JPWO2008059556A1 - Information generating apparatus, information generating method, information generating program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The information generation device (100) is mounted on a moving body, and the moving speed of the moving body is detected by the speed detection unit (101). Then, according to the moving speed, the instruction unit (102) outputs an instruction for generating traveling information of the moving body at either a predetermined time interval or a predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body. The generation unit (103) generates travel information including the current location information and time information of the moving body in response to the generation instruction output from the instruction unit (102). The generated travel information is transmitted to the collection device (110) by the communication unit (105).

Description

  The present invention relates to an information generation apparatus, an information generation method, an information generation program, and a recording medium that are mounted on a moving body and generate information related to traveling. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described information generation apparatus, information generation method, information generation program, and recording medium.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been developed to provide information on traffic conditions. In recent years, research on a method for collecting information on a running state (hereinafter referred to as “running information”) from a moving body that is actually running has been advanced. By generating traffic information based on travel information collected from such a moving mobile body, highly immediate traffic information can be provided to the user.

  In order to collect travel information, for example, a probe car having a function of detecting latitude / longitude information or travel speed is traveled in an area where travel information is desired to be collected. There is a probe car system in which information collected by a probe car is collected at once by a probe data collection device such as a management server to generate traffic information.

  Specifically, traveling information is collected from the probe car by the probe data collection device. Then, the probe data collection device generates travel locus data through which each vehicle of the probe car has passed by the road identification unit and the route determination unit. Furthermore, the probe data collection device includes a probe car mounting rate determination unit, a traffic information determination section determination unit, and a traffic information generation unit.

  The probe car mounting rate determination unit determines which of the probe traffic information and the VICS traffic information has priority according to the probe car mounting rate. Next, the traffic information determination section determination unit changes the traffic information determination section according to the determination result of the probe car mounting rate determination. The traffic information generating unit gives priority to the probe traffic information when the probe car mounting rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and gives priority to the VICS traffic information when it is less than the predetermined value and uses the other traffic information in a complementary manner. Then, traffic information such as the degree of traffic congestion and travel time in the traffic information determination section is generated to improve the reliability of the traffic information (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2006-244265 A

  In the case of the conventional technique such as Patent Document 1, a moving body (for example, the above-described probe car) usually generates travel information at either a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval. The generated travel information is transmitted to the management server that generates the traffic information every time it is generated, or accumulated every time it is generated, and the accumulated travel information group is stored every time a predetermined time elapses. Sent.

  However, the fact that the travel information is generated at a predetermined interval means that the speed during each generation interval is averaged, so that a change in speed during that time cannot be captured. That is, when the data generation interval is widened, the state of fine speed change is not reflected in the travel information. As a result, a problem that it is not possible to generate highly reliable travel information is given as an example.

  In addition, when generating travel information of a moving body for the purpose of generating traffic information related to traffic jams, the travel information is usually generated at every predetermined time interval or predetermined distance interval as described above. That is, traveling information is generated at regular intervals during both low speed traveling and high speed traveling.

  For example, when traveling information is generated at predetermined time intervals, compared to medium-high speed traveling (60-100 [km / h]), during low-speed traveling or slow traveling (30-10 [km / h]) The travel information with less displacement is continuously generated. On the other hand, when the travel information is generated at every predetermined distance interval, the travel information is generated less frequently when traveling at a low speed than when traveling at a medium or high speed because the travel distance per unit time is short. As described above, the content of the travel information and the number of generations vary greatly depending on the travel speed of the moving body, and thus the problem that the accuracy of the travel information is not stable to a certain standard is an example.

  An information generation device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information generation device that is mounted on a moving body and generates information related to traveling of the moving body (hereinafter referred to as “running information”), and the moving speed of the moving body is determined. According to the speed detection means to be detected and the movement speed detected by the speed detection means, an instruction to generate the travel information is issued at either a predetermined time interval or a predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body. Instructing means for outputting, and generating means for generating travel information including current location information and time information of the mobile body in response to a travel information generation instruction output from the instruction means.

  An information generation method according to the invention of claim 10 is an information generation method of an information generation apparatus that is mounted on a mobile body and generates information related to travel of the mobile body (hereinafter referred to as “travel information”). A speed detecting step for detecting a moving speed of the moving body, and a predetermined time interval or a predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body according to the moving speed detected by the speed detecting step; An instruction process for outputting a travel information generation instruction; and a generation process for generating travel information including current location information and time information of the mobile body in response to the travel information generation instruction output by the instruction process. It is characterized by that.

  An information generation program according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the information generation method according to the tenth or eleventh aspect.

  A recording medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the information generation program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information generating apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information generating apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the generation instruction output process in step S202 of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the system configuration of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process for switching the generation reference of travel information. FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of setting a generation time interval of travel information. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for changing the setting of the generation time interval of travel information. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a travel information generation time interval. FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of setting the generation distance interval of travel information. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of setting processing for generating a travel information generation distance interval.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information generation apparatus 101 Speed detection part 102 Instruction part 103 Generation part 104 Generation interval setting part 105 Communication part 106 Accumulation part 110 Collection apparatus

  Exemplary embodiments of an information generating apparatus, an information generating method, an information generating program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional configuration of information generator)
First, the functional configuration of the information generation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information generating apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information generation apparatus 100 includes a speed detection unit 101, an instruction unit 102, a generation unit 103, a generation interval setting unit 104, a communication unit 105, and a storage unit 106. ing.

  The information generation device 100 is mounted on a mobile body and generates travel information of the mobile body. The moving body is not limited to a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle or a vehicle such as a train, but may be a user himself / herself. In addition, the travel information generated by the information generation device 100 is transmitted from the communication unit 105 described later to the collection device 110.

  The speed detection unit 101 detects the moving speed of the moving body. In order to detect the moving speed, if the moving body is a vehicle, for example, a vehicle speed pulse is acquired from the rotation of a wheel. In the case of a moving body that cannot acquire a vehicle speed pulse, the moving speed may be detected according to the displacement of the current position calculated by receiving various speed sensors and GPS signals.

  The instruction unit 102 outputs a travel information generation instruction at either one of a predetermined time interval or a predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body according to the moving speed detected by the speed detecting unit 101.

  For example, when the speed detection unit 101 detects a speed equal to or higher than the threshold, the instruction unit 102 outputs a travel information generation instruction at predetermined time intervals, and when a speed less than the threshold is detected. Then, it is set to output a travel information generation instruction at every predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body (setting example 1). Conversely, when the speed detection unit 101 detects a speed that is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the instruction unit 102 outputs a travel information generation instruction for each predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body, and the speed that is lower than the threshold value. May be set to output a travel information generation instruction at predetermined time intervals (setting example 2).

  Note that setting example 1 has frequent generation intervals, and travel information is generated each time. That is, highly accurate and detailed driving information can be generated. In the case of setting example 2, unlike setting example 1, the generation interval becomes slow. Therefore, it may be used when there is a limit on the amount of travel information generated at one time.

  As an example of setting the threshold value, for example, 30 [km / h] is set as a threshold value for a boundary between low-speed driving and medium-high speed driving, or 60 is set for a boundary between low-medium speed driving and high-speed driving. An example of setting [km / h] as a threshold value is given. Note that the threshold can be set arbitrarily by the user according to the characteristics of the moving body on which the information generating apparatus 100 is mounted. In addition, when there are a plurality of mobile bodies on which the information generation device 100 is mounted and the collection device 110 (to be described later) collects travel information generated by the information generation devices 100 of the plurality of mobile bodies, each information The instruction unit 102 of the generation apparatus 100 is preferably in a state where the same threshold is set.

  The generation unit 103 generates travel information including the current location information and time information of the moving body in response to the travel information generation instruction output from the instruction unit 102. Further, the generation unit 103 may obtain displacement information of the moving body based on the current location information and time information for each output of the generation instruction by the instruction unit 102 as the travel information. The displacement information is information indicating how much the moving body has moved in a predetermined time. Specifically, it is route information indicating how the vehicle has moved based on latitude and longitude information and information indicating latitude distance.

  The generation interval setting unit 104 sets a time interval or a movement distance interval corresponding to the moving body speed detected by the speed detection unit 101 as a generation interval of travel information. In this case, the instruction unit 102 outputs a travel information generation instruction for each of the time interval and the movement distance interval set by the generation interval setting unit 104.

  Further, the setting contents of the generation interval in the generation interval setting unit 104 are not uniform and may be arbitrarily set by the user, or time interval characteristic information corresponding to a predetermined moving speed is prepared. The generation interval may be set based on this characteristic information. The characteristic information is information representing a generation interval corresponding to the speed of the moving object. Specifically, the characteristic information includes, for example, a movement speed such as OO (m or second) intervals if the movement speed is 10 [km / h], and XX intervals if the movement speed is 60 [km / h]. The generation interval is set on a one-to-one basis. In addition, the characteristic information may be expressed by a graph or an equation.

  As described above, the generation interval of the travel information is appropriately switched to the equal time interval or the equal movement distance interval according to the moving speed of the moving body. Therefore, it is necessary for the travel information to prepare characteristic information for both the case where the travel information is generated at equal time intervals and the case where the travel information is generated at equal distance intervals.

  The communication unit 105 communicates with the collection device 110 that collects the travel information generated by each information generation device 100. The travel information generated by the generation unit 103 described above is transmitted from the communication unit 105 to the collection device 110. In addition, when transmitting the driving | running | working information produced | generated by the information generation apparatus 100 to the collection apparatus 110, the setting which requires a user's permission is preferable.

  For example, when a mobile object equipped with the information generation apparatus 100 enters an area where communication with the collection apparatus 110 is possible, the information generation apparatus 100 establishes communication with the collection apparatus 110. Then, the information generation apparatus 100 receives a determination as to whether or not to transmit travel information to the collection apparatus 110 with which communication has been established. Only when the user determines to transmit the travel information, the travel information is transmitted from the communication unit 105. Even when the travel information is not transmitted to the collection device 110, the travel information is stored in the storage unit 106, which will be described later, and used as a travel history.

  Note that the mobile body on which the information generation device 100 is mounted may enter the communicable area with the collection device 110 and transmit the travel information when communication with the collection device 110 is established. That is, the travel information may be transmitted without determining whether or not to transmit the travel information.

  Here, as described above, the collection device 110 is a device having a function of collecting travel information generated by the information generation device 100. The collection device 110 can collect travel information from all the information generation devices 100 mounted on a mobile object traveling in an area where travel information can be collected. The collection device 110 can also generate real-time traffic information based on the collected information and distribute it to each mobile unit.

  The accumulation unit 106 accumulates the travel information generated by the generation unit 103. For example, when the communication unit 105 described above transmits travel information at predetermined time intervals, the travel information stored in the storage unit 106 is transmitted to the collection device 110 at predetermined time intervals. Further, when the travel information is transmitted every time the communication unit 105 described above enters the communicable area, the travel information accumulated from the previous communicable area is transmitted.

  As described above, the information generating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment generates travel information at different intervals according to the moving speed of the moving object. Further, the generated information is transmitted to the collection device 110 at every generation or every predetermined time interval.

(Contents of information generator processing)
Next, the contents of processing of the information generating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information generating apparatus according to this embodiment.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, it is determined whether or not the moving speed of the moving body has been detected by the speed detecting unit 101 (step S201). Here, the process waits until the moving speed is detected (step S201: No loop). When the moving speed is detected (step S201: Yes), the instruction unit 102 causes the predetermined speed interval / moving distance interval to be determined according to the moving speed. The travel information generation instruction is output to (step S202). The generation instruction output processing of the instruction unit 102 in step S202 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When an instruction to generate travel information is output from the instruction unit 102 in step S202, the generation information is generated by the generation unit 103 (step S203). When the traveling information is generated, it is next determined whether or not the moving body has finished traveling (step S204). Here, when the moving body finishes traveling (step S204: Yes), the series of processes is finished as it is. On the other hand, when the mobile body continues to travel (step S204: No), the process returns to step S201, and travel information is generated according to the travel speed (steps S201 to S203).

  Next, the contents of the generation instruction output process in step S202 of the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the generation instruction output process in step S202 of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, based on the moving speed detected in step S201, it is determined whether or not it is set to output a generation instruction at regular time intervals (step S301). Here, when it is set to output a generation instruction at every equal time interval (step S301: Yes), a time interval corresponding to the moving speed based on the characteristic information set in the generation interval setting unit 104 Is set (step S302).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the time interval set in step S302 has elapsed since the previous speed detection (step S303). Here, it waits until the set time interval elapses (step S303: No loop), and when the time elapses (step S303: Yes), it outputs a travel information generation instruction to the generation unit 103 (step S304). The process proceeds to S203.

  On the other hand, when the setting is such that the generation instruction is not output at every equal time interval (step S301: No), it is determined that the generation instruction is output at every equal movement distance interval. Therefore, the movement distance interval corresponding to the movement speed is set based on the characteristic information set in the generation interval setting unit 104 (step S305).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled from the previous speed detection position by the movement distance interval set in step S305 (step S306). Here, it waits until it travels for the set travel distance interval (step S306: No loop). When it travels for the travel distance interval (step S306: Yes), it outputs a travel information generation instruction to the generation unit 103 (step S304). ), The process proceeds to step S203.

  As described above, according to the information generating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the reference of the interval for generating the travel information is switched to either time or distance according to the moving speed of the moving body. In addition, according to any interval, it is possible to generate highly reliable traveling information and to keep the accuracy of the generated traveling information at a certain standard.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In this example, a case where the information generation device 100 according to the embodiment is applied to a part of the function of the navigation device will be described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a travel information collection system that collects travel information generated by the navigation device as described above via a beacon to generate traffic information is realized.

(System configuration)
First, the system configuration of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the system configuration of the present embodiment. The travel information collection system 400 in FIG. 4 is a system that collects travel information transmitted from a vehicle and generates real-time traffic information. In addition, traffic information generated from the collected travel information can be fed back to each vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the travel information collection system 400 includes, for example, a vehicle 401, a beacon 402, and a communication center 403. A vehicle 401 is a moving body on which a navigation device 500 (which will be described in detail later) having the function of the information generation device 100 according to the embodiment is mounted.

  The beacon 402 is a communication device capable of bidirectional communication with the vehicle 401. Specifically, there are optical beacons and radio beacons. In addition, in order to realize a communicable area of 60 to 70 m per radio wave beacon and 3.5 m per optical beacon, the type is appropriately selected according to the number of lanes on the road on which the vehicle 401 travels and the number of beacons that can be installed. Select and set.

  In addition, the communication center 403 collects travel information of the vehicle 401 acquired by the beacon 402. In addition, the communication center 403 generates traffic information within the communicable area from the collected travel information of each vehicle 401. Since this traffic information is based on the travel information collected from the vehicle 401 currently traveling, it is possible to generate highly accurate traffic information in real time. The traffic information generated by the communication center 403 is delivered to the vehicle 401 via the beacon 402.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. This navigation device 500 is used in a state where it is mounted on a vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the navigation device 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM (memory) 503, a magnetic disk drive 504, a magnetic disk 505, an optical disk drive 506, an optical disk 507, and an audio I / F (interface). ) 508, microphone 509, speaker 510, input device 511, video I / F 512, display 513, camera 514, communication I / F 515, GPS unit 516, and various sensors 517. Composed. In addition, the components 501 to 517 are connected by a bus 520, respectively.

  The CPU 501 governs overall control of the navigation device 500. The ROM 502 records programs such as a boot program, a navigation program, a communication program, and an information generation program. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501.

  The magnetic disk drive 504 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 505 according to control of CPU501. The magnetic disk 505 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 504. As the magnetic disk 505, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 506 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 507 according to control of CPU501. The optical disk 507 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 506. As the optical disc 507, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 507, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the travel information generated by the information generation program is stored in any recording area in the recording means such as the magnetic disk 505 or the optical disk 507. Another example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 505 or the optical disk 507 is map data used for route search / route guidance. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road. The map data can be displayed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally on the display screen of the display 513. Drawn. When the navigation device 500 is guiding a route, the map data and the current vehicle location acquired by the CPU 501 are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  The audio I / F 508 is connected to a microphone 509 for audio input and a speaker 510 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 509 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 508. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 510. Note that sound input from the microphone 509 can be recorded as sound data on the magnetic disk 505 or the optical disk 507.

  Examples of the input device 511 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. Further, the input device 511 can be connected to another information processing terminal such as a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal to input / output data.

  The video I / F 512 is connected to a display 513 for video output and a camera 514 for video input. Specifically, the video I / F 512 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 513, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 513 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 513 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 513, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted. The camera 514 captures images inside and outside the vehicle and outputs them as image data. An image captured by the camera 514 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 505 or the optical disk 507 as image data.

  Communication I / F 515 performs wireless communication with beacon 402 (see FIG. 4), and transmits travel information to communication center 403 via beacon 402. Further, the communication I / F 515 is connected to various communication networks, not limited to the beacon 402, and transmits and receives information.

  Communication networks to which the communication I / F 515 is connected include a LAN, a WAN, a public line network, a mobile phone network, and the like. Specifically, the communication I / F 515 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, a wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices. get. As road traffic information, for example, VICS information is received. This VICS information is provided with road traffic information such as traffic jams, accidents, and regulations by a road traffic information communication system (VICS). The acquired VICS information is displayed on the navigation device 500 in real time. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 516 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information related to the position of the vehicle 401 (see FIG. 4) on which the navigation device 500 is mounted. The output information of the GPS unit 516 is used when the current position of the vehicle 401 is calculated by the CPU 501 together with output values of various sensors 517 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 517 are vehicle speed sensors, angular velocity sensors, and the like, and output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle 401. The output values of the various sensors 517 are used by the CPU 501 for calculating the current location of the vehicle 401 and measuring the amount of change in speed and direction.

  When corresponding to the hardware configuration of the navigation device 500 described above, the speed detection unit 101 of the information generation device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 501, the ROM 502, the RAM 503, and the various sensors 517. Further, the instruction unit 102 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 501, the ROM 502, the RAM 503, and the GPS unit 516, respectively. Further, the generation unit 103 and the generation interval setting unit 104 realize their functions in, for example, the CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503, respectively. The communication unit 105 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the communication I / F 515. Further, the storage unit 106 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 501, the magnetic disk drive 504, the magnetic disk 505, the optical disk drive 506, and the optical disk 507.

(Driving information generation method)
Next, a method for generating travel information in the navigation device 500 will be described. The navigation device 500 can generate travel information by executing an information generation program recorded in the ROM 502. When generating travel information, the following two points can be adjusted according to the moving speed.

(1) Switching of generation information generation criteria (2) Setting of specific generation interval (time / distance) Hereinafter, the contents of the adjustment of the two points will be described with specific examples.

(Switching criteria for generating travel information)
First, (1) switching of generation criteria for travel information will be described. That is, the generation criterion is either to generate travel information at a predetermined time interval or to generate travel information at a predetermined distance interval (movement distance interval). The greatest purpose of collecting travel information from the vehicle 401 is to generate traffic information for grasping the situation of traffic jams. In order to generate highly accurate driving information, it is desirable to generate the driving information by detecting the current position of the driving information one by one. However, the amount of information becomes enormous, and all the driving information generated while moving is beacons. Cannot transmit to 402.

  Therefore, the traveling information generated by the vehicle 401 normally generates traveling information at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval. Thus, the fact that there is a generation interval of travel information means that the speed during the generation interval is averaged. That is, the speed change during that time cannot be captured. As a matter of course, when the generation interval of the travel information is widened, it is difficult to capture a detailed state of speed change. In addition, the generation interval of travel information varies greatly depending on the travel information generation criterion.

  The advantage of generating the travel information at a predetermined time interval is that the generation interval is not widened and the travel information can be secured without a shortage even when the speed of the vehicle 401 is low. If the generation interval is set at equidistant intervals at low speed, the time required to reach the same distance interval becomes longer as the speed decreases. Therefore, by generating the travel information at a predetermined time interval, a fine speed change can be captured by measuring the degree of traffic jam, and a large amount of generated information can be generated reliably.

  On the other hand, the advantage of generating travel information at a predetermined distance interval is that the generation interval is not widened even when the speed of the vehicle 401 is high, and the travel information can be secured without shortage. When the generation interval is set at an equal time interval during high speed traveling, the distance traveled by the same time interval becomes longer as the speed increases, and as a result, the average speed of a long distance is shown, and the data becomes despread. Therefore, a large amount of generated information can be generated reliably by generating the travel information at predetermined distance intervals.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the travel information is generated at an equal time interval or an equal distance interval, and the generation reference is appropriately switched according to the speed of the vehicle 401. In the present embodiment, travel information intended to be transmitted to the communication center 403 is generated. However, the information generation method according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described case, and is related to travel of a moving object. It can be widely applied when generating information.

  The travel information generated by the navigation device 500 is travel history information indicating what route the vehicle has traveled at what speed. More specifically, for example, data of “latitude / longitude of own vehicle + time” is generated and stored at predetermined time intervals or predetermined movement distance intervals. As another example, the generation information may be “average vehicle speed of own vehicle”, or only the difference data from the previous generation is generated, and the amount of information of the generated travel information is compressed. Also good.

(Procedure for switching travel information generation criteria (time / distance))
Next, a procedure for switching the generation reference of the travel information in the navigation device 500 will be described. The generation reference is either a time interval or a distance interval. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process for switching the generation reference of travel information.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the vehicle 401 has started running (step S601). Here, it waits until the travel is started (step S601: No loop), and when started (step S601: Yes), the data of the reference position and the reference time are obtained with the travel start position as the reference position and the travel start time as the reference time. Generate (step S602). Next, the moving speed V of the vehicle 401 is detected (step S603), and the elapsed time tx is reset to 0 (step S604). In addition, the elapsed time tx starts to be measured with the reset of the elapsed time tx (step S605).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the moving speed V of the vehicle 401 is faster than a predetermined speed V1 set in advance (step S606). Here, when the moving speed V is faster than the predetermined speed V1 (step S606: Yes), the process proceeds to a process of generating travel information at predetermined equal distance intervals. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from the previous data generation position (step S607). Here, the vehicle 401 waits for a predetermined distance (step S607: No loop). When the vehicle 401 travels a predetermined distance (step S607: Yes), the reference position, the reference time, the current position, and the current time at which data is generated in step S602. Difference data is generated (step S609).

  On the other hand, in step S606, when the moving speed V is slower than the predetermined speed V1 (step S606: No), the process proceeds to processing for generating travel information at predetermined equal time intervals. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous data generation time (step S608). Here, the vehicle 401 waits until a predetermined time elapses (step S608: No loop). When the predetermined time elapses (step S608: Yes), the process proceeds to step S609, and difference data is generated.

  When the process of step S609 ends, it is next determined whether or not the elapsed time tx is longer than a predetermined time t1 set in advance (step S610). That is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the elapsed time tx started counting. Here, when the elapsed time tx is shorter than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has not elapsed (step S610: No), the processing returns to step S606, and the data generation processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, in step S610, when the elapsed time tx is longer than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed (step S610: Yes), the generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 (step S611). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 401 has finished traveling (step S612). If the vehicle 401 continues to travel (step S612: No), the process returns to step S604, and data is repeatedly generated until the elapsed time tx has passed the predetermined time t1 (steps S604 to S610). The generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 as in step S611 described above when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S612 that the travel of the vehicle 401 has ended (step S612: Yes), the series of processing ends. As described above, the navigation device 500 generates difference data at regular time intervals, and transmits the differential data generated at predetermined regular time intervals to the communication center 403 in a lump. The difference data is received by the communication center 403 as travel information of the vehicle 401.

(Setting of travel information generation interval)
Next, (2) a specific generation interval (time / distance) setting will be described. As described above, the navigation apparatus 500 can switch the generation reference according to the speed of the vehicle 401, and can further set the generation interval set as the generation reference to an optimal value according to the speed. .

  As described above, the greatest purpose of collecting travel information from the vehicle 401 is to generate traffic information for grasping the situation of traffic jams. For example, according to the above (1), the generation standard of the travel information is set at equal time intervals. In such a case, traveling information is generated at a uniform time interval regardless of whether the vehicle 401 is traveling at a low speed or traveling at a high speed, and traveling information that does not change much is continuously generated when traveling at a low speed. End up. On the other hand, when the travel information generation reference is switched to equidistant intervals, the travel information is generated too few times because the travel distance is small during low speed travel. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the speed of the vehicle 401 changes, the generation interval is set according to the speed so that the degree of data change and the number of data generations are appropriate.

(Generation time interval setting)
First, adjustment of the travel information generation time interval will be described. FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of setting a generation time interval of travel information. As described above, when the travel information is generated at equal time intervals, travel information that does not change much is continuously generated during low speed travel. For example, when the speed is increased, the time interval is narrowed and slowed down. Then, control is performed to widen the time interval. Specifically, when the speed of the vehicle 401 is detected, the generation interval is set each time by applying to the graphs 710 to 730 of the characteristic diagram 700 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for changing the setting of the generation time interval of travel information. This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. When the speed Vx-1 when the previous generation time interval is set has changed to the change reference value or more, the current time interval tx is changed to the new time interval t1.

  Next, a procedure for setting the travel information generation time interval will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a travel information generation time interval. In the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 401 on which the navigation device 500 is mounted has started running (step S901). Here, it waits until the start of travel (step S901: No loop), and when travel is started (step S901: Yes), data on the reference position and reference time with the travel start position as the reference position and the travel start time as the reference time. Is generated (step S902).

  Then, along with the data generation in step S902, the elapsed time tx is reset to 0 (step S903), and counting of the elapsed time tx is started (step S904). When counting of the elapsed time tx is started in step S904, the moving speed V of the vehicle 401 is next detected (step S905), and the data generation time interval tv at the speed V is detected (step S906).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the generation time interval tv has elapsed since the previous data generation time (step S907). When the process of step S907 is performed for the first time, since the previous data generation time does not exist, it is determined whether or not the generation time interval tv has elapsed since the elapsed time tx was started.

  In step S907, the process waits until the generation time interval tv elapses from the previous data generation time (step S907: No loop). When the generation time interval tv elapses (step S907: Yes), the reference for generating data in step S902 Difference data between the position and reference time and the current position and current time is generated (step S908).

  When the difference data is generated, it is next determined whether or not the elapsed time tx is longer than a predetermined time t1 set in advance (step S909). That is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the elapsed time tx started counting. Here, when the elapsed time tx is shorter than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has not elapsed (step S909: No), the processing returns to step S905, and the data generation processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, in step S909, when the elapsed time tx is longer than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed (step S909: Yes), the generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 (step S910). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 401 has finished traveling (step S911). If the vehicle 401 continues to travel (step S911: No), the process returns to step S903, and data is repeatedly generated until the elapsed time tx has passed the predetermined time t1 (steps S903 to S909). The generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 as in step S910 described above when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S911 that the traveling of the vehicle 401 has ended (step S911: Yes), the series of processing ends. As described above, the navigation device 500 generates difference data at regular time intervals, and transmits the differential data generated at predetermined regular time intervals to the communication center 403 in a lump. The difference data is received as travel information of the vehicle 401 by the communication center 403.

(Setting of travel information generation distance interval)
Next, the setting of the generation distance interval when the travel information is set to be generated at every equal distance interval will be described. FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of setting the generation distance interval of travel information. Each of the graphs 1010 to 1030 in the characteristic diagram 1000 in FIG. 10 represents the characteristics of the generation distance interval corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 401. When the speed of the vehicle 401 is detected, it is applied to the graphs 1010 to 1030 of the characteristic diagram 1000 as shown in FIG.

  Next, a procedure for setting the travel information generation distance interval will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of setting processing for generating a travel information generation distance interval. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, it is first determined whether or not the vehicle 401 on which the navigation device 500 is mounted has started running (step S1101). Here, it waits until the start of travel (step S1101: No loop). When travel is started (step S1101: Yes), the travel start position is the reference position, the travel start time is the reference time, and the reference position and reference matter data. Is generated (step S1102).

  Then, along with the data generation in step S1102, the elapsed time tx is reset to 0 (step S1103), and counting of the elapsed time tx is started (step S1104). When counting of the elapsed time tx is started in step S1104, the moving speed V of the vehicle 401 is next detected (step S1105), and the data generation distance interval dv at the speed V is detected (step S1106).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled a generation distance interval dv from the previous data generation position (step S1107). When the process of step S1107 is performed for the first time, since there is no previous data generation position, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled the generation distance interval dv after the elapsed time tx is started.

  In step S1107, the process waits for the generation distance interval dv from the previous data generation position (step S1107: No loop). If the vehicle travels for the generation distance interval dv (step S1107: Yes), the reference for generating data in step S1102 Difference data between the position and reference time and the current position and current time is generated (step S1108).

  When the difference data is generated, it is next determined whether or not the elapsed time tx is longer than a predetermined time t1 set in advance (step S1109). That is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the elapsed time tx started counting. Here, when the elapsed time tx is shorter than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has not elapsed (step S1109: No), the processing returns to step S1105 and the data generation processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, in step S1109, when the elapsed time tx is longer than the predetermined time t1, that is, when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed (step S1109: Yes), the generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 (step S1110). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 401 has finished traveling (step S1111). Here, if the vehicle 401 continues to travel (step S1111: No), the process returns to step S1103, and data is repeatedly generated until the elapsed time tx has passed the predetermined time t1 (steps S1103 to S1109). The generated data is transmitted to the communication center 403 as in step S1110 described above when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1111 that the traveling of the vehicle 401 has ended (step S1111: Yes), the series of processing ends. As described above, the navigation apparatus 500 generates difference data at regular time intervals, and transmits the differential data generated at predetermined equal distance intervals to the communication center 403 in a lump. The difference data is received as travel information of the vehicle 401 by the communication center 403.

  As described above, according to the information generation device, the information generation method, the information generation program, and the recording medium according to the present invention, the travel information generation instruction is issued at an optimum interval both when traveling at a low speed and when traveling at a high speed. Therefore, traveling information with high reliability can be generated. In addition, the amount of travel information can be adjusted by switching the setting of whether to generate travel information at regular time intervals or to generate travel information at regular distance intervals during low speed travel.

  The information generation method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0002]
The traffic information of the direction is used in a complementary manner, traffic information such as the degree of traffic congestion and travel time in the traffic information determination section is generated, and the reliability of the traffic information is improved (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
[0006]
Patent Document 1 JP 2006-244265 A DISCLOSURE OF THE DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0007]
In the case of the conventional technique such as Patent Document 1, a moving body (for example, the above-described probe car) usually generates travel information at either a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval. The generated travel information is transmitted to the management server that generates the traffic information every time it is generated, or accumulated every time it is generated, and the accumulated travel information group is stored every time a predetermined time elapses. Sent.
[0008]
However, the fact that the travel information is generated at a predetermined interval means that the speed during each generation interval is averaged, so that a change in speed during that time cannot be captured. That is, when the data generation interval is widened, the state of fine speed change is not reflected in the travel information. As a result, a problem that it is not possible to generate highly reliable travel information is given as an example.
[0009]
In addition, when generating travel information of a moving body for the purpose of generating traffic information related to traffic jams, the travel information is usually generated at every predetermined time interval or predetermined distance interval as described above. That is, traveling information is generated at regular intervals during both low speed traveling and high speed traveling.
[0010]
For example, when traveling information is generated at predetermined time intervals, compared to medium-high speed traveling (60-100 [km / h]), during low-speed traveling or slow traveling (30-10 [km / h]) The travel information with less displacement is continuously generated. On the other hand, when the travel information is generated at every predetermined distance interval, the travel information is generated less frequently when traveling at a low speed than when traveling at a medium or high speed because the travel distance per unit time is short. As described above, the content of the travel information and the number of generations vary greatly depending on the travel speed of the moving body, and thus the problem that the accuracy of the travel information is not stable to a certain standard is given as an example.
Means for Solving the Problems [0011]
The information generating apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is mounted on a moving body and is used for traveling of the moving body.

[0003]
An information generation device for generating information related to the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “running information”), a speed detection means for detecting a movement speed of the moving body, and a predetermined speed according to the movement speed detected by the speed detection means Switching to either a time interval or a predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body, and an instruction means for outputting an instruction for generating the travel information for each of the switched intervals, and a travel information output from the instruction means Generating means for generating travel information including current location information and time information of the moving body in response to a generation instruction.
[0012]
An information generation method according to the invention of claim 10 is an information generation method of an information generation apparatus that is mounted on a mobile body and generates information related to travel of the mobile body (hereinafter referred to as “travel information”). A speed detection step for detecting a moving speed of the moving body, and a switching time interval between a predetermined time interval and a predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body according to the moving speed detected by the speed detecting step, An instruction step for outputting the travel information generation instruction at every switched interval, and generation of travel information including the current location information and time information of the mobile body according to the generation instruction of the travel information output by the instruction step And a generating step.
[0013]
An information generation program according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the information generation method according to the tenth or eleventh aspect.
[0014]
A recording medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the information generation program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information generation apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information generating apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the generation instruction output processing in step S202 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the navigation device.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process for switching a generation reference of travel information.

Claims (13)

An information generation device that is mounted on a mobile body and generates information about travel of the mobile body (hereinafter referred to as “travel information”),
Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of the moving body;
Instructing means for outputting an instruction to generate the travel information at either one of a predetermined time interval or a predetermined moving distance interval of the moving body according to the moving speed detected by the speed detecting means;
Generating means for generating travel information including current location information and time information of the moving body in response to an instruction to generate travel information output from the instruction means;
An information generation device comprising:   The instruction means outputs an instruction to generate the travel information at predetermined time intervals when a speed equal to or higher than a threshold is detected by the speed detection means, and when a speed less than the threshold is detected, The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for generating the travel information is output for each predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body.   The instruction means outputs an instruction for generating the travel information for each predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body when the speed detection means detects a speed equal to or greater than a threshold, and a speed less than the threshold is detected. The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for generating the travel information is output at predetermined time intervals.   2. The information generation according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit obtains displacement information of the moving body based on the current location information and time information for each output of the generation instruction by the instruction unit as the travel information. apparatus. A generation interval setting unit that sets a time interval or a movement distance interval according to the moving body speed detected by the speed detection unit as the generation interval of the travel information;
2. The information generation according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit outputs the travel information generation instruction at every one of a time interval and a movement distance interval set by the generation interval setting unit. apparatus.   The information generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the generation interval setting unit sets the generation interval of the travel information based on characteristic information of a time interval corresponding to a predetermined moving speed.   6. The information generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the generation interval setting means sets the travel information generation interval based on characteristic information of a movement distance interval corresponding to a predetermined movement speed. Comprising communication means for communicating with a collection device for collecting the travel information generated by the information generation device;
The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the travel information generated by the generation unit to the collection device. Comprising storage means for storing travel information generated by the generation means;
The information generation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit transmits the travel information stored in the storage unit to the collection device at predetermined time intervals. An information generation method of an information generation device that is mounted on a mobile body and generates information about travel of the mobile body (hereinafter referred to as “travel information”),
A speed detecting step for detecting a moving speed of the moving body;
An instruction step of outputting an instruction to generate the travel information for each one of a predetermined time interval or a predetermined movement distance interval of the moving body according to the moving speed detected by the speed detecting step;
In response to the travel information generation instruction output by the instruction step, a generation step of generating travel information including the current location information and time information of the mobile body;
An information generation method comprising: A generation interval setting step of setting a time interval or a movement distance interval according to the moving body speed detected by the speed detection step as a generation interval of the travel information,
11. The information generation according to claim 10, wherein the instruction step outputs an instruction to generate the travel information at every one of a time interval and a movement distance interval set by the generation interval setting step. Method.   An information generation program for causing a computer to execute the information generation method according to claim 10.   13. A recording medium in which the information generation program according to claim 12 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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