JPH10232137A - Device and system for information supply to vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a vehicle information device and a system for providing information regarding the matching between regional properties and the specifications of a vehicle-mounted device instead of merely providing information that is matched to a region. SOLUTION: A navigation ECU 10 creates a route plan to a destination by utilizing a map database 14. Then, the characteristics of each region where the route plan passes are obtained from an information center 202. The regional characteristics and specifications from a specification storage part 16 are compared to judge the degree of matching. If they do not match each other, the route plan is changed and a similar processing is performed. If they match, the route plan is used as a recommended path and a navigation reflecting the matching judgment result is performed according to the recommended path. The regional characteristics include a noise regulation and the specifications include, for example, the amount of noise generated from the vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing apparatus for providing information relating to a traveling route of a vehicle, and more particularly to an apparatus for providing information according to a traveling area. The present invention also relates to a system including the vehicle information providing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation system has been known as one of information providing devices for vehicles. In a known navigation system, a route to a destination is presented on a map displayed on a screen, a current position is displayed on a map, and route guidance (voice, etc.) for guiding a vehicle according to a set route is provided. Is performed.

[0003] The information to be provided to the driver differs from region to region in terms of the content and expression method (hereinafter referred to as administrative districts such as countries, prefectures, municipalities, residential districts / factory districts, and other division schemes. Areas that can be divided are collectively called "areas"). Focusing on this point, a device that provides information suited to a region has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The navigation device described in 2014 is compatible with a plurality of language zones. Then, when the vehicle moves to a different language zone, the language of voice guidance is switched, and various guidance is performed in the language of the destination.

[0004]

By the way, regional characteristics such as laws and regulations, customs, climate, ethnicity, and the like differ from region to region. If your vehicle travels in multiple regions,
The regional characteristics of all regions and the specifications (specifications) of the in-vehicle device do not always match. The specifications here are, for example,
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle drive system, a traveling system, various electric devices, and the like. If the specifications do not match the characteristics of a certain area, it may be better to avoid driving in that area. Further, when the operation of the vehicle-mounted device can be adapted to local characteristics by changing the operation, it is considered that it is better to make such a change before traveling.

[0005] For example, it is assumed that there is a noise regulation area on a route to be traveled. If it is not possible to keep the noise below the regulation level in terms of specifications, traveling in the above noise regulation area should be postponed. If the noise can be suppressed below the regulation value when the vehicle speed is reduced, the vehicle speed while passing through the noise regulation area may be reduced.

However, conventional information providing apparatuses such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-102014 only focus on which area the vehicle travels, and merely provide information in consideration of regional differences. In the conventional device, it is not possible to provide information on suitability (degree of conformity) as to whether or not the regional characteristics and the specifications of the in-vehicle device are compatible. Therefore, the driver must acquire the specifications of the vehicle as knowledge and travel while selecting a region where the specifications can be adapted. Sometimes, for this determination, the driver must refer to the vehicle-mounted manual or the like to check the specifications of the vehicle.

Further, in the conventional navigation system, when setting a recommended route for guidance, the relationship between the characteristics of each region and the specifications of the on-board equipment is not reflected. Therefore, some or all of the areas on the recommended route may not be suitable for traveling due to spec reasons. In this case, the driver must travel without following the recommended route. As described above, in the conventional information providing apparatus, there is a problem that the information providing function may not be sufficiently exhibited because the matching between the regional characteristics and the vehicle specifications is not considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle capable of providing information relating to the suitability of the characteristics of the area and the specifications of the vehicle-mounted device, not merely providing information tailored to the area. An object of the present invention is to realize an information providing device and a system. An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus and a system capable of presenting an appropriate recommended route in consideration of the suitability.

[0009]

An information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention is an apparatus for providing information relating to a traveling route of a vehicle, and includes a traveling route acquiring means for acquiring a future traveling route, and a vehicle-mounted device. Spec information obtaining means for obtaining spec information on the specifications of the specification, regional information obtaining means for obtaining regional characteristic information of an area through which the travel route obtained by the travel route obtaining means passes, and specifications indicated in the specification information,
And a matching degree detecting means for detecting a matching degree with the regional characteristic indicated in the regional characteristic information.

[0010] The future traveling route is, for example, a route connecting the current location and the destination when the destination is set. Further, for example, the route is a route that is expected to travel in the future based on the current position and the traveling direction, regardless of the destination. The future travel route may be obtained in the vehicle, or the travel route may be obtained from outside using communication means. The specification information may be stored in the storage unit, or may be detected using a sensor or the like. The regional characteristic information may be stored in the storage unit, or may be obtained from outside using the communication unit.

According to the present invention, the degree of conformity between the regional characteristics of the area where the future travel route passes and the specifications of the vehicle-mounted device is detected. Accordingly, the driver is provided with information on whether or not the specifications of the own vehicle are appropriate in light of the characteristics of the area where the passage is expected in the future. The driver can easily obtain information necessary for driving in relation to the specifications. Therefore, the characteristics of each region are respected, and traveling suitable for the characteristics can be easily performed.

Preferably, the information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a recommended route determining means for determining a recommended route based on the degree of conformity and determining a recommended route that can maintain a state of conformity between the specifications of the in-vehicle device and the regional characteristics. Have. In this aspect, if the vehicle travels according to the recommended route provided by the information providing device, the vehicle can be reliably driven in a state where the regional characteristics and the specifications match. There is no need to travel through another route because the recommended route cannot be run for the reason of the specifications as in the past. As described above, according to the present invention, a route suitable for traveling is presented from the viewpoint of matching regional characteristics and vehicle specifications. By using the information providing device of the present invention, the driver can easily realize traveling suited to local characteristics, traveling in harmony with surrounding vehicles, and the like.

Further, the vehicle information providing system of the present invention comprises:
It includes a vehicle information providing device for providing information related to a traveling route of a vehicle, and an information center connected to the information providing device via communication means. The vehicle information providing device,
It has a route information acquisition unit for acquiring route information on a future traveling route, and a specification information acquisition unit for acquiring specification information on specifications of the in-vehicle device, and transmits the route information and the specification information to the information center. A storage unit configured to store regional characteristic information of each region;
Based on the route information and the specification information sent from the vehicle information providing device, based on the specifications of the in-vehicle device and the local characteristics of the area where the future travel route passes, and a fitness determination unit that determines the fitness of both. And transmits information on the determined degree of conformity to the vehicle information providing apparatus. In this aspect, the information center obtains the degree of conformity between the regional characteristics and the specifications of the vehicle-mounted device. Also in this aspect, the same effect as the above-described vehicle information providing device can be obtained.

In the above configuration, the "information about the future traveling route" obtained by the route information acquiring means may be the traveling route itself, or may simply be the traveling destination. In the latter case, set the route on the information center side,
You may comprise so that it may transmit to a vehicle side with a fitness. At this time, it is preferable that the information center performs the route setting in consideration of the obtained conformity.

The specification information sent from the vehicle information providing apparatus to the information center may include items and contents of the specification, but may simply be information of a vehicle type and a body identification. In the latter case, the information center may use a database to determine the contents of the specifications from the vehicle type and body identification.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration. The vehicle information providing system according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle-side information providing device 100 and an information providing device 10.
Infrastructure system 2 connected to communication network 0 via communication means
00.

The navigation EC of the information providing apparatus 100
U10 has a DGPS device 12, a map database 1
4. The specification storage unit 16 is connected. DGPS
(Definition Global Positioning System) The device 12 combines the error information in the GPS device supplied from FM multiplex broadcasting or the like with the position information from the GPS device that detects the current position using a signal from an artificial satellite, Perform more accurate current position detection. The map database 14 stores map information including road information and the like. In particular, the map database 14 stores maps of a plurality of areas A, B, C,... Together with information indicating boundaries between the areas. The specification storage unit 16 stores specification data of various in-vehicle devices. For example, noise specifications related to the amount of noise generated by the vehicle are stored.

A communication device 18 is connected to the navigation ECU 10 as communication means with the information center 202. The information center 202 is connected to road management facilities 204 in each area via communication means. The information center 202 acquires and manages the latest information on the characteristics of each area from the road management facility 204. As the regional characteristics, for example, noise regulation information, information on right-hand traffic or left-hand traffic, etc. are managed. The definition of the area differs depending on the nature of the characteristics. For example, the above-described noise regulation information is defined in units of a region such as a residential area and a factory area. The distinction between right-hand and left-hand traffic is determined for each country. When the vehicle requests the regional characteristic information of a certain area via the communication device 18, the information center 202 returns the information of the requested area.

A display 20 and a speaker 22 are connected to the navigation ECU 10 as output devices. Then, the navigation ECU 10 searches for and sets an optimal route to the destination by using the map information of the map database 14 in accordance with the setting of the destination using a predetermined input means (not shown). When the vehicle is running, a map around the current location is displayed on the display 20, and a current location mark is displayed on the map. Further, the set route is displayed so as to be distinguished from other roads.
And when entering an intersection where you make a right or left turn,
An enlarged guidance display indicating a right / left turn at an intersection is displayed on the display 20, and an instruction regarding right / left turn is issued from the speaker 22 to provide route guidance.

Further, the navigation ECU 10 is connected to a specification change control device 24. From the navigation ECU 10, the specification change control device 24
A specification change request is input. The specification change request indicates the in-vehicle device whose specification is to be changed and the content of the change. The specification change control device 24 changes the specifications of various control targets in accordance with the specification change request.

With respect to the vehicle information providing device described above,
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the current position is in the area X, and a point in the area Y is set as a destination by the driver. When the destination is set (S10), a route plan is created (S12). Here, data of the map database 14 is used. Then, a route that can reach the destination in the shortest time is created as a first plan based on the data on the distance on the map and the speed limit of each road. Further, the navigation ECU 10 reads specifications such as noise specifications from the specification storage unit 16 (S14).

Next, the navigation ECU 10 executes the first
The local characteristic of the area where the route plan passes is obtained from the information center 202 (S16). For example, assume that the first route plan passes through the regions X, A, B, C, and Y. The communication device 18 transmits a signal requesting local characteristics such as noise regulation in the regions X, A, B, C, and Y. In response to this request, the information center 202 transmits the regional characteristics of each region.

Next, the navigation ECU 10 compares the specifications when the in-vehicle device is operated with the current settings with the regional characteristics obtained from the information center 202, and determines whether or not the current specifications match the local characteristics. (S18).
In this case, if all types of specifications to be determined are compatible in all areas where the route plan passes, “match (YE
S) ". If they match, the first route plan is determined as the recommended route (S20), and navigation using the recommended route is performed (S22). That is, the display of the recommended route on the display 20 and the voice guidance are performed.

In step S18, if at least one of the specifications does not match the regional characteristics of all the regions, it is determined to be NO. FIG. 3 is an example in which the determination result of step S18 is NO. Here, the specifications a to d are to be judged, and the Δ mark indicates “conformity” and the X mark indicates “nonconformity”. In this case, the specification a is non-conforming in the area C, and the specification c is non-conforming in the area B.

If NO in step S18, it is determined whether or not specification adaptation to local characteristics is possible by performing specification change control (S24). In the specification change control, the setting of the operating state of the vehicle-mounted device is changed from the current setting. In step S24, for example, it is determined whether it is possible to comply with the noise regulation by the noise suppression control, or it is not possible to comply with the noise regulation by performing the noise suppression control. The determination in step S24 is based on step S24.
This is performed for specifications and regions that are not determined to be suitable in 18. In the example of FIG. 3, a determination is made regarding the characteristics of the specification a and the region C, and the characteristics of the specification c and the region B.

If step S24 is YES, the first route plan is determined as a recommended route (S26), and navigation using the recommended route is performed (S28). At this time, the specification change control based on the determination result in step S24 is performed.

In the example of FIG. 3, the navigation ECU 10
Detects the movement from the area A to the area B based on the current position information obtained from the output of the DGPS device 12, and performs specification change control for the specification c. At this time, the navigation ECU 10 outputs to the specification change control device 24 a specification change request indicating the in-vehicle device whose specification should be changed and the content of the change. Specification change control device 24
Changes the specifications of the vehicle-mounted device to be controlled from the current settings according to the specification change request. When the movement to the area C is detected, the specification change control for the specification a is performed. Also, when entering each area, a voice guidance of the contents of the specification change control is provided. For example, "Region B
Entered. In this area, to comply with noise regulations,
Limit vehicle speed to less than 〇〇km. Is provided.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S24 is NO, the specifications cannot be adapted to the regional characteristics even if the specification change control is performed. Therefore, the navigation ECU 10 creates another route plan to the destination and sets this as a second route plan (S30). At this time,
A route that can reach the destination in a short time after the first route plan is defined as a second route plan. Then, the process returns to step S16, and the same operation is repeated. In this way, until the recommended route is determined, the same determination is made by changing the route plan.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, even if any route plan within an appropriate range is created, the specifications and the regional characteristics of some regions may not match. At this time, the judgment result is displayed on the display. Further, the characteristics of the area Y to which the destination belongs may not match any of the specifications at all. In this case, a route to a region around the region Y is obtained. Then, together with the obtained route, a message indicating that the route to the destination cannot be set is displayed.
Also, as a result of the conformity determination, it may be determined that traveling in a certain area violates an administrative regulation or the like. In this case, voice guidance will be given to that effect. The voice guidance timing
It is set at the start of operation or when approaching the area.

Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the navigation realized by the above apparatus will be described together. Here, attention is paid only to the regions A, B, and C. (1) When the various specifications of the current setting conform to the characteristics of the region A in the first route plan, the degree of conformity is high. Therefore,
The first route plan is set as a recommended route. (2) When the specification change control obtains a state of conformity with the characteristics of the area A, the degree of conformity is not high, but is satisfactory. Therefore, the first route plan is set as the recommended route. At this time, in addition to the route guidance, the specification change control is performed, and the details of the specification change are provided by voice guidance. (3) If the recommended route is not determined in the above (1) and (2), the route plan is changed. After making the change, a second route plan passing through the area B is created, and the same processing is performed. If the specifications match, the route plan is used as the recommended route. The process is repeated until the recommended route is determined (third route plan passing through area C).

Next, specific examples of various specifications to be determined for conformity in the present embodiment will be individually described.

"Noise specifications" The noise specifications stored in the specification storage unit 16 include the following: (1) Standard noise specifications: the amount of noise generated when the noise-related device operates according to the standard settings. (2) Adjusted noise specification: The amount of noise generated when the setting of the operation state of the noise-related device is changed from the standard setting. The setting change items include the operating state of the muffler, the upper limit of the engine speed, the engine compression ratio, the upper limit of the vehicle speed, and the like. The adjusted noise specification shows various combinations of a plurality of setting changes and the amount of noise at that time in association with each other.

The information center 202 sends the latest information on noise regulations in each area. The noise regulation information includes an upper limit of the amount of noise generated by the vehicle. For example, the allowable value is set low in a residential area, and no specific allowable value is set in a factory area.

As shown in FIG. 5, the specification change control device 24 controls the engine system 30 and the silencer 32 as noise-related devices to perform a noise suppression control function. The silencer 32 is provided in an exhaust system of the vehicle. The specification change control device 24 is connected to a vehicle-mounted microphone 34 that measures the magnitude of noise generated by the vehicle.

Next, the operation of the information providing apparatus related to the noise specification will be described. In step S14 of FIG. 2, the noise specification is read. In step S16, noise regulation information of each area where the route plan passes is obtained. In step S18, the content of noise regulation and the standard noise specification are compared for each area. If the noise regulation contents and the standard noise specifications match in all regions, the determination result is YES.

If it is determined in step S18 that there is at least one non-conforming area where the standard noise specification does not conform to the noise regulation contents, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24,
The adjustment noise specification is referred to. Adjusted noise specifications
This is the noise amount when the settings of the engine and the muffler, which are noise-related devices, are changed as described above. In step S24, regarding the nonconforming area detected in step S18,
It is determined whether or not the specifications can be adapted by adopting the adjusted noise specifications.

In step S24, it is determined at the same time whether other adverse effects occur. For example, if the upper limit of the engine speed is lowered, the noise amount is also reduced. However, the vehicle speed may be reduced to half of the speed limit due to the rotation speed limit satisfying the noise regulation. In such a case, the adjusted noise specification including the restriction on the engine speed is not adopted.

If the decision result in the step S24 is YES, a step S28 executes a noise suppression control based on the adjusted noise specification. The noise suppression control is performed only in an area where it is necessary to adopt the adjusted noise specification in step S24. Navigation ECU 10
Detects entry into the area based on the current position information obtained from the output of the DGPS device 12. At this time, the navigation ECU 10 outputs guidance necessary for adaptation to the regional characteristics from the speaker 22 and outputs a noise suppression command to the specification change control device 24 as a specification change request. The noise suppression command indicates a permissible noise value of the area and a setting of a noise-related device corresponding to the adjusted noise specification. For example, 80 horn is indicated as the allowable value, and the operation of the silencer and the change of the engine compression ratio are indicated as the setting of the noise-related device. The specification change control device 24 controls the engine system 30 and the muffler 32 in accordance with the noise suppression command.
To work. Further, based on the output of the vehicle-mounted microphone 34, the actual noise amount is monitored. When the actual noise exceeds the noise allowable value, the noise is suppressed to the allowable value or less by controlling the engine speed. When it is detected that the vehicle has passed through the control target area based on the current location information, the navigation ECU 10 sends a noise suppression stop command to the specification change control device 24. As a result, the various settings are returned to the standard state, and the above-described noise suppression control ends. FIGS. 6 and 7 show specific examples of navigation related to noise specifications. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the noise amount indicated in the standard noise specification of the vehicle P is 90 horn. The noise allowable value in the area M on the first route plan to the destination is 80 horn. Adjusted noise specifications include 6 per hour
It is shown that when the vehicle travels at 0 km or less, the noise amount becomes 80 horn or less. In this case, the first route plan is adopted, and noise suppression control is performed in the area M. When entering the area M, "I entered the area M. This area is 6 per hour
Please run at 0 km or less. ", And the vehicle speed is controlled to 60 km / h or less.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the noise amount indicated in the standard noise specification of the vehicle Q is 100 horn.
The adjusted noise specification indicates that good running with a noise level of 80 horn or less is not possible. In addition, it is assumed that no noise regulation is set for the area N on the second route plan. In this case, the second route plan is adopted, and route guidance is performed according to the second route plan. Immediately before the junction to the area N, a voice guidance is given that "There is noise regulation. Go right at the junction and drive on the bypass route of the area N." In this case, the noise suppression control is not performed.

"Hybrid Specifications" Here, it is assumed that the present embodiment is applied to a hybrid vehicle. As is well known, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor as prime movers. A hybrid mode in which the engine and the motor are used together and a hybrid mode in which the engine is stopped and the vehicle is driven using only the motor E
The V mode can be set. In the standard setting, the state of charge of the battery and the like are monitored, and the hybrid mode and the EV mode are appropriately switched.

The specification storage unit 16 stores that the vehicle has a hybrid system. From the information center 202, a request for a vehicle drive system in each region is sent as a region characteristic. In some areas, traveling of an electric vehicle and traveling in a hybrid vehicle in an EV mode are recognized. In another certain region, in addition to the above, traveling of an engine vehicle and traveling in a hybrid mode of a hybrid vehicle are also permitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the specification change control device 24 is connected to the hybrid system control device 40, and the hybrid system control device 40
2 and the motor 44 to control the mode switching.

FIG. 2 shows the hybrid specification.
In steps S18 and S24, the following processing is performed. (Step S18) In the area characteristic information of a certain area,
When running of the engine vehicle is recognized, YES is determined. Electric vehicle driving and hybrid vehicle EV
When only traveling in the mode is permitted, it is determined as NO. This is because there is a possibility of running in the hybrid mode using the engine with the current standard setting.

(Step S24) Here, it is determined as YES. This is because switching to the EV mode may be performed as the specification change control in the area determined to be NO in step S18. In response, the navigation ECU 10 outputs a mode switching request to the specification change control device 24 as a specification change request when entering the target area. When the specification change control device 24 transmits this request to the hybrid system control device 40, the EV mode is forcibly set.

If the present invention is applied to an engine vehicle, it is naturally impossible to switch to the EV mode. Therefore, the determination result of both steps S18 and S24 is NO. Therefore, the route plan is changed in step S30 in FIG.

"Handle specifications" Here, "country" is considered as a unit of area. In the specification storage unit 16,
Information on whether the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle is stored. From the information center 202, information indicating whether each region is traveling on the right side or on the left side is sent as a region characteristic. As is well known, right-hand drive vehicles are suitable for left-hand traffic, and left-hand drive vehicles are suitable for right-hand traffic. Regarding handle specifications,
The following processing is performed. For example, assume that the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle. In step S18, it is determined that the answer is YES when all the regions are traveling on the right side. Otherwise, step S24 is also determined as NO, and the route plan is changed.

It is assumed that a recommended route is not determined as a result of the determination on a predetermined number (for example, three) of route plans.
After determining NO in step S24 for the third route plan, a route plan with the highest matching degree is selected from the three route plans. Here, the route plan with the smallest total distance of left-hand traffic is determined to have the highest fitness. In step S30, the selected route plan is adopted again. Then, it is determined that step S18 is NO and step S24 is YES. In step S28, voice guidance regarding switching between the left-hand traffic area and the right-hand traffic is performed together with route guidance.

[Navigation System Specifications] In this case, the information center 202 sends regulation information on the navigation system as regional characteristics. For example, there are "prohibition of operation during traveling", "prohibition of map screen display", "prohibition of switching to television mode while traveling" and the like.

When the current setting conforms to these restrictions, YES is determined in step S18 in FIG. Also,
If the regulation can be handled by the control of the navigation ECU 10, the determination in step S24 is YES.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, a route that passes through a region where the specifications of the own vehicle can be adapted to the regional characteristics is set as a recommended route. That is, in an area where the set recommended route passes, the specifications of the own vehicle can be adapted to the area characteristics. Then, during the route guidance, the driver is provided with information on the compatibility between the regional characteristics of each region and the specifications of the own vehicle. Therefore, if the driver travels along the recommended route according to the route guidance, the driver can surely travel in a state where the regional characteristics and the specifications match. In addition, in each region, information necessary for performing traveling suited to regional characteristics can be obtained. As described above, by using the information providing device of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize traveling suitable for local characteristics, traveling in harmony with surrounding vehicles, and the like.

In this embodiment, when the recommended route is determined, the specification compatibility is determined. As a modified example, the specification suitability may be appropriately determined during traveling. For example, every time the vehicle passes through a predetermined number of regions or one region, the specification suitability of a future route is determined. At this time, the same processing as in FIG. 2 is performed, and the route is corrected as necessary.

The following modifications can be made to the present embodiment. In this modification, it is not necessary to set a destination. The navigation ECU 10 predicts the route on which the vehicle will travel based on the current position, the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the traveling trajectory up to the present at each predetermined control cycle. For example, it is expected that the vehicle will continue to run on the road on which it has run.
Then, the processing of FIG. 2 is performed for the predicted route. That is, local characteristic information on the predicted route is obtained, and a specification conformity determination is made. If the specifications do not match, the speaker 22 issues an instruction to change the traveling route, such as "There is a noise control area. Go right at the next junction." Or, to meet the specifications,
The speaker 22 issues an instruction "This is a noise control area. Please reduce the speed to 60 km."
The control for limiting the speed to 60 km / h or less is executed.

In this embodiment, the specification storage unit 1
6 stores necessary specification information. In contrast,
You may comprise so that specification information may be acquired from each vehicle equipment. Further, a sensor may be provided as appropriate to detect the specifications from the sensor output. As this sensor, for example, the in-vehicle microphone 34 in FIG. 5 can be used.
The process of FIG. 2 may be performed using the noise amount obtained from the output of the vehicle-mounted microphone 34 as the current noise specification.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the specification compatibility is determined on the vehicle side. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the above determination is made on the infrastructure side. The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. The operation of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle information providing system includes a vehicle information providing apparatus 100 and an infrastructure system 200. FIG. 9 shows the information providing apparatus 100.
FIG. 10 shows the operation of the information center 202 of the infrastructure-side system 200.

In FIG. 9, the same steps as those in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The description will focus on differences from FIG. Navigation ECU 10
Creates the first route plan (S12), reads the specifications of the in-vehicle device (S14), and transmits the current specifications and the first route plan to the information center 202 using the communication device 18. The current specifications are, for example, the standard noise specifications in the first embodiment and information indicating that the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle.

In FIG. 10, when the information center 202 receives the current specifications and the route plan (S100),
The local characteristics (such as noise regulation) of the area where the route plan passes are investigated (S102). The regional characteristics are obtained from information obtained in advance from the road management facility 204. Then, the information center 202 determines whether or not the current specification conforms to the regional characteristics for each region (S104). The determination here is the same as the determination in step S18 in FIG. In other words, if all the specifications to be determined conform to the characteristics of all areas through which the route plan passes, it is determined to be “compatible (YES)”. If YES, a conforming comment indicating this is created (S106).

If NO in step S104, a nonconforming comment is created (S108). The nonconformity comment indicates which type of specification is nonconforming in which region. Further, specifications required to conform to the regional characteristics are shown as required specifications. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the nonconformity comment indicates that the specification a is nonconforming in the area C and the specification c is nonconforming in the area B. Then, the required specifications of the region C and the required specifications of the region B are shown.

The conforming comment created in step S106 or the nonconforming comment created in step S108 is transmitted from the information center 202 to the vehicle (S110).

In FIG. 9, on the vehicle side, the information center 2
02, a comment is received as a conformity determination result (S1
6b). The navigation ECU 10 determines whether or not a matching comment has been received (S18a). If the matching comment has been received, the first route plan is determined to be the recommended route (S2).
0), navigation using the recommended route is performed (S
22).

If step S18a is NO, that is, if a nonconforming comment is received, the required specifications indicated in the nonconforming comment are checked. Then, it is determined whether or not the required specifications can be realized by performing the specification change control (S24a). If step S24 is YES, the first route plan is determined as the recommended route (S26), and navigation using the recommended route is performed (S28).
At this time, as described in the first embodiment, step S2
The specification change control based on the determination result in 4a is performed. On the other hand, if the determination in step S24 is NO,
The navigation ECU 10 creates another route plan to the destination (S30), and returns to step S16.

The second embodiment has been described. According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the second embodiment, the vehicle does not have to perform all the specification conformity determinations, so that the processing load on the vehicle is reduced.

The following modifications can be made to the second embodiment. The navigation ECU 10 determines in step S
Do not create 12 route plans. Then, step S1
At 4, the destination and the current specifications are transmitted. The information center 202 has the same map database as the vehicle side. Then, a recommended route is determined by creating a route plan and determining the suitability of the created route plan. That is, the information center 202 uses the navigation ECU in the first embodiment.
10 executes each process performed for determining a recommended route. Then, the information center 202 transmits the determined recommended route to the vehicle. At this time, the area where the specification change control is to be performed and the specification change content are also transmitted at the same time. The vehicle performs route guidance using the recommended route according to the transmission information, and executes specification change control. In this modification, the processing load on the vehicle side is further reduced. Information center 20
In 2, the optimal recommended route can be presented in consideration of the traveling route of another vehicle, traffic congestion, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination result of a specification conformance degree.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of navigation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration for noise suppression control.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the first embodiment related to noise specifications.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the first embodiment related to noise specifications.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration for hybrid specification control.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the system according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 navigation ECU, 12 DGPS device, 1
4 map database, 16 specification storage unit, 18
Communication device, 20 display, 22 speaker, 24
Specification change control device, 100 Vehicle information providing device, 200 Infrastructure side system, 202 Information center, 204 Road management facility.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle information providing device for providing information related to a traveling route of a vehicle, wherein a traveling route acquiring means for acquiring a future traveling route, and a specification information acquiring means for acquiring spec information relating to specifications of the on-vehicle device. A region information acquiring unit that acquires regional characteristic information of a region where the traveling route obtained by the traveling route acquiring unit passes; a specification shown in the specification information, and a degree of conformity with the regional characteristic shown in the regional characteristic information. A vehicle information providing device, comprising: a matching degree detecting means for detecting. 2. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area characteristic information is obtained from outside the vehicle via communication means. 3. The recommended route according to claim 1, wherein a recommended route is determined based on the degree of adaptation, by determining a traveling route capable of maintaining a state of conformity between the specifications of the vehicle-mounted device and the regional characteristics. An information providing device for a vehicle, comprising a determining unit. 4. An information providing system for a vehicle, comprising: an information providing device for a vehicle for providing information related to a traveling route of the vehicle; and an information center connected to the information providing device via a communication unit. The information providing device for use includes: a route information obtaining unit that obtains route information on a future traveling route; and a specification information obtaining unit that obtains specification information regarding specifications of an in-vehicle device. The information center transmits to the center, a storage unit for storing regional characteristic information of each region, and a region of a region through which a future traveling route passes based on the route information and the specification information sent from the vehicle information providing device. Means for comparing the characteristics with the specifications of the in-vehicle device to determine the degree of conformity between the two. Vehicle information providing system characterized in that to send to.