JP4401422B1 - Navigation server - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a navigation server capable of providing fuel consumption related information corresponding to a fuel consumption factor to a user of the vehicle even in a situation where the fuel consumption corresponding to the same fuel consumption factor as that of a certain vehicle is not recognized.
According to a navigation server, a first element defined by a fuel consumption factor of a recognized first vehicle is recognized among elements of a fuel consumption matrix in which elements representing fuel consumption are defined by a plurality of fuel consumption factors. It is determined based on the fuel consumption of the finished first vehicle. On the other hand, among the elements of the fuel consumption matrix, a second element defined by an unrecognized fuel consumption factor is determined based on the first element. Thereby, even when a plurality of fuel consumption factors of the second vehicle define the second element instead of the first factor, the relationship between the fuel consumption and the fuel consumption factor estimated based on the known relationship between the fuel consumption of the first vehicle and the fuel consumption factor In view of the above, the past fuel consumption of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation server that manages information related to fuel consumption.

Various techniques for improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 4). For example, based on the current position of the vehicle and the planned travel route, the driver is notified of the gear operation position and the engine speed at which fuel efficiency is best. In addition, the driver is notified of the speed pattern and fuel consumption corresponding to the searched route of the vehicle.
JP 2007-248185 A JP 2008-032542 A JP 2007-269210 A JP 2006-023176 A

  However, in the situation where fuel consumption information corresponding to some vehicle types and driving environments is missing in the database, information on fuel consumption is provided to the vehicle depending on the fuel consumption factors that determine the fuel consumption, such as vehicle types or driving environments. An unforeseen situation occurs.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a navigation server that can provide fuel consumption related information according to a fuel consumption factor to a user of the vehicle even in a situation where the fuel efficiency according to the same fuel consumption factor as a certain vehicle is not recognized. Providing is a solution issue.

  A navigation server of a first invention is a navigation server that manages fuel consumption information of a vehicle, and recognizes a plurality of fuel consumption factors that are fuel consumption fluctuation factors of the first vehicle through communication with a first information processing terminal, Of the fuel consumption matrix in which each element representing fuel consumption is defined by the fuel consumption factor, a first element defined by the recognized fuel consumption factor is defined based on the fuel consumption factor, and is defined by the unrecognized fuel efficiency factor. Recognizing the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past by communicating with a first information processing terminal and first support means for creating the fuel efficiency matrix by determining a second element based on the first element; 1 Based on the fuel consumption matrix created by the support means, an element defined by the recognized fuel consumption factor is searched as a past fuel consumption, and is determined according to the past fuel consumption. Characterized in that the costs related information and a second support means for transmitting to said second information processing terminal.

  According to the navigation server of the first invention, the first element defined by the fuel consumption factor of the recognized first vehicle among the elements of the fuel consumption matrix in which each element representing the fuel consumption is defined by a plurality of fuel consumption factors is recognized. It is determined based on the fuel consumption of the finished first vehicle. Thus, when the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past defines the first element, the past fuel efficiency of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy based on the known relationship between the fuel efficiency of the first vehicle and the fuel efficiency factor. . On the other hand, among the elements of the fuel consumption matrix, a second element defined by an unrecognized fuel consumption factor is determined based on the first element. Thereby, even when the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past defines the second element instead of the first element, in view of the fuel efficiency of the first vehicle and the estimated relation of the fuel efficiency factor based on the known relationship between the fuel efficiency and the fuel efficiency factor. The past fuel consumption of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy. Therefore, even in a situation where the fuel consumption corresponding to the fuel consumption factor of the second vehicle is not recognized, the fuel consumption related information related to the fuel consumption determined according to the plurality of fuel consumption factors can be provided to the user of the second vehicle.

  In addition, each means which is a component of the present invention “recognizes” information means receiving information from an external information source, retrieving information from a database, reading information from a storage device or memory, receiving Alternatively, the information needs to be measured, calculated, estimated, judged, set, determined, etc., by calculating the basic signal retrieved, and stored in a storage device or memory. This means the execution of any arithmetic processing for preparing the information for the arithmetic processing to be performed.

  A navigation server according to a second aspect of the present invention is the navigation server according to the first aspect, wherein the second support means defines a fuel efficiency factor element that is searched as the past fuel efficiency less than a predetermined value as a fuel efficiency factor. And information based on one or both of the positive fuel consumption factors as the fuel consumption factors defining the elements of the matrix searched as the past fuel consumption equal to or greater than the predetermined value as the fuel consumption related information, the second information processing terminal It is characterized by transmitting to.

  According to the navigation server of the second invention, when the fuel consumption in the past of the second vehicle is so bad that it becomes less than a predetermined value, the user of the second vehicle is made aware of the negative fuel consumption factor that is the factor through the fuel consumption related information. be able to. Further, in addition to or instead of the negative fuel consumption factor, when the fuel consumption in the past of the second vehicle depends on the degree to be equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the positive fuel consumption factor that is the factor is recognized by the user of the second vehicle through the fuel consumption related information. Can be made. Therefore, even when the fuel efficiency of the first vehicle corresponding to the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past is not recognized, information indicating the quality factor of the past fuel efficiency of the second vehicle is provided to the user of the second vehicle. sell.

  The navigation server according to a third aspect is the navigation server according to the second aspect, wherein the second support means provides advice information for improving fuel efficiency in view of one or both of the negative fuel efficiency factor and the positive fuel efficiency factor. It transmits to said 2nd information processing terminal as fuel consumption related information, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the navigation server of the third invention, even in a situation where the fuel efficiency of the first vehicle corresponding to the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past is not recognized, the fuel efficiency is reduced in view of the factors of the past fuel efficiency of the second vehicle. Information that serves as a guideline for improvement can be provided to the user of the second vehicle.

  An embodiment of a navigation server of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the navigation server of the present invention will be described. The navigation server 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by one or a plurality of computers (configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O circuit, etc.) that can communicate with a plurality of information processing terminals via a network. Has been. In addition to the ECU (electronic control unit) 2 mounted on each vehicle (four-wheeled vehicle) Q, a personal computer or a mobile phone having a communication function corresponds to the “information processing terminal”. An information processing terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone may be used by being carried by a user and connected to the ECU 2 of the vehicle Q wirelessly or in a wired manner in the interior space of the vehicle Q. May be used. The vehicle Q may correspond to one or both of “first vehicle” and “second vehicle”. Similarly, the information processing terminal may correspond to one or both of “first information processing terminal” and “second information processing terminal”. The navigation server 1 includes a support database 10, first support means 11, and second support means 12.

  The support database 10 stores or stores support map information representing road layout and the like. A road or a link (meaning a road element connecting any two points in a road such as an intersection, right turn, left turn, etc.) is located by (latitude, longitude) or (latitude, longitude, altitude) The arrangement mode is represented by a point group in which is defined. Depending on the traveling direction of the vehicle Q, the uphill and downhill of each link, and the inclination angle of the slope can also be represented by the support map information. In addition to the fuel efficiency information and fuel efficiency factor information collected from the vehicle Q, the support database 10 also stores weather information and a fuel efficiency matrix transmitted from the weather information center. The support database 10 may be configured by a database server that is separate from the navigation server 1.

The first support means 11 communicates with the first information processing terminal constituted by the ECU 2 or the like mounted on the vehicle Q, and the “fuel efficiency factor” of the vehicle (first vehicle) Q and the fuel efficiency variation factor, Is recognized. The first support means 11 uses the first element defined by the fuel consumption factor of the recognized first vehicle as the fuel consumption information of the recognized first vehicle, out of the fuel consumption matrix in which each element representing the fuel consumption is defined by the fuel consumption factor. Determine based on. On the other hand, the first support means 11 determines the second element defined by the unrecognized fuel efficiency factor based on the first element. A fuel consumption matrix is created by defining the first element and the second element. The second support means 12 recognizes the fuel efficiency factor of the vehicle (second vehicle) Q in the past by communicating with the second information processing terminal configured by the ECU 2 or the like mounted on the vehicle Q. The second support means 12 searches the fuel efficiency matrix created by the first support means 11 for an element defined by the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle as the past fuel efficiency, and the second fuel efficiency related information determined according to this past fuel efficiency. Send to the information processing terminal.

  The function of the navigation server configured as described above will be described. The fuel efficiency and fuel efficiency factor of the vehicle (first vehicle) Q are recognized by communication with the first information processing terminal configured by the ECU 2 and the like mounted on the vehicle Q by the first support means 210 (FIG. 2 / STEP002). ). “Fuel consumption factor” includes some or all of the vehicle type, speed, acceleration, vehicle weight, tire pressure, engine oil deterioration, tire wear, weather information, travel time zone, and travel link. “Vehicle type” is read as a code from the memory constituting the ECU 2 by the ECU 2. The “speed” is measured by the ECU 2 based on an output signal of a speed sensor (not shown). Note that the speed range can be measured based on the time change mode of the position after the position of the vehicle Q is measured based on the GPS signal or the output signal of the gyro sensor. “Acceleration” is measured by the ECU 2 based on the output signal of the acceleration sensor mounted on the vehicle Q. It should be noted that the acceleration range may be measured based on the time change mode of the position or speed of the vehicle Q. “Vehicle weight” is calculated by the ECU 2 in accordance with an output signal of a displacement sensor of each suspension, or a part or all of a passenger, a cargo load amount, and a fuel supply amount input to a vehicle-mounted navigation device or the like by a user. . "Tire pressure", "Engine oil deterioration" or "Tire wear" is the cumulative mileage of vehicle Q after the tire pressure is adjusted or checked last, engine oil is checked or replaced, or the tire is changed Can be calculated by the ECU 2 based on the above. “Meteorological information” includes the current position of the vehicle Q measured by the ECU 2 and the weather information (weather, temperature, humidity, etc.) for each area provided by the weather information center and stored in the support database 10. This is determined by searching for weather information of the area to which the measurement position belongs. Note that the ambient temperature of the vehicle Q according to the output signal of the outside air temperature sensor mounted on the vehicle Q by the ECU 2 may be measured as weather information. The “traveling time zone” is measured by a clock mounted on the navigation server 100 or the vehicle Q. The “travel link” is determined based on the current position of the vehicle Q measured by the ECU and the support map information stored in the support database. In addition, the operating condition of the air conditioner mounted on the vehicle Q can be detected as a fuel consumption factor. Even if the operating status of the air conditioner is recognized based on other fuel consumption factors such as weather information, such as when the difference between the outside air temperature and the comfortable temperature (predetermined) is larger, the air conditioner is operated at a higher load. Good. Depending on the fuel consumption and fuel consumption factors, “the vehicle Q of the vehicle type x1 is in the time zone (Friday 11: 00 to 11:30, etc.) T1, the weather information WN1 is sunny, the temperature is ΔC, and the humidity is%. The fact that the fuel efficiency f1 when traveling at z1 at the speed v1 and the acceleration α1 was ●● km / l ”can be grasped.

  Subsequently, a fuel consumption matrix is created based on the fuel consumption and fuel consumption factors recognized by the first support means 11 (FIG. 2 / STEP004). For the sake of simplicity, assuming that there are only two fuel consumption factors, as shown in FIG. 3, the first fuel consumption factor classified into n pieces and the second fuel consumption factor classified into m pieces are shown in FIG. Thus, an n × m matrix in which each element Fij representing fuel efficiency is defined is created as a fuel efficiency matrix. When communication with the vehicle (first vehicle) Q has already recognized the first fuel consumption factor of the i-th classification, the second fuel consumption factor of the j-th classification, and the corresponding fuel consumption, the fuel consumption or its average value is It is defined as the (i, j) element (first element) Fij of the fuel consumption matrix. On the other hand, when the fuel consumption corresponding to the first fuel consumption factor of the i-th classification and the second fuel consumption factor of the (j + 1) -th classification is not yet recognized, the memory of the navigation server 1 is included in the (i, j) element (first element) Fij. (I, j + k) element (second element) Fij + k is determined by multiplying by the complement coefficient C2 (j, j + k) stored in. Further, when the fuel consumption corresponding to the first fuel consumption factor of the i + z classification and the second fuel consumption factor of the jth classification is not yet recognized, the memory of the navigation server 1 is included in the (i, j) element (first element) Fij. (I + z, j) element (second element) Fi + zj is determined by multiplying by the complement coefficient C2 (i, i + z) stored in. The concept of the fuel consumption matrix can be extended even when there are three or more fuel consumption factors.

  Further, the complementary coefficient is defined such that the higher the similarity of the fuel consumption factor, the higher the approximation of the fuel consumption. For example, even if the vehicle type as a fuel efficiency factor is different, the complementary coefficient between the different fuel efficiency factors is defined to be closer to 1 as the degree of similarity is higher in the engine output, the wheel drive type or the vehicle size. Even if the links as fuel economy factors are different, the road surface slope (uphill, downhill and flat road, road slope angle, etc.), road type (highway and urban road, etc.) or road shape (straight line) It is defined that the complementary coefficient between the different fuel efficiency factors is closer to 1 as the degree of similarity is higher in roads, gentle curved roads, and meandering roads. Furthermore, even if the speed range or the acceleration range as the fuel consumption factor is different, the complementary coefficient between the different fuel consumption factors is defined to be closer to 1 as the range is closer. Accordingly, when the similarity between the recognized fuel consumption factor and the unrecognized fuel consumption factor is high, a value close to the first element (fuel consumption) defined by the recognized fuel consumption factor is defined by the unrecognized fuel consumption factor. To be determined as the second element (fuel consumption).

  The fuel efficiency factor of the vehicle (second vehicle) Q in the past is recognized by communication with the second information processing terminal configured by the ECU 2 and the like mounted on the vehicle Q by the second support means 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP006). ). Specifically, data representing the position of the vehicle Q measured at a plurality of times based on GPS signals or the like by the ECU 2 is transmitted from the vehicle Q to the navigation server 1. In response to this, the second support means 12 recognizes the actual travel route R of the vehicle Q and the links constituting it as one of the fuel consumption factors, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, the cumulative measurement result of the speed and acceleration of the vehicle Q in the past is used as a fuel consumption factor. Moreover, the past weather information of the area to which the said link belongs among the weather information stored in the support database 10 is recognized as a fuel consumption factor. Further, the vehicle type of the vehicle Q as the second vehicle is read from the memory by the ECU 2 and transmitted to the navigation server 100, so that it is recognized as a fuel consumption factor. Accordingly, for example, “the vehicle Q of the vehicle type x2 has traveled on the travel link z2 at the speed v2 and the acceleration α2 in the time zone T2 under the condition that the weather information WN2 is rainy, temperature ○ ° C., humidity ●%”. Recognize fuel economy factors in the past. Note that the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past may be included in the basis of creating the fuel efficiency matrix as the fuel efficiency factor of the first vehicle, or may be excluded.

  The element defined by the fuel consumption factor is retrieved from the fuel consumption matrix by the second support means 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP008). For example, assuming that the fuel consumption matrix shown in FIG. 3 has been created, the first fuel consumption factor of the i-th classification and the second fuel consumption factor of the j-th classification are recognized as the fuel consumption factors in the past of the second vehicle. In this case, the (i, j) element Fij of the fuel consumption matrix is determined as the past fuel consumption of the second vehicle.

  The second support means 12 searches the support database 102 for a negative fuel consumption factor as a fuel consumption factor that defines an element of the fuel consumption matrix such that the past fuel consumption is less than a predetermined value (FIG. 2 / STEP010). Accordingly, for example, “the vehicle Q of the vehicle type x2 has traveled on the travel link z2 at the speed v2 and the acceleration α2 in the time zone T2 under the condition that the weather information WN2 is rainy, temperature ○ ° C., humidity ●%”. A fuel consumption factor is searched as a negative fuel consumption factor. In addition, other fuel consumption factors such as some links (thick lines) L1 to L3 of the travel route R of the vehicle Q as the second vehicle shown in FIG. 4 and acceleration combined therewith are used as negative fuel consumption factors. Explored. Then, the fuel efficiency related information based on the negative fuel efficiency factor is transmitted to the second information processing terminal by the second support means 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP012). Thereby, the information based on the negative fuel consumption factor is displayed on the display device mounted on the vehicle Q or the display device of the personal computer or the like as the fuel consumption related information. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the links L1 to L3 are highlighted so as to be distinguished from other links by color, etc. Messages based on negative fuel consumption factors such as “uphill slope is tight (situation grasped by vehicle Q inclination posture (fuel consumption factor) measured by gyro sensor)” or “idle time is long” Is displayed. Note that advice information for improving fuel efficiency in view of the negative fuel efficiency factor may be transmitted to the vehicle Q as fuel efficiency related information. For example, advice information such as “Slow accelerating improves fuel efficiency”, “When avoiding roads with many uphills, fuel efficiency improves” or “Shorten idling time improves fuel efficiency” Q may be transmitted to Q and displayed on the display device. Further, in addition to or instead of the negative fuel consumption factor, a positive fuel consumption factor is defined as a fuel consumption factor that defines an element of the fuel consumption matrix such that the past fuel consumption is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and information based on the positive fuel consumption factor is obtained. It may be transmitted to the second information processing terminal as fuel consumption related information and displayed on the display device.

  According to the navigation server that exhibits the above function, the first element defined by the fuel efficiency factor of the recognized first vehicle among the elements of the fuel efficiency matrix in which each element representing the fuel efficiency is defined by a plurality of fuel efficiency factors is recognized. It is determined based on the fuel consumption of the completed first vehicle (see FIG. 2 / STEP 004 and FIG. 3). Thus, when the fuel efficiency factor of the second vehicle in the past defines the first element, the past fuel efficiency of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy based on the known relationship between the fuel efficiency of the first vehicle and the fuel efficiency factor. . On the other hand, among the elements of the fuel consumption matrix, the second element defined by the unrecognized fuel efficiency factor is determined based on the first element (see FIG. 2 / STEP 004 and FIG. 3). Thereby, even when the plurality of fuel consumption factors of the second vehicle define the second element instead of the first factor, the relationship between the fuel consumption and the fuel consumption factor estimated based on the known relationship between the fuel consumption of the first vehicle and the fuel consumption factor In view of the above, the past fuel consumption of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy. Therefore, even in a situation where the fuel consumption factor of the second vehicle, that is, the fuel consumption of the first vehicle corresponding to the links constituting the travel route is not recognized, the fuel consumption related information indicating the factor of the past fuel consumption of the second vehicle, Furthermore, advice information that serves as a guideline for improving fuel efficiency can be provided to the user of the second vehicle as required (see FIG. 2 / STEP010, STEP012, and FIG. 4).

  A fuel consumption matrix (hereinafter referred to as “first fuel consumption matrix”) in which each element is defined by a fuel consumption factor including a vehicle identifier such as VIN for identifying each vehicle Q instead of the vehicle type is created. The past fuel consumption of the vehicle Q may be searched based on the first fuel consumption matrix (see FIG. 2 / STEP002 to STEP008). Accordingly, when the vehicle Q travels the same link a plurality of times under the same traveling condition, the past fuel consumption is further past one time of the same vehicle Q identified by the vehicle identifier which is one of the fuel efficiency factors. Alternatively, the search can be performed based on the fuel consumption during multiple runs. When the vehicle Q travels a plurality of times, a statistical value such as an average value of fuel consumption corresponding to the same fuel consumption factor can be determined as an element of the first fuel consumption matrix defined by the fuel consumption factor. The supplement coefficient of the first fuel consumption matrix may be defined to be different from the complement coefficient of the fuel consumption matrix (hereinafter referred to as “second fuel consumption matrix”) defined by the fuel consumption factor including the vehicle type instead of the vehicle identifier. Good.

  A perforated first fuel efficiency matrix is created in which elements defined by unrecognized fuel efficiency factors are not complemented. First, the past fuel efficiency of vehicle Q is searched based on this perforated first fuel efficiency matrix, and this search fails. In this case, the past fuel consumption of the vehicle Q may be searched based on the second fuel consumption matrix. Thereby, when the vehicle Q travels a plurality of times under the same traveling condition, the past fuel consumption of the vehicle Q can be searched based on the past fuel consumption of the own vehicle having the same vehicle identifier. On the other hand, when the vehicle Q is predicted to travel under a traveling condition different from the past traveling condition, the vehicle Q is not based on the own vehicle, but based on the past fuel consumption of another vehicle having the same vehicle type as the vehicle Q. Past fuel consumption can be searched.

Configuration explanatory diagram of the navigation server of the present invention The flowchart which shows the function of the navigation server of this invention Explanatory diagram on fuel efficiency matrix Explanatory drawing on fuel consumption related information

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navi server, 2 ... Vehicle ECU, 10 ... Support database, 11 ... 1st support means, 12 ... 2nd support means, Q ... Vehicle (1st vehicle, 2nd vehicle)

Claims (3)

A navigation server for managing fuel consumption information of vehicles,
The communication with the first information processing terminal recognizes the fuel consumption of the first vehicle and a plurality of fuel consumption factors that are fluctuation factors of the fuel consumption, and has already been recognized among the fuel consumption matrices in which each element representing the fuel consumption is defined by the fuel consumption factor. A first element defined by the fuel efficiency factor is defined based on the fuel efficiency, and a second element defined by the unrecognized fuel efficiency factor is defined based on the first element to create the fuel efficiency matrix. 1 support means,
The fuel efficiency factor in the past of the second vehicle is recognized by communication with the second information processing terminal, and the element defined by the recognized fuel efficiency factor is determined based on the fuel efficiency matrix created by the first support means. And a second support means for transmitting to the second information processing terminal fuel efficiency related information determined according to the past fuel efficiency. The navigation server according to claim 1, wherein
The second support means is a negative fuel consumption factor that defines an element of the fuel consumption matrix searched as the past fuel consumption less than a predetermined value, and the past fuel consumption searched as the past fuel consumption equal to or greater than the predetermined value. A navigation server, wherein information based on one or both of the positive fuel consumption factors as the fuel consumption factors defining the elements of the matrix is transmitted to the second information processing terminal as the fuel consumption related information. In the navigation server according to claim 2,
The second support means transmits advice information for improving fuel efficiency in consideration of one or both of the negative fuel efficiency factor and the positive fuel efficiency factor to the second information processing terminal as the fuel efficiency related information. A navigation server.

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