as an example a case where only audio reproduction is performed. However, the content information may be reproduced and displayed on the monitor including video information.
[0061]
  Explanation of correspondence between each constituent element in the claims and each constituent element in the embodiment of the inventionTo do. RequiredThe time estimation means corresponds to, for example, the usage time estimation device 2 (vehicle-mounted information provision device 6).To do. Information listFor example, the program guide supportsTo do. Reproduction means, reproduction time calculation means, information list changing means, firstThe instructing unit and the second instructing unit are configured by, for example, the in-vehicle information providing apparatus 6. In addition, as long as the characteristic function of this invention is not impaired, each component is not limited to the said structure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing performed in the vehicle information providing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a program table.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a distribution of usage time of an automobile.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of program change processing.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reproduction time and a determination threshold when the reproduction time is shortened.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Information providing server, 2 ... Usage time estimation device,
3 ... user database, 4 ... program guide creation device,
5 ... Content database, 6 ... In-vehicle information providing device,
7 ... Sensor system, 8 ... Storage device,
10 ... Information provision center, 20 ... In-vehicle system

Claims (6)

A list including a plurality of pieces of information to be played back by a vehicle, each information having a standard playback time (standard mode), a playback time shorter than the standard (shortening mode), and a playback time longer than the standard (extended mode) Reproducing means for reproducing information according to an information list each including data indicating
  A required time estimating means for estimating a required time until the vehicle arrives at the destination based on the traveling information of the vehicle;
  Reproduction time calculation means for calculating the reproduction time of the information reproduced by the reproduction means;
  One of the reproduction times corresponding to the standard mode, the shortening mode, and the extension mode is set so that the reproduction time calculated by the reproduction time calculating means corresponds to the required time estimated by the required time estimating means. The information list is selected by selecting a reproduction time for each piece of information to be reproduced and selecting a reproduction time from information having a small time difference from the reproduction time of the standard mode when the reproduction time of the shortening mode or the extension mode is selected. An in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus comprising: information list changing means for changing the information. The in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
  The information list further includes data indicating the importance of each information to be played back by the vehicle,
  The in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information list changing means selects from the information of low importance when selecting the reproduction time of the shortening mode. The in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
  The information list further includes data indicating the importance of each information to be played back by the vehicle,
  The in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information list changing means selects from the information having a high degree of importance when selecting the reproduction time in the extension mode. In the in-vehicle information reproducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
  The information list changing means is configured to change the information list when a difference between the estimated required time and the calculated reproduction time is larger than a time difference between the reproduction time in the shortened mode or the extended mode and the standard reproduction time. An in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus characterized by changing In the in-vehicle information reproducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
  In addition to instructing the required time estimation means to estimate the required time each time one piece of information is reproduced by the reproduction means, first instruction means to instruct the reproduction time calculation means to calculate the reproduction time. An in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus comprising: In the in-vehicle information reproducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
  Second instruction means for instructing the required time estimation means to estimate the required time according to the number of incoming calls to the telephone in the vehicle, and for instructing the reproduction time calculation means to calculate the reproduction time. An in-vehicle information reproducing apparatus characterized by that.

Images