JP5293789B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety of road traffic and convenience of a user by eliminating problems of both road-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication, widening a range where communication can be provided and making communication more stable. <P>SOLUTION: A road-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication system includes a plurality of road side communication instruments 1 provided on a road side part and having a narrow-band communication area and an on-vehicle side communication instrument 2 loaded in a vehicle which travels while passing through the communication area, and is configured to perform radio communication by linking the road-vehicle communication and the inter-vehicle communication. The road side communication instruments 1 and the on-vehicle side communication instrument 2 are configured to communicate with each other through two first and second radio channels respectively in either case of the road-vehicle communication and the inter-vehicle communication, and the on-vehicle side communication instrument 2 executes channel switchover after notifying a communicating partner of the channel switchover by the radio channel under the communication when switching the channel from one to the other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, a communication method, and a communication control program thereof, and more particularly to a road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, a communication method, and a road-to-vehicle communication and a vehicle-to-vehicle communication function and a channel switching function. It relates to the communication control program.

  There is known a system in which roadside communication devices are installed at roadsides, service areas, etc., and road information and contents are provided to a running car. These are usually used to transmit and receive data to and from the in-vehicle communication device within a range where radio waves of the roadside communication device reach (see Patent Document 1).

However, in such a system, the service is received only when the vehicle enters the range where the radio waves of the roadside communication device reach, and the service is provided to a vehicle that is in a traffic jam or queued for service. Can not. Therefore, the driver waiting for traffic jam and waiting for the turn cannot get necessary information during the waiting time and feels uncomfortable.
If we try to provide services to all vehicles in a traffic jam, we will have to install roadside communication devices at regular intervals on all roads in the country. Will occur.

In order to solve this problem, a simulated roadside communication device having the same communication function as the roadside communication device used in road-to-vehicle communication is installed in the vehicle, and the data transmitted from the roadside communication device is communicated on the vehicle side. There has been reported an example in which information is provided to a vehicle that is relayed through a vehicle and a pseudo roadside communication device and separated from the roadside communication device (see Patent Document 2).
In addition, an example in which inter-vehicle communication and road-to-vehicle communication are used in combination for the purpose of improving the reliability, safety, and smoothness of an automatic driving system has been reported (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-232948 A JP 2006-166307 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-105880

However, in the conventional communication system shown in Patent Document 1, communication is performed only within the range where the radio waves of the roadside communication device reach, and as described above, for vehicles in traffic jams or queues for waiting for service. There was a problem that service could not be provided.
On the other hand, in the inter-vehicle communication, the service providing area is not limited to a specific area, but there is a problem that communication is not established unless there is a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted communication device in the vicinity. Therefore, it is desired to improve safety and convenience by complementing service providing areas by road-to-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication.

By the way, in the conventional example of Patent Document 2 aiming to complement each other by performing road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, it is possible to reduce the cost of roadside communication infrastructure development. It is necessary to provide an in-vehicle communication device for road-to-vehicle communication and a simulated road-side communication device similar to the road-side communication device for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. There was a problem in that it assumed the burden of the car user.
Further, Patent Document 3 is a system specialized in automatic driving, and is different from an information communication system in that the main purpose is to detect the position of roadside communication devices and other vehicles. is there. And like the example of patent document 2, there existed a problem that two communication apparatuses for vehicle-to-vehicle communication and road-to-vehicle communication had to be mounted in-vehicle.

(Object of invention)
The present invention improves the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular, effectively links both road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, thereby obtaining a wide range of information necessary for a traveling vehicle in real time and in road traffic. It is an object of the present invention to provide a road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, a communication method, and a communication control program thereof that can improve safety and user convenience.

A communication system according to the present invention includes:
A roadside communicator having a communication area that is provided on the roadside and through which radio waves reach, and a vehicle-mounted communicator installed in a vehicle that travels within the communication area and outside the communication area,
A communication system that performs wireless communication by linking communication between the roadside communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices,
The in-vehicle communication device is configured to be able to communicate with the roadside communication device or other in-vehicle communication device via a plurality of wireless channels including the first and second wireless channels,
The roadside communication device periodically transmits roadside information through the first and second radio channels,
The in-vehicle communication device is
When the roadside information is received from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel during communication with another vehicle-mounted side communication device via the second wireless channel, Switch to the first wireless channel and start communication with the roadside communication device,
During the communication with the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, when the roadside information is no longer received from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, the first wireless channel The second wireless channel is switched to start communication with another in-vehicle communication device.

A communication method according to the present invention includes:
A roadside communicator that is provided on the side of the road and has a communication area in which radio waves can reach and periodically transmits roadside information through the first and second radio channels, and travels within and outside the communication area A communication system that performs wireless communication by linking communication between the roadside communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. There,
As the in-vehicle communication device, one configured to be able to communicate through a plurality of wireless channels including the first and second wireless channels is used,
When the in-vehicle communication device receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while communicating with another in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel, A first step of switching from a second wireless channel to the first wireless channel and starting communication with the roadside communication device;
When the in-vehicle communication device does not receive the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel while communicating with the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, It is characterized by comprising a second step of switching from the first radio channel to the second radio channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device.

A communication processing program according to the present invention includes:
A roadside communicator that is provided on the side of the road and has a communication area in which radio waves can reach and periodically transmits roadside information through the first and second radio channels, and travels within and outside the communication area A communication system that performs wireless communication by linking communication between the roadside communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. There,
As the in-vehicle communication device, a device configured to be able to communicate through a plurality of wireless channels including the first and second wireless channels is used,
When the in-vehicle communication device receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while communicating with another in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel, A first function to start communication with the roadside communication device by switching from a second wireless channel to the first wireless channel;
When the in-vehicle communication device does not receive the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel while communicating with the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, The first function is switched from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel to start communication with another in-vehicle communication device, and the second function is implemented in a computer provided in the in-vehicle communication device. And

  In other words, in order to solve the above-described object, in the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication system according to the present invention, the vehicle travels while passing through the communication area with a plurality of road-side communication devices provided on the road side and having a narrow communication area. A vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle, and wireless communication is performed by linking road-to-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. In the road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to be able to perform communication, the roadside communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device are each of the first and second radios in both the road-to-vehicle communication and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The in-vehicle communication device is configured to be able to communicate with each other via a channel. Characterized by being configured to perform the channel switching after the notification of the Le switching.

  Thus, for example, when the first wireless channel is an infrastructure communication channel and the second wireless channel is an ad hoc communication channel, the communication on the infrastructure network including the base station and the fixed station on the roadside communication device, and the in-vehicle side Since it is possible to perform road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication using an existing network configuration method with communication using an ad hoc network that is performed by transmitting data wirelessly between communication devices, communication software and components used for communication can be installed. It can be realized at low cost.

Here, the first wireless channel described above may be an infrastructure communication channel, and the second wireless channel may be an ad hoc communication channel.
This enables road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication using two different wireless channels, and when the wireless communication area changes, it is possible to continue communication by changing the channel, so that more stable and highly reliable An in-vehicle communication system can be realized.

Here, the roadside communication device described above is configured to use the infrastructure communication channel, which is the first wireless channel, in the road-to-vehicle communication, and periodically transmits roadside information to the surrounding vehicle-side communication devices. At the time of transmission, either one of the two radio channels may be selected and transmitted.
In addition, the above-described in-vehicle communication device is configured to use an ad hoc communication channel, which is a second wireless channel, in the inter-vehicle communication, and the road side communication device transmits the road side information to the ad hoc communication channel. It is good also as a structure provided with the function to transmit regularly (Claim 4).

  Furthermore, when the above-described in-vehicle communication device receives roadside information from the roadside communication device during inter-vehicle communication on the ad hoc communication channel or receives a channel switching notification from another in-vehicle communication device, the channel In determining whether switching is possible, the channel switching to the infrastructure communication channel may be performed after notifying the surrounding in-vehicle communication device of the channel switching.

  When a plurality of infrastructure communication channels are prepared, a plurality of channels can be communicated with the roadside communication device based on the roadside information notified from the roadside communication device via the ad hoc communication channel. It may be fair to select any one of the channels for infrastructure communication.

  Furthermore, the roadside communication device described above stores a roadside wireless unit that transmits roadside information such as position information and a radio channel to the vehicle-mounted side communication device included in the traveling vehicle, and stores the roadside information in advance and the roadside communication device. A roadside information providing unit that selects a radio channel to be selected and used by the radio unit and outputs the information, and a roadside channel in the roadside radio unit is selected and set based on the radio channel selection information from the roadside information providing unit. And a roadside control unit that regulates the operation of the roadside radio unit.

  Further, the above-described in-vehicle communication device receives or receives a radio signal and receives the received data from the roadside communication device or other in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle wireless unit. The vehicle-mounted control unit for sending the received data to the external connection unit equipped in advance and controlling the switching operation when switching the radio channel in the vehicle-mounted wireless unit; roadside information from the roadside communication device in the received data and others And a channel selection information determination unit that determines whether or not the channel used in the in-vehicle wireless unit is usable based on a channel switching notification from the in-vehicle communication device, and outputs the determination signal and the channel switching signal.

The vehicle-mounted control unit described above controls a channel switching control function (vehicle-mounted channel switching means) that controls a wireless channel switching operation in the vehicle-mounted wireless unit based on the determination signal and the channel switching signal output from the channel selection information determining unit. ) Is provided.
Therefore, according to this, since channel selection can be performed based on the determination of the information determination unit, there is an advantage that channel switching can be reliably executed in a stable state corresponding to the surrounding communication environment.

Here, the roadside radio unit described above is mainly used for roadside first channel communication means for performing radio communication with the vehicle-mounted side communication device using the first communication channel mainly used for road-to-vehicle communication, and mainly for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Road-side second channel communication means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted side communication device using two communication channels, wherein the road-side control unit described above is the road-side first channel communication means for the road-to-vehicle communication. And roadside channel selection means for selecting and setting either of the roadside second channel communication means.
For this reason, there is an advantage that switching control can be reliably performed under the control of the roadside control unit.

  Further, the above-described in-vehicle wireless unit includes vehicle-side first channel communication means for performing wireless communication with the in-vehicle-side communication device using a first communication channel mainly used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and second mainly used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Vehicle-side second channel communication means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted side communication device using the communication channel, and the vehicle-side control unit described above includes the vehicle-side first channel communication means during the road-to-vehicle communication. Vehicle side channel selection means for selecting and setting one of the vehicle side second channel communication means is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication method according to the present invention is mounted on a plurality of roadside communication devices having a narrow communication area provided on a road side and a vehicle traveling through the communication area. A vehicle-mounted communication device, and wireless communication can be achieved by linking road-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. In the road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured as described above, in the road-to-vehicle communication described above, on the roadside communication device side, the position information of the roadside communication device and the A roadside information setting step for setting roadside information such as a radio frequency channel to be used in the roadside information providing unit, and a channel for selecting the set roadside information and a radio channel to be used at the time of transmission. A channel selection step of sending a selection signal to the roadside control unit, and a radio channel for operating the roadside radio unit to transmit roadside information based on a command from the roadside control unit and selecting the selected radio channel And a roadside information transmission step of transmitting the roadside information to the traveling vehicle.
If it does in this way, it will become possible to transmit the roadside information required on the traveling vehicle side effectively and reliably from the roadside communication device.

In order to achieve the above object, the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication method according to the present invention is mounted on a plurality of roadside communication devices having a narrow communication area provided on a road side and a vehicle traveling through the communication area. An in-vehicle communication device, and wireless communication can be performed by linking road-to-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device and the in-vehicle communication device and inter-vehicle communication between the in-vehicle communication devices. In the configured road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, in the vehicle-to-vehicle communication described above, on the vehicle-mounted communication device side, the road-side communication device received by the vehicle-mounted wireless unit via a preset wireless channel or other A reception data take-in control step for taking in the reception data from the in-vehicle communication device, and of the received reception data, the reception data from the roadside communication device is transmitted to the external connection unit equipped in advance. A channel selection determination step for determining whether or not it is necessary to switch the wireless channel in communication based on received data from both the roadside communication device and the other in-vehicle communication device, and a communication, When it is determined that it is necessary to switch the radio channel in the channel, the channel output from the channel selection information determination unit is switched based on the switching notification and the vehicle-mounted communication device input data supplied from the external connection unit A channel setting signal generation step for generating a channel setting signal in the in-vehicle control unit, and a transmission that is sent from the in-vehicle control unit while operating the in-vehicle radio unit according to the generated channel setting signal and switching the communication radio channel. Data is transmitted to the other in-vehicle communication device or the roadside communication device through the selected wireless channel. And a transmission data transmitting step, and it employs a configuration that.
In this way, efficient mutual communication with another in-vehicle communication device or the roadside communication device becomes possible.

In order to achieve the above object, in the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication method according to the present invention, a plurality of roadside communication devices having a narrow communication area provided on a road side and a vehicle that travels while passing through the communication area. A vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on the vehicle, and wireless communication can be achieved by linking road-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. In the road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured as described above, in the vehicle-to-vehicle communication described above, the vehicle-side communication device selects the ad hoc communication channel as a radio channel and starts vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and When the in-vehicle communication device receives roadside information from a roadside communication device via an ad hoc communication channel, or when a channel switching notification is received from another in-vehicle communication device A channel switching determination step for determining whether or not to switch the wireless channel in communication, and communication after transmitting a channel switching notification to other in-vehicle communication devices in the vicinity when it is determined to switch the wireless channel in communication Channel switching execution process for switching the wireless channel in the channel from the ad hoc communication channel to the infrastructure communication channel, and when the roadside information cannot be received during road-to-vehicle communication using this infrastructure communication channel, the channel is switched to the roadside communication device. And a second channel switching step of switching to an ad hoc communication channel after notifying of the above.
If it does in this way, it will become possible for the vehicle-mounted side communication apparatus to perform the switching communication between other vehicle-mounted side communication apparatuses or the said roadside communication apparatus efficiently.

(program)
In order to achieve the above object, in the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication control program according to the present invention,
A plurality of roadside communication devices provided on a road side and having a narrow communication area; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that travels while passing through the communication area, the roadside communication device and the in-vehicle communication A road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to be able to perform wireless communication by linking road-to-vehicle communication with a vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted side communication devices. On the computer
A roadside information setting function for setting roadside information such as position information of the roadside communication device and a radio frequency channel to be used in the roadside information providing unit based on input data from an external connection unit equipped in advance for the road-to-vehicle communication, A channel selection signal output control function for outputting the set roadside information and a channel selection signal for selecting a radio channel to be used at the time of transmission to the roadside control unit, based on a command from the roadside control unit Is configured to execute a roadside information transmission control function for selecting a radio channel for transmitting roadside information and transmitting the roadside information to the traveling vehicle via the selected radio channel. Features.

In order to achieve the above object, in the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication control program according to the present invention,
A plurality of roadside communication devices provided on a road side and having a narrow communication area; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that travels while passing through the communication area, the roadside communication device and the in-vehicle communication A road-to-vehicle communication system and a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to be able to perform wireless communication by linking road-to-vehicle communication with a vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. In the computer equipped with the machine,
Received data take-in control function for taking in received data from the roadside communication device or other vehicle-mounted side communication device received by the in-vehicle wireless unit via a wireless channel set in advance during the inter-vehicle communication, and the received reception data Among them, it is necessary to transmit the reception data from the roadside communication device to the external connection unit equipped in advance and switch the radio channel in communication based on the reception data from the roadside communication device and the other in-vehicle communication device A channel selection determination function for determining whether or not there is a channel selection determination function, and when it is determined that it is necessary to switch the wireless channel during communication, the channel output from the channel selection information determination unit is The in-vehicle control unit generates a channel switching control signal based on the switching notification and the in-vehicle communication device input data supplied from the external connection unit. The switching control signal generation function to operate, the vehicle-mounted radio unit is operated by the generated channel switching control signal, the radio channel for communication is switched and selected, and transmission data sent from the vehicle-mounted control unit is transmitted by the selected radio channel It is configured to execute a transmission data transmission control function for transmitting to another vehicle-mounted communication device or the roadside communication device.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, in the road-to-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication control program according to the present invention, the vehicle travels while passing through the communication area with a plurality of road-side communication apparatuses provided on the road side and having a narrow communication area. A vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle, and wireless communication by linking road-to-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. In a road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to be able to be configured, a computer provided in the in-vehicle communication device,
In the inter-vehicle communication, the in-vehicle communication device selects the ad hoc communication channel as a radio channel and starts the inter-vehicle communication start control function. The in-vehicle communication device passes the ad hoc communication channel from the road side communication device. A channel switching determination function for determining whether or not to switch the wireless channel in communication when information is received or a channel switching notification is received from another in-vehicle communication device, and it is determined to switch the wireless channel in communication In this case, the channel switching execution control function for switching the communication wireless channel from the ad hoc communication channel to the infrastructure communication channel after transmitting the channel switching notification to other in-vehicle communication devices in the vicinity, by this infrastructure communication channel When roadside information cannot be received during road-to-vehicle communication, Characterized by being configured to execute the second channel switching control function, switching to ad-hoc communication channel after the notification of the channel switching with respect to the machine.

  Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, it is possible to reliably capture roadside information through communication using two channels and switching channels in response to changes in the communication situation caused by the movement of the vehicle. Information can be collected by inter-vehicle communication even outside the radio communication area of the communicator, which compensates for the drawbacks of road-to-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication while taking advantage of the advantages of road traffic safety and vehicle user convenience. Road-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems and communication methods that can reduce the development cost of application software and the cost of communication equipment by performing road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the same communication device. And a communication control program thereof.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In describing the entirety of this embodiment, the main part of this embodiment will be described first, and then the specific configuration will be described.

  In FIG. 1, the traveling vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment is mounted on a plurality of roadside communication devices 1 provided on a road side portion and having a narrow communication area, and a vehicle that travels while passing through the communication area described above. By providing a vehicle-mounted communication device 2 (2A), by linking road-to-vehicle communication between the road-side communication device 1 and the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 (2A) and vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices. It is comprised so that wireless communication can be achieved. Here, since the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 and the other vehicle-mounted communication device 2A are configured in the same manner in the present embodiment, they are represented by the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 except when necessary.

  The roadside communication device 1 and the vehicle-mounted side communication device 2 described above are configured to be capable of mutual communication via the first and second two radio channels, respectively, in any of the road-to-vehicle communication and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication. When switching from one to the other, the in-vehicle communication device 1 is configured to execute the channel switching after notifying the communication partner of the channel switching on the wireless channel in communication.

Thus, for example, if the first wireless channel is an infrastructure communication channel and the second wireless channel is an ad hoc communication channel, the roadside communication device 1 includes an infrastructure network configuration communication including a base station and a fixed station, Road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be performed using an existing network configuration method with communication using an ad hoc network that is performed by transmitting data between the side communication devices 2 by wireless communication. Use parts can be realized at low cost.
Moreover, according to this, since the roadside communication device 1 can switch communication channels and execute communication, the same roadside communication device 1 can perform road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication using two communication channels. In addition to making the communication provision area wider, it is possible to reduce the development cost of application software, the cost of communication equipment, and the like, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the first wireless channel described above is an infrastructure communication channel, and the second wireless channel is an ad hoc communication channel. As a result, road-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication are performed using two different wireless channels, and when the wireless communication area changes, it is possible to reliably change the channel and continue communication. It is possible to realize a high in-vehicle communication system.

The roadside communication device 1 described above is configured to use the infrastructure communication channel, which is the first wireless channel, during the road-to-vehicle communication, and periodically transmits roadside information to the surrounding vehicle-mounted communication device 2. In doing so, either one of the two radio channels is selected and transmitted.
Further, the above-described in-vehicle communication device 2 is configured to use an ad hoc communication channel, which is a second wireless channel, for inter-vehicle communication. The roadside communication device 1 is configured to periodically send the roadside information to the ad hoc communication channel.

Here, when a plurality of infrastructure communication channels are prepared, a plurality of the infrastructure communication channels can be communicated with the roadside communication device based on the roadside information notified from the roadside communication device via the ad hoc communication channel. Any one of the communication channels can be selected.
As a result, communication can be performed by selecting a more stable channel as the infrastructure communication channel depending on the communication state, so that a more stable and highly reliable in-vehicle communication system can be realized.

  Further, when the above-described in-vehicle communication device 2 receives roadside information from the roadside communication device 1 during inter-vehicle communication using the ad hoc communication channel, or when it receives a channel switching notification from another in-vehicle communication device 2A. Is configured to determine whether or not channel switching is possible and to perform channel switching to the infrastructure communication channel after notifying the surrounding vehicle-mounted communication device of channel switching.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the roadside communication device 1 described above includes a roadside wireless unit 13 that transmits roadside information such as position information and a wireless channel to the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 provided in the traveling vehicle; Based on the radio channel selection information from the roadside information providing unit 12 and the roadside information providing unit 12 that stores the roadside information in advance and selects a radio channel to be selected and used by the roadside radio unit 13 and outputs the information. A roadside control unit 11 that selectively sets a roadside channel in the roadside radio unit 13 and restricts the operation of the roadside radio unit 13 based on the channel is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the above-described in-vehicle communication device 2 performs reception or transmission / reception of a radio signal and inputs reception data from the roadside communication device 1 or the other in-vehicle communication device 2A. And a vehicle-mounted control unit 21 that sends received data received by the vehicle-mounted wireless unit 23 to the external connection unit 24 equipped in advance and controls the switching operation when switching the wireless channel in the vehicle-mounted wireless unit 23. , Based on the roadside information from the roadside communication device 1 in the received data and the channel switching notification from the other onboard communication device 2, the use of the in-vehicle radio unit 23 is determined and the determination signal and A channel selection information determination unit 22 for outputting a channel switching signal.

The vehicle-mounted control unit 2 described above has a channel switching control function (vehicle-mounted control function) for controlling the wireless channel switching operation in the vehicle-mounted wireless unit 21 based on the determination signal and the channel switching signal output from the channel selection information determining unit 22. Channel switching means 211).
Therefore, according to this, since channel selection can be performed based on the determination of the information determination unit, there is an advantage that channel switching can be reliably executed in a stable state corresponding to the surrounding communication environment.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the roadside radio unit 13 described above performs roadside first channel communication means for performing radio communication with the vehicle-mounted side communication device 2 using a first communication channel mainly used for road-to-vehicle communication. 131 and road-side second channel communication means 132 for performing wireless communication with the in-vehicle communication device 2 using a second communication channel mainly used for inter-vehicle communication. The roadside control unit 11 described above includes roadside channel selection means 111 that selectively sets one of the roadside first channel communication means 131 and the roadside second channel communication means 132 during the road-to-vehicle communication.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the above-described in-vehicle wireless unit 23 uses the first communication channel mainly used for inter-vehicle communication to perform in-vehicle first channel communication means for performing wireless communication with the other in-vehicle communication device 2A. 231 and in-vehicle second channel communication means 232 for performing wireless communication with other in-vehicle communication devices using a second communication channel mainly used for inter-vehicle communication. The vehicle-side control unit 21 described above includes vehicle-side channel selection means 211 that selectively sets either the vehicle-mounted side first channel communication means 231 or the vehicle-mounted side second channel communication means 232 during the road-to-vehicle communication.

  Here, the above-described infrastructure communication channel, which is the first wireless channel, is a channel used in a wireless communication scheme in which a communication device has a hierarchical structure such as a master station, a base station, and a slave station. The ad hoc communication channel, which is the second wireless channel, is a channel used in a communication system configured by mutual direct communication, such as slave units connected by a wireless LAN.

As described above, the roadside communication device 1 controls the flow of signals from the roadside communication device 1 that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the vehicle-mounted communication device 2, and the radio of the roadside wireless unit 13. A roadside control unit 11 that sets a radio frequency channel for communication, and a roadside information providing unit 12 that holds roadside information such as a position where the roadside communication device 1 is installed and a radio frequency channel to be used and outputs roadside information data. And is configured for.
Further, the roadside communication device 1 is provided with a roadside communication device external connection unit 14 that can be connected to an external device such as a roadside application system, an infrastructure network, GPS, and various sensors.

On the other hand, as described above, the in-vehicle communication device 2 includes the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 that transmits / receives a radio signal to / from the roadside communication device 1 or the other in-vehicle communication device 2A, and the signal of the in-vehicle communication device 2. And the radio frequency to be used based on channel selection information from the roadside communication device 1 and other vehicle side communication devices 2 A channel selection information determination unit 22 that determines a channel is provided.
The in-vehicle communication device 2 includes an in-vehicle communication device external connection unit 24 that can be connected to an external device such as an in-vehicle application system, GPS, and various in-vehicle sensors.

Next, the function of each component of the roadside communication device 1 described above will be described in detail.
1 and 2, the roadside control unit 11 of the roadside communication device 1 inputs roadside communication device input data from a roadside communication device side external connection unit 14 such as a roadside application system or an infrastructure network, and supplies the roadside information providing unit 12 with the roadside communication device input data. On the other hand, a roadside information setting signal is output, and roadside information including position information of the roadside communication device 1 and a radio frequency channel to be used is set.
Here, the roadside communicator input data input from the roadside communicator external connection unit 14 includes, for example, weather information such as weather, temperature, humidity, rainfall and snowfall, road traffic congestion information, earthquakes and fires in related areas, etc. Disaster information, travel time information to the destination, news, destination tourist information, commercial information, and the like may be included.

The roadside information providing unit 12 outputs a roadside information notification to the roadside control unit 11 described above, and outputs a roadside information transmission destination selection signal for selecting a channel for transmitting the roadside information notification.
The road-side control unit 11 is based on the road-side communication device input data supplied from the road-side communication device-side external connection unit 14 and the road-side information notification supplied from the road-side information providing unit 12, and transmits the vehicle-mounted transmitter 2 via radio. Transmission data as information for providing to the roadside radio unit 13 is output.
Further, the roadside control unit 11 includes roadside channel selection means 111, and transmits the transmission data from the roadside channel selection means 111 based on the roadside information transmission destination selection signal supplied from the roadside information providing unit 12. A channel setting signal for setting a radio frequency channel to be output is output.

  The roadside wireless unit 13 includes roadside first channel communication means 131 that performs road-to-vehicle communication using an infrastructure communication channel (first communication channel), and road-to-vehicle communication using an ad hoc communication channel (second communication channel). A roadside second channel communication unit 132 that performs communication, converts transmission data supplied from the roadside control unit 11 into a radio signal, and sets a radio frequency set by a channel setting signal sent from the roadside channel selection unit 111 A wireless transmission signal is output using either the communication unit 131 or 132 that performs communication on the channel.

The roadside radio unit 13 receives a radio reception signal using either the communication unit 131 or 132 using the radio frequency channel set by the channel setting signal from the roadside control unit 11, and Output the received data.
The roadside control unit 11 receives received data from either the communication means 131 or 132 of the roadside wireless unit 13 and outputs roadside communication device output data including the received data to the roadside communication device external connection unit 14.

  Next, the channel selection operation in the roadside communication device 1 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the roadside communication device 1 transmits roadside information such as position information and a frequency channel to be used based on input data from the external connection unit 10 provided in advance via the roadside control unit 11 described above in the case of road-to-vehicle communication. It sets to the roadside information provision part 12 (step S100: roadside information setting process). Next, the roadside information set in the roadside information providing unit 12 and a channel selection signal for selecting a radio channel to be used at the time of transmission are sent to the roadside control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the roadside communication device 1 selects the roadside first channel communication means 131 of the roadside radio section 13 by the roadside channel selection means 111 of the roadside control section 11 (step S101: channel selection step), Road-to-vehicle communication is started using the infrastructure communication channel, which is a wireless channel (step S102).

  Here, roadside information is periodically transmitted from the roadside communication device 1 described above to the surrounding vehicle-mounted communication device 2, and the timing is determined (step S103). If it is not time to transmit, the process returns to step S102 and waits for a received signal on the infrastructure communication channel (first communication channel) as it is.

  When the roadside information is transmitted from the roadside communication device 1, the roadside information is transmitted after the channel to be transmitted is selected (step S104). In this case, when an infrastructure communication channel is selected, such as when periodic roadside information is transmitted from the roadside communication device 1, it is transmitted using the same infrastructure communication channel (step S107: roadside information transmission step).

When transmitting roadside information of the roadside communication device 1 via the ad hoc communication channel (second communication channel), such as when transmitting to the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 outside the communication area of the roadside communication device 1, In step S105, the roadside channel selection unit 111 of the roadside control unit 11 selects the roadside second channel communication unit 132 of the roadside radio unit 13, and then transmits roadside information using the ad hoc communication channel (step S106: roadside). Information transmission process).
After the transmission, the process returns to step S101, the roadside first channel communication means 131 is selected to return the communication to the infrastructure communication channel, and the road-to-vehicle communication continues.

Here, about each said process, you may comprise so that the execution content may be programmed and it may be made to perform with the computer with which the roadside communication apparatus 1 is equipped beforehand.
This allows the vehicle-mounted communication device to recognize whether or not the vehicle-side communication device is within the radio wave reach of the roadside communication device based on the roadside information transmitted from the roadside communication device. It is possible to provide a computer program for a roadside communication device capable of causing a roadside communication device to execute road-to-vehicle communication using two different channels.
Even if it does in this way, the effect equivalent to embodiment mentioned above can be acquired.

Next, the function and operation of each component of the in-vehicle communication device 2 described above will be described in detail.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 is either the in-vehicle side first channel communication unit 231 or the in-vehicle side second channel communication unit 232 according to the channel setting signal from the in-vehicle channel selection unit 211 of the in-vehicle control unit 21. Is selected, the wireless reception signal is received through the channel used by these communication means 231 or 232, and the reception data is output to the in-vehicle control unit 21.

  The in-vehicle control unit 21 receives and captures received data from the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 (received data acquisition control step), and outputs road-side communication device output data to the external connection unit 24 of the in-vehicle communication device. In addition, the in-vehicle control unit 21 receives received data as described above, and determines channel selection based on roadside information from the roadside communication device 1 and channel switching notifications from other in-vehicle communication devices 2. The channel selection information is output to the channel selection information determination unit 22.

  The above-described channel selection information determination unit 22 determines which channel to use based on the channel selection information (channel selection determination step), and outputs a channel selection information determination signal and a channel switching notification.

The in-vehicle control unit 21 receives the in-vehicle communication device input data supplied from the external connection unit 24 on the in-vehicle communication device side and the channel switching notification supplied from the channel selection information determination unit 22 via the wireless channel. Transmission data is output to the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 as information to be provided to the roadside communication device 1 or another in-vehicle transmitter 2.
The in-vehicle control unit 21 generates and outputs a channel setting signal for switching and setting the radio frequency channel for transmitting the transmission data based on the channel selection information determination signal supplied from the channel selection information unit 22 ( Channel setting signal generation step).

Further, the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 converts the transmission data supplied from the in-vehicle control unit 21 into a radio signal, and another in-vehicle side communication device 2A or a roadside communication device in the wireless channel set by the generated channel setting signal. A wireless transmission signal is transmitted toward 1 (transmission data transmission step).
Here, about each said process, you may comprise so that the execution content may be programmed and it may be made to perform with the computer with which the roadside communication apparatus 1 is equipped beforehand. Even if it does in this way, the effect equivalent to embodiment mentioned above can be acquired.

Next, the channel selection operation in the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The above-described in-vehicle communication device 2 normally selects the in-vehicle second channel communication means 232 of the in-vehicle wireless unit 23 and performs inter-vehicle communication using the ad hoc communication channel (step S201, step S202: inter-vehicle communication start step). . When the roadside information is received from the roadside communication device 1 via the ad hoc communication channel, or when the channel switching notification is received from the other in-vehicle communication device 2A (step S203), it is determined whether or not the channel can be switched. (Step S204: Channel switching determination step) In the case of switching, after transmitting a channel switching notification to the surrounding in-vehicle communication device 2 (Step S205), the in-vehicle first channel communication means 231 is selected to become the infrastructure communication channel. Switching (step S206: channel switching execution step).

Further, when roadside information transmitted periodically from the roadside communication device 1 cannot be received during road-to-vehicle communication using the infrastructure communication channel (step S207), (Step S209), returning to Step S201, switching to the ad hoc communication channel which is the second wireless channel (second channel channel switching step).
Also, a channel switching notification is received from the other in-vehicle communication device 2A, and when switching to the infrastructure communication channel and performing inter-vehicle communication (step S207), a channel switching notification is received from the communication partner in-vehicle communication device 2 In this case (step S208), after the channel switching notification is transmitted (step S209), the channel is switched to the ad hoc communication channel (step S201).

Here, about each said process, you may comprise so that the execution content may be programmed and it may be made to perform with the computer with which the roadside communication apparatus 1 is equipped beforehand.
This provides a computer program for the vehicle-side communication device that allows the vehicle-side communication device to execute vehicle-to-vehicle communication and road-to-vehicle communication by using two different channels according to the radio wave arrival status of the road-side communication device. can do.
Even if it does in this way, the effect equivalent to embodiment mentioned above can be acquired.

With the configuration and operation as described above, when the vehicle is traveling in a place where the roadside communication device 1 is not installed, the in-vehicle communication device 2 mounted on the vehicle uses the ad hoc communication channel (second wireless channel). It is possible to obtain necessary information by performing inter-vehicle communication with the in-vehicle communication device 2 of another vehicle.
On the other hand, the roadside communication device 1 installed along the road regularly transmits the roadside information to the ad hoc communication channel. When the traveling vehicle receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device 1 by the in-vehicle side communication device 2, it recognizes that it is in an area where it can communicate with the roadside communication device 1, and the infrastructure communication channel (first wireless Channel).

Here, when the channel is switched, the infrastructure communication channel (the first communication channel) is used for the case where the vehicle is communicating with another vehicle in the inter-vehicle communication channel and the communication needs to be continued. The channel is switched after the other vehicle is notified via the ad hoc communication channel (second wireless channel).
In addition, during inter-vehicle communication on the ad hoc communication channel (second wireless channel), when a channel switching notification is received from the in-vehicle communication device 2 as the communication partner and it is desired to continue communication with the in-vehicle communication device 2, A channel switching notification is transmitted via the ad hoc communication channel (second radio channel), and then the infrastructure communication channel (first radio channel) is switched to enable inter-vehicle communication via the roadside communication device 1.

Further, when the in-vehicle communication device 2 performs road-to-vehicle communication on the infrastructure communication channel (first wireless channel), the road-side information periodically transmitted from the road-side communication device 1 is confirmed. When the communication is interrupted, a channel switching notification is transmitted via the infrastructure communication channel (first wireless channel) and then the channel is switched to the ad hoc communication channel (second wireless channel).
In addition, when the in-vehicle communication device 2 receives a channel switching notification from the in-vehicle communication device 2 of the communication partner during the inter-vehicle communication through the infrastructure communication channel (first wireless channel), the infrastructure communication channel (the first communication channel) After the channel switching notification is transmitted via the first radio channel), the channel is switched to the ad hoc communication channel (second radio channel).

  In the traveling vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle is traveling in a place where the roadside communication device 1 is not installed, the vehicle-mounted communication device 2 mounted on the vehicle is connected to the ad hoc communication channel (second wireless communication). Channel) and inter-vehicle communication with the in-vehicle communication device 2 of another vehicle. In this case, the roadside communication device 1 installed along the road regularly transmits the roadside information to the ad hoc communication channel (second radio channel). When the traveling vehicle receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device 1, it recognizes that it is in an area where it can communicate with the roadside communication device 1, and switches to the infrastructure communication channel (first wireless channel). .

  As described above, in the traveling vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, the first wireless channel is the infrastructure communication channel and the second wireless channel is the ad hoc communication channel as described above. To achieve more stable and highly reliable traveling vehicle communication system, because channel-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-vehicle communication are performed using channels, and communication can be continued by changing the channel when the wireless communication area changes. Is possible. That is, the communication can be executed by switching the communication channel with the roadside communication device, and the road-to-vehicle communication and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be performed using the two communication channels with the same roadside communication device. The service area can be made wider.

  For this reason, when providing services that improve road traffic safety or convenience for drivers and passengers, the service provision area for road-to-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication can be complemented with each other. And communication reliability can be further improved. In addition, by building and operating road-to-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication in cooperation, it is possible to reduce application software development costs, communication device costs, and the like.

  As described above, the present invention can be widely applied to a system that performs communication between a traveling vehicle and a fixed station, and communication between traveling vehicles, and information on vehicle traveling control, weather information, and traffic jam information. Can be shared between vehicles, information on the front of the direction of travel can be transmitted to subsequent vehicles, and can be used for safe driving and automatic driving control. High possibility of use in the field.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the traveling vehicle communication system concerning this invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a roadside communication device portion in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart showing channel selection operation of a roadside communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a vehicle-mounted side communication device portion in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating channel selection operation of the in-vehicle communication device in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Roadside communication apparatus 2,2A Car-mounted side communication apparatus 11 Roadside control part 12 Roadside information provision part 13 Roadside radio | wireless part 21,21A Car-mounted side control part 22,22A Channel selection information determination part 23,23A Car-mounted side radio | wireless part 111 Roadside channel selection Means 131 Roadside first channel communication means 132 Roadside second channel communication means 211 In-vehicle side channel selection means 231 In-vehicle side first channel communication means 232 In-vehicle side second channel communication means

Claims (6)

A roadside communicator having a communication area that is provided on the roadside and through which radio waves reach, and a vehicle-mounted communicator installed in a vehicle that travels within the communication area and outside the communication area,
A communication system that performs wireless communication by linking communication between the roadside communication device and the vehicle-mounted communication device and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices,
The in-vehicle communication device can communicate with the roadside communication device or another in-vehicle communication device via a plurality of wireless channels including a first wireless channel for infrastructure communication and a second wireless channel for ad hoc communication. Composed of
The roadside communicator periodically transmits roadside information including the position of the roadside communicator and the radio frequency channel to be used by the first and second radio channels,
The in-vehicle communication device is
When the roadside information is received from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel during communication with another in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel, the second wireless channel receives the first information from the second wireless channel. Switch to one wireless channel and start communication with other in-vehicle communication devices via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device ,
The roadside information is received from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel during communication with the vehicle-side communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel. A communication system characterized by being configured to start communication with another in-vehicle communication device by switching from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel when no longer occurs. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The in-vehicle communication device is
When the roadside information is received from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel during communication with another vehicleside communication device via the second wireless channel, or from another vehicle-side communication device When the notification of switching from the second radio channel to the first radio channel is received via the second radio channel, the second radio channel is communicated to the second radio channel via the second radio channel. A notification of switching from the wireless channel to the first wireless channel is transmitted, the second wireless channel is switched to the first wireless channel, and another in-vehicle communication device is connected via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device. including communication,
The roadside information is transmitted from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel while communicating with the other vehicle-mounted side communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel. When no more reception is received, or when a notification for switching from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel is received from the other in-vehicle communication device via the first wireless channel, the other in-vehicle communication device A notification of switching from the first radio channel to the second radio channel via the first radio channel, and switching from the first radio channel to the second radio channel to another vehicle-mounted side A communication system configured to start communication with a communication device. The position of the roadside communicator and the radio used by the first radio channel for infrastructure communication and the second radio channel for ad hoc communication are provided on the roadside portion and have a communication area in which radio waves reach. A roadside communication device that transmits roadside information including a frequency channel; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that travels within and outside the communication region, the roadside communication device and the in-vehicle communication device In a communication system for performing wireless communication by linking communication between and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices,
As the in-vehicle communication device, one configured to be able to communicate through a plurality of wireless channels including the first and second wireless channels is used,
When the in-vehicle communication device receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while communicating with another in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel, A first step of switching from the second wireless channel to the first wireless channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device ;
When the in-vehicle communication device does not receive the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel while communicating with the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, A communication method comprising a second step of switching from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device. The communication method according to claim 3 , wherein
In the first step, the roadside information is transmitted from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while the vehicle-mounted side communication device is communicating with another vehicle-mounted side communication device via the second wireless channel. To the other in-vehicle communication device when a notification for switching from the second wireless channel to the first wireless channel is received from the other in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel. A notification of switching from the second radio channel to the first radio channel via the second radio channel, and switching from the second radio channel to the first radio channel to switch the roadside communication device or It is a step of starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device via the roadside communication device ,
In the second step, the in-vehicle communication device is communicating with another in-vehicle communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel, from the roadside communication device. When the roadside information is no longer received via the first wireless channel, or from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel via the first wireless channel from another in-vehicle communication device When a notification to switch is received, a notification to switch from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel is transmitted to the other in-vehicle communication device via the first wireless channel, from the first wireless channel. A communication method characterized by being a step of switching to the second wireless channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device. The position of the roadside communicator and the radio used by the first radio channel for infrastructure communication and the second radio channel for ad hoc communication are provided on the roadside portion and have a communication area in which radio waves reach. A roadside communication device that transmits roadside information including a frequency channel; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that travels within and outside the communication region, the roadside communication device and the in-vehicle communication device In a communication system for performing wireless communication by linking communication between and communication between the vehicle-mounted communication devices,
As the in-vehicle communication device, a device configured to be able to communicate through a plurality of wireless channels including the first and second wireless channels is used,
When the in-vehicle communication device receives the roadside information from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while communicating with another in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel, A first function for switching from a second wireless channel to the first wireless channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device ;
While the in-vehicle communication device is communicating with the other in-vehicle communication device via the first wireless channel via the road communication device or the road communication device , the first wireless channel is transmitted from the road communication device. When the roadside information is no longer received via the second radio channel, the second function is started by switching from the first radio channel to the second radio channel, and the second function is started. A communication processing program characterized in that it is realized by a computer included in the computer. In the communication processing program according to claim 5 ,
The first function is that the roadside information is transmitted from the roadside communication device via the second wireless channel while the vehicle-mounted side communication device is communicating with another vehicle-mounted side communication device via the second wireless channel. To the other in-vehicle communication device when a notification for switching from the second wireless channel to the first wireless channel is received from the other in-vehicle communication device via the second wireless channel. A notification of switching from the second radio channel to the first radio channel is transmitted via the second radio channel, and the other radio communication is switched from the second radio channel to the first radio channel. Is a function to start communication with another vehicle-side communication device via the machine or the roadside communication device ,
In the second function, the in-vehicle communication device communicates with the other in-vehicle communication device via the roadside communication device or the roadside communication device via the first wireless channel. When the roadside information is no longer received via the first wireless channel, or from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel via the first wireless channel from another in-vehicle communication device When a notification to switch is received, a notification to switch from the first wireless channel to the second wireless channel is transmitted to the other in-vehicle communication device via the first wireless channel, from the first wireless channel. A communication processing program having a function of switching to the second wireless channel and starting communication with another in-vehicle communication device.

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