JPH09274697A - Vehicle navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle navigation system with which operations are facilitated so as to provide only the required information among latest traffic information collected at a center station in a short communication time. SOLUTION: A center station 51 possesses the information of traffic from a vehicle detector arranged along a main road. Vehicle side equipment 54 originates a call from a portable telephone 55 to the center station in a cycle antiproportional to car speed and transmits the current position of a detected vehicle and the transmission request of road traffic information through a radio telephone line to the center station. Corresponding to the current position of the vehicle, the center station 51 returns the traffic information on surrounding roads through the radio telephone line. On a vehicle side TV monitor 78, the road traffic information received from the center is displayed while being superimposed on a road map around the current position. Since the current position of the vehicle is reported, only the road traffic information required for that vehicle is transmitted/received and the communication time can be shortened. Besides, since the current position and the transmission request are cyclically and automatically transmitted, the operational burden of a crew is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device that provides an occupant of a vehicle with an optimum route to a destination and various types of road traffic information, and particularly dynamic road traffic such as traffic congestion information that changes every moment. The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device that synthesizes information with map data and displays it on a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows an outline of the configuration of a conventional vehicle navigation device. This device is a keyboard 2 for inputting various instructions from a vehicle occupant.
01 and a CD-ROM (Compact D
An isk-read only memory) 202, a geomagnetic sensor 203 that measures the traveling direction of the vehicle, and a wheel speed sensor 204 that measures the traveling speed and the traveling distance from the rotational speed of the wheels. Locator unit 205 detects the current position of the vehicle based on the information from these, and generates map data including this current position information. The receiver 207 to which the antenna 206 is connected is not stored in the CD-ROM 202 and dynamic traffic information such as traffic jam information, road construction information, traffic regulation information sent from a road beacon or FM broadcast (not shown). It is a part that receives static traffic information such as destination guidance signs provided at intersections.

The information processing unit 208 includes a locator unit 205.
Data including the current position of the vehicle from the receiver 20
Dynamic and static traffic information from 7 and CD-ROM 20
Static traffic information such as one-way traffic from No. 2 and no right turn is entered. The information processing unit 208 searches for traffic information relating to the road currently being traveled from among these input information.
The traffic information output from the information processing unit 208 is input to the display control unit 211 that controls the display on the display 209. The display control unit 211 synthesizes various traffic information such as traffic jam information obtained from the information processing unit 208 on the road map around the current position of the vehicle and displays the synthesized information on the display 209.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-278500, road traffic information such as traffic conditions and traffic regulations of each road is stored in advance for each time zone, and traffic information corresponding to the current time is displayed on a map. A vehicle navigation device for overlapping display is disclosed. For example, there is a case where a road near a large office has traffic jams during commuting hours and traffic jams during other hours. Such information is stored in advance in a CD-ROM using the time zone as a key, and the traffic information of each road is displayed according to the current time when the vehicle is operating.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-46089 discloses a vehicle navigation device in which only the traffic information about the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling among the traffic information obtained from the road beacon is superimposed and displayed on the map. There is. The traffic information sent from road beacons is not always necessary for vehicle occupants. When all of these are overlaid on a map around the current position of the vehicle displayed on a relatively small display, the screen becomes complicated and difficult to see. Therefore, the current position of the vehicle is grasped, and only the dynamic traffic information regarding the road currently running is extracted and displayed from the information sent from the road beacon.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-152592, a center station collects traffic jam information from sensors for detecting traffic jams installed at various places on the road, and the collected information is transmitted from a transmitting station installed at various places on the road to a vehicle. A vehicle navigation device is disclosed which is designed to be transmitted. In this device, necessary information is selected and displayed by the device on the vehicle side from the traffic congestion information collected by the center station and transmitted from the transmitting station. In addition, the occupant of the vehicle can wirelessly request the transmission station to transmit the necessary information for itself.

[0007]

Vehicle detectors for detecting traffic congestion on roads are installed only on some major roads, and the detected traffic congestion information is displayed on electronic bulletin boards installed on the roads. Or, it is only broadcast by a road beacon or FM broadcast. Since there is a certain limit to the place where the electronic bulletin board is installed, the content of the bulletin board, the broadcast interval of the FM broadcast, and the broadcast content, there is a problem that sufficient traffic information required by the vehicle occupants cannot be obtained when needed. .

[0008] Congestion information for each time zone is stored in advance,
In the case of displaying the information on the map according to the current position and the current time of the vehicle, if the traffic congestion information is registered in advance in detail, the traffic information can be obtained even on the road without the vehicle detector. However, since the traffic information registered in advance does not always match the actual traffic jam situation or traffic regulation situation, there are cases where accurate traffic information cannot be obtained. Furthermore, the locations where traffic restrictions are imposed due to road construction are often changed every day, and it is not suitable to register in advance.

Further, if all the traffic information collected by the center station is transmitted from the transmitting station installed on the road and the necessary one is selected by the device on the vehicle side, it is unnecessary for the occupants of each vehicle. Even information must be received once. For this reason, there is a problem that a wireless line is used for a long time to acquire traffic information and a dedicated wireless device must be installed. Also, in the case where the vehicle occupant requests the transmission station on the road to transmit necessary traffic information,
The occupant must perform such an operation many times as the vehicle moves, and the operation is complicated, and the operation during driving is not preferable in terms of traffic safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-operate vehicle navigation device that can obtain the necessary latest traffic information collected by the center station in a short communication time.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle detection means arranged at various places on a road for detecting the traffic volume of a vehicle, and road traffic information sent from the vehicle through a wireless line are included. Receiving means for receiving a transmission request and position information indicating the current position of this vehicle, and traffic volume information sent from a plurality of vehicle detecting means when the transmission request and the position information are received by this receiving means. And a search means for searching the traffic volume information of the road in the surrounding area including the position indicated by the position information received from the vehicle, and transmitting the traffic volume information searched by this search means to the vehicle of the transmission request transmission source through the wireless line. The vehicle navigation device is equipped with a transmission means.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information on the traffic volume of each road sent from the vehicle detection means arranged at various places on the road is collected, and the position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and the road traffic are collected. When the information transmission request is received, the traffic volume information about the road around the vehicle is retrieved from the collected traffic volume information. Then, the retrieved information is transmitted to the vehicle that is the source of the transmission request through the wireless line.
Since only the information on the traffic volume of the surrounding area is transmitted according to the position information from the vehicle, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced and only the necessary road traffic information can be obtained on the vehicle side.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the position detecting means mounted on the vehicle for detecting the current position of the vehicle, the position information indicating the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means, and the transmission of road traffic information. Transmission means for transmitting the request and the road traffic information center for the main roads to the road traffic information center through a wireless line, and a vehicle sent from the road traffic information center in response to the transmission request transmitted from this transmission means. Receiving means for receiving road traffic information about roads around the current position of the vehicle, road map storing means for storing the road map, and vehicle detected by the position detecting means of the road map stored by the road map storing means. And a search means for searching for a road map around the present position, and the road traffic information received by the receiving means is displayed in an overlapping manner on the road map searched by this searching means. And it is provided with a display means in a vehicle navigation system.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, by detecting the current position of the vehicle and transmitting a request for transmitting road traffic information together with the acquired position information to the road traffic information center, the road traffic around the current position of the vehicle is detected. Information is obtained from the road traffic information center via a wireless line. Then, the acquired road traffic information is displayed by being superimposed on the map around the current position. Since only the road traffic information around the current position is received, the communication time with the road traffic information center is shortened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the position detecting means mounted on the vehicle for detecting the present position of the vehicle, the speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle detected by the position detecting means. Information indicating the current position and a request for transmission of road traffic information are sent to a road traffic information center that aggregates road traffic information about main roads through a wireless line at a cycle that is inversely proportional to the traveling speed of the vehicle detected by the speed detection means. A transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, a receiving means for receiving road traffic information about a road around the current position of the vehicle sent from the road traffic information center in response to a transmission request transmitted from the transmitting means, and a road map stored The road map storage means and the road map around the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means among the road maps stored in this road map storage means are detected. Search means for, and a display means for displaying overlapping the road traffic information received by the receiving means to the retrieved road map is provided in a vehicle navigation device by the search means.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the request for transmitting road traffic information is repeatedly transmitted to the road traffic information center at a cycle inversely proportional to the traveling speed of the vehicle. Since the transmission request is sent at a short cycle when the traveling speed of the vehicle is fast, and at a relatively long cycle when the traveling speed of the vehicle is slow, it is possible to acquire road traffic information every time the vehicle travels a substantially constant distance. , You can get the traffic information according to the display on the map.

According to another aspect of the invention, the transmitting means requests the transmission of the latest road map when the road map stored in the road map storage means and the latest road map of the road traffic information center are different. It is transmitted to the road traffic information center, the receiving means receives the latest road map sent from the road traffic information center, and the road map storage means updates the stored contents to the latest road map received by this receiving means. It is like this.

That is, in the invention of claim 4, the latest road map on the vehicle side is downloaded from the road traffic information center through a wireless line.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the transmitting means and the receiving means use the portable telephone of the vehicle occupant as a communication device with the road traffic information center.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, communication with the road traffic information center is performed using a mobile phone owned by a vehicle occupant.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an outline of the structure of a vehicle navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle navigation device 11 includes a center station 12 that collects road traffic information and an in-vehicle navigation device 13 mounted on each vehicle. The center station 12 is a vehicle information detecting means 21 for collecting information on traffic volume sent from vehicle detectors (not shown) arranged at various places on the road.
And the map storage means 22 storing the latest road map data.
And a communication means 23 for communicating with each vehicle on the road.

Vehicle information detection means 21 and map storage means 2
2 and the communication means 23 are both connected to the road traffic information management means 24 which edits road traffic information. The road traffic information management means 24 has a function of editing the information on the traffic volume (congestion status) of each road obtained from the vehicle information detection means 21 in association with the position on the map.

The vehicle-mounted navigation device 13 mounted on each vehicle collects position information from a satellite antenna (not shown) and various sensors and receives it from the current position detecting means 31 for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the center station 12. A vehicle map storage means 32 for storing road map data is provided. Further, display means 33 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying road traffic information and a map in an overlapping manner, vehicle communication means 34 for communicating with the center station 12, and current position information from the current position detecting means 31. An information control means 35 for determining the current position of the vehicle on the map based on the map data is provided.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the state of the center station and each vehicle. Here, a mobile phone is used as a communication means between the center station and the vehicle. Road 4
Vehicle detectors 42 for detecting the traffic volume are arranged at various places in FIG. Information on the traffic volume detected by the vehicle detector 42 is collected in the center station 44 through the transmission cable 43. The vehicle 45 is equipped with an in-vehicle navigation device using a mobile phone as a communication means. Center station 44
Is connected to a base station 46 of a mobile phone, and is adapted to transmit and receive various traffic information and its transmission request to and from a vehicle through a wireless telephone line.

The center station 44 edits and stores the traffic information collected from the vehicle detector 42 in association with the position on the map. The vehicle 45 detects its own current position and sends a request for transmission of traffic information together with the position information to the center station 44 through a wireless telephone line of a mobile phone. Center station 44
Upon receiving the traffic information transmission request and the vehicle position information from the vehicle 45, the vehicle sends back the traffic information about the road around the vehicle position to the vehicle 45 through the wireless telephone line. When receiving a request for map data from each vehicle, the center station 44 has a function of transmitting the map data to the requesting vehicle. As a result, each vehicle can obtain the latest map data that matches the center station.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the configuration of an in-vehicle navigation system using a mobile phone as a communication means. This system includes a center station 51, a vehicle detector 52 placed on a road, and a base station 53 for a wireless telephone line.
And a vehicle navigation device 54 mounted on the vehicle
And a mobile phone 55 carried by a vehicle occupant. The center station 51 includes a map storage device 61 that stores road map data, a communication control unit 62 that controls communication with the base station, traffic volume information collected from the vehicle detector 52, and a position on the map. An information processing unit 63 for associating with and is provided.

In response to a transmission request sent from the vehicle side, the information processing section 63 receives the latest map data stored in the map storage device 61 or the latest area around the position indicated by the position information from the vehicle. Road traffic information is transmitted to the vehicle side via a wireless telephone line.

The vehicular navigation device 54 controls the communication with the mobile phone 55 by using the vehicular communication control section 71.
And a vehicle map storage device 72 for storing map data,
It has a vehicle speed sensor 73, a vibration gyro 74, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 75. Further, the information processing unit 76 uses the GPS antenna 7
5. The current position of the vehicle is detected from the vehicle speed sensor 73 and the vibration gyro 74. The information processing unit 76 reads the map data from the vehicle map storage device 72 and calculates the accurate position of the vehicle on the map. The information processing unit 76 also performs processing for displaying road traffic information received from the center side. The display control unit 77 is a circuit that displays a map on the TV monitor 78.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of operations in the center station. When a call is received from the vehicle through the wireless telephone line, the center station determines whether the content of the transmission request is a road map data read request (step S101). When the request from the vehicle is a read request for road map data (step S101; Y),
Road map data is read from the map storage device 61 via the information processing unit 63 (step S102). When the reading of the road map data is completed (step S103;
Y), the read data is returned to the requesting vehicle through the wireless telephone line (step S104). When the transmission of the road map data ends (step S105; Y), communication end processing such as line disconnection is performed (step S106), and the processing ends (end).

When the request content from the vehicle is not the map data request but the traffic information request (step S10)
1; N), the position information of the vehicle sent together with the transmission request is registered, and the road traffic information of the surrounding area indicated by the position information is read (step S107). When the reading of the road traffic information corresponding to the position of the vehicle is completed (step S108; Y), the road traffic information is returned to the mobile phone of the requesting vehicle (step S104). When the transmission of the road traffic information ends (step S105; Y), communication end processing such as line disconnection is performed (step S106), and the processing ends (end).

FIG. 5 shows the flow of operations in the vehicle navigation system. The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the power of the device is turned on and at predetermined intervals according to the traveling speed of the vehicle. When the process is started, it is first checked whether or not the mobile phone is connected (step S201). When the mobile phone is connected (step S201; Y), it is determined whether or not the vehicle navigation device is in an initial state in which the road map data has not yet been loaded from the center station (step S202). When it is necessary to perform the data initializing process (step S202; Y), a process for downloading the road map data from the center station is performed.

It is checked whether or not the mobile phone is being used for a normal call (step S203). When the mobile phone is used for a normal call (step S203; Y),
Interrupt the call for a short time (step S20).
4). For example, by giving a tone signal to an occupant who is using a mobile phone, the navigation device notifies that the user wants to use the mobile phone. Then interrupt the call using the call waiting or three-way call procedure. When the call can be interrupted (step S204; Y), the center station is automatically called and a road map data read request is transmitted (step S205). When it is not being used for a normal call (step S203; N), the center station is automatically called using the mobile phone (step S205).

It is determined whether or not the road map data has been normally received from the center station (step S206), and if the road map data has been normally received (step S206; Y), registration is performed in the vehicle map storage device 72. If the registration is successful (step S207; Y), the communication with the center station via the wireless telephone line is terminated (step S208). When interrupting a normal call, only communication by the interrupt is terminated. In this way, the latest road map data of the center station is downloaded to the vehicle navigation device. In addition, the contents of the road map of the center station and each vehicle match.

If the road map data has already been registered,
When the data initialization process is not necessary (step S20
2; N), a process of acquiring traffic information from the center station is performed. As described above, the process of FIG. 5 is started in a cycle according to the speed of the vehicle. That is, when the speed of the vehicle is high, the moving distance per unit time is large, and in this case, the communication interval with the center station is shortened. On the contrary, when the speed is slow, the moving distance is short and the communication interval is lengthened.

Also when obtaining the traffic information, it is checked whether or not the mobile phone is being used for a normal call (step S20).
9). When the mobile phone is used for a normal call (step S209; Y), a short time is interrupted during the call (step S210). When the call can be interrupted (step S210; Y), the center station is automatically called and a road traffic information read request is transmitted (step S211). When it is not used for a normal call (step S209; N), the center station is automatically called using the mobile phone (step S211). When the traffic information request is sent to the center station, the current position information of the own vehicle is added and sent. Also, notify the center station of the telephone number of the mobile phone you are using.

The center station retrieves the traffic information of the area matching the current position of the vehicle in response to the request from the vehicle side,
Return to the requesting vehicle through a wireless telephone line.
The vehicle side determines whether or not the traffic information can be normally received from the center station (step S212). When the traffic information is normally received (step S212; Y), the received road traffic information is sent to the information processing unit 76. After the delivery (step S213), the communication with the center station via the wireless telephone line is terminated (step S208).

The information processing unit 76 reads the road map data near the current position from the vehicle map storage device 72, and based on the road traffic information received from the center station, color-codes information such as traffic jam conditions and traffic restrictions. The added map is displayed on the TV monitor 78 via the display control unit 77. The area displayed on the map changes as the vehicle moves. The traffic information displayed on the map is updated every time new traffic information is received from the center station. Since the transmission request of the traffic information is sent to the center station at a cycle according to the speed of the vehicle, it is possible to inform the occupant of the appropriate traffic information according to the area where the map is displayed.

First Modification

In the vehicle navigation system of the first modification, based on the position information sent from the vehicle,
The time required to reach the destination can be obtained from the center station.

FIG. 6 shows an outline of the configuration of the vehicle navigation device in the first modified example. FIG.
The same parts as those in are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. The center station 51 of the vehicle navigation device in the first modified example uses the vehicle detector 52 to send traffic information about major roads nationwide, position information sent last time from each vehicle, and latest position information. Is provided with a vehicle data storage device 81. The information processing unit 63 determines the moving speed from the difference between the position indicated by the previous position information and the position indicated by the current position information and the time difference therebetween, and stores the moving speed in the vehicle data storage device 81 as vehicle moving speed data.

When the vehicle requests the information about the time required to reach the destination from the center station, the vehicle sends a request to that effect and information indicating the current position and the destination to the center station via the mobile phone. The center station selects a route to the destination based on the current vehicle position and road traffic information. Next, the travel times of the vehicles on those selected roads are aggregated to calculate the time required to reach the destination. The calculated time is returned to the requesting vehicle through the wireless telephone line of the mobile phone. In this way, the center station knows the moving speed of the vehicle at each point on the road from the difference between the previous and current position information sent from each vehicle nationwide, so the time required to reach any destination can be calculated. The prediction can be accurately obtained according to the current traffic congestion on the road.

Further, the vehicle data storage device 81 of the center station
In addition, the mobile phone number as an identifier of each vehicle and the latest position information sent from the vehicle are stored in association with each other. The current position of another vehicle can be inquired to the center station using the cell phone number as a key. In the center station, when the current position information is notified from each vehicle, the telephone number of the vehicle and the latest position information are associated and registered in the vehicle data storage device 81. When it is desired to know the current position of the vehicle, the number of the mobile phone of the vehicle is transmitted to the center station through the telephone line. The information processing unit 63 of the center station searches the vehicle data storage device 81 based on the received telephone number, finds the position information of the corresponding vehicle, and returns it to the request source. Based on the position information sent from the center station, the requesting vehicle
The position of the other vehicle is displayed on the map of the V monitor 78.

Here, in order to protect the privacy, when it is desired not to let other vehicles know the position of the own vehicle, it is refused to disclose the position information when transmitting the position information of the vehicle to the center station. Communication is performed by adding a position information non-disclosure flag indicating. The center station does not provide the position information to other vehicles for those with the position information non-disclosure flag.

Second modification

In the second modification, each vehicle can obtain various information other than traffic information from the center station through a wireless telephone line.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the configuration of the vehicle navigation device in the second modified example. FIG.
The same parts as those shown in are attached with the same reference numerals,
The description thereof will be appropriately omitted. The center station 12 in the second modification stores various information storage means 91 for storing various information other than road map data, and the vehicle side stores information downloaded from the various information storage means 91 of the center station 12. Various vehicle information storage means 92 are provided for this purpose. For example, video software, game software, etc. are stored in the various information storage means 91 of the center station.

From the vehicle, a transmission request for video software or game software is sent to the center station through the mobile phone. The center station reads the requested software from the various information storage means 91 and transfers it to the vehicle-side device through the wireless telephone line. As a result, it is possible to watch videos and enjoy games on the TV monitor on the vehicle side.

[0049]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, only the information on the traffic volume in the surrounding area is transmitted to the requesting vehicle in accordance with the position information from the vehicle, and therefore the information is transmitted. The amount of data can be kept small, and
Only the necessary road traffic information can be obtained on the vehicle side.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is detected, and this is notified to the road traffic information center to request the transmission of road traffic information. Only the information can be obtained from the road traffic information center through a wireless line. Thereby, the communication time for obtaining road traffic information can be shortened.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the road traffic information transmission request is repeatedly transmitted to the road traffic information center at a cycle inversely proportional to the traveling speed of the vehicle. Thereby, the traffic information corresponding to the display area on the map can be obtained. Moreover, since the transmission request is automatically sent in a cycle that is inversely proportional to the traveling speed of the vehicle, the burden on the occupant of the operation can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 4, the latest one is downloaded from the road traffic information center to the road map storage means on the vehicle side through the wireless line. Therefore, the road map on the vehicle side is always the latest one. become. Moreover, since the road map of the road traffic information center and the road map of the vehicle match, the positions indicated by the position information can be recognized as the same position.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the communication with the road traffic information center is carried out by using the portable telephone, the versatility of the device is high as compared with the case of using the dedicated radio device, and the vehicle is The cost of the navigation device can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state of a center station and each vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an in-vehicle navigation system using a mobile phone as a communication means.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in a center station.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in the vehicle navigation device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a vehicle navigation device in a first modified example.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a vehicle navigation device in a second modified example.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a conventionally used vehicle navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 vehicle navigation device 12, 44, 51 center station 13, 54 vehicle-mounted navigation device 21 vehicle information detection means 22 map storage means 23 communication means 24 road traffic information management means 31 current position detection means 32 vehicle map storage means 33 display means 34 Vehicle communication means 35 Information control means 41 Roads 42, 52 Vehicle detector 45 Vehicle 46, 53 Base station 55 Mobile phone 61 Map storage device 62 Communication control unit 63 Information processing unit 71 Vehicle communication control unit 72 Vehicle map storage device 73 vehicle speed sensor 74 vibration gyro 75 GPS antenna 76 information processing unit 77 display control unit 78 TV monitor 81 vehicle data storage device 91 various information storage means 92 various information storage means for vehicle

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location H04Q 7/34 H04M 11/08 H04M 11/08 H04B 7/26 106

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of vehicle detection means arranged at various places on a road to detect the traffic volume of a vehicle, a request for transmission of road traffic information sent from the vehicle through a wireless line, and a position indicating the current position of this vehicle. Receiving means for receiving the information, and a position indicated by the received position information from among the traffic volume information sent from the plurality of vehicle detecting means when the transmission request and the position information are received by the receiving means. And a transmission unit for transmitting the traffic volume information searched by the search unit to the vehicle that is the transmission source of the transmission request through a wireless line. Characteristic vehicle navigation device. 2. A position detecting means mounted on a vehicle for detecting a current position of the vehicle, a position information indicating a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means, and a request for transmitting road traffic information for a main road. And a transmitting means for transmitting to a road traffic information center that collects the road traffic information of the vehicle through a wireless line, and the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle sent from the road traffic information center in response to a transmission request transmitted from the transmitting means. Receiving means for receiving road traffic information about the road, road map storing means storing the road map, and current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means in the road map stored in the road map storing means A search means for searching the surrounding road map and a table for displaying the road traffic information received by the receiving means on the road map searched by the search means in an overlapping manner. Vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by and means. 3. A position detecting means mounted on a vehicle for detecting a current position of the vehicle, a speed detecting means for detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle, and information indicating a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means. And a request for transmission of road traffic information are repeatedly transmitted to a road traffic information center that aggregates road traffic information about main roads through a wireless line in a cycle inversely proportional to the traveling speed of the vehicle detected by the speed detecting means. Means, receiving means for receiving road traffic information about roads around the current position of the vehicle sent from the road traffic information center in response to the transmission request sent from the sending means, and a road storing a road map The map storage means and the road map around the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means among the road maps stored in the road map storage means are detected. Search means for, vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by comprising a display means for displaying overlapping the road traffic information received by said receiving means retrieved road map by this search means. 4. The transmission means sends a request for transmission of the latest road map when the road map stored in the road map storage means is different from the latest road map stored in the road traffic information center. The road map is transmitted to the traffic information center, the receiving means receives the latest road map sent from the road traffic information center, and the road map storage means stores the stored contents in the latest road map received by the receiving means. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 2 or 3, which is updated. 5. The vehicle navigation according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting means and the receiving means use a mobile phone of a vehicle occupant as a communication device with the road traffic information center. apparatus.