JP4075564B2 - Vehicle information provision system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing system that provides information to a vehicle occupant.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional navigation apparatus that is one of the information providing apparatuses for vehicles, a navigation apparatus that guides a route to the vicinity of the destination and displays a detailed road map including a narrow street to the destination when the vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Moreover, what acquires the information of all the parking lots which exist around the destination designated by the driver is known (for example, refer to patent documents 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-74480 A
[0005]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-48568 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the navigation device described in Patent Document 1 does not display an entrance for entering the destination, when the site area of the destination is large, it takes time and effort to find the entrance. The burden is not small. Similarly, the navigation device described in Patent Document 2 does not display the entrance of the parking lot that is the destination, so there is a considerable burden on the driver.
[0007]
Therefore, it is conceivable to store information on the entrance of the destination in the map database of the navigation device, but storing information on the entrance for each destination such as parking lots and amusement parks nationwide is a manufacturing cost issue. It is very disadvantageous.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device for a vehicle, a vehicle that is inexpensive and reduces the burden on the driver until entering the destination. An information providing system and a vehicle information providing method are provided.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:In a vehicular information providing system that provides information to a vehicle occupant, a base station that is a source of information is mounted on the vehicle, can communicate with the base station, and is transmitted from the base station. Vehicle base communication means for receiving destination entrance information, wherein the base station indicates destination information indicating the destination of the host vehicle, and driving track information indicating a driving track until the host vehicle reaches the destination. The base station side communication means that receives the information, and an entrance for obtaining an overlapping portion of the traveling locus from the two or more traveling locus information having the same destination and determining the final position on the destination side of the overlapping portion as an entrance of the destination And a route determination unit that obtains an overlapping portion of the traveling locus from two or more traveling locus information having the same destination and determines the overlapping portion as a route to the entrance of the destination. .
[0010]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the vehicle-mounted communication means receives the destination entrance information from the base station, and the display means displays the destination entrance position based on the entrance information. A database or the like that stores is no longer required. Moreover, since the entrance information is displayed, the driver is less likely to get lost before the entrance arrives by driving while looking at the displayed content. Accordingly, the burden on the driver until entering the destination can be reduced at a low cost.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a vehicle information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the vehicle information providing system 1 includes a base station 10 that is a source of information and information from the base station 10 that is mounted on the vehicle, in particular, information for the vehicle to reach the destination 30, Vehicle information providing device 20 that provides the vehicle to the passenger.
[0013]
The base station 10 includes a base station side communication device (base station side communication means) 11 that communicates with the vehicle information providing device 20, a base station side map DB (map storage means) 12 that stores map information, and a vehicle When receiving a request from a vehicle equipped with the information providing apparatus 20, a base station side navigation system (route search means) that searches for a route to the vicinity of the destination based on the road map stored in the base station side map DB 12 13 and the base station side which controls each element in the base station and searches for the route to the entrance 31 of the destination 30 and the entrance 31 of the destination 30 based on the road map stored in the base station side map DB 12 And a server 14.
[0014]
In addition, the base station side server 14 includes an entrance determination unit (entrance determination unit) 14a that determines the position of the entrance 31 of the destination 30 and a route determination unit (route determination unit) that determines a route to the entrance 31 of the destination 30. ) 14b and a travel locus field 14c for storing the entrance information determined by the entrance determination unit 14a.
[0015]
On the other hand, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 includes an in-vehicle communication device (in-vehicle communication means) 21 that communicates with the base station 10, a clock unit 22 that stores information on the current time, and a GPS that receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites. Based on the road map stored in the sensor 23, the display (display means) 24 for displaying various information, the vehicle side map DB (map storage means) 25 for storing map information, and the base station side map DB 12, A vehicle side navigation system (route search means) 26 that searches for a route to the vicinity of the destination and a vehicle server 27 that controls each element of the vehicle information providing device 20 are provided.
[0016]
The destination 30 is provided with a communication terminal 32. This communication terminal 32 is similarly provided with each element which the base station 10 has.
[0017]
In the vehicular information providing system 1 having such a configuration, the entrance information related to the position of the entrance 31 of the destination 30 and the route information from the vehicle position to the entrance 31 are transmitted from the base station 10 to the vehicular information providing apparatus 20. Provided.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the vehicle information providing system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of processing of the vehicle information provision system 1 according to the present embodiment. First, in order to receive provision of information from the base station 10, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 receives destination information indicating the destination 30 of the host vehicle and a request signal indicating a request for entrance information and route information. 10 (ST10). Thereafter, the base station 10 transmits a confirmation signal for confirming whether or not the travel locus information is transmitted after reaching the destination in order to transmit the travel locus information indicating the travel locus to the destination 30 (ST20). ).
[0019]
Then, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 transmits a permission signal to the base station 10 in order to notify the base station 10 that the travel locus information is to be transmitted after reaching the destination (ST30). Receiving the permission signal, the base station 10 transmits the entrance information and the route information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 (ST40). Then, the vehicle travels to the destination 30 based on the received information. After reaching the destination, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 transmits the travel locus information to the base station 10 (ST50). Here, the travel locus information does not include information on the vehicle and information on the driver, and privacy of the driver or the like is guaranteed.
[0020]
As described above, the entrance information and the route information are transmitted to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20. Next, operation | movement of the vehicle information provision apparatus 20 regarding transmission / reception about each of entrance information and route information is demonstrated in detail.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 when requesting entrance information. Here, based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the road map stored in the vehicle-side map DB 25, the route searched by the vehicle-side navigation system 26 (route to the vicinity of the destination) is displayed on the display 24. It shall be.
[0022]
First, the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits destination information indicating the destination 30 of the host vehicle and a request signal indicating a request for entrance information to the base station 10 (ST101). And the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 21 receives the confirmation signal which confirms whether traveling locus information will be transmitted after arrival at the destination (ST102).
[0023]
Thereafter, the vehicle server 27 determines whether or not to transmit the travel locus information (ST103). When it is determined that the travel locus information is not transmitted (ST103: NO), the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits information indicating that the travel locus information is not transmitted later to the base station 10. Then, the process ends. Here, when the host vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 continues the route guidance to the vicinity of the destination.
[0024]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the travel locus information will be transmitted later (ST103: YES), the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits information indicating that the travel locus information is transmitted later to the base station 10. Here, the vehicle server 27 may determine whether or not to transmit the travel locus information alone, and depending on whether or not the driver has operated a switch or the like provided in the vehicle information providing device 20. It may be determined whether or not the trajectory information is transmitted.
[0025]
Thereafter, the in-vehicle communication device 21 receives the entrance information from the base station 10 (ST104). By receiving this information, the vehicle server 27 displays the entrance position of the destination 30 on the display 24. Here, when the vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 continues the route guidance to the vicinity of the destination, and the vehicle server 27 displays the display after the vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination. 24, the entrance information is displayed. In addition, when information about the color, size, etc. (described later) is transmitted together with the transmitted entrance information, the entrance position is displayed with the color, size, etc. based on the information.
[0026]
Then, the vehicle server 27 collects the travel locus of the host vehicle based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the vehicle-side map DB 25 (ST105). Thereafter, when the host vehicle reaches the destination 30, the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits travel locus information to the destination 30 to the base station 10 (ST106). Then, the process ends.
[0027]
In addition, since the road map stored in vehicle side map DB25 is an old thing, and the vehicle side may not have vehicle side map DB25, the vehicle information provision apparatus 20 is the information of vehicle side map DB25. A map possession signal indicating that the vehicle side map DB 25 is retained is transmitted together with a request signal and a permission signal, and the base station 10 is stored in the base station side map DB 12 when transmitting confirmation information and entrance information. The road map information may be transmitted to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0028]
Further, the base station 10 may transmit not only the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 but also the information on the route to the vicinity of the destination searched by the base station side navigation system 13. Furthermore, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 receives not only the entrance information from the base station 10 but also the entrance information from the destination side when the communication terminal 32 is provided at the destination 30. It may be.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 when requesting route information. Here, based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the road map stored in the vehicle-side map DB 25, the route searched by the vehicle-side navigation system 26 (route to the vicinity of the destination) is displayed on the display 24. It is assumed that
[0030]
First, the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits destination information indicating the destination 30 of the host vehicle and a request signal indicating a request for route information to the base station 10 (ST201). And the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 21 receives the confirmation signal which confirms whether traveling locus information will be transmitted after arrival at the destination (ST202).
[0031]
Thereafter, vehicle server 27 determines whether or not to transmit the travel locus information (ST203). When it is determined that the travel locus information is not transmitted (ST203: NO), the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits information indicating that the travel locus information is not transmitted later to the base station 10. Then, the process ends. Here, when the host vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 continues the route guidance to the vicinity of the destination.
[0032]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the travel locus information will be transmitted later (ST203: YES), the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits information indicating that the travel locus information is transmitted later to the base station 10. Here, the vehicle server 27 may determine whether or not to transmit the travel locus information alone, and depending on whether or not the driver has operated a switch or the like provided in the vehicle information providing device 20. It may be determined whether or not the trajectory information is transmitted.
[0033]
Thereafter, the in-vehicle communication device 21 receives route information from the base station 10 (ST204). By receiving this information, the vehicle server 27 displays the entrance position of the destination 30 on the display 24. Here, when the vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 continues the route guidance to the vicinity of the destination, and the vehicle server 27 displays the display after the vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination. 24 displays the route information. When information about the color, size, etc. (described later) is transmitted to the display 24 along with the transmitted route information, the route is displayed with the color, size, etc. based on the information.
[0034]
Then, the vehicle server 27 collects the travel locus of the host vehicle based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the vehicle-side map DB 25 (ST205). After that, when the host vehicle reaches the destination 30, the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits the travel locus information up to the destination 30 to the base station 10 (ST206). Then, the process ends.
[0035]
In addition, since the road map stored in vehicle side map DB25 is an old thing, and the vehicle side may not have vehicle side map DB25, the vehicle information provision apparatus 20 is the information of vehicle side map DB25. A map possession signal indicating that the vehicle side map DB 25 is retained is transmitted together with a request signal and a permission signal, and the base station 10 is stored in the base station side map DB 12 when transmitting confirmation information and entrance information. The road map information may be transmitted to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0036]
Further, the base station 10 may transmit not only the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 but also the information on the route to the vicinity of the destination searched by the base station side navigation system 13. Furthermore, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 receives not only the route information from the base station 10 but also the route information from the destination side when the communication terminal 32 is provided at the destination 30. It may be.
[0037]
Next, processing when the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 collects a travel locus will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the vehicle collects a travel locus. First, vehicle server 27 determines whether or not the host vehicle has reached the vicinity of the destination (ST301). If it is determined that the host vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination (ST301: NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that the vehicle has reached the vicinity of the destination. When it is determined that the host vehicle has reached the vicinity of the destination (ST301: YES), recording of the travel locus is started (ST302). In ST301, the distance from the vehicle position to the destination 30 is calculated based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the map information stored in the vehicle-side map DB 25, and the calculated distance is predetermined. Based on whether or not the value is within the value, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached. The predetermined value here is, for example, 1 km.
[0038]
When recording of the travel locus is started, the vehicle server 27 stores the current position specified by the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the time based on the clock unit 22 (ST303). Then, vehicle server 27 determines whether or not the vehicle has traveled a certain distance within a predetermined time (ST304). For example, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has advanced 1 m within 2 minutes.
[0039]
When it is determined that the vehicle has not advanced the predetermined distance within the predetermined time (ST304: NO), the vehicle server 27 determines whether or not the engine is stopped (ST305). Note that the determination in ST305 may be made based on a signal from a sensor or the like that confirms the engine speed.
[0040]
When it is determined that the engine is stopped (ST305: YES), the recording of the travel locus is ended (ST307). This is because if the vehicle has not traveled for a predetermined distance (1 m) for a predetermined time (2 minutes) or more and the engine is stopped, it will arrive at the destination 30 instead of waiting for traffic lights or traffic jams. This is because the probability of stopping is high.
[0041]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the engine is not stopped (ST305: NO), the process returns to ST304. This is because even if it takes more than a predetermined time (2 minutes) and does not travel a predetermined distance (1 m), if the engine is not stopped, there is a high possibility that a red light or a heavy traffic jam will occur. This is because it is necessary to collect a travel locus as long as the ground 30 is not reached.
[0042]
When it is determined that the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance within a predetermined time (ST304: YES), the vehicle server 27 determines whether or not a radio wave is received by the GPS sensor 23 (ST306). That is, it is determined whether or not the current position information can be recorded.
[0043]
If it is determined that the radio wave is received by the GPS sensor 23 (ST306: YES), the process returns to ST303, and the vehicle server 27 records the current position and time again. That is, the vehicle server 27 records the position and time at which the vehicle has moved.
[0044]
When it is determined that the radio wave is not received by the GPS sensor 23 (ST306: NO), the recording of the travel locus is ended (ST307). This is because it can be estimated that the host vehicle has arrived at the destination 30 and entered the parking lot in the building.
[0045]
Thereafter, vehicle server 27 deletes a part of the recorded data (ST308). Here, the latest n pieces of information (n is a positive integer, for example, 1000) of the recorded position information are held, and the remaining information is deleted. That is, the vehicle server 27 deletes the older data and leaves the data closer to the destination 30.
[0046]
Then, the vehicle server 27 rewrites the travel locus data into a specific format according to an arbitrary rule (ST309). That is, the travel locus data is converted so as to be transmitted as the travel locus information. For example, when the vehicle server 27 represents all the position information with numbers, the vehicle server 27 may insert a space between the number representing the first position information and the number representing the second position information, or the second position information. When the numbers of the information and the first position information are almost the same, the same part as the first number is deleted from the numbers of the second position information. In the latter case, the data amount can be reduced.
[0047]
After rewriting the data in a specific format, the in-vehicle communication device 21 transmits the travel locus information to the base station 10 according to an instruction from the vehicle server 27 (ST310). Then, the process ends. Note that the vehicle side may not be suitable for transmitting the travel locus information because the stop location is not transmitted immediately after arrival at the destination, and is transmitted after the communication environment is improved.
[0048]
Next, the process in which the base station 10 specifies the entrance 31 of the destination 30 based on the travel locus information and the process when receiving a request for entrance information or route information from the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 will be described in detail. To do.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station 10 when the entrance 31 of the destination 30 is specified. In the following description, it is assumed that the travel locus information has the same destination.
[0050]
First, the base station side communication device 11 receives the travel locus information, and the base station side server 14 stores the received travel locus information (ST401). In the following, each value information and each time information of the stored travel locus information added with destination information is referred to as a “record”, and each position information and each time information constituting the record are “ It is assumed that it is stored in an area called “cell”. This is shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the record A includes destination information stored in the storage area A0 and position information and time information stored in each of the cells A1 to An. Similarly, the record B is composed of destination information stored in the storage area B0 and position information and time information stored in each of the cells B1 to Bn. The same applies to the record C.
[0051]
Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. After storing, the entrance determination unit 14a determines whether the number of records is equal to or greater than a certain number (ST402). When the number of records is equal to or greater than a certain number (ST402: YES), the entrance determination unit 14a deletes new records in order from the oldest records so that the number of records stored in the base station side server 14 becomes a certain number. It is left (ST403), and it is determined whether or not there is even one cell whose position information approximates (ST404).
[0052]
On the other hand, if the number of records is not equal to or greater than a certain number (ST402: NO), the entrance determination unit 14a does not delete the record currently held by the base station side server 14, and whether there is even one cell whose position information approximates. Is determined (ST404). Here, the determination in ST404 is performed as follows. That is, the entrance determination unit 14a stores “1500” as position information in the cell A1 shown in FIG. 7, stores “1501” in the cell B3, and stores “1498” in the cell B5. When it is ± 2, it is determined that the cells A1 and B3 and the cells A1 and B5 are approximated.
[0053]
If it is determined that there is even one approximate cell (ST404: YES), the points of all cells are calculated (ST405). The calculation of the points of all cells is performed as follows. That is, the entrance determination unit 14a searches the record B for a cell that approximates the cell A1 shown in FIG. 7, searches from the next record C after the search, and after completing the search from all the records, The approximate cell is searched from the record B, and after the search, the next record C is searched, and all the records are searched. When the search is completed up to the cell An, the cell that is similar to the cell B1 is searched from the record A, the search is performed from the next record C, and all the cells are searched in the same manner.
[0054]
In ST405, only one cell is searched as an approximate cell from one record. Therefore, in the above case (explanation of approximation in ST404), the entrance determination unit 14a sets B3 as a cell approximate to the cell A1. Will be selected. Since one approximate cell is detected from one record, when the number of records is m (m is an integer), the maximum score is (m−1). The number of approximated cells is a point.
[0055]
A description will be given with reference to FIG. 6 again. After calculating the points, the entrance determination unit 14a selects entrance candidates in each record (ST406). As the entrance candidate, position information stored in a cell having the most points in the record is selected. If there are a plurality of cells having the same points, the final position on the destination side, that is, the newer cell is selected as an entrance candidate.
[0056]
Then, the entrance determination unit 14a compares each entrance candidate between records (ST407). The comparison here is to compare the points of each entrance candidate selected in ST406, and if there is an entrance candidate with the same score, leave the cell in the new record and delete the cell in the old record. . Here, the reason for deleting the older entry candidate having the same score is as follows. That is, the fact that each cell has the same point is because the position information of these cells is likely to be the same, and it is not necessary to hold a plurality of entrance candidates having the same position information.
[0057]
After the comparison, the entrance determination unit 14a holds a predetermined number of cells having many points among the remaining entrance candidates (ST408). Then, the entrance determination unit 14a describes the held cell as entrance information in the travel locus field 14c (ST410), and the process ends. Note that the position information of the predetermined number of held cells is used as entrance information in ST410. For this reason, the predetermined number may be set to “2” in the case of a parking lot or “3” in the case of an amusement park. May be set to “5” so that the entrance information can be accurately described.
[0058]
When it is determined that there is no approximate cell (ST404: NO), the entrance determination unit 14a holds the latest cell of all records (ST405). That is, the entrance determination unit 14a holds a cell having information on the final position on the destination side among all records. Then, the entrance determination unit 14a describes the held cell as entrance information in the travel locus field 14c (ST410), and the process ends. Here, for example, assuming that a plurality of vehicles enter the destination 30 from different entrances 31, the position information stored in the latest cell in each record may be referred to as the entrance information of the destination 30 as it is. It will be good. For this reason, the entrance determination unit 14a holds the latest cell in ST409 and describes it in the travel locus field 14c in ST410.
[0059]
In this way, the entrance determining unit 14a determines the entrance of the destination from within the record, that is, from the travel locus information. If “YES” is determined in ST404, the entrance determining unit 14a calculates the points of all the cells in ST405 to obtain overlapping portions of a plurality of travel trajectories. By selecting a new cell as an entrance candidate among a plurality of cells having the same score in the record, the final position on the destination side is determined as the entrance of the destination 30 among the overlapping portions of the plurality of travel tracks.
[0060]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in the base station 10 when a request for entrance information is received from the vehicle. First, when a request signal for entrance information is received from the vehicle information providing apparatus 20, the base station side communication device 11 of the base station sends a confirmation signal to confirm whether or not the travel locus information is transmitted after reaching the destination. Transmit (ST501). Then, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not a permission signal has been received (ST502). If it is determined that the permission signal has not been received (ST502: NO), the process ends. At this time, the base station 10 may end the process after transmitting the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0061]
When it is determined that the permission signal has been received (ST502: YES), it is determined whether or not there are two or more records of the destination 30 (ST503). When it is determined that two or more records of the destination 30 do not exist (ST503: NO), the base station side server 14 determines that the entrance information of the destination 30 has not been generated, and the process ends. Also at this time, the base station 10 may terminate the process after transmitting the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0062]
When it is determined that there are two or more records of the destination 30 (ST503: YES), the base station side server 14 determines that the entrance information of the destination 30 has been generated, and obtains the entrance information from the travel locus field 14c. Extract (ST504).
[0063]
Thereafter, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not there is one entrance position from the extracted entrance information (ST505). When it is determined that the number of entrance positions is not one (ST505: NO), that is, when there are a plurality of entrances 31 of the destination 30, the base station side server 14 displays the color when the entrance position is displayed on the display 24. Those pieces of information are added to the entrance information so as to differ in size and size (ST506). Here, the color, the size, and the like are determined according to the overlapping number of traveling tracks, that is, the holding points. Then, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 holds the map DB (ST507).
[0064]
Further, when it is determined that there is only one entrance position (ST505: YES), the base station side server 14 does not add information such as color and size to the entrance information, and the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 makes a map. It is determined whether or not a DB is held (ST507). When it is determined that the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not hold the map DB (ST507: NO), the base station side communication device 11 transmits the map information and the entrance information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 (ST508). ). Then, the process proceeds to ST510.
[0065]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not hold the map DB (ST507: NO), the base station side communication device 11 transmits the entrance information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 (ST509). Then, the process proceeds to ST510.
[0066]
Note that the determination in ST507 is made based on the map possession signal transmitted together with the request signal for the entrance information and the permission signal. That is, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 transmits a map possession signal indicating whether or not the map DB is retained, together with a request signal or permission signal for entrance information, and the base station 10 makes a determination based on the map possession signal. .
[0067]
Note that the vehicle information providing device 20 informs the base station 10 that the map DB is held when the map DB is built-in, but does not incorporate the map DB and has an external map DB. Even when there is, the base station 10 is informed that the map DB is held. Some vehicles do not transmit a map possession signal indicating whether or not the map DB is retained. In such a case, the base station side server 14 determines that the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not hold the map DB, and takes measures such as transmitting the map information and the entrance information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20. Take.
[0068]
After transmitting the information, the base station side server 14 prepares to create a new record (ST510). Here, preparation for creating a new record means storing destination information at the beginning of the record. When the record A shown in FIG. 7 is described as an example, the destination information is stored in the storage area A0 before the travel locus information is transmitted.
[0069]
Thereafter, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not the travel locus information has been received (ST511). This determination is continuously performed for a predetermined time, for example, 24 hours.
[0070]
When it is determined that the traveling locus information has not been received (ST511: NO), that is, when the traveling locus information has not been transmitted within a predetermined time, the base station side server 14 inquires the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 or the like. Various correspondences are performed (ST512). Then, the process ends. Here, in response to an inquiry or the like, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not reply at all, and if there are many cases in the past that the travel locus information is not transmitted within a predetermined time, the information is not intentionally transmitted. It is determined that it will be excluded from the information provision service from the next time.
[0071]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the travel locus information is received (ST511: YES), that is, when the travel locus information is transmitted within a predetermined time, the base station side server 14 is positioned in each cell of the record prepared in ST510. Information is stored (ST513). Then, the process ends.
[0072]
Even if there is only one record with the same destination as the request, the value in the cell at the closest position within the time of the record may be set as the “entrance” candidate.
[0073]
9 and 10 are flowcharts showing processing in the base station 10 when a request for route information is received from the vehicle. Here, based on the radio wave received by the GPS sensor 23 and the road map stored in the vehicle-side map DB 25, the route searched by the vehicle-side navigation system 25 (route to the vicinity of the destination) is displayed on the display 24. It is assumed that
[0074]
First, when the route information request signal is received from the vehicle information providing apparatus 20, the base station side communication device 11 transmits a confirmation signal to confirm whether or not the traveling locus information is transmitted after reaching the destination ( ST601). Then, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not a permission signal is received (ST602). If it is determined that the permission signal has not been received (ST602: NO), the process ends. At this time, the base station 10 may end the process after transmitting the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0075]
When it is determined that the permission signal has been received (ST602: YES), the route determination unit 14b determines whether there are two or more records of the destination 30 (ST603). When it is determined that two or more records of the destination 30 do not exist (ST603: NO), the route determination unit 14b determines that the entrance information of the destination 30 has not been generated, and the process ends. Also at this time, the base station 10 may terminate the process after transmitting the map information stored in the base station side map DB 12 to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20.
[0076]
When it is determined that there are two or more records of the destination 30 (ST603: YES), the entrance information of the destination 30 has been generated, so the route determination unit 14b starts creating route information (S604). Then, route information creation processing is executed (ST605). By this process, the route to the entrance 31 of the destination 30 is determined.
[0077]
Thereafter, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 holds the map DB (FIG. 10, ST606). When it is determined that the vehicle information providing device 20 does not hold the map DB (ST606: NO), the base station side communication device 11 transmits the map information, the entrance information, and the route information to the vehicle information providing device 20. (ST607). Then, the process proceeds to ST609. In addition, when the vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the base station 10 may transmit information on the route searched by the base station side navigation system 13 to the vehicle side together with the entrance information.
[0078]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not hold the map DB (ST606: NO), the base station side communication device 11 transmits the entrance information and the route information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 ( ST608). Then, the process proceeds to ST609. In addition, when the vehicle has not reached the vicinity of the destination, the base station 10 may transmit information on the route searched by the base station side navigation system 13 to the vehicle side together with the entrance information.
[0079]
The determination in ST606 is made based on a map possession signal or the like transmitted together with a route information request signal or a permission signal. That is, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 transmits a map possession signal indicating whether or not the map DB is retained along with a route information request signal and a permission signal, and the base station 10 makes a determination based on this signal. Do.
[0080]
Further, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 informs the base station 10 that the map DB is held when the map DB is built-in, but does not incorporate the map DB and has an external map DB. Even when there is, the base station 10 is notified that the map DB is held. Some vehicles do not transmit a map possession signal indicating whether or not the map DB is retained. In such a case, the base station side server 14 determines that the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not hold the map DB, and transmits the map information, the entrance information, and the route information to the vehicle information providing apparatus 20. Take the correspondence.
[0081]
After transmitting the information, the base station side server 14 prepares to create a new record (ST609). Here, preparation for creating a new record means storing destination information at the beginning of the record. When the record A shown in FIG. 7 is described as an example, the destination information is stored in the storage area A0 before the travel locus information is transmitted.
[0082]
Thereafter, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not the travel locus information has been received (ST610). This determination is continuously performed for a predetermined time, for example, 24 hours.
[0083]
When it is determined that the travel locus information has not been received (ST610: NO), that is, when the travel locus information is not transmitted within a predetermined time, the base station side server 14 inquires the vehicle information providing device 20 and the like. Various actions are taken (ST611). Then, the process ends. Here, in response to an inquiry or the like, the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 does not reply at all, and if there are many cases in the past that the travel locus information is not transmitted within a predetermined time, the information is not intentionally transmitted. It is determined that it will be excluded from the information provision service from the next time.
[0084]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the travel locus information has been received (ST610: YES), that is, when the travel locus information is transmitted within a predetermined time, the base station server 14 is located in each cell of the record prepared in ST510. Information is stored (ST612). Then, the process ends.
[0085]
Next, the route information creation process shown in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the route information creation process shown in FIG. 9, where (a) shows the first process, (b) shows the second process, and (c) shows the third process. Show.
[0086]
As shown in FIG. 11A, the base station side navigation system 13 searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the vicinity of the destination (ST701). Then, the process ends. Note that this process is not performed when the vehicle has already reached the vicinity of the destination.
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 11B, first, the route determination unit 14b sets the position information of each record as a line (ST702). That is, the route determination unit 14b draws a line sequentially from the old position information to the new position information based on the time information stored together with the position information.
[0088]
Then, the route determination unit 14b aggregates each line (ST703). That is, the route determination unit 14b performs a process of overlapping each line. At this time, the route determination unit 14b leaves only two pieces of position information and deletes other position information. The reason for leaving only two is that if only one is left, even if only one point is specified, the direction of the line becomes unknown, and the route is directed in an unexpected direction when displayed on the display 24. This is because if there is position information of at least two points, the direction of the line can be determined, and the direction of the route can be determined and displayed on the display 24.
[0089]
Thereafter, the route determination unit 14b adds the information to the aggregate so that the color, size, and the like are different when the route information is displayed on the display 24 (ST704). Here, the color, the size, and the like are determined according to the overlapping number of each line, that is, the overlapping number of the traveling locus.
[0090]
Then, the route determination unit 14b selects the position information of the aggregate to make it two (ST705). That is, although two pieces of position information are left in ST703, the number of pieces of position information is “number of lines × 2” because the lines are overlapped. In order to display the route on the display 24, it is sufficient to have only two pieces of position information. Therefore, only two pieces of position information are left and others are excluded. Then, the process ends.
[0091]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the base station side server 14 extracts the entrance information from the travel locus field 14c (ST706). After that, the base station side server 14 determines whether or not there is one entrance position from the extracted entrance information (ST707). If it is determined that there is only one entrance position (ST707: YES), the process ends.
[0092]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of entrance positions is not one (ST707: NO), the base station side server 14 displays them in the entrance information so that the colors, sizes, etc. are different when the entrance positions are displayed on the display 24. Is added (ST708). Here, the color, the size, and the like are determined according to the overlapping number of traveling tracks, that is, the holding points. Then, the process ends.
[0093]
  Thus, in the vehicle information providing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 21 receives the entrance information of the destination 30 from the base station 10, and the display 24 receives the entrance of the destination 30 based on the entrance information. Since the position is displayed, a database or the like storing information related to the entrance 31 of the destination 30 becomes unnecessary on the vehicle side. Moreover, since the entrance information is displayed, the driver is less likely to get lost before the entrance arrives by driving while looking at the displayed contents. Accordingly, the burden on the driver until entering the destination can be reduced at a low cost.
[0094]
  Further, since the display 24 displays the entrance position of the destination 30 given by the base station 10 when the own vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination, the own vehicle is located far from the destination 30 or The inconvenience that the entrance position is displayed at an inappropriate timing such as when it is already near the entrance of the destination 30 is prevented, and the entrance position of the destination can be provided to the driver at an appropriate timing.
[0095]
  Further, since the in-vehicle communication device 21 receives the entrance information from the destination 30 of the own vehicle, for example, when the base station 10 that transmits the information does not exist nearby, or the base station 10 enters the entrance 31 of the destination 30. Even if it is not specified, the vehicle side can receive the entrance information.
[0096]
  Further, the display 24 displays route information from the vehicle position to the entrance position in addition to the entrance position. For example, if the road to the entrance is complicated even if the entrance position is determined, the driver Can easily reach the entrance position simply by following the displayed route information. Therefore, the burden on the driver until the destination is entered can be further reduced.
[0097]
  Further, since the display 24 displays the route information of the destination 30 given from the base station 10 when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination, the host vehicle may be located far away from the destination 30 or The inconvenience that the route information is displayed at an inappropriate timing, such as when the route already exists near the entrance of the destination 30, is prevented, and the route information of the destination 30 can be provided to the driver at an appropriate timing. .
[0098]
  Further, since the in-vehicle communication device 11 receives the route information from the destination 30 of the own vehicle, for example, when the base station 10 does not exist nearby or when the base station 10 can identify the entrance 31 of the destination 30. Even if the route cannot be specified in the same manner, the vehicle side can receive the route information.
[0099]
  Further, since the travel locus information does not include information on the vehicle and information on the driver, it is possible to eliminate the need for security system construction and cost for privacy protection.
[0100]
  Further, in the vehicle information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the overlapping portion of the traveling locus is obtained from two or more traveling locus information with the same destination 30, and the final position on the destination side of the overlapping portion is determined as the destination 30. Therefore, the base station side can determine the entrance 31 of the destination 30 on the basis of the travel locus information from the vehicle side without having to investigate the entrance 31 of the destination 30 in advance. Become. Further, since the vehicle side receives the entrance information, a database storing information about the entrance 31 of the destination 30 is not necessary, and it is difficult to get lost before the entrance arrives. Accordingly, the burden on the driver until entering the destination can be reduced at a low cost.
[0101]
  In addition, since the destination 30 obtains an overlapping portion of the traveling locus from two or more traveling locus information with the same destination, and determines the overlapping portion as a route to the entrance 31 of the destination 30, the base station side in advance Even if the entrance 31 is not investigated, a route to the entrance 31 of the destination 30 can be determined based on the travel locus information from the vehicle side. Further, since the vehicle side receives the route information, a database storing information about the entrance 31 of the destination 30 and a detailed map to the entrance 31 is not necessary, and it is difficult to get lost before the entrance arrives. Accordingly, the burden on the driver until entering the destination can be reduced at a low cost.
[0102]
  In addition, when there are two or more entrance positions, the display 24 displays the entrance position by reflecting the overlap of the travel locus, so that the driver can know the entrance where many vehicles enter. Thus, for example, when a department store or the like is set as the destination 30, the driver can infer that the parking lot is in a contracted relationship with the department store when a large number of vehicles enter the vehicle. When the destination 30 is set, the driver can estimate that the parking lot closer to the playground equipment is where a large number of vehicles have entered. Therefore, when there are a plurality of entrances 31 of the destination 30, by displaying the overlapping number, it is possible to provide useful information for the driver to select the entrance.
[0103]
  In addition, when there are two or more routes to the entrance 31, the display 24 displays route information reflecting the overlap of the traveling locus. For example, when there are a plurality of entrances 31, the driver A plurality of routes to the entrance 31 can be known. Accordingly, the driver can select the entrance 31 farther from the vehicle position, for example, when the route is complicated even at the entrance 31 near the vehicle position. Further, when there is one entrance 31, the driver can select the shortest route among the plurality of routes to the entrance 31. Therefore, when there are a plurality of routes to the entrance 31, it is possible to provide useful information for the driver to select a route by reflecting the overlapping number.
[0104]
  Further, since the display 24 displays the entrance position of the destination 30 given by the base station 10 when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination, when the host vehicle exists far away from the destination, An inconvenience that the entrance position is displayed at an improper timing, such as when it already exists near the entrance of the destination 30, is prevented. Further, since the display 24 displays the route searched for by the vehicle-side navigation system 26, the driver reaches, for example, the vicinity of the destination according to the route searched for by the vehicle-side navigation system 26, and then continues to the entrance. You will be provided with location information. Therefore, the entrance position of the destination 30 can be provided to the driver smoothly at an appropriate timing.
[0105]
  Further, since the display 24 displays route information to the destination 30 given from the base station 10 when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination, the host vehicle exists far away from the destination 30. In addition, such a case that the route information is displayed at an inappropriate timing such as when the route information already exists near the entrance of the destination 30 is prevented. Further, since the display 24 displays the route searched for by the vehicle-side navigation system 26, the driver reaches, for example, the vicinity of the destination according to the route searched for by the vehicle-side navigation system 26, and then continues the purpose. The route information to the ground 30 is provided. Therefore, the route information of the destination can be provided to the driver smoothly at an appropriate timing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a vehicle information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of processing of the vehicle information providing system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus when requesting entrance information.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus when requesting route information.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when a vehicle collects a travel locus.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station when specifying the destination entrance.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a record.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in a base station when a request for entrance information is received from a vehicle.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing in the base station when a request for route information is received from the vehicle, showing the first half.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the base station when a request for route information is received from the vehicle, showing the latter half.
11 is a flowchart showing the route information creation process shown in FIG. 9, wherein (a) shows the first process, (b) shows the second process, and (c) shows the third process. Show.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Base station side communication equipment (base station side communication means)
12 Base station side map DB (map storage means)
13 Base station side navigation system (route search means)
14a Entrance determination unit (entrance determination means)
14b Route determination unit (route determination means)
21 In-vehicle communication device (in-vehicle communication means)
24 Display (display means)
25 Vehicle-side map DB (map storage means)
26 Vehicle side navigation system (route search means)
30 destinations
31 entrance
32 Communication terminal

Claims (5)

In a vehicle information providing system for providing information to a vehicle occupant,
A base station that is the source of information,
In-vehicle communication means mounted on the vehicle, capable of communicating with the base station, and receiving destination entrance information transmitted from the base station,
The base station
Base station side communication means for receiving destination information indicating a destination of the host vehicle, and traveling locus information indicating a traveling locus until the host vehicle reaches the destination;
An entrance determination means for obtaining an overlap portion of the travel locus from the two or more travel locus information having the same destination, and determining a final position on the destination side of the overlap portion as an entrance of the destination;
Route determination means for obtaining an overlapping portion of the traveling locus from two or more traveling locus information having the same destination, and determining the overlapping portion as a route to the entrance of the destination;
A vehicle information providing system characterized by comprising: Further comprising display means for displaying an entrance position based on the entrance information received by the in-vehicle communication means,
2. The vehicle information providing system according to claim 1, wherein, when there are two or more entrance positions, the display means displays the entrance position by reflecting a plurality of overlaps of the travel locus. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when there are two or more routes to an entrance of a destination, the display unit displays route information reflecting a plurality of overlapping travel tracks. Information provision system. Map storage means for storing map information;
Route search means for searching for a route from the vehicle position to the destination based on the map information stored in the map storage means,
The display means displays the route searched by the route search means, and displays the destination entrance position given by the base station when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination. The vehicle information provision system according to claim 2 or 3. The display means displays the route searched by the route search means, and also displays route information to the destination given from the base station when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination. The vehicle information providing system according to claim 4.

Images